Ned in the Block-House

ch of the approaches to the block-house that no one could leave or approach it, was proof of the thoroughness of

knew just how many people composed the garrison; and, though the provisions might last for days and possibly

iver bank nearly in front of the block-house. This attained, he gave them to understand that they

act situation, this could have been done, as in the case of the scout Stinger; but it was necessary first that a perfect understanding should be established. There were W

otice of the watchful red men themselves; so it would seem that Deerfoot had all his pains for nothing

as Stinger wished to get out, and they wished to get in, they might as well have exchanged positions. Deerfoot could turn about

the wily Shawanoe, from what he had learned, believed that the force of assailants was so numerous and strong, that they were able to carry the post before help could reach it from Wild Oaks. In his e

e would be two guns added to the five within, and such an addition was likely

se at first, he was none the less determined that Colonel Preston should rece

he stockade could not be approached by any foe unseen, except at night. The banks of the Licking were from four to six feet above the surface, wh

ake use of this place, and they had done s

suspicion of the presence of any friends of the whites in the vicinity of

t should be found impossible to join Colonel Preston, it would be equally fata

to pass through the lines (which effort was made a number of hours before Deerfoot and his frie

though no living person was within. The heavy oaken door, the huge logs, the narrow windows, the steeply shelving roof, with one trap-door visible, the wooden chimney, the

he building, they observed a faint, steely blue smoke creeping upward from the wooden chimney. Mrs. Preston had doubtless kindled a fire on

ng to the entrance of the block-house which confronted them, "we could make a dash acr

roblem remained as to how Colonel Preston should be apprised of the fact

e bank, where they were not likely to be seen, because there was

throw away the advantage gained. They stealthily peeped over the edge of the bank, and their wor

countenance all aglow with pleasure: "I know jes' how we can tell de

face of the night do?" asked th

de Colonel will know it's me, 'cause de last time I war at de

Wyandots would suspect the truth the instant they heard your

let's jes' set up a yellin' dat de Colonel will hear, and make a rush for de house: he'll know we're comin'

Blossom worthy of notice, though they were ma

et Deerfoot see on

e last page of which was unruled, so as to permit the superscription, for the ordinary envelope was unknown in those days. The sheet was carefully folded and doubled within itse

writing with an interest that can hardly be described. Through the paper his keen eyes detected the faint tracery of some of the letters inside. Balancing the missive edgewise, between his thumb and

eps under the canvas; and, though he could not decipher the meaning of a character, he stared for sev

his friend was in that little package, and when opened, it would speak the same message to him. His feelings must h

he mind of the youth grasp the subject: "and when our friend

anation, but Ned saw that it was like the assent of the scho

eer, and some one should take it to you, and you looked at i

tically this time: he c

rehand should mean, 'I am your friend and brother'; when those lines and cha

inkling of the mystery. He saw, as through a glass, darkly, the achievements of the whi

rfoot how to send his thou

the Shawanoe, which touched Ned Preston. The voic

rom your own people: our Great Spirit is always looking down in kindness on

of the Great Spirit of the pale fac

the time, I will teach you how to read books and write letters just as well as any white

his pale-faced brother," s

ke you hummin' frough all de knowledge dat you want,"

w to read and write yourself, before

n beat me 'round de settlement

s hea

lls something else,-I forget what, bu

n his hand and looking earnestly at Ned

the back of this the words wh

keen-witted youth was unraveling the

inly I

ssage on this

nor ink, nor pencil, or I wou

e was prepa

ring you somethi

and stealth which seemed a part of his nature, while the

and what his pl

n and the crispness of the air, was lying on his side sunk in a sound slumber. Fortunately his po

s hand a piece of reddish brown stone, almost as soft as the mineral known

t be said to work very well, when applied to paper, but he found that patience and care wou

the following lines, first consulting Deerfoot a

Uncl

use. We want to join you, so as to help you fight off the Wyandots, but they are so plenty all around us that we daresn't try it, unless you ar

fectiona

ed