On the Trail of Pontiac or, The Pioneer Boys of the Ohio

hes. There was the same small bedroom at the north end, which, as before, had been turned over to Dave and Henry. But this room boast

mattress of straw and a pillow of the same material, for feathers were just then impossible to obtain. Under the window was a wide bench made of a half log, commonly called a puncheon benc

had made up their minds to retire. Having said their prayers, they huddled close together for warm

around the cabin and through the heavy boughs of the neighboring trees. The doors and shutters ra

snow which kept up steadily for many hours. By the time Dave and Henry arose the sn

dney, who was already at work, blowing up the fire for his mother.

fast they set about cleaning the wild turkeys and the rabbits. The feathers of the turkeys were sav

dle of the afternoon, after a trip to the cattle shed, to see tha

navailing. So they filled a cask which stood in the pantry with water, that they migh

e fiercely than ever, when Henry chanced to go to the

int cry. He listened intently

g for help!" he exc

ris quickly, and reached

yonder," answered the son,

Barringfor

dn't ma

eler has lost his

ph Morris. He went to the doorway.

e back fain

e com

ern and hung it outside of the doorway, that they might see their way back, and also placed a candle in the wi

his brother to move forward to the spot from whence the cry for help had proceeded. In spots the

called out James

s the fee

e are

it hickory. Jest abou

ith you," answer

his the Morrises moved forward as rapidly as possible. The keen wind cut like a knife, and t

split tree, to find Sam Barringford crouched behind a mass of the snow-lad

beard long, and his heavy eyebrows sheltered a pair of small black eyes that were as penetrating as those of any wild beast. He was a skilled marksman, and at following a trail had an instinct almost

marked Joseph Mo

hrow down your pa

nohow," returned Barringford, n

going to steal it

Joe; the bu

ha

two on '

them to me and I'll carry 'em to the house

on his back and took the latter's arm. The return to the cabin was made without delay, James Morr

id James Morris, as he rushed up to the firesi

Mrs. Morris. "Babies!

t know,

aze of all gathered around were presented to view two li

Morris, snatching up one of them and hu

from the other baby. Then arose a grand chorus which left no doubt of the facts that the babie

while I get them some

ch the soft and somewhat cold cheeks. "And such pretty eyes, too, and s

he old frontiersman comfortable. The water was already boiling in the big iron pot, and Barringford was given a glass of hot li

" he said. "Beats all crea

them?" put in

ree miles from this p

h cabin use

the snow?" queried Dav

was wrapped in the bundle an' the

cried Mrs. Morris, who was b

had the children had done his best by 'em, an' he co

ticulars, Sam,"

horse, and some wild beasts-wolves, most likely. I couldn't git the straight of it at fust, but at last I figured out that the horse had gone into a hole, broke his leg, and pitched the man out on his h

s crushed, and it and part of the horse lay in a nasty hole, an' that's what makes me think both had the accident. T

rris, while little Nell and

d, thet's a wildcat,' sez I to myself and swung my gun around putty quick. But it wasn't no wildcat at all, but them babies beginning to set

y else around?" a

ade up my mind the best to do war to get them babies to some shelter, or they'd freeze to deth. I didn't know ef other folks arou

ing with him besides th

ngs which I didn't pick up because of the snow an' the wind. Here are the things I did bring along,"