The Pioneer Boys on the Mississippi

ted by the wild peals of the alarm bell in the block house,

r felt more wide-awake in all their lives. And there was plenty t

ousehold goods, some of them precious only through their associations with that Virginia of the past, had

mstrong cabin it commenced to trickle over the door-sill. Bob's last visit was made with more or less splas

bins to convenient trees, hoping that in this way they might add to their security. When the strength of the current a

ose cabins were in danger had saved their goods, and in this considered themselves lucky. New cabins could of course be built,

broken, and the stars were shining. It seemed almost as though the myriad bright eyes o

lighted, and the glow of these added to the weirdness of the scene, as the settlers moved to and fro, comparing notes, trying to find comfort in their mutual tro

g been off to see how things were getting on in the direction of the river; and Sandy, who had

miserable French tr

ting fire to our cabin just now; and even Pat, who hates those men so

n, dressed like trappers, who were hurrying away from the settlement. He called out to them, thinking that they might be friends,

aw them?" demanded Bob

me here," Sandy replied. "They are all wondering what could have brought those men here at such a time; and every one seems to

g where it lies so long as the waters cannot carry it off. But people are there on the watch all the time, and childre

hates and despises everything that is French. He vows that, if he can only get one glimpse of ei

ttlement at the time this

ps, as though fearful that he might try to detain them. He says he stood and wondered who they could be,

e, let us hope it is f

always war between them, and especially in the wilderness where the trap lines run. Each claims all the country between here and the Miss

The coming of the flood changed their plans; and, as the people were all aroused, they must have decided that it was too d

th to tell, he felt the impending catastrophe even more than his brother di

re for mother and Kate than the rest of us. They sit there among our goods, white of face, but trying to bear up. Father cheers them with a few words every no

aid Sandy. "We must try to look cheerful, just for their sakes. And be

other remarked, with a shake of his head. "T

nd go further into the golden west. There was Mr. Harness for one, Mr. Bancroft for another, and possibly Mr. Wayne. Something seems to tell me, brother, that the coming of this flood, terrible though it appears, will be the very means of making our father decide to go

observed. "But we must wait and see. Perhaps, when the waters go down again, our neighbors will fo

and comfort our mother

you say. We are young, and can stand hardships easily; but our parents are gro

ly hunting through the pile of household go

sked Sandy, quickly, sc

belt which Pontiac gave you as a pledge of his constant good will," Mrs. Armstrong replied. "And, come to th

s no need to ask if either had seen the box of valuab

cabin still, then

away, impulsive as ever; and Mrs. Armstrong wru

uld I have one of my boys imperil his life in the effort to save them. Go as fast as you

r as he came upon Sandy the latter had reached the edge of the water, and was about to

y the arm, and sh

ess. Already the water is over our heads; and look at the way the cabin tr

drop until his chin rested on his ch