A Story for Boys.

Bush Advocate, Volume XI, Issue 863, 25 November 1893, Page 6

A Story for Boys.

In the early part of the war a sergeaut and twelve armed men were crossing _New Hampshire through the wilderness. Their route led them away from any settlement, and they camped at night in the woods. On the second afternoon of their journey (says an American contemporary) they were met by a party of Indiana, who made friendly overtures, and feigned to be much pleased at meeting the sergeant and his men, whom they obsequiously declared to be their protectors. But, as often happens when men are practising deception, the Indians overdid the matter, and suspicions of their sincerity were aroused in the sergeant's mind. After leaving the Indians and proceeding a mile or more, the sergeant stopped his com- I rades and Baid : I

" Those red - skins mean mischief. I I haven't lived among Indians for twenty years for nothiag. I know them and their fiendish tricks, and unless wo are prepared for them to-night there won't be a man of us alive to toll ilie story when moring comes." The soldiers were surprised; not one of them had distrusted the Indians. Feeling confidence iv tho -sergeant, however, they agreed to follow his instructions, aud tho following plan was adopted and executed : The spot chosen ior the night's encampment was near a stream of water, which served as a protection in the rear. A large oak tree was felled, and each man cut a log from this about the size of himself. The log* of wood wero wrapped in blankets, men's hatß wore put on tho extremities, and they wero laid before the camp fire, so artfully arranged that anyone would have taken them for outstretched sleeping soldiers. Tho sergeant aud his men concoaled themselves behind a pile of brush to await any movement ou the part of their enemies. The fire, which had been kept bright during the evening, was snflored to die down, and an air of quietoess reigned about the camp. Two hours passed, aud the men began to grow impatient, and hints were thrown out tbat the sergeant had beeu more scared than hurt.

At length a tall Indian was discovered by the glimmer of tho firelight cautiously moving towards them. Very stealthily he drew near enough to see the figures of tho supposed men. Then he withdrew, and another Indian appeared, who seemed carefully to count the slooping figures. Soon the whole party of rodukins, sixteen in number, was discovered cautiously advancing. Tho witnesses of the preparations for a massacre wero now so excited that they could hardly be restrained. The sergeant's plan was for his men to remain quiet iv thenplaces of concealment till the muskets of the savages wore discharged. They had not long to wait. Tho Indians advanced within a few feet, then took aim, discharged their piei.es, gave their characteristic war-whoop, and rushed forward to complete their dastardly work by scalping their helpless victima. Now was the sergeant's time, and at a given signal a deadly fire was poured upon the treacherous savages. Not one of them escaped.