I pray the Lord my soul to keep;
If I should die before I wake,
I pray the Lord my soul to take;"

and then adding, of his own accord, "Please, Dod, take care of
Charlie, and don't let the dark hurt Bub;" rising, he said, "Bub isn't
'fraid now;" and, descending into the cellar, he crept into his
hiding-place in the wall, and carefully readjusted the stone.

The Indian that Bub had seen was Long Hair. While he was cautiously
reconnoitring, the command under Captain Manly had reached the ground.
The soldiers found the outer door securely fastened, and, though they
thundered for admittance, there was no response from within. In their
impatience, some broke down the door, while others scaled the walls.
Captain Manly was the first to enter, and the soldiers pushed in
eagerly after him, anxious to rescue the settlers, if any were there
still. Instantly his eye caught the figure stretched on the bed.

"Hush, boys," said he, reverently; "the little fellow is dead."

Tears filled the eyes of the men as they gathered about their officer,
and gazed silently upon the features of the boy. A placid look was
upon the brave lad's countenance; his curly-brown hair lay in dank
masses, in fine contrast to his white forehead; while the lessons of
self-control, which he had been taught, made his expression mature and
noble. Captain Manly stooped and kissed the cold forehead, and the
soldiers instinctively lifted their caps.

Meanwhile, the cabin had been carefully searched.

"There's not a soul in it," said Sergeant Eaton, touching his cap.
"The little lad yonder seems to have been all alone."

"Impossible. What did that firing mean from the cabin, just as we rode
up? And here, you see, are no less than a dozen rifles, all nicely
mounted. Where are the fingers that pulled the triggers? Sergeant,
there is some mystery here that needs to be unravelled. Have you
searched the cellar?"

"We have, sir," was the reply.

The officers stood looking at each other perplexed, and were
continuing their conversation in a low tone, when Long Hair entered,
and without noticing any one, stood, with folded arms, gazing at
Charlie.

"Long Hair," said the captain, turning abruptly towards him, "how long
did you get here before we did?"

"Little time--not much."

"Were you on the ground when we heard the discharge?"

"In tree; just here; over dere."

"Did any one leave the cabin after the guns were fi