CHRISTMAS IN AMERICA. 29,

year before had so often danced over it at night. She lingered.
there a moment. Then she called, —

«« Silas — Silas. Sloan!’

“Silas hurried up the stairs.

“They both came down in a few minutes. Silas’s face was
as white as the snow.

«« What is it?’ the children whispered.

«There was another painful silence. Grandmother seemed
to have forgotten the candle. All eyes were turned to her
face. ae
“Then followed a sound that sent the blood from every face.
It was as ifa log had been dashed against the door. The door
flew open, and in stalked two
Indians. One of them was
Warmmesley-Squammaney.

“<Ugh!’ said Warmmesley.

“What do you want?’ de-.
manded my grandmother.

“¢Me pay you now! —
Old Squammaney pay you.
Cider!’

“He sat down by the
fire, close to the candle.
The other Indian stood by
his chair, as though await-
ing his orders. The. young
children began to cry, and
Silas shook like a man with

 

the palsy.

“«Me pay you! —Me re-
member! Ugh!’ said Squammaney. ‘Braves all gone. Me
have revenge — Old Squammaney die hard. Ugh! Ugh!’