groaning and weltering in his blood, and her children were screaming with fright, seized an axe, when the first one had got partly into the room, and dealt upon him a mortal blow. Then she

drew his body in, and waited for the approach of another. The Indians, supposing that their comrade had forced an entrance, were exultant, and proceeded to follow him. Nor did they discover their mistake until she had despatched four of them in this way. Then two of them attempted to descend the chimney, whereupon she ordered her children to empty the contents of a bed upon the fire; and the fire and smoke soon brought down two Indians, half suffocated, into the room. Mr. Merrill, by a desperate exertion, rose up, and speedily finished these two with a billet of wood. At the same time his wife dealt so heavy a blow upon the only remaining Indian at the door, that he was glad to retire.

Volumes might be filled with stories that show the heroism of Western women at that day. We have cited these two examples simply to exhibit their fortitude. Mrs. Lincoln was a resolute, fearless woman, like her pioneer sisters, and hence was cool and self-possessed amidst all exposures and dangers. She was a pious heroine; and such nights as those they spent on their way to Indiana only served to fill her heart with thoughts of Him who watched over them by night and day.

We said they were seven days on the journey. Two miles from their destination they came to the cabin of their nearest neighbor, Mr. Neale, who treated them with great kindness, and promised to assist them on the following day in putting up a dwelling. It was a pleasant proffer of assistance, and it served to make them happier as they laid down in their blankets on the first night of their residence in Spencer County, Indiana.

We have been thus particular, in this part of the narrative, because this experience had much to do with the development of that courage, energy, decision, and perseverance for which Abraham was thereafter distinguished.

66

COME

VII.

THE PIONEER BOY.

YOME; Abe," called his father, as soon as it was light enough to see in the morning; "you begin to be a pioneer boy in earnest to-day. Your axe is waitin' for you. We must get us up a cabin as soon as possible."

"The quicker the better," said Mrs. Lincoln; "if there should come a storm, we should be in a pretty plight."

“What can I do?" asked Abraham, who by this time was on his feet.

"Cut down the first tree you come to; all this land will be cleared in time, and no matter how quick the trees fall.'

"But you want trees cut first for the house, don't you?"

"Yes, any of them will do for that. You can't do much; but every little helps, and you must begin, if you are goin' to be a pioneer." And Abraham went at it.

Sure enough, there he is, a boy only eight years old, cutting away at a tree, to aid his father in rear

ing a cabin to shelter them. Nor is he to stop when the dwelling is completed, for there are acres of land around that are to be cleared for a farm. On that eventful morning he began to swing the axe, and he continued at the business most of the time until he was past twenty years of age.

He seems but a little boy to engage in such laborious work; but the pioneer boys of eight years, at that day, were as efficient for labor as boys are now at fifteen. They were early put to labor, so that tact and muscular power were early developed. They were equally courageous too. Many thrilling stories are told of their heroism, that would do honor to experienced men. One of these historic records is, that two boys by the name of Johnson, one nine and the other twelve years of age, were taken captive by two Indians near the present site of Steubenville, Kentucky. At night, when the Indians were fast asleep, one took a rifle and the other a tomahawk, and simultaneously killed their captors, and then escaped to their homes.

"I will shoot a turkey for you, mother, to cook before I go to choppin'," Mr. Lincoln continued. The forest abounded in game, among which were wild turkeys and deer, and the settlers depended mainly upon their rifles for a supply of meat. "It will take me but a few minutes."

"Abe must learn to use the rifle next," said his mother. "He can often do us good service in this way, if he'll make a good marksman."