Page:Six months in Kansas.djvu/135

Rh cabin. Our Jennie would have given up the hope of corn or pumpkin, sooner than the pleasure of coming to her baby. The haystack has still its party of hungry horses, diminishing its size at a frightfully rapid rate. And what is poor Jennie to do when winter sets in? I will not worry about any future. How can I, when I look over to the little town, blockading itself with forts and breastworks in every direction. How the men ply their shovels, working by turns of fifties, all day and all night! Around each fort, now the evening has come, are cords of blazing wood, to light them at their labor of defence ; and over Fort Lane flutters a banner of stars and stripes, as an encouragement, as well as a protection. Alas, for the little town! How long could it stand against the power of a strong State, bearing down against it?

What a piece of news I have just heard! General Pomeroy taken prisoner, and in the camp below Franklin! He was here yesterday afternoon—said he was assailed at Westport, but frightened away his pursuers by pointing his pistol at them; and, when still nearer this place, forded the river three times to escape