The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 184?-1851, 1845-05-21
CADIz, HARRISON COUNTY, OHIO MAY al, 1916

apparently some len minutes after the refugees
had departed, discovered her seDseless on the
ground. She was now scarcely revived, and
could with difficulty speak. Yet she strove to
smile, and family extended her hand 10 her hus-
band, calling him in those fond tones which only
a wife may use.
"By all that is holy" exclaimed the agonized
man, as he rushed from her bed side, 81 will
uvenge this on that renegade, or die in the at
tempt. But Ellen must know of it. Twill wait
until she is asleep and then depart on my er
rand. God will favor the right"
The stars were faint and few that night, as the
bold farmer, extorting from the kind neighbor
promise of secresy, stole out in the air. armed
with his trusty piece, and after looking moment
at the sky above struck rapidly across the forest
In less than an hour he had visited two farm
houses and obtained three neighbors to aid him
IN bis design. Striking into the heart of the for
est, they pushed on for several hours without
any apparent fatigue, and almost in silence. Al
length they came 10 halt.
"Their haunt is somewhere about here, have
learned" said the husband, ~ heard itby chance
from one of their gang, who misook me for Bill
Rchngs, who, you know, was supposed to have
no objection 10 their ways. | shouldn't be sur
prised, if the knowledge Of my possessing this
information, has led to the attack tonight"
"Hark," said one of the band, "do you not
hear tread coming through the woods?"
SIT is--it is-we have found them--lie close
now, and wait till they come up"
The group instantly relapsed into silence, and
each of them taking up position behind huge
tree, or some fallen trunk in the swamp, waited
breathlessly for the approach of The comers,
whose tread might now be heard, growing more
and more distinct, as they approached. Direct
| ly voices were recognised, conversing in care
less tone, then loud laugh rung across the
night, and after momentary silence, one Of the
approaching band burst into song.
"Now is our time," whispered the husband Ia
one Of his companions, stake the right hand
man, and leave the leader TO me; ready--fre.' -
The report of their rifles rang sharply through
the woods, and three Of the refugees eaping in
to the air, fell dead upon the ground. The
piece of the husband flashed in the pan, but did
not 60 off The captain of the renegades was
unframed. Springing back few steps from the
covert where his assailants lay concealed, he
shouted
"We are betrayed--we must run for it, my
boys" and before the enraged pursuers could
"Cli uhuOloloHu lulCullUll, lc Ildu uuC
fled, followed by those of his band who still re-
mained behind. 1t was no time, however, for
hesitation. The bafied husband was the first to
dash from his covert, and without pausing to sec
whether the fallen men were dead or not, he thun-
dered:
"Forward-forward-- them to the
deathr'
AS he spoke, he dashed off in pursuit. His
companions hesitated but a moment, and then
followed his example. Three of the refugees
had escaped, but there we're four in pursuit.
Fear seemed, however, TO have seized upon the
rencgades, else why should they have retreated
before force so little exceeding their own? 1t
! is probable, however, that they nagined far
greater number of the enraged inhabitants were
on their track, for they could scarcely suppose
that four men wonld have the hardhood to pene-
trate TO their fastness, when their full number was
known to equal dozen. Whatever was their
motive, however, they continued their flight,
their pursuers the while pressing holly in the
rear.
Ii was toward morning when two individuals
emerged upon the edge of an abrupt hill, many
kmiles from the fastness of the refugees. One of
them was the captain of the refugees--his pur-
suer was the injured husband. Both tho COM
panions of the outlaw had already been overta-
ken and slain, The eagernesB of the husband
had outstrpped the pace of his companions, and
aftera pursuit of hours, he was now on the point
of coming up with the refugee.
The rapid pace of the two men, pursuing and
pursued, brought the latter to the edge of the
abrupt hill before he was aware of it, and he saw
at a glance that further flight was impossible. He
turned and beheld only one foe in sight He
could hear the shouts of the others far behind
in the forest, and he resolved 10 grapple with
the foremost pursuer, and by destrosing him eff
feet his escape before the others came up. He
turned at bay. The rifles of both the combat
ants had been discharged in the pursuit, and
they now stood face to face, with no weapons but
their huntlngknives. A moment they gazed at
each other with all their mutual hate sparkling in
their eyes.
"Villain--mu -murderer-traitor," hoarsely eiacu-
lated the husband, paled with passion, as no dar-
ted at the refugee.
The outlaw made no answer, but he scowlcd
a mortal defiance at his foe, and drawing his
knife, awaited the onset of lis antagonist And
| it was terrible. For few moments so ncessant
we're their thrusts at each other, and SO rapidly
were these ihrusts mutually parried, that the eye
could not follow the motions of the combatants.
Now one--now the other seemed to have the ad-
vantage. The dry leaves flew in showers around
the contending foes, and the dust rose in clouds,
hiding them often from the sight. Not word
was spoken by either combatant. AT length, af-
Ter one or two slight wounds on either side, at
desperate thrust made by the husband, his knife
struck against the iron buckle at his antagonists
belt, and was shivered into pieces. The refa-
gee saw his advantage, and raised his knife 10
strike. AS last hope his pursuer graspcd his
wrist Adesperate struggle enSued. Both men
were of great personal prowess, but the outlaw
lhaYihp already received a wound in bis ripht