Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-04-02
WHOLE NUMBER C4s.

As IL in answer 10 this halfexpressed wish.
there was Of that moment seen, on the crest Of a
slight elevation in front, a single horseman, who,
even at that distance, was recognized as wearing
the uniform Of Marion's brigade.
"Wheel 10 the right" said Msjor Lindsay
sharply and suddenly TO bis dragons. "into this
old Wood.road. Hall We will lie in ambush
here until we know something Of the sirengh Of
the enemy. They do not YET see Us"
His orders were Immediately executed. The
troopers dashed into the pine barren, where they
were easily concealed behind some high brush.
Major Lindsay alighted and siealJhiiy advanced
10 reconnoiIre.
First he saw trooper idly descending the hill
then another Immediately cur clear the accliviiy
with his figure; and soon q third. fourth, and
fifth appeared 10 rapid succession. The last
conner was al a gsllop, and dashed by the Others
until he reached their head. Even at that dis
lance Major Lindsay thought there was some
thing familiar in this person. He could not BE-
lieyc, however, that be had seen the whole Of
the enemy's force, until The five horsemen had
nearly descended the bill, when be concluded
that they were merely a scouting parry Of the
foe. He beckoned to bis orderly:
ado you know those lellowsl' he said.
The approaching horsemen were still at a con.
siderable distance, so the man, shading bis eyes
with one hand, while with the other he held back
the brushwOod to get an opening for his face,
peered long and eagerly. Then he drew back,
noddng bis head.
81 know 'em" he said, "least ways one o EN-,
who is that Capt. Prestoo that used to plague US
so, up at the hall, yonder," and he jerked his
finger over his shoulder in the direction Of Mrs.
Blakeley's, which they had left about an hour be-
fore.
care you surel" said MAJOR Lindsay, eager
ly. 81 would rather lose dozen guineas than
that you should be mistaken"
"Then you'll keep your guineas, sir" said
the orderly, "that's Capt. Preston, and nobody
else"
"Is that fellow, Macdonald, with hint He is
worth two men, and it would be alucky hit 70
get both"
"No, sir, | know his cut well-but he's not
along. And that's odd too, for he and Captain
Preston always go together like dogs hunting in
couples"
"Then we have him!' said Major Lindsay,
exulhngy. ale cannot escaps us.
"Shall we blow trumpet and charge. al once
thenl" said the orderly. sour men will 60 at
'em like hungry wolves. They've long score
10 seule."
mot yet" said Major Lindsay, tive will wait
till those fellows come up; then, boot and saddle
and upon them. would not have them escape
US for my lfe."
The dragons. informed who the enemy was
chafed impauently TO begin the attack-for they
had hundred insults TO avenge on the bold par
lisan before them. Meanwhile, our hero, for the
orderly bad been right in saying Capt. Preston
led the troop, approached on trot, completely
unconscious Of the presence Of his hidden ene'
my. He was engaged in a scouting expedition
ofsome extent, and had no idea an armed royal
ist was within twenty miles. Suddenly, howev-
er, he drew in his rein, for he thought he heard
horse stamping in the forest; but il was too late;
Major Lindsay saw they were discovered, and
Immediately gavethe long wished for word.
"Charge!" he said, plunging his rowels into
the sides of his horse, and clearing at one bound
the space between him and the road.
With loud huzza, the dragons shouting, "no
quarter" followed his example, horse and man
suddenly filling the road like aPpartions. Pres.
ton saw he was surrounded. Their cries told
him, moreover, that it was to be life and death
struggle. Five against fifteen was fearful odds,
yet he cried.
"Marion forever" and drawing his sabre, he
dashed at Lindsay, whom he recognized.
"Ha! have we met!" he cried.
"Yes and have you," was the reply hissed
between his adversary's teeth.
As Major Lindsay thus spoke, he raised him.
sefin his stirrups, and throwing all his strength
into the gigantic blow; he brought his heavy sa.
bre, down, right on the almost unprotected head
of Preston. For a moment it seemed as II the
Itrenchant blade would cut through cap and skull
even 10 the shoulder-and had il struck fair /
would; but with a dextcrous movement, our here
evaded the stroke, and in return dealt side Gu
that, if Major Lindsay's horse had not fortunate
Ilv swerved. would have ended his life at once.
But though foiIed in this first attempt, eact
was eager 10 return TO the charge, and wheeling
their horses, they rushed again upon each other
II was Preston's turn now 10 deal the first blow
He rode with verv short stirrups, of which h
took advantage to throw himself backward, an
then, projecting himself forward, and casting al
his strength into the blow, he brought his sabr
down on the helmet Of Major Lindsay with fore
that was irresistible, Cutting clean through tn
cres as lift had been smoke wreath, the well
proved blade deecendcd with full violence on tn
steel cap, through which ii crashed like an eg
sheel; but here it stopped, broken into fragment
by the tremendous stroke and the resistance
the iron casque combined. Nothing but tina
welltempered steel head piece could have save
Major Lndsay,s life. Asit was, stunned and be
wildered, he reeIed in his saddle
SLEW him downl-Use the cold lead!-Hav'
at him there, and all!
Such were the exclamations that met our hero
ear, as he recovered himself from that blow, an
found only the hilt and fragment of his broke
blade left in his hand. He looked around hast
lv. His four followers had already been put hon
iu combat, and the dragons were now, like dog
around wild boar, waiting chance to rush J
on him, encouraging each other by shouts; ic
I such was the terror Of Preston's name, ana
Il, :. ii -; .boy bad inst seen dealt the