Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1852-08-25
A BRAVE RESISTANCE.

There is little danger after all, to be ap-
pretended from ruffian force if mans
nerve and GOODNESS desert him not at the
pinch. In house attacks the odds are in.
fnitcly against the assailants. The attempt
is generally made ii the dead Of night; a
ro6ber rarity are never sufficiently organized
to combine their efforts judiciously, and two
men within, if properly armed and plentiful
" supplied with anlnnition, are, in my opin-
Il fair match for dozen outside the doors.
Calm and steady courage does wonders
certainly, and evenSwhen surprised and un-
prepared, a cool imam will rarely be left
without some mcans.of defence. The Scotch
proverb is a true saw, ga gleg (ready) hand
never wanted weapon"
There was nevera better illustration of
that truth, than theS$heroic resistance offered
by an aged gentleman in the south of
Ireland, to band of ru(Fiians under the
most discouraging circumstances.
Several years ago, when the south of
ireland was as itllas ever been within the
memory of the oldest inhabitant, in distur-
bed state, a man advanced in years lived in
retired country house. He was bachc.
lor, and whether Trusting to his supposed
popularity, or imagining that the general
alarm among the gentry groundless, he
continued in his lonely mansion long after
his neighbors had Quilted theirs for safer
residence in towns. He had been indis-
posed for severalsdays and on the night he
was attacked, had.takcn supper in his bed.
room, which wason the ground floor, and
inside parlor, with which communicated.
The servants went to bed, the house was
shut up for the night, and the supper tray,
with its appurtenances by providenti,l
oversight were fogotten in the old mans
chamber.
Some hoursaftsS he had retired to rest,
he WAS alarr asearing window lifted
in .thezoute. mi; his - door
was aiar, mn moon shone brilliantly
through the open easement rendering OBJ
iects in the parlor distinct and perceptibc
to any person in the inner room. Presently
man leaped through the window, and
three others followed him in quick success
sion The old gentleman sprang from his
bed, but unfortunately there were no arms
in the apartment; recollecting however, the,
forgotten supper tray, he provided himself
with case.knife, and resolutely y took his
stand behind the door. He had one advan-
tagc over the murderers, they were in full
moonlight, and he sliroudcd in impeuctrable
darkness.
A momcntary hesitation took place among
the party, who seemed undecided as to
which of them should enter the dark room;
for acquainted with the localities of the
house, they knew well where the devoted
victim slept. At last one Of the williams eau
tiously approached, stood for moment
in the doorway, hesitatcd, advanced a
step-not whisper was heard, breathless
silence reigned around, and the apartment
before him was dark as the grave itself.
"Go on blast ye! What the devil are you
afeard of" said the rough voice of all as.
sociate bchind he took second step, and
the old mans knife was buried in his heart!
No second thrust was requisite, for with a
deep groan the robber sank upon the floor.
The olscurity of the chamber, the sudden
destruction caused by that deadly thrust,
prevented the ruffians in the outer room
from knowing the fate of their companion.
A second presented himself, crossed the
threshold, stumbled against his dead associ-
ciate, aud received the old mans knife in
his bosom. The wound though mortal was
not so fatal as the other, and the ruffian had
strength to calculate that he was dead
man.
Instantly several shot were fired, but the
old gentieman's position sheltered him from
the bullets. third assassin advanced,
.leveled long fowling piece through the
door way, and actually rested the barrel
against the old mans body. Its direction
however was a slanting one. and with nd.
mirable self possession, remained steady till
the murderer drew the trigger, and the ball
passed nim without injury; but the flash
from the gun unfortunately disclosed his
place of ambush. Then commenced a des-
perate struggle-the robbcr, powerful and
athletic ruHian closed and seized bis victim
around the body-there was no equality with
regard to strength, and although the old man
sluck often and furiously with his knife, the
blows were Intellectual and he was thrown
heavily upon the floor with the murderer
above him. Even at that moment his pre-
senco of mind saved this heroic gentleman.
He found that the blade Of tho knife had turn
ed, and contrived to straighten it upon the
floor. The ruffian's hand was already y upon
his throat-the pressure became suffocating
"a few moments more and the contest must
have ended; but an accidental movement Of
his body, exposed the murderer's side-the
old man struck with his remaining strength a
deadly blow-the robbers grasp relaxed
and with yell Of mortal agony, he fell dead
across his exhausted antagonist!
Horror.struck by the death shrek Of their
comrades, the banditti wanted courage to
enter that gloomy chamber which had al.
ready proved fatal to so many. They poured
an irregular voIley in and leaPing through the
open window, ran off leaving their lifeless
companions behind.
Lights and assistance came presently
tho chamber was pool of gore, and the old
man nearly in state of insensibilty, was
covered with the blood, and encompassed by
the breathless bodies Of his intended mur,