Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-08-10

me, and of my many repulses, SO why need
recount them2'
My child, I spoke not knowingly, for L
am hardly in my right senses since that hor-
rible fright last night. You must pardon
my offence, for twas not intended. How
far are we from our destination, Mr.. Fan
null? she asked of her husband, who had
now regained his faculties by sleeping off
the fumes ofthe intoxicating. beverage, and
was sitting in corner of the wagon with his
face buried in his hands. Mr.. Fannuil, how
far are we from our western home 7! she
asked, repeating her question, for Fannuil
had not apparently heard her.
{ do not know exactly, my dear, some
where about forty miles, | guess. [ wish
heartily, that we were either nearer to it, or
sArther9 back taward the States- To tell the
truth, I had Just as soon be back in good
old Philadelphia, earning my bread by the
sweat of nv brow, as to be out here in this
wild, savage country, and great sight rath-
er; but must go ahead now; twill never
do to turn back since we have come thus
far. Oh my blood runs cold, to think Of
the danger my wife and-child incurred,
when |, beast, yea, drunken '
DO not blame yourself so harshIy,' ex-
claimed Mrs. Fannuil, ready ever to forgive
and excuse the habit has grown so strong
on you that -
Brute, continued the repentant and ve-
hement husband, not noticing the Interrupt
ton and lay totally incapable of raising
hand in their defence. Oh liquor, thou
hast been the ruin of me, the bane of my
family. Oh! my God, let the recording
Angel inscribe my name and vow in his
book, and listen, my friends, my family, I
swear that SO long -
Do not speak so, my dear, beseech you
e stop that wild strain, you look wild .
again put in Mrs. Fannuil, seconded by
Murdant and Alcora, do not take on so.
[ believe you will yet reform and be better
man, and the idol, prop and support Of your
loving family
Would to God I could speak SO san
guinely.' Then there was silence for some
minutes, which was broken by FannuiI-sI
don't like the place we are now travelling in
by any means. We have every reason to
believe that the party you drove off last
night, aided by Mike, will come again; and
they have doubtless been lurking about us
all day, and found out our true force, and
only await the shades of night, and suitable
place, to put their heIlish desings into execu
ton. Have you sufficient ammunition, Muir.
dant I!
Yes, sir, plenty
But Why continued Fannuil, is youl
servant without a gun?
He prefers his shillelah, which you see
dangliqgg at bis saddle bow, to all firearms
was in the thickest Of the fight last night
and every time his shillelah descended, it did
terrible execution. l, myself, saw him strike
the heads off two stalwart savages, who haC
engaged him, smooth from their shoulders
at one powerful stroke 'Then,' replied
Fannuil, such friend is most welcome
/ think myself continued Murdant, afte1
slight pause, speaking low to Fannui
that we will be again attacked by the saw
ages tonight; but do not let the ladies
know our opinions. At the first open place
we come to, think we had better stop 70
the night, or at least until the attack is made
for am confident it will be made. onl
, wish knew the exact number ofthe Indians
so that might know the better how to ac
One thing | am quite sure of, their numbe
is considerably lessened since last night
I distinctly saw seven fall, beside the tw
Biddy slew
Deep silence then reigned for some lengt
4 Of time, the enshrouding shades of nigE
: all the while becoming more dense an
:, murky, the minds of all, as if by mutual col
i sent, being engrossed with reflection, wher
all at once, savage appeared ia the roa
! directly in front and stood for near y mil
ute contemplating them, and would prob
! bly have dwelt on the scene longer, had NJ
!, Mike, whose dander rose to the boiling poll
y directly he laid eyes on the red skin, spur
+ ed his horse forward, and grasping al
~ swinging aloft his shillelah in his brawr
y hands, would have soon annihilated the sa
% age who in spite of all his tact and era
N could not escape the sight of the indi gna
~ ~ Irishman, had not Murdant, by peculi
~ signal, recalled him. The fears before e
~ pressed were now placed beyond any sha
~ ow of doubt. Continuing their, way un
= they came to spot not so densely crowd
- with trees, they halted, and taking the hors
4 u from, and placing them behind the WACO
- - giving them chance of escaping the Indi
arrows, and taking down and securing t
: cover around the wagon, SO that the fema
= whom Fanuil had ordered to lay fat on t
i i bed, might not be made marks for the
=, dams, and Murdant and Fanuil getting
" side the wagon and arranging themsel'
with their trusty guns, leaving Mike I
walking guard armed with his shillelah,
inseparable companion, and also gun VIII
ITS he had been prevailed upon to take IL
,e- awaited in silence and in doubtful anxi
he the issue.
ofI ITO BE CONTINUED