Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1854-11-01

wood which formed q part Of the cargo
was hastily arranged III piles around tn,
quarter deck as well as forward. so as t,
barricade every side of the vessel For
tunately there was double supply of mus
kets on board and these were all loaded
and ready for use In that critical hou,
the hand and voice of Briggs were every
where. He felt that not only his own life
but What was dearer even than that de
pended on the success in the present strug
gle.
For some time the refugees who contin-
ued pulling iazily up the river, as if not
caring to excite suspicion, did not notice
| the movements on board the sloop-but
when the preparations became visible in
the growing bulwark of the vessel, thew
gave loud cheer and began to pull hasti-
/ ly towards her
They are coming now" said Briggs.
| placing the last armful of wood on the
pile along the quarter deck take your
musket. lads, and be ready for volley."
| Quick and sharp came the rolling of
the oars to their ears. and even those
manly hearts beat faster as they counted
the fearful odds against them, and recog-
nlzed the burly figure Of Hogan, aud one
or two more of his desperate associates
"Pull away around the stern, my lads, )"
shouted the refugee leader, rocking in the
stern with the motion Of the boat
"Now's your time" said Briggs, "pck
your men. I'll take Hogan"
The muskets were raised and breath
less instant cnsued
"Are you ready ?" whispered their lead
er softly
Aye was the prompt answer.
Then fire."
he voiley was not a moment too soon
Three of the men in the boat fell but al
most Immediately she struck the side of
the vessel, and her crew began to scram-
BILE over the barricade erected between
them and her defenders Firing was now
impossible; the conflict was hand to hand
1t was then that Briggs remembered Ma
ry with each blow of his sturdy arm
! Clubbing his muskct. he met the assail-
ants at every point. cheering and ANNA
ting his small. bat heroic band, more even
by his example than his voice. Short but
terrible was the conflict Most of the
outlaws never reached the deck of the
sloop, but fell back wounded or dead into
the boat Those who at last did gain a
| foothold on the deck OF the vessel finally
sunk before the athletic arms and indom-
table courage of the defender In less
than FIVE minutes after the attack began,
the refugees were repulsed at every point,
| their leader killed, and the few who re-
mained alive in full fight to the shore
| Two of their number remained prisoners
! in the hands of Briggs, and consequently
met the deserved fate oe their crimes.
No sooner had the enemy left the YES
sci than Briggs fastened to the cabin.
Mary was already ascending the gapgway
! alarmed by the cessation of his voice,
which through the strife had risen over
the noise of conflict, and sustained her
during its terrible excitement and sus-
pense
The meeting l shall not attempt to des-
cribe. 1t is sufficient to say that long af-
ter, they were accustomed to refer to it
as the happicst moment of their lives.
but now dearest" said he at length,
Il must see you safe to your fathers, ere
proceed Let me hope for still more :"
Briggs accompanied Mary home, aud
ere he returned to his vessel, he had press
cd her to his bosom as his wife.