Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1854-03-23

lliOrd ana tne OOy entered the Stables.
AMI, guided by the ligh, Of lantern, for
it was now dark, sought for Bolton.
"Thorn,on is innocent, Currie," were
Nellie,s first words, as her brother ap-
preached the spot where she was walk
ing up and down in great agitation.
"l'm sure of it," said Curre; '.but
we can't make the company believe il,
without some evidence
"Will you bring him here!" she ask
ed.
"Oi course; but how can we shield
him then!'
81 will shield him with my own bo-
dy!' she exclaimed; he has been wrong
ed enough already"
Her brother gazed at her surprise; he
had never before seen her SO much excl.
ted, and his spirit felt rebuked in the
presence of a passion deeper than his
conceptions. E
Nv here is Bolton?" she suddenly de-
manded; but, without waiting for re-
ply. went on: "Go you TO the stables
send George TO me-take Tilford and
follow the company--proiect Thornton
as if he were your brother! Go; they
may commit some high-handed outrage
before on can be present."
Curre was two years her senior. but
the high, stern spirit, which so suddenly
developed itself. overmaslered him; and,
without, even asking a question, he hIr-
ried off to obey her rapid and peremp-
tory orders.
The yillain!" she exclaimed, as she
heard the loud, arrogant voice Of Bolton
calling she company together and dying
in the distance, as they galloped away
toward the south. "Butthe fowler shall
be taken in his own net!' she added,
setting her teeth hard and turning tow ard
the house. She had scarcely crossed
the threshold, when to her as,onishment,
her father entered. His brow was knit
as in thought, and his motions denoted
mental conflict.
"Fa:her," she exclaimed impulsively,
and with reproach in her tone. "who
fills your post in the conpany"
"I1ow does that concern you!" he de-
manded sternly, perhaps glad to direct
toward another his dissatisfaction with
himself. "Go to your chamber, and
cont let ME zee you again before sun.
rise"
rplicit obedience had been the frs,
lessons Of Nellie's childhood, and tho
her impulse was toward rebellion now,
she knew her father too well, loved him
too deeply, to risk open defiance But she
met her brother George at the door as
she passed out. and drew him silently
into her chamber.
"Who commands the company TO.
night she asked, as she closed the
door.
"8olton," replied the lad. "Fathel
directed him TO sieze Thornton and
bring him here forthwith"
"George," said she, after few mo-
ments' reflection, "steal out TO the sta.
bles. and pu, my saddle upon Jenny; then
saddle horse for yourself. and bring
them both round to the stile. ] will
meet you there in twenty minutes"
George hesiiated, but her tone WAS toe
im2erious to be gainsaid, and the pre-
ceeding was one which appealed to his
boyish nature. He crept steal,hily out
and proceeded to execute her command.
In the meantime, after clearing the in.
closures of Lowden's farm, the Regula.
tors. led by Bolton, galloped tumul.u
ously along the road toward Thornton's
house. Bottles of spirits had beer cir.
culating freely among them during the
whole day, though without much Wis
ible effect; the access of this ne W excl
,ement inhamed the latent fire of the
liquid, flasks Of which were still passing
from hand to hand. preparing the reck.
less band for an outrage. Tilford and
Currie Lowden rode together in the
rear, silen, and anxious, unwilllngly &C
companying the disorderly mob, but do
ing SO in hope that some opportunity
might offer to be Of service to Thornton
According to Nellie's direction, too. they
were watching Bolton; but, beyond his
excessive zeal TO arrest Thornton, they
saw nothing unusual in his manner.
Some of them yelling like ssvages
and others silent with closed lips and
knit brows of deadly purpose, they
dashed across the stream, and. gaining
the open ground, urged their horses a
gain 10 pace which must soon bring
them to Thornton's house.
"lf Bottoms horse should fall and
break bis masters neck" said Currie
''it might save an innocent mans life."
"Such lucky acciden,s but seldom
happen" Tilford replied. 'But yo,
don't suppose they will dare take Thorn
toms Iife!"
"They have done worse things thar
that" Cuirie said.
"Scarcely should think" his com
panion answered, shut what are we 10 d,
if they attempt it?"
"Resist them 10 the knife!" said Cur
rie fercely,
1--WE must get them to take him bacl
to the house, if possible" returned Til
ford. "But who is this tagging benin,
here" he added, observing a singh
horseman who had dropped out of tn
crowd, and now rode but few PAGES be
fore them.
| "It's Ketchum, believe" said Cur