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

waiting even for the rider TO recover his
seat, he turned him round and sonlnued:
"Do you ride back now, as fast as your
horse can carry you, and wait at the
house for our return. Go!' he repeated,
as the peddler hesitated, "or I'll pummel
the breath out of YOU"
Ketchum had not much stomach for
the work he was upon, or, il may be, that
TiIfords threat had more influence; at
all events, thus urged, he made the best
speed yet left in his tired steed toward
Lowden's house; while his cap,ors, after
watching him as he disappeared in the
gloom, turned once more 10 follow the
company.
IF we can induce them to take Thorn.
ton back" Tllford said, 81 think we
may save him; and they can hardly do
otherwise now, since they have no wit
ness against him."
Before Currie could express the doub,
which arose in his mnd-for he was
far better acquainted than his compan.
ion with the character Of the men they
had to deal with the company had turn
ed into the open space which led to
Thornton's house, and fierce shout of
triumph announced that ,hey had overia-
ken their victim. The two friends urg.
cd their horses 10 a run, and few mo-
ments brought them TO the 'umultuous
scene. Thornton was just crossing the
s,ile, which led to the door.yard when
the excited crowd rode up; and compre-
hending by their wild threats that he was
about to fall into the hands o! drunken
mob, he stepped down, and, turning,
brough. his gun TO his shoulder.
"Pll kill the first man that attempts to
cross that stile," he said, with stern.
ness quite foreign 10 his character.
"Shoo. him! Shoe, the lhieving
scoundrel!" was echoed on all sides, and
in another n oment his life had been lost.
But Ti!foro and Currie now dashed into
the tumuIl a, full run, the formers
horse not bringing up until his breath al J..
most famed rhornion's face.
"Hold!' he shouted; "for Gods sake
hold!' ....-..... .........-.
.Shoot him tool" commanded Bolton;
and the ruliian was about to put his own
order into execution, when blow from
Currie's sialwart arm brought him beav-
lily to the ground, his gun going of harm
lessly in the air. He rose Immediately
to his feet, with dangerous knife in his
hand, aud springing with the fury Of a
wild beast toward Currie, would proba-
Bile have cut him down. But thessway-
ing Of the crowd separated them; and,
severa! of the more sober interposing,
his rage was partially quieted.
"Regulators!' shouted one Of these,
"we are not here to quarrel among our
selves; let us proceed with business, and
settle our matters another time"
Fearful of loosing his precarious au-
thorl.y by allowing another to assume
command, Bolton acquiesced, and walk
ed up to the s.ile, where Tilford was in
negotiation with Thornton, whose moth
er and sister, alarmed by the noise, had
rushed out and were now clinging fright
ened to his arms.
"You had better 60 with me, Thorn
ton," Tilford urged. "rhese men are
bent on mischief. and it needs but a liz
tie resistance TO exasperate them beyond
hope. But 60 along quietly to Lowden's.
aud think you will be safe"
$50 bro,her-oh! 60 with him." urg.
ed his sister; IL am cure Mr.. Tilford is
right am sure he will protect you!'
and as she lifted her streaming eyes ap-
peaiingly to the chiyalrous young Virgin
ian's.
II viii, with my life!" he exclaimed,
as in answer to the glance of those
beautifm eyes.
IL shall not need your protection,
hope," Thornton said coldly, and then
fastened, as if conscious of the ungra.
ciousness Of his reply. to add, ''for in
nocence requires no shield"
His sister dropped the arm she had
been holding, and timidly advanced to
Tilford, took his hand, and, her voice
trembling with emotion, hesi.atingly
said:
"Let nae thank you, ,hen-since he
will not"
mo thanks need be given for simple
act of JUSTICE" Tilford said, holding her
hand AVID gazing into her eyes; "bu,, for
your sake. I'll protect him even against
himself"
"What is all this about" demanded
Bolton roughly, advancing toward
Thornton. and attempting to sieze him.
"Stop moment, Bolton" said Til.
ford. in,efposing. "He agrees to go a.
long with US without resistance-and
that is enough"
II agree TO upon one condition." said
Thornton--.lhai shall not be bound
or disarmed.
No, no, mol" came hosrsely from
several of the Regulators, at the same
moment, two of them sprung suddenly
upon him, aud attempted to wress his gun
out OF his hands. Tilford and Currie
rushed in, each armed with knife. bu
the latter received blow from gun
barrel, which bore him 10 the ground, and
the former, though struggling ferce'y
was overpowered and dragged away
Several guns exploded in the melee, tho
fortunately without injury; Thornton
was dashed rudely upon his face, and
in less time than il takes to relate il