The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-04-10

IN his perSon. He cuuid not believe, how.
ever, that he had seen the whole Of the en-.
emy's force, until the five horsemen had
nearly decended the hilI, when he concla.
ded that they were merely a scouting party
Of the foe. He beckoned TO his orderly.
DO you know those fellows J he said
The approaching horsemen were still at
a considerable distance, so the nun. shading
his eyes with one hand, while with the other
he held back the brushwoOd 10 get an open.
ing for his lace, peered long and eagerly
Then he drew back, nodIing his head.
Il know EN- he said, least ways one o.
'em, who is. that Captain Preston that used
to plague Us so, up ut the hall, yondrr,' and
he jerked his finger over his shoulder in the
direction Of Mrs. Blakelry's, which they had
lel, about an hour before.
'Are you sure,' said Major Lindsay eager
ly. Il wodld rather lose dozen guineas
than that yon should be Mistaken
Then you'll keep your guineus, sir said
the orderly, that's Captain Preston, and no.
body else.'
rs that fellow, Macdonald, with him 3
He is worth two men, and it would be a
lucky hit to get both ..., .f. .r...
mo sir, know his cut well-but he's not
along. And that's odd too, for he and Cap
tain Preston always be togther ike two
dogs bunting in coupes.' ..a..a Pc.
Then we have him ? said Major Lindsay,
exultingly. He cannot escape us
shall we blow trumpet and charge at
once then = said the orderly. Our men will
60 at 'em like hungry wolves. They've a
long score to settle.' ~ g.
Not yet said Major Lindsay, 1--WE will
wait till these fellows come up: then, boot
and saddle, and upon them. | would not
have them escape us for my life
The Dragons, informed who the cne;ny
was, chafed impatiently to begin the attack
--for they had hundred nsGlts to avenge
on the bold partisan Before them. Mean
while, Dur hero, for the orderly hud been
right IN saying Captain Preston led the
troops, approached on trot. completely un
conscious oI the presence of his hidden enc.
my. He was engaged in sc utng Xpedi.
ton of some extent. and had no idea an arm
ed royalist was within twenty miles. Sud.
denly. however, he drew in his rein, for he
thought he heard horse stamping in the
forest; but il was too late; Major Lindsay
saw they were discovered, and immediately
gave the long wished fer word. .
charge" he said, plunging his rowcls
into the side Of his horse, and clearing at
one bound the space between him aud the
road. ......
With loud huzzp the dragons shouting,
'no quarter followed his example, horse
and and man, and suddenly filling the road
like app4rtjons. Preston saw he was eur.
ronhded. Their cries told him, moreover
that it was to be lite aud death struggle.
Eve against fifteen was fearful odds, yet he
cried,
Marion forever !! and drawing his subre,
he dashed at Lindsay, whom he recognized.
'iIa have we met 4! he cried.
yes and have you,' was the reply hiss
ed between his adversary's teeth. ...
As Major Lindsay thus spoke, he raised
himself in his ktirrups, and throwing all his
strength into one gigantic blow, he brought
his heavy sabre, down on the almost tmpro.
tccted head of Preston. For moment it
seemed as If :he trpnchant blade would cut
through cap and skull, even to the shoulder
and had it struck fair it would but " ith q
dextcrods movement, our hero cvadcd the
stroke, and in re turn dealt side cut, that, i
Major Lindsry's horse had not fortunately
swerved, would have ended his life II. once
But though foiled in his first attempt each
was eager to return to the Chnrge; wheeling
their htrses, they rushed ugIin upon eaci
other. 1t was Preston's turn now to dea
the first blow. He rode with very shor
strrups, of which he took advantage to throw
himself backward, and then, projecting him
self forward and casting all his strength int
the blow, he brought his sabre down on ,h'
helmet of Major Lindsay with II force tha
was irresistible. Cutting clean through th'
crest as if It had been n smoke wreath, tn
we'll proved blade descended with full vic
lence on the steel cap, through which
crashed like an egg-shell. but here it stop
ped, broken into fragments by the tremen
dous stroke ard the resistance of the iroI
casque combined. Nothing but the wei
tempered steel head'picce could have save
Major Lindsay's life. As it was, stunne
and bewidered, he reeled in his saddle.
.Hew him down Use the cold lead l.
Have at him there, and all =
Such were the exciAmations that met ou
hero's ear as he recovered himself iromtha
blow, and found the hilt and fragment G
his broken blade left in his hand lie look
around hastily. His followers were pu
hors du combat, and the Dragons now, lik
dogs around wild boar, waiting a chance 4
rush in on him, encouraging each other b
shouts; for such was the terror OF Preston
name, and so terrific was the blow the.
had lust seen dealt their leader, that eac
man hung back an instant, preferring the
his neishbor should go first. Preston sa'
tb;s advnntare. md hasfened TO nyail him