Quasqueton guardian. (Quasqueton, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1856-1858, 1857-11-19

the corner OF the building just IN time to
send my ball into dark figure, which
was vomiting forth curses, while its arm
was just eveiing pistol at tie head OF
the pioneer, whose gigantic form loomed
up in the darkness-whilc a form in wo
mans clothing was clinging to him with
desperation. | knew that it was Mary,
and the thought sent courage into my
heart, and strength into my nerves,
which made me feel equal to dozen vii
lains. The ruffian sank under my rifle
bail, and in an instant my sharp knife
was buried deep in the heart of another.
who at this moment rushed from the
cabin. With horrible curse upon his
lips, he dropped dead at my feet. My
blood was now up aud boiling. | fell
and ac,ed ike a iger. -Four more Of the
wreicaes now lell upon us, for tie noise
and lumult of the fight had aroused them
from their sleep; and, always prepared
for a surprise, they were not long in ar
riving at the scene of action. They
could not use their rifles before coming
up to us, for the darkness prevented them
from telling friend from foe. Better had
it been for them had they been able to do
it, for before they could fire, we were
among them, using our knives with terri
bic rapidity.
The pioneer had laid his now senseless
child on the grass at a safe distance from
the fight, during the moments interval
after had disposed of the second rutlian /;
and his enormous strength and astonish-
ing agility were enough for the four men
alone, | am sure. felt equal to them
myself, and between us both, we made
short work of it. l tell you, my friends,
my arm felt like moving iron.
| aimed my blows with a concentrated
rapidity which gave my foes no chance
to use their firearms, and had but little
| chance to use their knives. Two or three
more came up, but they merely rushed
into death-for the pioneer was now ter
rible in his aroused strength, and they
seemed like children before his arm
My attention was all now for myself, but
once in while my eyes would catch a
glance of his rising arm then would
come the almost crashing clash of a knife,
and head would disappear in the dark
ness. 1t was soon done quicker than |
have been telling it to you.
We had not come off unscathed. |
received one or two severe wounds and
several slashing cuts, but none of them
were dangerous. The pioneer had re-
ceived bullet wound in the left arm, a
knife slash on his side, which had cut
through the clothes and slightly penetra-
ted the flesh, This was all we had suf-
tered. His bullet wound he had received
in the cabin, from the rifle of Dick His
KEY, who was the first TO sound the alarm.
| He was awakened from his sleep by the
creaking of the stairs, which the heavy
form of the pioneer made while going
down 10 the lower rooms. The ruffian
! did not rouse himself at first, which gave
the pioneer-who was made intensely
cautious by the creaking-time TO release
i his daughter, whom lie luckily found in
the first room he entered. This done.
lie made for the outside door. Dick His
KEY, now fully aroused, seized his rifle
and rushed on. OF his room. He hastily
aimed at the dim form of the pioneer and
fired The bullet went through tie lett
arm. The pioneer fired wish great care
! The ruihan form bounded upwards and
then with heavy crash fell to the floor
The noise had aroused the other villains
the pioneer had burst through tie door
and the rest you know. But it is get
ting bed time, so | will end. We re-
manned IN the villains settlement until
morning, and then we started for the pi-
oneel's home with horse team, for there
were plenty of horses on the place, and
they did not come there honestly, | as
sure YOU. The remainder we took care
of afterwards.
Well, you can guess the rest of my
story about as we'll as If should tell YOU.
Mary has been your hostess ever since
you came here. never had reason to
regret Of that dark nights adventure.
Our host rose from his chair, locked
the doors, and Lighting our lamps, he bid
us good night and we retired to our beds
to dream of finding beautiful maidens in
the forests and fighting like lions for them
A LITTLE AIR.-'You on need a little sun
and air. said a physician TO maiden
patient. IF do. was the cute reply,
"I'll wait till | get married" Bolus
looked very thoughtful, and thought il