Smyrna times., 1857-09-16

70
"Damnation - shouted one of the Hessians
this is paying dearly for little booty; eight
killed, and nothing gained yet. Come, boys,
let US see if we cannot get little rest. The
other party will be along in the morning, and
then we shall be able to take them without
much trouble.'' .. ....l.. ...
"Agreed," chimed in the other two, (for the
squad was now reduced to three) and the trio
took up their quarters for the night on the pi-
azza, taking care to be out of the range of the
window atlwhich the girls were stationed.
The sun rose mild and beautiful next MORN
ing, the birds carrolled forth their gay notes as
merrily as ever; but yet there seemed to be a
stiffness about the old cottage-a mournful still
ness that spoke of death and sorrow.
Long before the hour of ten arrived, (the time
that Adam was to come buck,) Eliza and Edith
were planning how they could get away, and
inform him of the danger that threatened him
if he approached the house.
"After all, Eliza" said Edith. al think we
had better retain our old position, and guard
him from their attacks as best we can If we
attempt to escape from the house we shall al
most certainly be detected, and then all hopes
Il re lost for him.
"You are tight, you are right, sister," replied
Eliza. clinging fondly around Edith's neck,
"and may God bless you for noble girl"
Hark what sounds approach! 'Tis the
tramping OF horses hoots. a moment more,
and the gallant '' Black Bess' turns the angle
of the road, with her noble rider.
Throw those dead bodies in the bushes,
Ned; quick, or the old chap will be here before
you. Dead men tell no tales, but they had
better be out of sight"
alt shall be done, capting," and a short chub-
by little fellow walked from the stoop to exc
cute the order. Courses on old Bob's head !!
ne has made me bloody all over"
"Back Bess," with her rider, soon approach
ed the house. On seeing the three men on the
stoop, dressed as uessians Adam began to sus-
pect that all was not right, but sooner than ex-
hbt the least particular fear he rode up to the
old walnut tree in front of the house and dis
mounted. The old man was even without
pistol, and seeing that the three men were well
provided with arms, he concluded to treat them
friendly, and act as unconcerned as possible
"Flne morning, Major" said the nearest to
the door, as Adam came up the stoop.
"a very fine morning, indeed" Adam re-
piled.
awe have travelled considerable since day
break and have taken the liberty of resting
a while on your stoop-suppose you have no
objections"
"All is now LOST" exclaimed Eliza, as she
heard her fathers invitation to them.
mot yet," replied Edith, running to the
head of the stairs with the rifles; "we are
now equally matched. Nerve yourself, and we
shall soon triumph"
81 have terrible foreboding, Edith, that one
of US will die this morning."
"Hush hush you are nervous. am sure
you are. They are in the house now. Hark
some one knocks at the stair door. There is a
scuffle below-may be they are numbering him
bark! that knock again; tits his, he has es-
capped! Open in quick; open it, Eliza, while
| stand here with this good rifle"
The door opens, and instead of her father il
is the present leader of the counterfeit Hes
slams, (for the band was merely pack of tories
in disguse,) dressed in his clothes In mo-
ment, Eliza discovered that she had been de-
ceived, and started back with bound, and en-
deavored to gain the top of the stairway.
"Hold ! not quite so fast my pretty one. l.
must taste the nectar of your lips before you CO.
You have done considerable damage and mis-
chief, and you must now in measure repay
u.s." And so saying, the rufian caught the
tender form of the young girl in his arms, and
would have polluted her lips with the touch of
ais, had she not, with one superhuman effort
torn herself from him. '...<. .....'...
"Stand back, you fend, or" the words
we're scarcely out of her mouth before ball
from the rifle of Edith had entered his brain.
and he fell dead at her feet. -. ea.t.
At the report of the rife, the old man burst
away from the hold of the two rufllans, for they
had endeavored to bind him to a post in the
room and seeing his child before him, he rushed
towards her, but before he reached the stairs
blow from behind made him reel and stagger to
the floor. .ai."t p
"They have killed him quick Edith, they
have killed him." exclaimed Eliza on seeing
her father fall. ggn 9s.r.E
alt is too late now, my beauty" said one of
the rufians, as he caught hold of the bosom of
her dress and tore it open. alt is too late now;
you have doneIus enough of damage. and by
my good name, we'll make you pay for it,
Hasn't she rosy lips, Bill ? / will take her, and
you can have the one up stairs; but you will
have to fight amazing hard to get her. She is
a perfect devil in petticoats. The way she
popped the old commodore over was caution
10 all land sharks, now tell you. Good girl,
though, and worth having" ,'.' e
He had hardly spoken the words before Adam