The emigrant aid journal of Minnesota. [volume] (Nininger City, Minn. Terr. [i.e. Minn.]) 1856-1858, 1857-08-15
CHAPTER V.

which HamOrs had spoken, and wound along its rocky
bed for a considerable distance without hearing anything
from their pursuers the pale features of the trembling
Corolinn were terminated by the assurance of her Ev-
erington. Suddenly Hamors stopped and listened. All
were instantly silent. No one, however, could hear any
thing, except the murmur of the trees that overshadowed
the deep glen, and the hollow sound of a distant water
fall. Hamors alone, by his countenance, BETRAYED his
alarm. He threw himself from his horse, laid his ear
close to the rock, and again listened.
1t is as | feared we are pursued, and the horsemen
are close upon US" said Hamors.
" We know then what we have to d." replied Ever
ington G. think we can make this pass good against
a dozen or more Schirans."
~ an exactly Of your opinion" said Hamors; "but not
here can we make our defence. If the lady will ride
toward, in one hour she will reach the extremity of this
narrow valley, within the boundaries of Kurdistan,
where she will be sure of hospitable reception and safety
The advice Of Hamors must be followed" said Ever.
ington to the ladies " dearest Corolinn, escape if you
can we will join you after we have disposed Of these
villains"
But it was plain, the strength Of the fair girl was un.
equal to the task enjoined on her, and the danger to
which Everington was exposed had no tendency to
tranquilize Der spirits. The whole party now fastened
onward to the place where the rocks approached so near
together as to leave only a space sufficient for one to
pass at a time and as it was evident their pursuers
were not far distant, Hamors proposed making a stand
at that place, since in the narrow pass numbers could
be of little advantage.
Corolinn endeavored to proceed, but a dizzy faintness
came over her and had not Everington, who was watch
ing her disappearance, flown to her aid, she must have
fallen to the ground. Everington caught her in arms,
s~prinkled some cold water in her face, and while the
girl Myrtilda fastened to the aid of her mistress, he
kissed the pale forehead Of the beautiful creature he
held in his arms, with a feeling of the tenderest affection.
Placing Corolinn, who had revived, on a messy rock,
which by a turn OF the ravine was hid from the path
they had travelled, he left her with her attendant, and
fastened to Hamers, who had been preparing their arms
for the expected conflict. Their position was such as
to prevent their pursuers from riding them down, and
they had some hope, that, by a vigorous defence, they
should be ultimately successful.
Their pistols were loaded and PINNED, their cimetars
were drawn, and in anxious suspense they listened to the
rapid and approaching ~trampling of their pursuers.
1t was but a minute, before their foe appeared turning
the point Of the rocks below them. and they no sooner
caught a glimpse of the ~fugitives than a loud shout an
nounced their qualification, and the certainty of their
triumph. Though their horses were covered with sweat
and foam, and painting for breath, they halted not a
moment but drawing their sabres, with shouts of
praise to Allah, and invoking the aid of the prophet for
the destruction of the inidel dog, advanced at a swift
gallop and IN single file to the assault. Z, erington
and Hamors stood firm with their cooked pistols in their
right hands, and their sabres in their left.
p" We must block up the road, and they must form
the barrier" said Everington to his servant " you
shoot the leaders horse and I will dispose of the rider"
"flng down your arms, you rebel dog y shouted the
chief who led the squadron.
The only answer given was by the DISCHARGE Of the
pistols of Everington and Hamors, who both fired at the
same instant with fatal effect. The noble beast on
which the Emir was mounted, made a desperate plunge
forward, then partly turned, reared on his hind feet, and
while his masters hand relaxed it's grasp upon the
bride, both fell lifeless in the narrowest part of the
pathway.
The effect was so sudden, and the assault so rapid,
that the second individual in pursuit, was unable to
check the horse before he was entangled by the fallen one,
and ere he could extricate himself, his. rider had received
a shot through the brain while clinging with a death
grasp to the reins as he fell, the afrighted stced was in
stantly %trampling him under foot, and by his endeavors to
escape, creating still greater confusion in the body be-
hind.
"1he curse OF the prophet rest on the iuGdel dogs"
cried the second in command, as he threw himself from
the morse and followed by three or four others, struggled
forward to encounter the defenders of the pass. hand to
hand.
They at last succeeded in reaching them, but Ever
lngton and his servant, who saw the coming storm, were