Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1857-05-07

rledly, as he warded off the blow of his antag-
onist, and grappled with him.
Irene obeyed the injunction, and taking the
pistol stood watching the hole in the roof where
the two men had gained admittance.
The struggle between Mr. Melville and his
enemy was one of life or death. With his left
hand he grasped the villains hand in which he
held the knife, while with his right he endeav-
ored to bear him to the floor. They were both
strong powerful men. and nearly equally
matched in strength Mr.. Melville possessed
the greatest agility of the two, and this gave
him slight advantage. 1t was but very
slight one, however and the two men stood
there gazing at each other--the one all intent
on taking the life Of fellow being the other
only desiring to save his own. They stood thus
for moment, neither making the least move,
when Mr.. MelvilIa spdjealy letting go Nis hold
upon one OF his antagonist arms, struck him a
blow which made him stagger, and nearly fall.
Following up the advantage he had thus gaiued,
before the other had chance TO gather him
self, Mr.. Melville leaped upon him and bore
him down. Dropping his knife, the villain
seized MIR. Melville by the waist, and exerting
his whole strength endeavored to throw him be-
meath him The quick eye of his opponent
saw his intentions, and they fell to the floor
with such violence as to nearly stun the ruffian.
lie was now at his opponents mercy, and seiz-
ing him by the throat, Mr.. Melville exclaimed
NOW. villain, but make another attempt to
get up, and will choke the life out of your
vile body"
"Don t, for Gods sake, clasp 50 tight-I'm
suhocating," gasped the wretch, while dull
gurgng sound issued from his throat. Mr..
Melville relaxed his hold, and the fellow began
to breathe easier
What mighty heathenish country to be
sure, " exclaimed Ham, who, having mastered
his enemy, saw the state of affairs. Hang
, me if it don't beat all the accounts ever reat
of the Sandwich Islands, New Zealand, or any
other outlandish place, where they eat mission
aries, and cut up all kind of abominable capers
Queer kind of IL free Republic, amt it now
where Il man can't say word against Slavery
/ without
t "-sh " altered Mr.. Melville, cutting shor
q Hams sentence. - Do you hear that
t " Yes, and I'm bound to see what in all ere
t alton it means. Now, Irene, jest watch thi
] scamp, and if he moves hair use one of lhen
are playthngs you hold in your hands. Pear
like 'twoudn't hurt him much, when the trig
. ger is pulled by such fingers" and giving hi
, adversary threatening look, Ham arose, and
q approaching crevice, looked out
q We ure gone dogs! +" shouted Ham, as h
N Iounced on to his fallen foe once more 18th
q blasted heathens have got big pole, and ar
going to batter the door in. We're in for i
"a I'm thinking but for one shall resist just
= long as possible. The mean -
Whatever the remainder of Hams denunci
ton might have been, he did not utter it f
at that moment there was heavy concussiC
upon the door. The door shook like IA roe
!. Then came q repetition of the blow-the b;
snapped in twain-apd the men poured in
the room.
- Surrender, and justice shall be done you
resist, and we will not show you the least me
cy.
Seeing that it would be madness to confer
> against such odds, Mr.. Melville surrendered h
~ arms, and was led from the house.
" For my sake, gentlemen, spare my chill
ask not your cemency for myself; but as yC
~ value parents feeling. spare my child yo'
insults"
" I" 1t strikes me, you canting hypocrte, ,h
IN you Il have enough to do to take care of you
s. self, let alone your child" was the ,jeering 7
- ply, as one Of the desperadoes seized lreno
'U Father in Heaven. save Inc " exclaim
the fair girl as with a savage air he drew
~ away from her fathers side
Perhaps, should you call again, your pra
= :, er might be answered"
:, Irene shuddered at the prospect before hi
but in her heart she believed her prayer W
lot
heard.
TO BE CONTINUED.