White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1858-01-28

ted; but the mansion itself was still in remsr.
kabIe fine state of preservation, and the srchi-
4 tectural boast Of the country.
/ 1t was fine clear morning when Mr.. Now
bray stood on the steps ofhis house, to welcome
the recruits, who, In obedience to his long ex
\ pected signal, were onfhat day to repair to the
rendezvous. Z, His feelings, es one stout yeoman
after another rode up, were those of exultation,
dashed little with regret for having ever des-
paired Of his eountrrxn.i ssy0jaGs1 10 ssiOdo q.
\ How fortunate that Capt Bali with his To,
ries has moved up the river said his lieuten-
ant, who stood beside him. "rWe shall have
time to discipline our men, and rally great
number to our ranks. Our twenty tall fellows,
though brave enough, could hardly make head
against his one hundred troopers We have q
good week before u.s." pa FL ,F
"Yery true; and we have assurance of nearly
thirty more, provided we display our banner
Three days of quiet is all l ask. Then hope
we shall be able to give good account of our
sel' es, even If Balls Tories return" said Mr..
Mowbray. 49, .I...
If we are gone when be comes back, he will
wreak his vengeance, fear, on our home"
said the other with sigh.
al hope yon do not think of drawing back"
replied Mr.. Mowbray " In this cause a man
must be willing to sacrifice father and mother,
house and land, good repute, and all else he
holds dear in the world. God help us.'
al am with you till DEATH" said the lieuten-
ant, thinking at that mement how much more
his SUPERIOR had to lose than himself, and affec-
ted by such heroic and selfsaerifcing conduct.
At this Instant horseman was seen gallop-
ing furiously down the avenue, and as he came
onward, he waved his cap, as if DESTROYS to call
their attention to something in the road which
he had left. Mr.. Mowbray looked in that direc-
ton, but o clump of woodland shut out the high
way from sight; however, after moments de-
lay, the voice of one of his recruits called at
tention to what seemed a cloud of dust rising
above the tree tops. Almost at the same mo-
ment party Of troopers appeared at the head Of
the avenue. The approaching horseman had
now reached the lawn. o.. -,.r ..s .ras-s
"We are betrayed he cried almost e1haus
ted" Balls Tories are behind and have chased
me for two miles. To arms, to arms!"
The time was too short to allow of barrica-
ding the house; but the great hall was speedily
turned into fertilization. The doors at either
end were closed, barred and further defended
by tables and chairs piled against them; while
the entrances into the parlors were closed effec-
tually in the same way. The great window at
the head of the staircase, and one at the other
extremity Of the upper hall were guarded by
proper force. This disposition had scarcely been
finished when the Tories galloped up to the lawn,
on which they dismounted with loud shouts, and
began preparations for the attack.
When Mr.. ,Mowbray's troop was mustered, it
was found to contain but ten exclusive of him
SELF for nearly half of the expected recruits had
not yet had time to arrive. IT was evident that
there had been treachery among them; for none
but those enlisted knew Of this rendezvous, and
the sudden disappearance Of the enemy two days
before, it was now apparent, had been feint.
However, nothing remained but to sell their
lives as dearly as possible. -19h'to if-H
Mr.. Mowbray walked around among bis men,
and himself saw that everything was ready. He
exhorted them in a few words to do their duty
manfully. His short harangue was brought to
speedy conclusion by loud cheer on the part
of the assailants, and shower Of bullets aim
ed at the hall window, as they advanced to the
attack. silr, -- 4 -i
" Fire coe!ly, and waste no shot," he said
stemly, himself handling musket. o..
-Four men fell at the first discharge; and, mad
with rage and shame, the Torses strove 70 climb
the pilasters of the hall door; but they were
beaten thence by the butts of the defenders
muskets. The men who achieved this were Sc
verely wounded by the rifles Of the Tories, who,
keeping watch, aimed wherever head appear
ed. An effort was now made to break open the
hall door. An axe was brought, and after seT-
eral blows, one of the heavy panels gave way.
But the very moment the wood fell in, volley
poured through the aperture, and drove back
the assailants, who, thus foiled at every point,
retreated TO the cover of the ont-houses to hold
a eonsultation.onl u eajS sI.irs le.
The little garrison was now mustered. One
of its members had been shot dead at the great
hall window, and .several were wounded. The
hurtsiEer bandaged as well as possible, and the
ammunition distributed more equally. Their
slight success had inspirited the men; they now
began to talk of foiling the. enemy, and when
notice was again given Of their approach, they
repaired to their posts with cheerfulness and ex-
ultatiou-f rrfr -ls. .s-1 -r. .--. trr-.rs
The Tories now seemed to have resolved on
trying combined attack on all parts of the
house. One party then advanced towards the
hall door in front-nnotber made Circuit Of the
mansion to assail that in the rear-and third
remained at one angle, as If contemplating an
assault on the side when the rest should be fully
engaged. Mr. Mowbray's heart forewarned him
of the result, when he saw these formidable
preparations. tf .sslfl 900
y sThey are breaking into the pariOr," cried
one Of the men, rushing up the staircase, at the
very instant new volley was discharged on the
house by the assailants.
Mr.. Mowbray listened, and heard the dull
sound OF an axe, followed by the breaking Of
glass. The, parlOr shutters had merely been
barred, and the pariors once gained, it was only
necessary to break down the doors leading 70
she entry, ahich were comparatively weak and
slightly baricaded. Todesert the hall up stairs
would be to seduce the Tories in front and rear
from their cover, and throw open an entrance to
them by the way they had first essaJed. Il be-
came necessary, therefore, 70 divide his already