Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1858-08-20

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4 he Is done fol now >, said one rs be
stood eying the door sasas8 sA9ss a;a,l 3
r. But the gaL replied little, short,
thick man. she 6gh hts like thunder.s -
ss IA you coward. who would. fear.
woman. relurnedsthe first speaker with
q sDeer. a
jim Bates. I'll make you smell, pow.
der Tor that before morning said the lie.
tie man, saysgely. $50 81
We must have this here door open,'
and suiIing the action TO the words, an
assault was made upon it. ss.4s-s Z
lsyelled my pistol and fred, when
With fearful oath. the man fell back up.
on the door. gave them. two more shots
when they retFeated precipitately down
stairs. re loaded my pistol. aud turned
to my CO rpanion, who was trying to
staunch the blood which was flowing
from wound in her neck.
| fear. sir. my life is short; aud I sin.
cerely thank you for your kind protec
lion. she murmured feebly. and then sank
exhausted upon the bed.
was about to. offer some resistance,
when | again heard steps upon the stairs
and earnest talking as Of persons remon..
sraIing Thinking the attack at the door
would be renewed. drew the bedstsad
against il. and threw the light bedding
over the head board. and thus formed a
KIDD OF breastWorks.
Say. Mister. don't you shoot. want
to speak few words with you.' said
voice at the head Of the stairs.
l will shoot the 6rst man who comes
near the door, replied. savage!y.
Oh no. dom: I'm your friend he
replied 10 a tone which carried treachery
with it. Com. to the door. will you 2
Yes. but don't you come
won't; are you there ?
Yes
telt slight moving of the bed over
the trap door. during which time the man
ou side kept up an incessaul .bber.
One end Of The bed was rising softly.
and taking hold OF it with my lett hand.
| gently raised it up. uutil could disco.
yer head above the opening.
Are you at the door 2
Yes
Simultaneous with my answer went q
lesdeu messenger through the head in
the trap. and bang came bullet through
the door.
Luz SOuuu VI u n6hNy jail huuOuuCeu
that my shot had taken effect.
searched for the revolver the girl had
used. and fortunately found II. and was
happy TO discover that but one load had
been shot out Of it. which replaced. and
being thus reinforced felt more confident
Of victory.
But to overcome the gang seemed al.
most hopeless. as their numbers might be
very large. and 80 far from assistance.
But might not some proyicential circum.
stance transpre TO deliver me from the
hands Of theee despersdoes 2 l was de
termintd to do my best. aud leave the re
suit ia the hands Of Him who directs the
affairs Of men.
A noise at the window drew my atten.
ti"n. and | caught the glimpse OF mans
head slowly rising above the sill. Taxing
a deliberate aim, gave him the contents
OF one barrel. and he descended much
quicker than he came up.
What would be the next feature Of the
programme cpu'd not i'm agiue; bat like
n wild beast al bay. l closely watched ev.
cry sound. But felt that something de- |
cisi"e must be done. Tor day would 5000
make its appearance. and then they would
uhNo tHe advantage OF ne'
Again they were ascending the stairs. |
DOW determined 10 put au end 10 The
contest. and If possible overcome them
AID bring them to terms; or die in the
attempt.
drew the bedstead around 90 as to |
pr rotect the girl from their FIRE. aud then
stationed myself near the door, but be.
youd their reach.
Crash went an axe against the door.
and the splinters new in every direction.
Il WAS but the work Of moment TO break !
the door in. and when it fell from lie fast
enings sailed forth with revolver in
each hand. One man dropped before me.
another reeled and then hsd preeiPitately |
down stairs. A few shots were returned.
one Of which took eR,ct in my shoulder.
and a. felt the blood trickle down my
side. It only increased my despsrntion.-I
WAS sure my shot would be ef- ctusl.-t
When / resehed the bsr room ! could see
bur one man. and as he fed through the
door gave him my last shot. He fell.
and begged me to spare him. as he was
the only remaining one Of the party
Tho king he was so crippled that he could |
mot espHcs. returned to the house, aud
taking light. searched il thoroughly.
and could not fnd another live man about
it. l then asc .ndeJ the staits. and iound
that the girl had some what recovered
We then set shout 10 dress oar wounds.
aud was so absorbed in tire mattsr that
did not notice glaring light which was
breaking through the door.
The house T. on fire. exclaimed she.
sprinxing to her feet.
Taking her by the hand. We rushed to
the stair0ay, bat IL vas one continuous
~. H.. -. a.....l Al. L.