White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1858-02-18

"Huzza for Marion-Remember his oath
Drive on the dogsr'
These were the shouts Of the assailants, to
which the royal officers replied:
''Stand fast for old England-DoWn with the
rebels-Stmd fastp'
For moment the retreating fugitives rallied
and made shout This was almost opposite
the window where Kate remained with her faith
or, In spite Of the danger, chained as ifby fas-
cination to the spot. A reinforcement Of SOL
diers, at the same instant, came running down
the street, and their companions parting right
and LEFT to make way for them, they gained the
front, and threw in a whitening volly on the foe.
These, not expecting such a sudden check, fell
into disorder.
snow charge on the rascals!" cried voice,
and Col. Campbell sprung to the van waving his
sword. "Give them the bayonet, lads, and the
field is ours ~
The issue of the combat hung trembling in
the balance. The assailants showed signs of
falling back, and Kate's tumultuous hopes died
withinher, when Suddenly the tramp of horses
feet was heard, and body ofcavalry came thun-
dering up the street. At their head, on a pow
erful charger, rode form that Kate instantly
recognized, as the lurid light Of the distant fire
played redly upon it. Need We say it WAS that
of Preston7 His uplifted sabre flashed in the
wild glare like bloOd-red meteor.
"The oath of Marion ~ he shouted, in a
voice of thunder. ."Strike home for revenge"
This sudden apparatiOn, and, more than all,
that stirring shout, seemed to infuse strange
band wild frenzy into the assailants so lately
about to turn.
''ThO cath Of Marion :" exclaimed a stalwart
figure at Preston's side, as he smote royal
grPnader to the earth with a single stroke.
The cry was caught up by the crowd-"The
oath of Marion-the oath Of Marion ~ rung
from hundred voices; and the assailants with
that cry, rushed on the royal troops like an ava
lanche rushes from the sky. But foremost ofall
rode Preston and his sergeant; while their ter
ror struck enemies around them went down with
every sweep of their good swords, ike grain on
a harvest field.
The royal troops broke in every direction
The officers seeing resistance was vain before so
headlong a charge, turned all of to seek safety
by flight. Col. Campbell, however, seemed dis
posed to stand his ground, but Macdonald, rid.
ing his powerful steed against him, bore him
down, and the next instant the eommandant,
to save his life, yielded himself a prisoner. 1t
was at this moment that Major Lindsay saw, for
the first time, the face Of Preston. With an
oath, Kissed between his teeth, he snatched
fre-lock from a dead soldier before him and
pointed it at our hero, who not preceiving him,
would infallibly have fallen, but that his name,
uttered in shrek by Kate, arrested his ear,
and turning he beheld his enemy, who was al
most in a line with the window whence the
warning had been heard.
The lightning that rives the oak is not quick
err than was the blow from Preston's SABRE
Down, right on the head Of his adversary, de-
scended the heavy steel, crushing through the
skull as if it was only so much paper; and with
that blow the soul Of the william and assassin
went to its long account
Kate saw no more. She scarcely indeed saw
that. She only knew that her lover had been
warned in time, and had escaped; for heEfather
now drew her forcibly in and shut the perilous
easement, around which the pistol balls were
rattling like hail. Then she swooned away.
The rest of that night is matter Of history.
The town was for while wholly in the hands
of the assailants, and the victory would have
been complete, but for. some misapprehension in
the hour at which the Observation-Disclosures were
to attack, which enabled part Of the enemy to
gain their garrison, where they were too strong
ly entrenched to be taken without artillery
The assailants accordingly retired, after having
captured the toWn-and made Col. Campbell
prisoner.
Preston had heard Hates voice, and leaving
the lieutenant to persue the fugitives, sought
her out Immediately. His were the eyes she
first looked on when she recovesed from her
swoon. Her glad surprise, or his own, when
he Ia feared their arrival was too late, we must
leave to the imagination of the reader. Il ID one
of those scenes human language is too feeble to
portray.
When, toward daybreak, Marion gave orders
for the town TO be evacuated, Kate, 50 lately
fainting and heart-broken, took her place on
horseback between her father and Preston, al
most as rosy lOOkingas ever. A spectator could
scarcely have recognized in her the pale and
dropping lily Ofthe evening before.
Mr.. MoEbray, on hearing the sacrifice bis
daughter would have made for his life, betrayed
the deepest emotion. He pressed her to his
bosom but could not speak. There was gen.
tie reproach in his eyes, however, which Kate
answered by glance Of unalterable love
1 Though Preston learned that Jacob bad claim
ed his assistance without the authority Of Kate,
he was consoled BY her assurance that she loved
him as well as If she had herself despatched the
message. In few weeks she became the wife
Ofour hero. She would have pleaded for delay
but her father said be was uncertain how long
his life might be continued, and that he wished
to see her have protector before he died; %
Kate yielded 10 bis wishes
Macdonald did rot, like his master, live "a
see the var concluded. he fell shortly amer the
attack on Georgetown, leaving behind him the
reputation Of one ofthe most gallant soldiers Of
the time.
!. As for old Jacob, he survived to dAndle the
children Of Kats and Preston on his knee Hs
had not only taken part in the fight at George
town, but quite distinguished himself, having
! s,.;, -, Fn01ish .oldier In single ca.nhat Oh