The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1859-11-09


beneath the hall floor, that would be fred
as soon as they entered. So they all stood
back fearing to enter. The flames licked
their long tongues around the windows and
doors in mockery. Suddenly straight
fame shot mp in the air to great height,
with dreadful explosion tha: shook the
ground like an earthquake, ard scattered
the fragment of the building in every d.
rection, with the bodies of the slain and
wounded that lay in the hall. They were
confounded, they did not know what to
do-so many of them slain, and the mar
row escape of the remainder, filed them
with awe.
| The out-houses, now all around them,
were on fire, and they stood in the center
q fair shot for good marksman. Sud-
denly, from different directions a volley of
shots was fred, every one killing its man
A kind of superstitious fear took posses
sion of them, in place of the brute cour-
age that animated them few minutes be-
fore. Urged by this they cried "Mari-
on's men," and fed in every direction, as
| if they were possessed, and the leaders
had nothing else to do, but follow in their
wake. ere z9
l. The MAYS came off in possession of the
field, but alta dear cost. They gathered
around the home of their childhood, now
q smouldering ruin, and swore vengeance,
deep and deadly vengeance; and when
such men make such an oath, something
may be expected to result from it gaI
The Westerields had obtained some
revenge, for their fancied insult, but they
were. not satisfied with the issue of the
contest; they had not secured the bird,
they thought was in the house, and
which they expected every moment to see
rush from the flames into their arms.
Where she was they knew not. The
Mays had no more property to destroy,
and they did not care to meet them in the
open field. At last they came to the con-
clusion to let their revenge sleep for the
present, and wait for more favorable cir
cumstances. uaosa
Not so with the Mays, they had an ene-
my to be revenged on, and he was in a
tangible shape. and they were idle, and
had nothing else to do but plan the de-
struction of those to whom they were
owing the loss of their property.
All plans had one objection-the want
of men--at las. happy thought struck
. one of them, they had an uncle living
some distance away who had three sons. but
4 the old man was Tory, and they had ne
proof but that the sons were also--any.
how the chances were worthy trying anl
!. Henry May was dispatched to try the sen
, timent in that direction, while the res
procured some ammunition. Aa5asg
n Walter Moore was an Englishman b,
birth, and it was with little hope of sue
: cess that Henry rode up to his mansion
But he found the boys stout Wings, full o
: fight, and eager for something to turl
. up Now that they had chance. thei
! father stood in the way. But arden
!, young men never lack means to deceiv
their parents. The boys begged leav
? of their parents to go home with thei
t cousin, and engage in hunt that was &c
ing to come off in his neighborhood, an
8 he had come all the way to invite them.
r The unsuspecting old man, readily fe
d in the snare, and granted his consent, &C
II ding that if he was not so old, he woul
q go himself, entirely unconscious that b
brother Tories were to he the game. A
= they were going on hunt, it created n
q surprise to be seen arming themselves
n full. Highly delighted at the success
o their strategem, they started like troo
" Of Indians, to the Infinite delight of sui
/ dry little spectators, peeping out from b
le hind many cabin on the plantation.
J. They soon arrived at the place of rel
10 devious, and found all prime orde
J. plenty of powder and ball, and all in iii
e spirits. It was determined to attack tt
7s Wester6elds that very night. The tin
% decided on to make the attack was OF
o'clock in the morning. The time passt
le away slowly to those impatient spiri
re who were anxious to shed the blood
I'll theirisworn foes. Henry May was chos'
8, ileader, and about midnight he gave Il
% order for marching. The, intervenir
b space was soon passed, and they we
d close to where they thought they slept
70 their mortal enemies. They dismount
1t and went on foot short distance, as th
70 wished to surprise them, As they q
m vanced they were startled by the bark of
ir dog, but no one made any stir. The d.
ly was quieted and the door was forced
ed was silenced in the house-it was j
be serted. They soon set it on FIRE, and
lis the light they found their horses viii
ey they mounted and rode away from wh
re they hoped would have been . bloo
as field. s@cfis5 81 ,sf,-yi6 .g{ss,f ,f.fl,,
Id The Westerfelds had. probably hea
ey of, the, threatened vengeance of the Ma
or or thought in the course of events
7s. might come. and therefore fed from t
s. country. Thus q little personal feud
in fore the war, fed by the flame of jealous
%. and the general lawlessness of the tim
he broke up one family, and very near
le. another. This is one case in thousan
of aA CHAPTER XI, .
fe r. a.5mg.a oaJ THE BATTLE. 90 si eTaep