The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1859-03-02
tion,' she feebly murmured, and sunk ex-

hausted upon the bed.
I was about to offer some assistance
when again heard steps upon the stairs
and earnest talking as of some persons
demonstrating. Thinking the attack at
the door would be renewed, I drew the
bedstead over against it, and threw the
light bedding over the headboard, and
thus formed kind of breastwork.
Say, Mister, don't shoot, want to speak
few words with you,' said a voice at
the head of the stairs.
| a.I'll shoot the first man who comes
near that door, I replied savagely.
%, no. don't! I'm your friend = he
replied, in a tone which carried treach-
lery with it. Come to the door will
Iyou?'
| Yes, but don't you come
/ Il won't, are you thar.'
Yes s
Close p
Yes
1 felt slight moving of the bed over
the trap, during which time, the man out
side kept up an incessant jabber.
One end of the bed was raised softly
and taking hold OF it with my left hand 1
gently eased it up, until 1 could discover
q head above the opening.
Are you at the door?' -ra 's
Yes.' .H r a--s. t.
And simultaneous with my answer
went leaden messenger through the
bead in the trap, and bang came bull
let through the door. ta
The sound of a heavy fall announced
that my shot had taken effect.
1 searched for the revolver that the girl
had used, and fortunately found it, and
! was happy to discover that but one load
had been shot out Oft, which I replaced,
and being thus reinforced, I felt confident
of victory. ssa seE ~
1 But to overcome this gang seemed al.
: most hopeless, as their numbers might be
/ very large, and far from assistance. But
! might not some providential circumstan.
ces transpire to deliver nae from the hands
J of these desperadoes. was determined
to do my best, and leave the result in The
hands of Him who directs the affairs O
f men. A noise at the window, drew my
s attention, and I caught the glimpse of ,
mans head slowly rising above the sill
e Taking deliberate aim; gave him tn
3 contents of one barrel, and he descended
: quicker than he ever came up. l
b What would be the next feature of ,h
s programme, could not imagine, but lik
: a wild beast at bay, watched ever
o move, and had my eyes open to ever
}, sound. But 1 felt that something must b
1 done, for day would soon make it's ap
e pearance, and they would have the advan
e tage of me. Ef.-s tei-
: Again they were ascending the stairs
determined now to put an end to tn
) contest, and if possible overcome ther
and make them come to terms, or die il
!, the attempt. aa ,ss fsaaa5
d drew the bedstead around, so as t
e protect the girl from fire and then station
& ed myself near the door, but beyond thei
e reach. . -. ,,.-r--.. s.sf no .-r...;e..FE
II Crash, went an axe against the door, an
d the splinters flew in every direction. !
l. was the work of moment to break th
/ door in, and when it fell from its fasten
1t ings I sailed forth with a revolver
ID each hand. One man dropped befor
ID me, another reeled and fed precipitatel
I down stairs. A few shots were returned
ir one of which took effect in my shoulde
g and as 1 felt the blood trickle down m
y side, it only, increased my desperation
ut l rushed after them firing whenever
re thought shot would be effectual.
g When I reached the bar-room coul
see but one man, and as he fled fthroug
os the door gave him my last shot. Il
m fell and begged me to spare him, as b
e. was the only remaining one of the party
: Thinking he was so crippled he could nc
j. escape, returned to the house, aud tai
ID ing light, searched it thoroughly, an
ly could not find another man about it.
then ascended the stairs, and found tn
ii girl had somewhat recovered. We the
is set about dressing our wounds, and wei
,e so absorbed in this matter that did ne
d, notice a glaring light which was bre.
IS king through the door,. j. ve,es4
ne The house is on fire. exclaimed tt
c. girl springing to her feet. a81o
..a Taking her by the hand we rushed I
er the stairway, but it was one continue,
st sheet of flame. We then returned to Il
9a window, and finding the ladder still the
he by which the man had descended, tn,
zs effecting our escape from another imm
It. nent danger. 5r e.s q; hobs. l,.la
n The man had set the house on fire an
hr either perished in the flames, or dragge
"a himselfto some place OF concealment.
Ih Finding two horses in the stable clio:
- by, we took possession of them, and r
er turned to q little town near the Missi
D. sippi river. The loving girl and myse
who met SO strangely, never parted, b
ID remained the one and the same un,
ht death. Nor have we ever forgot Il
Robbers roost, or Hams last victim.
~ t%A man has declined being ca,
ld;Soto in ,,aw Cfofa hnoonca ha u, n