Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1859-10-21
could be distinctlv hoard

e crept close TO the door, winch was rlddleC
| with bullets, and through which plainly
discerned their actions.
r h. | still had five shots in my revolver
b and determined to use them to the best
advantage. 7-ef t'''' 8'" 57 ai
a Hes done for now, said one, as he
= stood eyeing the door,
, But the gal, replied a little, short,
3 thick-set man, she fights like thunder
: 'Ha! you coward, who would fear a
, woman 2 returned the first speaker with a
, sneer.
Jim Bates, I'll make you smell powder
, for that afore morning, said the little
1 man. '. ..t.',a ar
I'VE must have this ere. door open, and
suiting the action to the word, an assault
was made upon it.
leveled my pistol and fred, when, with
an oath, the men fell back from the door.
4 L gave two more shots, when they retreat
ed precipitately down stairs. reloaded
my pistol, and returned to my companion,
who was trying to staunch the blood which
was flowing from a wound that she receiv-
ed in her neck.
i fear, sir, my life is short, and | sin
cerely thank You for your kind protection
she iechly murm ured, and sunk exhausted
upon the bed
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, | drew the
bcdstead over against it, thus forming a
kind of breastwork. t
Say, mister, don't shoot, | want to-
speak few words with you, said voice
| from the top of the stairs.
I'll shoot the first man who comes near
| that door | replied savagely. q.
'Oh, no, don't! I'm your friend 7 he
replied in a tone that carried treachcry
with it. Come to the door, will youY
Yes, but don't you come
i won't, Are you there !?
yes s.fi q. tsH'sIans.i - o.. fe-.f.,,
Ia CLOSE p a.o a.r.ais d..lH -s !
Yes '. o..
l felt slight moving of the bed over
the trap, during which time the man out
side kept up an inoessant jabber.
One end of the bed raised softly, and,
taking hold of it with my left hand, gent
ly eased it up until | could discover a
bead above the opening. sH tar
Are you at the door? pH
'Yes.' F2a. ia ns3
And simultaneous with my answer went
a leaden messenger through the trap, and
bang came bullet through the door,
The sound of heavy fall announced
that my shot had taken effect. IRA
searched for the revolver the girl bad I
used, and fortunately found it, and was
happy to discover that but one load had
been shot out Of it, which replaced, and
being thus reinforced, felt more conf
dent Of victory '
But to overcome this gang seemed al
most hopeless, as their numbers might be /
very large, and we far from any assist
ance. But might not some proyidential
circumstance transpire to deliver me from /
the hands of the gang by Him who directs
the affairs Of men.
A noise at the window drew my atten
ton, and | caught the glimpse of mans
head slowly rising above the sill TAX
ing deliberate aim, gave him the con
tents of one barrel, and he descended
quicker than he ever came up. .''.-
What would be the next feature of the
programme L could not imagine, but like
a wild beast at bay, l watched every sound
But felt something must be done, for
day would soon make its appearance, and
then they would have the advantage Of
me. m
Again they were ascending the stairs. /
| determined now to put an end TO the
contest, aud, if possible, overcome them
aud make them come TO terms, or die in .
the attempt.
| drew the bedstead around, so as to 7
protect the girl from the fire, and then
stationed myself near the door, but be-
yond their reach.
Crash went an axe against the door, and
the splintcrs flew in every direction. 1t
was the work of a moment to break the /
door in, and when it fell from its fasten
! ings, sailed forth with a revolver in
each hand. One man dropped before me,
anotherreeled, andlled precipitatedly down
stairs A few shots were returned, one of
which took effect in my shoulder, and as
| felt the blood trinkle down my side, it,
only increased my desperation. rushed
after them firing wherever l thought a
shot would be etfectual When | reached
the bar-room, | could see but one man,
aud as he fed through the door l gave
him my last shot. He fell and begged me to
spare him, as he was the only remaining
one Of the party. Thinking that he was
SO crippled that he could not escape, re.
turned to the house, and, taking a light
searched it thoroughly, not finding another
man about it, then assembled the stairs,
and found the girl had somewhat recover
ed. We then set about dressing our
wounds, and we were SO absorbed in this
matter, that | did not notice glarng
light which was breaking through the
/ door,
THE house is on fire. exclaimed my
companion. - ur Hr ....
Taking her by the hand we rushed to