Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1858-1859, 1859-04-30

stood before them, painting and covered with
perspiration. 1t was Tom Hutter, the parti-
san and scout, who was known to the neigh
boring loyalists as q staunch and answering
patriot and a brave man, shrinking from no
danger and stunning none of the responsible
ties of the part he had chosen.
"Tom Hutteri |" exclaimed Judith and
Ruth, simultaneously, "what has happened :?
You are excited with effort; you can scarcely
stand"
81 have been pursued" said Hutter. 81
have had race for dear life. In, and barri-
cade the doors A party of the miserable
renegades will be here in minute Where's
Blinko g'
~ don't know" said Judith. "He went
out few minutes ago."
(which way ?'' asked Hutter.
Judith indicated the direction with her fin
ger. a
i Hutter started off like race-horse. He
saw dark object suspended from the branch
of tree. It was Binko, who was swaying
to and fro, and quivering in the agonies OF
strangulation. Hutter cut him down in an
instant. and tearing the rope from his neck,
staggered toward the house beneath the weight
of his great body. A half dozen musket shots
were poured after him from the nearest copse.
|
his skin in several places, but he reached the
house in safety with the half dead black
Leaving him to the care of Jupe, the mulatto
girl, he barred the doors and fastened the
windows.
Jessie, who had partially recovered her self
possession, looked out and saw forms moving
to and fro among the shrubbery. Her heart
misgave her. How could they resist so many
enemies She thought of the strange man
who had so opportunely appeared to save her
from Vantassle. She wondered why he had
left them at such a juncture! His deep, res
onant voice still rang in her ears
| 'Stand back from the window a" said Tom
Hutter.
The warning was timely; charge of buck
shot crashed through the panes as she step
ped aside, some of which perforated her dress,
while one of the hurting messengers drew
blood from her white neck.
| "These miscreants make war upon wo-
men p exclaimed Ruth Haviland.
'Make war upon women, Miss Haviland
They are more savage nor the wolves and cat
amounts that prowl through Laurel Swamp.
Neither beauty nor tears can move 'em. They
are ten times worse nor the Britishers them
selves They've marked their way through
Carliny with fire and blood, outrage and rob-
berry,"
Tom Hutter suddenly thrust his rifle thro'
the shattered pane and fred A cry came
back through the smoke
"There was mischief in that" he said,
quietly, reloading his piece.
Resistance" cried Jessie, ''is hopeless
What can you expect from them if you are
taken, Tom Hutter?'
"a rope from the branch of the nearest
tree" answered the partisan, cooly.
Then fly-escape from the back door when
you may! They certainly will not be so bru-
tai as to harm US young girls" said Judith,
entreatingly.
"My poor gals, you don't know 'em so we'll
as l. I've followed their terrible trail, and
looked upon their infarnal work. know what
happens to sich as you, and should be tempt
ed to kill you with my own hand, rather than
leave you to their ruffian violence. If my
times come, and I'm to 60 the way of all the
airth, III die here in defense Of beauty and in
nocence"
'eNoble Tom p cried Ruth.
eff you've any firearms and ammunition,
hurry to bring 'em and lay 'em down beside
me, and be keerful to keep out of the range of
the winders."
By this time Blinko had revived, and hear
ing this order, said:
"Ill tend to dat, Mars'r Tom. Only let
the young misses keep out of de way, and I'll
stand by ye longs there am a breff O life in
me'
Blinko disappeared, but soon returned with
blunderbuss, two muskets, brace of duel
ing pistols, bag of buckshot and horn of
powder. Hutter took the blunderbuss and
charged it heavily. There was no light in
the house save single candle, which was
placed behind a door in a corner to pre-
vent serving as guide to the Tory marks
men.
Hutter cast himself upon the floor and
watched the movements Of the assailants
over the window-sill. His person was some
what exposed to the shots of the enemy,
but his coolness did not for moment desert
him.
"The towards are about to charge upon
the door in. body" he said, presently
Bnko, give me the blunderbuss."
The black handed the heavy and destruc-
tive weapon to the scout, whose muscles
were firm and obedient. The young ladies
observed his movements with indiscribable
interest Their fate seemed to rest upon
his single. arm. A chilling sensation of
horror crept over then when they reflected
upon the consequences of defeat and cap
ture.
The Tories rushed toward the door with
a shout. Hutter quickly aimed his weapon
and poured two handfuls of buckshot into
the midst of them. They recoiled and re-
treated to the covert of the shrubbery. A
knocking was heard at the rear door.
who's there ?" demanded Hutter
"Well, [ ruther guess one on ems me {"
said genuine Yankee voice, "Podijah
I &c r;n
there's any skrimmagin' goin' on"
Blinko Immediately unfastened the door
and admitted two persons. Podijah Make.
peace had figure of imposing height, but
which lacked that fullness of developement
which gives symmetry and comeliness to the
human organization. His hair was haxen
and long, his mouth large and good-humored,
his nose somewhat sharp, while his eyes,
which were small and hazel, sparkled with
drollery. He was manifestly a man who
meant to be pleased with life as he found it,
and to make himself as comfortable as possi-
BILE under all circumstances.
His companion was more youthful and
presented a different type of humanity. He
impressed the beholder at once with the idea
OF manly beauty, courage and integrity.
"Paul Hazelhurst cried Jessie, Joy
fully"
The young man sprang forward to grasp
the hands that were eagerly extend to greet
him.
"We've come just abeout in the nick O
time, should say, by gum! The blasted
critters are peggin' into ye, amt they
Well, we'll show 'em trick worth tn of that
Wax my fax, If we don't!"
It may be well to remark here that Podijah
was by trade shoemaker, and that his Ian
guage was generally highly seasoned with the
/ technicalities of the cordwainer's art As
, PodDah finished this eloquent peroration, he
brought the breech of his rifle upon the floor
with great crash, and squinted out of the
window with his twinkling eyes. The move.
: ment was nearly fatal to Podjah, for bullet
, aimed at random from outside, severed one oi
his faxen locks from his cheek.