Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1859-02-24

| SlauQ on tuQ. L lOuuu IL Opcueu uONu
ward and the possibility of securing i
strongly seemed hopeless.
Once thought OF removing the bed anc
then watching, as trapper does a hole il
the ice for game. But that would not do
for tho should successfully repulse the
first intruder-for l had no longer doubl
of being in Robbers roost-it would
leave hole open which would expose me tc
their fire. At length a plan came to my
relief. l moved the bed from over the
door, and, taking the clothes off, l threw
the chaff bed upon the floor, and directly
over the suspected trap. But oh, horror
what discovery l had made. The bed
was saturdted with blood, and in macy
places bard from the gore which had dried
in it.
Having thus Mortified, took seat on
one end the bed, with my saddle-bags close
by me, my knife in one hand, and my re-
volver in the other, and my ammunition
convenient, in case should need it. !
blew out my light and in the darkness
awaited the denoument OF the plot. How
long had waited l could not tell, but in
spite of my perilous situation, my eyes
grew heavy, and | was almost overcome
with sleep. But an easy moving of the
bed aroused all my perceptive faculties, and
in an instBnt was wide awake. 1t moved
several times quite easy, and then all be-
came quiet. l listened few moments, but
could hear nothing. Presently faint whis-
per from an adjoining room came; my eyes
followed the direction, and l saw small
stream of light pouring through an opening
in the partition. stole softly to the spot,
aud listened moment l then put my
eye TO the opening, and had fair view of
the operations inside.
So horrible was the sight l then beheld.
that its recollections will never be erased
from my memory, Hanging from the bed,
and with his head nearly severed from Lis
body, was an old gray headed man, while
the purple current Of life was steadily
streaming from the cash. I reeled mo-
men, with dizziness. and was about to with
draw from the scenes, when the door open
ed softly, and person entered. I looked
again, and three men l had seen in the bar
room were standing near the dead man.
"Why, Hams said one, 81 thought you
had fixed him by this time"
"We'll have trouble with that customer"
replied Hams shaking his head, "he is up
TO something; he put his bed over the
trap"
''The devil" they both exclaimed and
looked at each other with surprise.
"We must manage him some how said
Hams, ''for he has money. lam certain of
that,
Hadn't we better attend to that ERE gal
first" suggested one.
ayes, the old man is fixed; now for the
gall" and picking up the light they left the
room.
What girl! thought 1. Is il possible
some persons as unfortunate as myself has
been compelled to stay here.
l listened eagerly, and presently crash
came followed by shril scream sprang
toward my door, but recollected that | had
it well secured. l hesitated moment,
when another scream, more terrific than
the first, followed Ly sharp report of
pistol 1t was but the work of moment
to unfasten the door and dash out. As |
sprang into the passage, met two men, who
fired almost simultaneous, but without ef-
feet.
| leveled my revolver, and sent the con-
tents of one barrel through the head of
one, who tumbled heavily kowu stairs, drag
ging his companion with him.
l rushed into the room, and found the girl
sheltered behind bed, keeping Hams at
bay with revolver. AS l entered Hams
sprang at me with fiendish expression,
and in spite of my efforts seized me in his
herculean clutches. My pistol now was of
no use TO me, so hurling it from me, l
drew my knife, and soon put an end to the
struggle. l gathered up my pistol, and
hurried the girl into my own room, and
soon had the door barricaded. l then ex
planned to her our situation, and how l
came to discover that she was to be a vic
tim. But when / told her of the old man,
she family gasped sit is my father" and
the next moment was senseless on the
floor. l was in a trying position. l ex-
pected every moment the attack of the rob-
bers would be renewed, and in all proba-
bility they would overpower US, and then
our doom would be sealed. involunta-
ry cast my eyes toward the window 10 see
if it would afford some point of escape.
But then the robbers would have a fair
chance, could surround and murder US with
out show of defence. / had all this
time counted upon my fair companion as
an assistant, not rejecting that she was a
woman, and l had essayed to protect her.
When this thought crossed my mind, all
my combatative powers were aroused and
l felt strong and competent to contend with
q host. F
l heard whisperings and footsteps gently
stealing up the stairs. A dim light shone
beneath the door, and revealed several
large holes and cracks. 1 kept my eyes in
tently fixed in the direction, while my
heart palpitated so loud that its vibration
could be distinctly heard.
A slight shuff1ing of the feet, and crash
went several reports, while the bullets
whizzed sharply about my head. The
girl gave shrill scream and l groaued and
crept close to the door, which was riddled
with bullets, and through the hole l could
plainly discern their actions.
l still had five shots in my revolver and
determined to use them to the best advan-
tage.
"He's done for, now," said one, as he