Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1859-02-11

our calling in the rest to share
Nary once, Bill-this here's my game
l had the first shot, and I've a right to
it; and if the other hounds wants any
ipersimmons, let 'em find the tree and climb
for 'em.'
1t was apparent to our hero, from their
remarks, that these ruffians had had moth
| ing to do Individually with the killing of
the man within; but as it was evidently
their intention to murder him, he felt
none the less hostile to then on that ac-
count.
With the last remark of the one ad-
dressed as Joe, the two men, leaning
their rifles against the wall, and draw
ing their knives, glided up to what they
supposed to be the sleeper. Owing to
the light being yet dim and the body most
ly concealed in the straw, they were un-
able to discern that the man was dead :;
and determining to make their work sure
and their share equal, they sprung upon
him simultaneously, and both plunged
their knives up to their hits in his body
Why, hello, Joe,' cried Bill, with an
oath, this here's dead man.
Why, so it isP exclaimed the other,
adding a tremendous oath, which we win
not repeat. This must be the feller that
Tom shot-you know he was Dragging
as he had done for one on 'em-but
didn't think as how the ugly hound had
left him here tC trap Us with. But whar's
the man as owns the hoss ?
Here ? said the traveller, in tone that
seemed to freeze the blood of his hearers
and as the two ruffians started up and
looked around, they beheld him standing
in the doorway, with one of their rifles
brought to deadly aim.
He had seen them put aside their rifles
for the purpose of deliberate butcbery
and with stealthy pace he had glided
around and seized them, and now had the
williams at his mercy.
See here stranger don't fire! We
cave-we owns up beat at our own game
and eff you'll jest let US off, you can take
what tin we has about u.s.
Fools? ? returned the traveller; do
you take me for a common thief and rob-
Der like yourselves? Which of you
fred at me yesterday? Speak quick
or by the living God, will shoot you
both where you standp
1t is impossible to convey to the read
er the peculiar sound of the voice of the
speaker. 1t cannot be described as eth
er loud or fierce, or harsh, but rather as
something cold and freezing, expressive
of an inAexible will, an unalterable de-
termination. His eye-now seemed tc
blaze with latent fire; while his thin
lips compressed, and his face glowed
with the wild, fiery fierceness Of the tiger
at bay.
That was Joe, here replied one o.
he startled ruffians but he didn't near
to shoot at your
No. chimed in Joe, was jest firing
at bird, as you rid along.
Liarr hissed the other and that lie
shall be your last ?
Scarcely were the words spoken, wher
crack went the rife, and Joe fell bach
} upon the dead man, shot through the brair
Throwing down the piece, the stranger
) caught up the other, and quietly saying
You will please follow your companion,
he had already brought it to an aim, ant
his finger was just pressing on the trigger
with a For Gods sake spare me l hav,
wife and childrenr the other threw
himself down upon his knees, and helt
up his hands imploringly.
And would you have spared me p de
manded the traveller. Noiustice claim
her due-your hour has come--you mus
: die! Your wife and children, if yor
have any will be better off without you
r Too many such sneaking, cowardIy vii
? lians cumber the soil of Texas! Had yor
the courage of a man I would give you
q chance for your life; but paltry coward
e above all things, I despisep 'Pm n
0 coward cried the other, leaping to hi
n feet; and the man lies as says l is &! S
: fire away and be-to your
Who are yon ? inquired our hero
5 touched with some little feeling of admir-
2 alton for the william, for courage alway
p inspired him with a certain degree of re
: spect.
I'm Bill Harvey of Arkansas
4 Enough!' was the answer: / kno,
' you now, though you do not remembe
{ me.
You shall have chance for your If
but you can only live through N