Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1859-12-17

bark OF wolf started me, and / involuntO
rily addressed my companion.
Huff did not answer me, however, bu
without noticing the circumstance l threw
a quantity of faggots on the FIRE, and ad
dressed him.
Take few hours rest, Andy, and II
keep watch said /, and after that you cal
do the same by me-
Still / got no answer, and then / begar
to notice my companions unusual taciturni
ty.
Anything the matter, AndyY said re
garding him closely.
No answer again.
That's little strange l muttered, NOV
ing over toward my companion.
Hun was sitting facing the fire, with bis
head bent down upon his knees. I shook
him without arousing him. Finally, rails
ed his head, and at once became conscious
that he was soundly, deeply asleep.
Laughing off the fears that had for a few
moments oppressed me, left Huff to enjoy
his nap, and settled myself down as comfor-
tably as the circumstances would permit.
1 was very drowsy, and despite our peril
Gus situation, despite every effort l made
to the contrary, l could not entirely resist
the overpowering influence of sleep. Occa-
sionally l started up suddenly and found
had been doing. The last time | was
aroused l was awoke by the bark of wolf.
Jumping to my feet l beheld the fierce ami
mai not dozen PAGES distant, his ra genous
eyes glarng upon me from the darkness -
Selling up brand, l flung it at the rapa-
eious monster with all my strength 1t
struck him full in the face, and with ter
rlble howl he darted off into the woods
Huff did not awake, did not even stir SO
sound was his respose.
After that l did not feel much inclined
to sleep, though nothing more was to be
seen or heard. / examined my rifle and
pistols, piled more faggots on the fire, and
kept on the move, my eyes and ears omen
Tor any more nocturnal visitors.
Some time passed quietly, and began to
grow lnsuferably weary. Every muscle re-
laxed, and drowsy torpor gradually stole
over me. My eyes closed unconscioufly--my
knees bent beneath me, and l was about
dropping to the ground, when was sudden
ly aroused by the sound of mans voice.
Hello, fellers, how dyer dor were the
words that fell upon my ears, and aroused
me to full consciousness
L looked around in bewilderment. Our
little camping ground was encircled by a
dozen or more brawny, fierce looking des-
peradoes. 1t was complete surprise and
on the spur of the moment l yelled aloud:-
Andy, Andy, wake mp
Yes, wake up, Andyp echoed the out
laws loudly and derisvely.
Aroused at last, my comrade sprang to
his feet, and next moment was standing by
my side.
Instantly dozen or more rifles were
eveled at US with deadly aim.
Yer amt goin' to show fight are YEP de-
nanded one Of the outlaws, brutal looking
wretch, and the leader of the band, as it !
afterwards appeared.
That depends on crcumstancesY respond |
I'd Andy, unhestatingIy. We're two good |
men, afraid Of neither man or beast-aud |
+ your intentions are hostile as they appear
% be, you may take my word for it that
we'll give you all the tronble we can'
Yer won't now will yer? reioined the |
lesperado, tauntingly. Guess yell have
'er hands full if yer try thBt sort Nv a
game.'
We'll, what do you want here, anyhow
demanded boldly, fully satisfied in my own
mind that if we were to get out of our
resent scrape we had to fight out of it.
What do we want harp was the rapid
eply.
guess the forests as free to us as any
ne else. Don't kalkelate that you're boss
ere, stranger, do yer?'
Nor was Andy's quick reply, and he took
he words out of my mouth, nor are you
'ut that's not to the pointP he added;
that do you want with usp
Yer money an yer traps. Understand
hat sort O talk, don't yer?'
Yes, we understand that you are a gang
thieves and cut-throatsP responded Andy
ercely; but if you get nythng from us
ou've got to fight for it, though we are but
Wo against a dozen. Give 'em a shot,
omradeP added the fiery fellow, address
lg himself to me. We can't make the
latter worse
i thought so too, and raising my rifle,
INDY and myself fired simultaneously.
Immediately two of the outlaws fell dead
0 the ground, and the rest uttered a con-
erted yell, that sounded more fearfully than
he howl of the wolf, l had so recently
riven away.
Now give 'em the pistols p shouted
INDY, his whole soul IN the deadly conflict.
Each of us carried brace of double
arreled pistols, which gave us eight shots
etween us, and quick as lightning we were
scharging the loads in the face of the
ltlaws. Six more of the brigands fell be-
ire our aim, while we remained uniniured,
Notwithstanding a number of scattering
lots whistled around our ears and over
ar heads.
Now charge upon the thieves 2 yelled
-ndy, in stentorian tones.
L followed my comrades lead, and to. S
ether we charged on the remaining five
ltlaws, for that number were left. A
cree and bloody fight ensued. Andy per- !
rmed miracles and / did double duty )
ut as fate would have it, we were both I.
ndered hors dW combat, my comrade by a
stol wound in the side and | by bowie
1t in the right shoulder.
Il knew nothing more after that for the
'xt moment became unconscious. When
came to myself, | was in a cave and II