Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1859-01-15

'oine ~, lining, ns put ns bed over the trap"
The dey IL :" they both exclaimed and
looked at eai h other in surprise.
We mu st manage him somehow" said
Hans, "for he has money. 1 am certain of
that = -
Hadn't We better attend to that ere gal
hrst!" sue gested one.
Eyes, the old man is fixed, now for the gall"
and picking up the light they left the room
What girl ? thought L. Is il possible some
person as unfortunate as self has been COM
PEELED to stop here.
liste aed eagerly, and presently a crash
came, fol lowed by shrill scream L sprang
toward ny door, but recollected that had it
well sec ured. i hesitated a moment, when
another scream more terrific than the first, fol.
lowed b. the sharp report of pistol 1t was
but the work OF moment to unfasten the door
and das out. As sprang into the passage,
met tu men, who fired almost simultaneous.
bat with out effect. leveled my revolver, and
sent the contents of ono barrel through the
head OF t'ne, who tumbled heavily down stairs,
dragging his companion with him
rush cd into the room, and found the girl
sheltered behind bed, keeping Hans at bay
| with re volver. As entered Hans sprapg at
nae with hendish expression, and in spite of
my Efforts, seized me in his herculean clutches.
My pistol now was of no use so hurlipp il from
me, dr,'w my knife, and soon put an end to
the stru ggle. 1 gathered up my pistol, and
hurried the girl into my own room, and soon
had the door securely barricaded / then
explained to her our situation, and how came
TO discover she was to be victim, But when
l. toid ner OF the old man. she family gasped,
1t is n. father" and the next moment Law
senseless on the floor. now was in A irving
position. expected every moment the attack
| OF the 70 obers would be renewed and in all
PROBABILITY they would oyerpower US, and then
our DOOM would be sealed. I invountariIy
cast my eyes to the window, as if it would
nf d..
| robbers would have a fair chance, could snr.
round US, and murder US without show of
defence. Il had ali this time counted upon nv
falr companion as an assistant not reiectinp
that she WAS woman, and 1 had essayed to
protect her. When this thought crossed nv
mind. all my combative powers were aroused.
and felt strong and competent to contend
| with host.
heard whispering, and footsteps gently
stealing up the stairs. A dim light shone be
meath the door, and revealed several large
noies and cracks. L kept my eyes intently
tated so loud that its vibrations could be dis
| tinctly heard.
slight shuffling Of the feet, and crash, crash
went several reports, while bullets whizzed
sharply about my head. The girl gave q shriIl
scream, L groaned and orept close to the door,
which was ridd1ed with bullets, and through
the holes could plainly discern their actions.
still had five shots In my revolver and de-
termined to use them to the best advantage.
Hes done for now," said one, as he stood
eyeing the door.
.'But the GAL" replied a little, short, thick
set man, "she fights like thunder
"Hs! you coward, who would fear a wo-
man :" returned the first speaker with sneer.
Jim Bates, I'll make you smell powder for
that atore mOrniA'," said the little man, saw
sgeIy.
we must have that ERE door open," and
arfItr trnr- Nh1a Al
made upon it.
leveled my pistol and fired, when with an
oath the man fell back upon the floor gave
them two more shots, when they retreated pre-
cipItately down stairs. reloaded my pistol
and returned to my companion, who was trying
70 sta1nch the blood which was flowing from a
| wound in the neck.
. fear, sir, my life is short; and sincerely
thank you tor your kind protection, - she feebly
murmured, and sank exhausted upon the bed.
was about to offer some assistance, when
again heard steps on the stairs, and earnest
talking, as OF persons demonstrating. Think
! ing the attack at the door would be renewed
drew the bedstead against it, and threw the
light bedding over the head board, and thus
| formed a kind Of breast work
Say, Mister don't shoot, want TO sneak
few words with you" said voice at the head
| Of the stairs.
''Ill shoot the first man who comes near that
"Oh, no, don't, I'm your friend" he ro-
Piled, IN tone which carried treachery with
1t. Come to the door, will you?"
Yes, but don't you come'
:. wont. Are you there"
eyes"
"CIose?''
eyes"
felt slight moving of the bed over the
| trap, during which time the man outside kent
up an incessant jabber.
One end of the bed was raising softly, and
taking hold Of it with my left hand, | gently
eased 1t up, until could discover head above
the opening.
care you at the door ?''
Yes. And simultaneously with my answer
went ieaden messenger through the =, I'd in
the trap, and bang came bullet thro"s', the
door.
The sound of heavy fall announced that my
shot had taken effect
lsearched for the revolver the girl had used.
and fortunately found it, and was happy 20 dis.
cover that but one load had been shot ou. of it,
which 1 replaced, and being thus reinlsI eed, i
felt more confident of victory. OIL. ..r
But TO overcome this gang seemed almost
hopeless, as their numbers might be very large.
and so far from assistance But might moi
some providential circumstance transpire To
deliver me from the hands Of these despcradoes
1 was determined to do my best, and leave tho
result in the hands Of Him who directs the af-
fairs Of men.
A noise at the window drew nv attention,
and caught the glimpse of man s head slow
| ly rising above the sill. Taking a deliberate
aim, gave him the contents of one barrel, and
he descended much quicker than he came up
What would be the next feature of the pro-
| gramme could not imagine, but like a wild
beast At bay, L watched every move, and had
my ears open to every sound. But felt that
something decisive must be done, for day would
| would soon make its appearance, and they
would have the advantage Of me. =.
| Again they were ascending the stairs, 1 now
| determined to put an end to the contest, and,
| if possible, overcome them and make them como
| 10 terms, or die in the attempt. ..r..... .
| drew the bedstead around so as to protect
the girl from the fire, and then stationed my.
self near the door, hut beyond their reach.
| Crash went an axe against tho door, and the
| splinters few in every direction. Ii was but
the work OF moment to break the door in, and
when 1t fell from its fastenings, sailed forth