Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1859-04-29
NO. 4

N ground. While Nantassle Law stunned I'M
the earth, his vanquisher took bis musket fit
+ his unnerved hand, discharged it into thu, a
!. and hrcke the stock against the trunk of
tree. He then drew the pistols from the Tor,
> belt and thrust them into his own. from viii
already protruded the butts of four The blal
= OF fantassle's knife he snapped by thrusting
: into the cleft of rock, but the heavy sabre
buckeled to his side, leaving the ruffian entire
unarmed.
In, gals, in.'' cried the rcscuer Bar vol
doors, and say your prayers, for The Tol
hounds have scented blood, and will not rest ii
they have gorged themselves
The tall, wild looking man glanced at Jess
and observing that she was faint, caught he
up as if she were an infant, and carried her t
the door. Placing her carefully within th
threshold he repeated his startling warning
and vanished in the deepening shadows of nigh
He was gone before the young ladies had IT
covered sufficiently from their disniay to than
him.
| While thoy gazed at each other in stupo
of wonder, man leaped the high fence at tn
right, and crossing the intervening ground
/ stood before them, painting and covered will
prespiratlon. 1t was Tom Hutter, the parti
zan and scout who was known to the neighbor
ing loyalists as a staunch and unswerving pat
riot and brave man, shrinking from no dan
ger, and stunning none of the respons Utilities
of the part he had chosen.
"Tom Hutter p exclaimed Judith and Ruth,
simultaneously, what has happened? You are
excited with effort; you can scarcely stand"
Il have been pursued, said Hutter. Il have
had race for dear life. In, and barricade the
doors? A party of the miserable renegades
will be here in mnutel Where's Blinko?p
Il don't know, said Judith. "He went out
few minutes ago."
(which way?" asked Hutter
Judith indicated the direction with her fin
ger.
Hutter started of. like racehorse He
saw dark object suspended from the branch
of tree. 1t was Blinko, who was swaying to
and fro, and quivering in the agonies of stran-
gulation. Hutter cut him down in an instant
tearing the rope from his neck, and staggered
toward the house beneath the weight of his
great body. a half dozen musket shots were
poured after him from the nearest copse The
balls perforated his clothes and grazed 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.
Jeesic, 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
TO
' antassle. She wondered why he had left them
at such juncture! His deep, resonant voice
still rang in her ears.
"Stand back from the window said Tom
Hutter.
The warning was timely; charge of buck
shot crashed through the panes as she stepped
aside, some of which perforated her dress, while
one of the hurtliDg messengers drew blood
from her white neck.
"These miscreants make war upon womenl'
Ruth Haviand
"Make war upon women, Miss Haviland?-
They are more savage nor the wolves and cata-
mounts that prowl through Laurel Swamp
Neither beauty nor tears can move 'em. They
are ten times more cruel nor the Brittishers
themselves! They've marked their way through
Car 'liny with fire and blood, outrage and rob-
berry," -
Tom Hutter suddenly thrust his rife through
he shattered pane and fired. A cry came back
through the smoke.
"There was mischief in that" he said, quiet
y, reloading his piece. --s----=
Resistance" cried Jessie, sis hopeless
What can You expect of them if you are taken
Tom Hutter."
"a rope from the branch Of the nearest tree"
answered the Partisan coolly.
"Then fy-eseape from the back door when
you may! They certainly will not be so brutal
IS to harm us young girls, said Judith, entrea-
tingly.
"My poor gals, you don't know EN- so well as
[. I've followed their terrible trail, and look |
ID upon their infarnal work. I know what
happens to sich as you, and should be tempted |
to kill you with my own hand, rather than
cave you to their ruffian violence. If my
times come, and I'm to go the way Of all the |
iirth, III die here in the defense of beauty and
nnocensc.'
Noble Tom' cried Ruth.
"If you've any fireams and ammunition, hurry |
% bring EN- and lay 'em down beside me, and |
De keerful to keep out Of range Of the win |
iers."
By this time Blinko had revived, and hear
ng this order said:
''1'll tend to dat, Mars'r Tom. Only let the |
young misses keep out de way, and III stand
Dy We longs there am breff o life in me-
Blinko disappeared, but soon returned with |
1 blunderbuss, two muskets, brace of dueling |
pistols, bag of buckshot and horn of pow
ler IIuttcr took the blunderbuss and charg- !
ID it heavily There was no light in the house
save single candle, which was placed behind
the door in corner to prevent serving as a
guide to the Tory marksmen.
Hutter cast himself on the floor and watched
the movements of the assailants over the win
low-sill. His person was somewhat exposed
to the shots of the enemy, but his GOODNESS did
not for moment desert him.
"'The towards are about to charge upon the
door in body" he said, "Biinko give me the
The black handed the heavy and destructive
weapon to the scout, whose muscles were firm
and obetient. The young ladies observed his
with indescribable interest. Their
fate seemed to rest upon his single act. a
chilling sensation of horror crept over them
when they reflected upon the consequences. OF
defeat and capture.
The Tories rushed toward the door with
shout. Hutter quickly aimed his weapon and
poured two handfnls of huckshot into the
midst of them. They reeoiled and retreatedto
the covert of the shrubbery. A knock was
heard at the rear door.
"Who's there?" demanded Hutter
L
genuine Yankee voice. "Podijah Make
Peace is pooty generly abeout when there's
any skimmagin' goin' on"
Blinko immediately anfastened the door and
admitted two persons. Podijah Makepeace
had figure of imposing height, but which
lacked that fullness of development which