Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-04-23
girl. he barred the doors and fastened the


windows.
Jessie, who had partially recovered her
sPlf-possession. looked out and saw forms
moving 10 and fro among the shubbery- Her
heart misgave her. How could they resist so
many enemies? She thought of the strange
man who had so opportunely appeared osave
her from Vantassle. She wondered why he
bad 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 tmeyl; charge of buck
shot crashed through the panes as she stepped
aside, some of which perforated her dress,
while one of the hurtling messengers drew
blood from her white neck.
These miscreants make war upon women!'
exclaimed Ruth Haviland.
MAKE war upon women. Miss Haviland?
They are more savage nor the wolves and
catamOunts that prowl through Laurel
Swamp. Neither beauty nor tears can move
'em. They are ten times worse nor the Brit
ishers themselves! They've marked their
way through Carliny with ire and blood, out
rage and robbery"
Tenn suddenly thrust his rife through the
shattered pane and fired. a cry came BACK
through the smoke.
There was mischief in that" he said qui-
etly reloading his piece.
.Resistanca," cried Jessie, sis hopeless.
What can you expect from them If you are
taken, Tom HutterW
"A rope from the nearest tree" answered
the partisan. cOOlly.
"Then fly-escape from the back door when
Won may! They certainly will not be so
brutal as to harm US young girls" said Ju-
diIh, entreatingly.
..NIy moor gals you don't know 'em so well
as I'VE followed their terrible trail. aud
looked upon their Internal work. know
what happcns TO sich as you, and should he
tempted to kill you with my own hand, rath-
,r than leave you to their ruffian violence. If
nv times come, and I'm to go the way OF all
the airth. I'll die here, in defence OF beauty
and innocence"
Noble Tom - cried Ruth.
"If you've any firearms and ammunition.
hurry TO bring 'em and lay 'em down beside
me, and be keerful to keep out Of the range OF
the winders."
By this time Blnko had revived, and hear
ing this order, said
..,Il tend TO dat, Mars'r Tom. Only let the
younp misses keep out de way, and Ii
srard by ye longs there am breff o lie III
me-"
Blinko disappeared, but soon returned with
n LIuuderbuss, two muskets, a brace of duel
inc uistols. a bag of buckshot and horn OF
powdcr. Hutter took the blunderbuSs and
charged it heavily. There was no light IN
the house save a single candle, which was
placed behind door in corner to prevent
serving as guide to the Tory mark>men.
Huttcr cast himself upon the floor and
! watched the movements of the assaliants over
the window-sil. His person was somewhat
| exposed Ia the shots of the enemy nut Dis
! coolnpss did not for a moment desert hln.
| The towards are about to charge upon the
door in a body" he said. presently. "Bllnko'
| give me the blunderbusS.
The black handed the heavy and dcstruc-
| five weapon to the scOut, whose muscles were
| firm and obedient. The young ladies OBJ
! served his movements with indescribable ln'
terest. Their fate seemed to rest upon his
| single arm A chilling sensation of horror
| crept over them when they reflected upon tn,
con-, oucnccs of defeat and capture.
The Tories rushed towards the door will
Il shout. HITTER quickly aimed his weapon
| and poured two handfuls of buckshot into
the midst of them. They recoiled, and re-
treated to the covert OF the shrubbery. A
| knock was heard at the rear door.
WHO'S there ~ drmanded Hutter.
well, ruther guess one on ems me.
| said a genuine Yankee voice. ''PodUal
| Makepeace is pooty ginerly abeout "hel
tn, res any skrimmagn' goin' on
Blinko Immediately uutaStened the doc
and admitted two persons. PodUah Make
prace had IA figure of imposing height, bu
/ which lacked that fullnrss of duvelopmcn
1 which gives symmetry and comelinrss 10 thu
human organization. His hair was baXer
and long bis mouth large and good humorcd
his nose somewhat sharp, while his eyes, which
wer,. small and haZ !, sparkled with drolery
He was maniGrstly man who meant T.
be pleased with life as he found it, and t
MAXI. himself as comfortable as possible unde
all circumstances.
| His C0npauion was more youthful and pre-
scnted "a different type of humanity. He I'M
pressed the bcholdor at once with the idea Q
manly beauty, courage and integrity.
Paul Hazrlhurstw cried Jessie, jOyfully
The Young man sprang forward and grasI
ed the hands that were eagerly extended t
greet him.
We've come abeout in the nick o time,
should say, by gum The blasted crit'el
are IA peggiu' into ye, amt they? Well. We
show 'cm a trick worth tn of that. Wax m
haX, if we dUn't!'
It NAV be well to remark here that Pod
iah was 10y trade shoemaker, and that IA
language was generally highly seasoned VII
the technicaitics of the cordwaincr's art. \
PodiiAh finished this eloquent pcroration. b
brought the breech OF his rifle upon the tioo
with IA great crash and squintcd out oi IL
window with his twinkling eyes. The m"''
ment was nearly fatal to PodlJah, for bulle
AIMED at random from outside. severed one Z
hi, IAXen locks from his cheek.
"Gaamp my upp RS! Now that's what
call pooty close work. A fellcr's jest as hk
ly to be shot right square through the hea
ts any way; close up my seams, II he lsn
For few minutes the shouting and trin
ceased The terrified girls taitrred thei
selves that the Tories were retiring, but wei
presently uudeceivcd. for they had sllentl
surrounded tue house, and aud now Goa
A. T.. IL f-Ks..N. ~ 40 10
With great resolution and fury. Each fe
that the crisis was rapidly approaching. To
Hutter aud Biinko, reinforced 10y Hdzelhur
aud the Yankee. stood by their weapons, r
solved TO make desperate resistance.