The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1859-09-14

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and pistols, piled more fagots Oh the fire,
and kept on the move, my eyes and ears
open for any more nocturnal visitors.
Some time passed quietly, and began
to grow insutferably weary. Every mus.
Gle relaxed, and drowsy torpor gradu,
ally stole over me. My eyes closed un-
consciously ly-my knees bent beneath me,
and was about dropping to the ground,
when | was suddenly aroused by the
sound Of a mans voice.
Hello fe!lers, how dyer do y were the
words which fell on my ears, and arous
ed ME to full consciousness.
looked around in bewilderment. Our
little camping ground vas eucircled by
dozen or more brawny, fierce looking
| desper does. II was complete surprise
and on the spu' Of the moment Il yelled
aloud:
Andy, Andy, wake upr
Yes, wake up, Andy "echoed the out.
laws loudly and derisiveIy.
Aroused at last my comrade spranp
TO his feet, and the next moment was
standing by my side.
INSTANTLY dozen or more rifles were
evelled at us with deadly aim.
'Ier ain't goin' to show fight, ar We =
demanded one Of the outlaws, a brutal
looking wretch, and the leader of the
band, AS it afterward appeared.
THAT depends on circumstances re
sponded Andy, unhesitatingly. Were
two good men, afraid Of neither man nor
devil, and il your intentions are hostile.
rs they appear to be, you may take my
word for II, that we'll give you all the
trouble we can.
Yer won't now, will yer Z rejoined the
desperate tauntingly. Guess yer'll have
yer hans full ef yer try that sort Nv a
game.
We'll, what do you want here, anyhow?
| demanded, boldly, fully satisfied in my
own mind that il we got out of our pres
ent scrape we had to fight out Of it.
What do YOU want thar 2 WA. the
rapid reply. i guess the forests rs free
to us as 1t is to any one else. Don't kaI
kalate that you're boss here. stranger do
yer Z
No, was Andy's quick reply, and he
took the words out Of my mouth nor are
you. Bnt, that's no. the pon,r he ad
| ded what do you want with us 2
Yer money and yer traps ! Under.
stand that sor, q talk, don't yer3'
'lee, We understand ,hat you're q gang
Of thieves and cut'rhroats ! responded
Andy, ierceiy ; but il YOU get anything
from ns you've got to fight for it, though
We are bmt two against a dozen. Give
'em shot, comrade added the fiery tel.
low. addressing himself to me. I'VE cant
make the matter worse "
: thought 50, too, and raising my rife
Andy and myself fired simultaneously.
Immediately two Of the outlaws fell
dead TO the ground, and the rest uttered
concerted yell that sounded more fear.
ful than the howl Of the wolf had so
recently driven away.
Now, give 'em the pistols = shouted
Andy, his whole soul in the deadly con
! flict.
Each Of us carried II brace of double
barreled pistols, which gave us eight shots
between us, and quick as lightning we
were discharging the loads in the faces Of
the outlaws. Six more Of the brigandS
fell before our aim, while we remained IN
injured, Notwithstanding number Of
scattering shots whislled around our ears
and over Oui heads.
Now charge upon the thieves = yelled
| Andy, in stentoriaE tones.
Il followed my comrades lead, and TO-.
gether we charged upon the remaining
five outlaws, for that number were left
A fierce and bloody fight ensued. An.
| dy performed miracles, and | did double
duty; but nj length, rs fate would have
| 1t, we were both rendered 'hors du com
bat my comrade oy pistol wound in
the side, and | by bowie cut in the
| right shoulder.
Il knew nothing more after that, for
the next moment became unconscious
When came to myself, found was
IN cave, and ii was not long before dis
! covered that the cave was the haunt Of
robbers. That much learned by listen
ing, for could see nothing, the brieh,
light OF day seeming never to penetrate
that dismal cavern. IL WAS the gIoomi.
est, chiliest place was ever N, and from
the bottom Of nv hsart wished myself
well out Of il.
Il thought Of Andy, you may be sure,
but could zee no way Of finding out what
bad become o. him.
After while, however, An old and
outrageously ugly Indian squaw made
her appearance. She brought me food
and mediciue, and temporary light.
My wounds had already been dressed. -
OF course ! was eager TO question her.
'My good woman said I, very pleas.
aatIy, should like to know where am
will you tell me =
.Sbe shook her head negatively, and
TO all { could say OF do | got no other an
sweL j enquired about Andy and other
n'atters, but received no satisfaction. Fl,
nally, gave up in despair, and lei the
old bag go.
"a week passed and was compare
sively well. About the expiration Of that
time, the old squaw came 20 me one day,
and bpc ckonad me IN fnila,. bas IIa,;,.