The Kansas herald of freedom., 1859-05-21

the house, passing through it in various
directions, but still the old man is silent.
Can it be that he is dead, or disabled
1--WE have finished the old chap at
last" remark several voices.
"Let's fire the house."
"Yes, FIRE the house."
Still the old man remains quiescent.
II allow we've laid out the old sinner.
He wouldn't keep still all this time if he
was alive"
"Yes, and now we'll cook him, the old
varmint"
Now light CLEANS suddenly upward
from the ignited building, and casts a lu-
rid glare upon the surrounding objects.
1t is dark in the chamber; the old
man hears steps as if some one was COM
ing up stairs. He turns suddenly-sees
shadow moving in the gloom /; thinks it
is one of the assailants levels his rifle,
fires. The cap explodes without discharg-
ing the rife.
Heavens, it was pointed at Ella, who
had come up the stairs bringing the
double -barreled shot gun. He re-caps his
rife, and as the first fiIe-gleam reveals
the forms of several of the assailants, the
quick, sharp report of the old Mississippi
rife, is heard from the second story of the
building. A Jay-Hawker puts his hand
to his head, reels, staggers, falls heavily
upon the ground.
Something like panic begins to take
possession of the minds of the assailants.
After all, the old man invisible, must
be alive. That old rife is fatal in its aim.
The building burns rapidly. The
forked flames leap ard climb, crackle and
hiss, and are rapidly enveloping the whole
building, while it lights up the locality
for considerable distance.
1t will not do to remain within the cir
Gle of light. That old rife has spoken
emphatically, fatally, and may do so
again.
Where is the old man ? All conclude
that if he is still alive, he must leave the
burning building. They have all watched
and are looking to see him go, but in
vain. They think, perhaps he is dead /;
they fear he is alive; but, dead or alive,
they have not seen him, and the fear that
he may be out side the circle of light
pointing the unerring rife at them, seizes
their minds with still greater force.
Nor are their fears groundless. Beyond
the illumination of the fire, far out in the
darkness, the shot gun and the old rife
ring out upon the night air, sharp and
startling to the nerves, for they do not
ring in vain.
1t requires rare taste with consider
able amount of cultivation, to enjoy
standing out in full view as markSfor
an invisible and unerring foe.
"It is certainly not time with the
Jay -Hawkers for congratulatioD, or enjoy
ment, and they simultaneously, without
stopping to be ceremonious, seek the more
safe position in darkness, as a covert
against the unpleasant messages from
that old rifle.
Pending this engagement, part Of
the robbers have broken open the store
taken out everything of value, and loaded
it upon wagons. They now, after con-
siderable hesitation, gather their dead and
wounded comrades, and very willingly
leave the scene of action.
Mothers watch snxiously for the return
of absent sons. They fear, tremble, and
inquire about them. They are assured
they have left the Territory.
Not many miles from the State line
there are several recently made graves
Their silent occupants have been secretly
consigned to their cold dark, embrace. The
withered, feeble forms of fond mothers
quiver with emotion, and hot tears follow
each other down their furrowed cheeks
their SONS have not returned, they hav,
suddenly left the Territory.
See that horseman yonder, as he ride
from place near where the old rife helt
forth with such thrilling eloquence. HI
penetrates the interior, and as he goes
he proclaims, "ffteen hundred Missouri
ars are on the line ready for an advanc,
into the Territory. A young gentleman
: not having the fear of gull-catchers befor'
= his eyes, mounts his horse and rides Il
the place where it is said the redoubtabl
fifteen hundred are assembled. As usu
u al, it is false alarm. m
He is now on his return, has raised
posse, and is escorting the Marshal int
Paris. uv
9 A large company of citizens are enroll
= ed as posse troops are coming to thei
q assistance citizens are reused and resolv
9 to put an end to this terrible state 0
. things, if possible. The Jay-Hawkin
u party must be broken up at whatever cos
= or hazard.
't Parson Rock thinks it is about time t
70 leave his position. and fall back into th
T. vicinity of Fort Corvus, and there b
y marches at the head of his command, {
sixty men. The little town of p, {
le "grand scamp" notoriety, in the sacre
d commentaries of Mr.. Prey, is threatened
re and q strong effort is made to seize upo
several of the leading men. The road
st are watched, and. necessary supplies fl
le the town are cut of.
le 9Unload that wood. old man; you can
le carry that into town"
4 HBut my family are out Of bread an
n II