The gazette and Democrat. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1860-1860, 1860-04-05

had seen in the bar.room were standing
near the dead man.
"Why, Hams" said one. II thought
you had fixed him by this time" T
"Wc'll have trouble with that custom
er. replied Hams shaking his head. che
is up to something; he pat his bed over
the trap" b ...'a7
1.-The DEVIL" they both exclaimed and
looked at each other in surprise.
"Ne must manage him some how"
said Hams, "for lie has money. | am
certain of that" l,@
"Hadn't we better attend to that ere
gal frst;" suggested one.
"YeS, The old man is fixed; now for the
gall and picking uplho light they left
the room. s<H'.4 rf 2
What girl? thought I. Is it possible
some person as unfortunate as myself have
been compelled to stay here.
l listened eagerly, and presently crash
came followed by a shrill scream, i sprapg
toward my door, but recollec,ed that
had ii well secured; Ihesitateda a moment
when another scream more terrific than
the FIRST, followed by sharp report of q
pistol. 1t was but the work of a moment
to uu(asten the door and dash out. As
sprane into the passage, met two men,
who fired almost simultaneously but with
out effect. ~ t.' q
leveled my revolver, and sent the
contents of one barrel through the head
Of one who tunbled heavily down stairs,
dragging his companion with him.
rushed into the room, and found the
girl sheltered behind a bed, keeping
Hams at bay witha revolver. ASH entel ed,
Hams sprang atme with fendish ex.
preston, and in spite of my efforts seized
me in his Herculean clutches. Nv pistol
now was of no use to me, so hurling it
from me, l drew my knife, and soon put
an end 10 The struggle. gathered up
my pistol, and hurried the girl into my
own room and soon had the door secure
Ily barricaded. | then explained to her
our situation, and how | came to discov.
err that she was TO be victim. But when
| told her Of the old man, she family gas,
ped, ut is my father,' and the next mo-
ment lay sensoess on the floor. / was in
trying position. expected every mo-
ment the attack of the robbers would be
renewed, and in all probability they would
overpower US, and then our doom would
be sealed ] involuntarily cast my eyes,
towards the window TO see If it would af-
ford some point Of escape. But then the
robbers could have fair chance, could
surround us and murder us without s
show of defense. l had all this time coun.
ted upon my fair companion as an assis.
taut, not rehecting that she was woman
and had essayed to protect her. Wher
this thought crossed my mind, al! my
combative powers we're aroused and | fel
strong and competent to contend with {
host. ... ,ta..'
heard whisperings and footsteps gen
tly stealing up the stairs. A dim ligh
shone beneath the door, and revealed sev
erai large holes and cracks. kept my
eyes ntenlly fixed in the direction, whil,
my heart palpitated so loud, that its vi
brations could be distinctly heard
A slight shutting of the ieet, and era,
went several reports, while the bullets
whizzed sharply about my head. Th'
girl gave q shrill scream, and groaned
and crept close to the door, which wal
ridd!ed with bullets and through the holt
| could plainly discern their actions.
still had five shots in my revolver, ,ant
determined 10 use them to the best advan
tagc.
"He's done for, now" said one, as h
stood cycling the door.
"But the GAL" replied little short
thick set man, "she fights like thunder.
"Ha! you coward, who would fear
} woman?" returned the FIRST speaker witt
q sneel.
"Jim Bates, III make you smell pow
der for that afore mornin, said the liltl
man savegely.
We must have this ere door open,
and suiting TIE action to the word, an a;
sault was made upon it.
l leveled my pistol and fred. when, wit
an oath the man fell back upon the fool
| gave two more shots when they relrea
ed precipitately down stairs, | relosde
my pistol and returned to my companion
a who was trying to stauch the blood whic
9 was flowing from wound that she ha
received in her neck.
!, 81 fear sir, my lite is short, and l sir
d cerely thank you for yourkind protection
J she feebly murmured, and sunk exhaus
cd upon the bed. FN "
| was about to offer some assistauc
when again heard steps upon the stan
II and earnest talking as oil some persons n
s monstrating. Thinking the attack at I'll
J door would be removed ! drew the bee
q stead over against it, and threw the ligl
l bedding over the headboard, and thu
+ formed kind Of breast. work. p
" "SassN Lister, don't shoot. want 10 spes
y a few Tstds with you,' said a voice
's the head of the stairs.
10 "l'll shoot the frs! man who come
le near that door," / replied savagely
), 30. no don't I'm your friend!" he r
IL piled in "a tone, which carried treaohel
n with it, "Come to the door will your"
D. "Yes. but don't you come. u
T. 81 won't, are you thar?"
g Ayes e'sr -.s. hHo.F '
a. "Close?2s; l .. .,
g "Yes."SH wa..a =
Ifelta slight moving of the bed ov
a the trap, during which time, the man on
n side kent nm An incassant iabbar