The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1860-09-05

"Look out, Simeon" said the father, in a
low voice, and tell US what the knaves are
i about gas
Posting themselves around the house, but
under cover. They think to catch us mapping.
There's coming in this way now-he
why, father, it's Walter Van Cuyler."
We all started. The meaning of this sud-
den attack was clear enough now.
| Van Cuyler had been professed patriot and
a warm admirer of Grace; and, on his rejection
by her, had gone away, vowing vengeance on
the whole family. 1
''The traitor" muttered Mr.. Oakley. 1t is
he, then, that has brought down this swarm of
hornets What is he doing now. Simeon Z,,--. -..
"He has been trying the windows, to see if
they are fastened. Now he is at the door
The words were drowned in series of thun-
dering knocks ve aF'
Mr.. Oakley went to Simeon's window. p
3 "N no knocks below there ?'
| "Walter Van Cuyler." .i 75a
"What do you want ?" . ~
''Food, rest, and shelter. Brants men are
close my track. Let me in quickly"
"The sharp crack of rifle, and the words
liar and hypocrite were his answer. a fierce
yell arose from behind the haystacks and out
buildings, as twenty dark forms rushed for
ward, brandishipg their weapons and firing at
random, while as many more lowered on the
outskirts of the wood.
| w 1lilln Ine mousse was perIecG Sticucc, UrohSH
only by the low ''now, bcys," of Mr. Oakley,
and the roar of the six best rifles in the coun-
try.
ask down a man for each bullet Good!"
said the exulting voics of Mr. Oakley. The
powder, girls, and we'll given another.
shower of(bullets, that ratified like hail
stones about-the windows, cut short his words
Mr. Oakley picked up some that fell harmless
to the floor, and laughed.
nth l.. l.. IL @1,rt,o Ia
1 They are going to keep us in balls as well as
exercise So much the better, for we have
none too many. Now, boys.
Another fash and roar, and again the voice
of Mr. Oakley:
"Fire steady boys, and take good AIM
| Don't waste powder" =
A dead silence ensued.
"They're cowed father-they're sncakfng
off to cover-exclain ed Simeon.
Not thcy they're only contriving some new
deviltry John and Matthew, round with you
to the back of the house. Grace-my God!
where did that shot come from as with
sharp cry, Reuben, the eldest, leaped three
feet up in the air, and fell forward on his face,
stone dead.
Mrs Oakley sprang forward, and threw her
self on his body. The fair haired eldest boy
was her darling. Another shot came crasfIng
though the window, and bedded itself deep IN
the opposite wall.
Ain, at yonder tree, shouted Mr. Oakley. L
saw the CLEAN of rife stock among the leaves
| A third shot, whizzing so close past us as to
make us start back; and then our rifles an
swered, and dark body went down, aud struck
with heavy 'thud against the ground
| He's slenced, exclaimed Mr. Oakley, with a
CLEAN of stern satisfaction shooting across his
face. But 1 see none of the rest. Where are
they hiding F1sa rtg u
Father, father! called Grace, in an agonized
tone. s-as- ~
Mr. Oakley ran hastily into the back room,
where she was. A stalwart man, in hunting
frock, and so bronzed as to make it almost
doubtful if he were white or red, had swun
| himself from an adjoining tree on TO the bal
cony, and was trying to force himself through
the little window.
As Mr.. Oakley rushed forward, he drew the
hunting knife that lie wore in his belt; but
seizing the sharp edge in his bare hands, the
infuriated father wrested it from his grasp by
main strength, and plunged it up to the hilt in
his breast.
A fierce yell, and harmless volley from
those in ambush, received this new defeat, and
then came another of those omlnous pauses.
What can they be about, muttered Simeon,
who was again at the look out They surely
can't dream of firing the house
The door, the door! gasped Grace.
Right exclaimed her father. The girl has
more wit than us all. We must barricade the
hall. '-4
Never mind the shutters said Mrs. Oakley,
who had regained her marble like composure
| We will bar them, and she began to draw the
bolts.
Mr.. Oakley hesitated, for the task was
of danger; but there was time to lose, and
chairs, sofas, and tables piled up at
short distance from the door, in what was re-
ally formidable barricade, guarded, as it was,
by those unerring rifles. The smell of the
| burning wood, and the smoke that filled the
hall, now grew almost intoerable. Mr.. Oak
ley placed US on the staircase, and exhorted
his SONS to stand close, and take good aim. A
portion of the door fell in. Mr.. Oakley raised
+ his rife and Walter Van Cuy1er, who was the
first to spring in, staggered back with groan
The others swarmed in like bees, but second
and third of those dreadful volleys brought
them. to a stand No cared to expose
himself to such certain death.
Mr.. Oakley turned impetuously to his SONS ::
Give 'em another, boys: we'll beat 'em off
yet; but mute shake of the head was their
only answer The powder was exhausted. For
a moment, deadly pallor ovefspread his face;
the next, his voice rang out, clear ar d firm as
ever: ~
Close up! Draw your knives We will sell
our lives as dearly as possible.
"Come on; their powder is oat," shouted a
man, who, with half dozen others, had suc-
ceeded in scramb.ing over the barricade and
was making his way toward the little group.
"You'd better be careful. Our women have
their knitting needles yet, retorted Mr. Oakley
| derisively
"We'll take care of you and the women
both, returned the rufian aiming blow at
Simeon, that brought him to the ground.
A spasm contorted Mr.. Oakley's stern fea.
.tures for moment; and then, with strangled
sob, he threw himself hesdlong, on his assail-
lants.
Il "Kill him--cut him down--he's the devil
himselfi shonted dozen voices; but at. this
moment arose another and far different cry:
4 The rebels--they are ON us as laundering
!, on--tramping the eowardly wretches down