New Oregon plaindealer. (New Oregon, Iowa) 1859-1866, 1860-01-27
Our Novel.
From Graham's Magazine.
THE OATH OF MARION.
ATALE OF The REVOLUTION
by CHARLES J. PETERSON.
CHAPTER III.

| CHAPTER III.
| Mr.. Mowbray walked around anon,
bis men and himself saw that every thin,
vas ready. He exhorted them, in
few words, to do their duty manfully
His short harangue was brought to !,
spe eedy conclusion, BY loud cheer Of
the part Of the assailants, and by show
er Of bullets aimed at the hall window
as they advanced to the attack.
Fire cody, and waste no shot, hi
said sternly, himself handling mus.
ket.
-Four men fell ut the first discharge
and, mad with rage and shame, the as.
sailants strovc to climb the pilasters Of
the hall door; but they were beate,
thence by the butts, of the defenders
muskets. The men however who achicv-
ed this, were severely wounded by the
rifles Of the Tories who keeping watch
aimed wherever head appeared. An
effort was now made to break in the hall
door An axe was brought, and after
several blows, one Of the heavy pannels
gave way. But the moment it fell crash.
ing in, a volley poured through he a
parture drove back the assailants, wll.
thus foiled at every point retreatcd to
he cover Of the outhouses, as if to hold
Il consultation.
The little gal rison was now mustered.
One Of its members had been shot dead
at the great hall window, and several
wounded. The hurts were bandagcd as
we'll as possible, and the stock Of anu
milton was distributed more equally
Their slight success had inspired the
men; they began now to talk of foiling
the enemy; and when notice was again
given of their approach, they repaired to
their posts With slacrity and exulta-
ton.
The Tories now seemed to have re-
solved trying a combined attack on all
parts Of the house. One party advanc-
ed toward the hall door in front--anoth-
er made the circuit of the mansion to as
sail the one in the rear-and third re-
manned at one angle, as if contemplating
an assault on the side, when the rest
should be fully engaged. Mr.. Now
bray's heart forewarned him of the re-.
suit when he saw the preparations. ~
They are breaking into the parlorsp.
exclaimed one of the men, rushing up
the staircase, at the very instant that q
new yolley was discharged on the house
from the assailants. -. r.
Mr.. Mowbray listened, and heard the
dull crash Of an AK, followed by the
breaking Of glass. The parlor shutters
had merely been barred, and the parlors
once gained, it WAS only necessary to
break down the doors leading to the en-
try, which were comparati, ely weak and
slightly barricadcd. To desert the hall
up stairs, would be to seduce the Tories
in front aud rear from their cover, and
throw open an entrance to them by the
way they had first essayed. It became
necessary, therefore to divide his already
small force, and, leaving few to main
tain the old positions, defend the threat
ened door with two or three trusty
arms.
We must sell our lives dearly he
said as he, took his station behind the
door, posting man on each side.
The enemy was now heard leaping in
to the parlor, and simultaneously gen.
eral attack began on all sides. The bull
lets ratified against the wall, shouts and
cries Of encouragement rose on both
sides. From the quick firing overhead
Mr.. Mowbray knew that his men in that
quarter were actively engaged The
az was now heard against the parlo'
door before him and the frail wood quiv'
cred under every blow. Another bLv
and the pannel gave way. Instantly
the musket of Mr.. Mowbray was aimee
through tho aperture at the man wh'
fell dead ut the explosion. But anoth
ar mr. ,mnflv saized the instrument. An,