The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1860-07-10

He laid aside his heavy bear-skin coat
in which he was enveloped, to shield
him from the storm raging outside, un-
buckled and laid aside broad, leathern
belt, in which he wore suspended a
heavy bowie-he then drew a brace Of
revolvers from his pocket, laying them
upon shelf.
You travel we'll armed" said Deley
to him.
True, stranger, l travel around
through this wild district, and it's best
to go we'll armed. It's necessary as
precaution against wild beasts"
After supper, Deley, wishing to re-
tire, desired the young man to conduct
him to his chamber.
Have the goodness to follow me-"
said he, taking up lamp, and advanc
ing towards rickety stairway in one
corner of the room.
Deley followed him, taking up his over
coat, which he had thrown over a chair,
before the fire previous to eating his sup
per.
AS he gathered it up. heavy wallet
in the breast pocket fell out on the floor
with heavy sound. He picked it up
and thrust it back in his pocket, but not
before 1t was noticed by both father and
son; their eyes met with sinister mean
ing, but they seemed not to notice it.
Deley's conductor ushered him into
small chamber, and soon after left him to
himself He undressed, blew out the
light, and lay down on the bed He was
very much surprised to find the sheets
stiff and hard with something emittinga
very peculiar odor. Getting up again
and striking light with some matches,
he fortunately had in his pocket, he ex-
amined the sheets, and what was his as
tonishment, his horror, to find the sheets
crimson and stiff with blood. A hun
dred confused ideas passed through his
mind for full hour, and he was like a
person in dream, a fearful, horrid night
mare seemed weighing him down. Sud
denly Deley was aware of the fact that
persons were talking beneath his window.
1t was impossible to distinguish anything
in the thick gloom that the shadow of
the building threw over them. But he
knew by their voices that they had unin-
tentionally placed themselves directly be-
meath his window.
As Deley thrust his head out, he heard
the old man say
1t will never do to let this fellow off
with such pile of blunt-why, | tell
you he has got enough to make us ma
bobs in another state /; but that old En-
glishman's disappearance made con-
founded big stir. and the next one that's
missed will make the place too hot to hold
us. What say you, Bill, shall we finish
him, and then pull up stakes, or let him
slip"
Let him slip !" was the answer. ac-
companied by an oath mo, pluck him
then bid good bye to this old place, l
say"
Say you so, then give us your fist
my boy-you are one after your fathers
heart. Now you creep up stairs, Bill,
and see if our game has got his eyes fast. !"
That's me and if they amt fast
we'll fasten them for him.
And the two Williams went into the
house. Ii was now that Deley anticipa-
ted all the horrors Of his situation, but
he was no coward. and he determined not
to die without struggle.
He set himself to work to find some
way of escape. He examined the win
dow. but he saw at glance that escape
in that direction was impossible, the
window was so high that he might hurt
himself, or make noise when he Jump
ed out, and that would bring the muir
derers on him before he could prepare
for them.
While he was making those examina-
tions. he was startled by the creaking of
tho rickety stairs +; as if persons were
trying to silently approach the door /; and
the next minute he heard them trying the
bolt, which he had taken the precaution
TO slide. when first coming into the room;
there being no staple he merely drove a
small penknife in the door frame 10 hold
the door shut.
In the meantime Delcy, drawing his
revolver, tried the nipples with his fin
gers. TO be sure il would serve him true
when wanted /; he next threw quilt ov-
er chair. then Striking aligh! put il be-
meath the quilt so that il would not be-
tray him.
He did not have to wait long, for il
was pushed gently open. and he heard
them moving with a cat-like tread to-
ward the bed. They reached it--there
was silence for a moment, then two
powerful blows, two fierce oaths and
Deley unmasked his light. disclosing the
two assassins standing by the bed, their
arms barred to the shoulder, and each
grasping Misunderstanding knife,
ready for their work of death.
"By the foul fend. we'll have you
now |" yelled the old man, making at
Deley with murder cleaning from his
eyes.
Deley was on his guard. He raised
his pislol-his finger pressed the trigger
= there was quick sharp report.
:" Fire and iuries he has done it for
me At him, Bill, and cut his heart
out - shrieked the old man. as he stag
gered and fell to the floor.
With demoniac yell. Bill started to
do his fathers bidding. He was too late
before he had taken three steps towards
his intended victim. Deley again fired,