Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1861-03-01

1t seemed as if he understood me, but
he had no idea of dying then. He prick
ed up his ears--his eyes grew eager-a
short, shrill, fierce bark issued from his
lips.
1t was of no use attempting TO elude
my pursuers. Their beasts were fresh
mine wearied by a weeks travelling
They gained on me at every pacej |
could hear the rapid rush of the air as
they neared me. A hoarse voice called
on me to stop--a pistol bullet whistled
past my ear through my hair. Another,
and another but they missed me. And
now my pursuers gained still more they
reached-passed me, and wheeling, in
tercepted my course.
Quicker than thought, they dropped
from their horses and seized my bride
reins. Instantly dashed one of my pis-
tolls full in the face of the one on the right
just as the dog sprang upon him and drag
ged him to the earth, where they rolled
together in death struggle. Ny heart
throbbed exultingly as | saw the noble
creature gra. ping with my assailant. A
wild oath broke from the lips of the 9th
er rufiian. Aiming my remaining pistol
athis head, l fired the blank charge
and partially stunned him, at The same
time striking my horse smartly, bat trem-
bling with fright, he refused to stir; and
while the man evaded the pistol flung
at him, received blow on the bead that
struck me senseless from the saddle.
Bat that hour was not destined to be
my last a, found on waking to this life
once more some twelve hours after in a
small farm house lying not twenty rods
from the scene of that nights attack, and
where--thanAs to M faithful, fearless
creature who had twice saved my life at
the peril Of his own--I was enabled TO
listen to an account of certain circumstan-
ces, of which l lad no remembrance.
Ii seems that at about an hour or there
abouts after midnight, the occupants Of
tais house Fastening to open the door,
found there a large dog seeming in great
distress, his coat stained with blood and
covered with dust, and two or three
wounds visible in different paris of his
body; that, resisting their endeavors to
lead him in, he had by his significant ac-
tions, induced them TO follow him along
the road some distance, to where lay the
bodies Of three men in the middle Of the
road, while single horse, apparently be-
longing to one Of them, stood by the
roadside
Two Of the men we're quite dead--the
blood flowing from terrible wound il
The throat OF each These wounds on
examination, we're found to have been
made by the fangs of dog which had
fastened there and met through the flesh
Well had the faithful brute served his
master. The third, though insensible,
was without wounds, his only injuries be-
ing dislocation of the arm and a severe
bruise on the head caused by some vio-
lent blow.
1t Is easy to supply the missing links.
The dog, Immediately on being hurled
from the saddle, must have left the man
whom he had thrown down, and flown
upon the other assailant whom my pistol
had already half disabled, preventing him
from doing me further mischief In the
throat of each he had torn great wounds
in his fury that would have let out score
Of lives.
lie had saved my life. can find no
words to convey my feelings as think Of
the unshrinking courage and fidelity with
which this noble creature protected and
me when / was at the mercy Of
The assassin, as | think of the death which
he interpcsed his own life to avert from
me.
OF the two rufians who had attacked
me on the road, strange to say, one was
found TO be Jack Brown, the dark looking
individual who had figured somewhat in
the first part Of this story. lie was a
notorious character and the accomplice Of
The landlord who had attempted my life.
IN many terrible deed of crime. This
landlord, who was found and arrested the
next day at the tavern, was tried soon af-
er; trial in which such record of .
guilt and blood was brought to light as II
made people shudder. If he had sue
,eeded in dispatching me that night,
should nos have been his first victim un-
Ter that root, nor probably bis last. He
vas sentenced 20 be hung, and met his
ate shortly after.
My noble dog recovered from bis
.N..N ]