The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1861-03-30
the light from the fire, by suspendlng before
| it two or three bed-quts

the light from the fire, by suspendlng before
it two or three bed-quts
All the necessary preparations having been
completed, the family waited. in perfect
silence, the result of their suspicious. 1t was
perhaps midnight. when there was slight
rustling outside the door, and by closely
observing and listening. voice could he
heard. The old man ordered three Of the
party up stairs to fire upon the savages who
might be in the yard, while he would defend
the door. The command was put in the
hands of Rislcr. who. on looking out, saw,
by the faint light the moon cast through the
clouds. body Of Indians. just inside the
palsade. They were standing, perfectly
quiet. watching the movements Of their com.
panons near the door.
q" Take the three Indians to the right"
said Risler Il will take the first ono, Harry
the second. and Nancy the third"
NoiselcssIy they placed their weapons in
the port holes, and at the same instant the
arms belched forth fire, and three Indians
fell dead on the spot. The Indians seemed
stricken with 4 panic, and prccpitately fled.
but moment after returned and attacked
the house furiously. Their principal point
Of attack was at the door. which the old man
was defending. While they were battering
at it, the old lady put kettle of water over
the fire. and in few minutes had it boiling.
She then assembled the stairs, and softly
raising small window directly over the
savages. she threw the whole contents over
them. With loud bowls they fled, and as
they re,reated the party up stairs gave
them volley, and two or three were either
killed or wounded.
For about half an hour there was a perfect
silence: no trace of an Indian could be seen
IL reckon they're gone" said the old lady
in 4 whisper to her husband.
" Not they II hear from them direct.
~ :" ard he had scarcely made the reply
when rifle shot from one of the party up
stairs announced the temperance OF the
savagcs.
Go into the kitchen Hannah" said the
old man; F" believe they are at the back
door"
Tn. old lady FASTENED to obey orders, and
watched the door closely as the Indians bat
tered away at it. There was party Of sava.
yes at the front door, which the old man was
guarding with the utmost care. Those up
stairs were ordered down, and the " hole force
were then mustered below stairs. The son
and the mother were guarding the back door,
at which the savages were eagerly at work -
At length it yielded to their efforts, and fill
in. Tile sou shot the first Indian, while the
mother. with an axe, attacked the second
one, and drove him back. The bowling of
the savuges brought those from the front door
to the rescue. and the whole force was now
assembled at hat point. The old lady ieceiv-
ed serious wound, and was borne away by her
son. The old man, Rsler and Nancy, now Join
ed in the fight, by giving the savnges a vo.ley
which was returned, woanding Risler and the
elder Spellman but they continued the fight.
and as the savagcs fed, pursued them to thu
yard. Spellman received second wound,
which disabled him, and ne crawled into the
house.
The remaining three fought with despcra.
ton, and drove the savages step by step be.
yond the palisades. Nancy and her brother
stopped to repair the breach, while Rlsler
made circuit of the place, to see if 1t was
thoroughly cleared Of the enemy. As he
came near the precipice, an Indian sprung
from the darkness upon him, and then com.
mcnccd struggle for life. The Indian had
no weapon, but endcavored to dag RiSler
over the precipice. The latter was compelled
to drop his rife, and was therefore on equal
footing with his savage foe.
For few moments they would dangle
over the edge of the precipce, when Risler,
getting little of the advantage, would force
his antagonist back. HIS only hope was to
choke the savage; md to this purpose he put
out his whole strength. But the savage was
the strongest man, and Risler was Somewhat
weakened by the loss Of blood.
The struggle had continued for several
minutes. when Risler felt peculiar ughtness
about the throat. The InGisn had planted
his fingers tightly in the neck Of Risler, aud
was choking him to death. lie was drag,
ging his helpless victim toward the prccipce,
when the butt Of a gun came whzzing down
upon his head, and, with convulsvs shud-
der he ,ulnbled over to receive death blow
from the hands of Nancy. She had Tough,
brayely, courageously and, last Of all. saved
her lover, who in after years married her.
The wounded all recovered. and for three
days withstood siege. at the end Of which
time they were rescued and taken to place
of safety.