The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1865-08-03

| the faint stars. 1naction under such cir.
cumstances is hardly TO be borne, and my
thoughts often wandered from their very
intensity, l-began to speculate how long
lit would take q star to pass some black rag
ged patch of cloud, and then | would look
before me and see it dancing on the dark
ness. Then the face of Red Jim would
grow upon me, till saw the hideous fea-
lures close to where stood. Still, no sound
broke on the dark shrouding night. Some
the bushrangers might have approached the
house by some other way, but up behind
Inc all was quiet. s
At last III ire ta.ne a thin, flint murmur
that barely caught the ear. and as listen
ed to know if it were real, | caught anoth
er but better defined noise that overpower-
ed the first. At last detected something
that might be footballs of a horse; some.
times it would die away and come again,
but each time more clearly than before.
Aud yet | could not feel certain that was
not deceivipg myself. Eventually, | heard
a muffled sound, distinct and defined enough
to proclaim the approach of horse, or hors-
es ssss
Mr.. Christmas heard it also, for l dimly
saw min move
My hand felt along the cool barrels and
toyed with the hammers and triggers anx-
ioasly enough, and put the gun TO my
shoulder against the shy. but failed to see
the view Just as | had taken the wea-
pom down again, Mr.. Christmas said. in a
clear, low whisper, BE sure you aim low
and don't be in hurry. =
AS the sounds of the horses hoofs and
Of voices mingled, detected the double
click from the opposite gun. | followed
the example and, with both guns cooked,
we waited the eDemy's nearest approach.
Gradually, | recognized the outlines of the
men against the sky, cloudy as it was !;
they We're approaching i'll single file, and as
they became backer and better defined,
heard a stihed laugh and an oath. In a
short time they were within twenty yards
of where we stood, and they pulled up to
consult. Although they spoke i'll whispers,
heard much that passed, for my sense of
hearing had become extremely acute, as
that of all shepherds does. 1t was i'm
possible TO distinguish by the tones who
the speakers were, but / heard one of them
inquire - Ia
Are you sure the hands amt above ?"
''Sartain-when Leary spun his yarn
about the fire. the cove sent 'em all away
to it."
''HaIleIujah fust If we fire the box, it'll
bring 'eln back"
''And no grabbing the molls," whispered
one of them, authorltatively, and whom
fancied was Red jim, It'll make the curs-
ed old psalm singer back log for the bon
fire, Then we'll make love If you choose"
''Come on y said an impatient voice
s'don't hold a prayer meeting over it.
They then tied their horses to a fence
that ran at right angles to the post against
which stood, and approached the entrance
still in single file. determined to adhere
strictly to the orders had received, aud
waited for the opposite fire. l knew that
my companion woud allow the men to ad
vance little, SO that he might not endanger
me and it was with throbbing heart that
| saw the black form OF the first bush
ranger pass between us.
heard him stumble with an oath over
cartrut. Then line of fame cut its abrupt
short track on the darkness, and the sound
had not passed to echoes before a shrill cry
followed it, as the william staggered on a
few PAGES and fell, blowing up the dust.
The light of the discharge had just died
out. when heard another snap, as a sports
man shoots when firing right aud left. |
knew that the masters gun was now use
less. rs
'Corne on, Nix It's the cove himself
[ saw him by the light of the shot /; his
stings gone now Aud one of the men
rushed to where my master stood, followed
by his comrade.
| had one of them covered, but if fired
I heard the noise Of struggling might
kill my master. Thus stood with the gun
ut aim, undecided and half mad. The
voice of the men saying, ''Damn you, knife
him ]" resolved me, fired amongst them.
saw some one sink down, but could
not tell who it was, and, as he appeared to
let go his hold, and rushed to the horses,
took second hurried aim and fired then
bounded across the entrance, just in time
to see the wounded wretch bending over
Mr.. Christmas and trying to strangle him.
In moment the gun was poised and
smashed to fragments on his skull. But we
had exposed our strength, and the remains
ing bushranger, who believed that he had
stabbed my companion, seized one Of the
guns left standing at the fence and fired.
The ball was uEpeasently close, and had
scarce time to know that was uninjured,
when Red Jim himself was upon me with
the weapon dubbed made rapid spring
at him before the blow could fall, and crap
pied with him. We rolled on the ground
With all the force of my strength
| resisted his efforts to grasp me by the
I, h,,k Ias hio h,Ino,,o
close to mine, and his teeth met beneath my
chin. experienced sutfocating giddy
feeling, and then [ heard hurried voices
and running feet just as felt my grip re-
lax powerless But the frightful grip relax
ed too, and Red jim roseto his feet. and
jumped on my chest with all his force.
When | came to consciousness. l found
myself in the cheerful paror, and the ladies'
hands We're tenderly washing away the
traces Of the fight Mr. Christmas had
tainted from loss of blood, but was not dan
g9rously wounded.
Red jim escaped but his two companions,
neither of whom was killed, were given in>
to the safe keeping of the authorities, and
afterwards hanged.
Three years after the ARRAY, Mr.. Christ
mas made me overseer, and finally his man
ager. A long time has passed since then,
but yet closer relationship exists between
u.s. am writing the tale ofmy early ex
periences at the same table where upon |
saw the Bible on that memorable night.
There is a lady who sits opposite to me.
She was the reader of lvanhoe, the daught-
er of MIR. Christmas, and she is my wife.
-~S~
FIes and peaches are abundant in New
Orleans.
THE New York Central Park will cost
$3.50, 900 to keep it in order this year.
THE Erie Railroad earned S1,225, 52s in
June, all increase of 1888, 552.
ONO papers expect the largest corn crop