Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1865-08-11

open books that were lying on the table
One was Ivanhoe; secoid some Frencl
work; and that opposite the old gentle
mans chair, large family Bible.
In few minutes heard Mr.. Christ
mass step as he returned With two double
barreled guns. There was rigid ex-
preston on his face, very different t.
what had ever seen before not thu
slightest evidence Of faltering or fear,
"Are you cool, and good shot" were
the first words be uttered.
81 am, SIR ! replied, confidently
"Are the guns loaded, and the ladiel
safe ?" g
"They are in as safsa position as car
find for them, Ned, and the guns are
loaded with coarse shot and bal. You
had better see il the powder is we'll VI
into the nipples. l am sorry to say my
caps are none of the best. A shot missed
may be death to us, and to these value
more than myself However we are ii
the hands of God"
"What plan do you propose, Mr.
Christmas 2" I asked, earnestly.
"Take half glass of brandy, and
will tell you."
He signed TO the sideboard, where a
decanter stood, | was about to follow his
suggestion, when he said, "Stay DOME
pass between the light and the window.
Go round the table. Everything mus;
wear the appearance Of peace. We can
not tell where they are now, and it would
not do to arouse their suspicious"
In a few minutes the light was ex.
tingushed, the door boted, and we step.
ped quietly on the little parterre in front.
Nov" said my master, slowly, "there
are only our two selves to defend my
home and my children. My servants
are all absent at a bush fire that was re-
ported this afternoon, and everything
will depend on onr GOODNESS and deter>
mination. We cannot do otherwise than
shoot to kill. The gang will, of course,
enter by the slip panneIs, for they will
not run the risk of leaving their horses
behind. Then, as the fainlest noise can
be heard on such night as this, they
will not hazard the pulling down Of the
fence. We will each take up position
behind the large posts, take sure aim,
and fire low. I'll FIRE first"
As silently as spectres, we walked
across to the paddock entrance, and stood
opposite each other at the place indicat-
ID. With straining eyes and beating
leart, peered into the obscurity. Afar
thought | could see faint tint on the
KY, IKE the renectfou ur cuU rutfian-s
amp fire. The night was terribly silent
md oppressive. There was nothing ap-
larently on which to exercise the senses
,ut kind of overpowerilg hush. There
vas a dim, hazy curtain across the SKY,
nd the night was of black darkness
should have though ofteutimes that
vas dreaming were it not for the patient
figure opposite, and the faint
tars. Inaction under such circumstances
; hardly to be borne, and my tho'ts Of
en- wandered from their very intensity.
began TO speculate how long it would
axe a star to pass some black ragged
,atch of cloud, and then ! would look
efore me and see it dancing on the dark
less. Then the face Of Red Jim would
row close upon me, till / saw the hideous
eatures close to where stood. Still, no
ound broke on the dark shrouding night.
sometimes l thought, with a chilly start,
hat the bushrangers might have ap-
roached the house by some other way,
ut up behind me all was quiet.
AT last there came thin, faint muir
nur that barely caught the ear, and as
stened to know if it were real, | caught
mother but better defined noise that
verpowered the first. AT last detected |
that might be the footballs of
orse; sometimes it would Gle away and |
ONE again, but each time more clearly |
nan before. And yet l could not feel
ertain that l was not deceiving myself.
Eventually, | heard sound, distinct and
efned enough to proclaim the approach
{ horse, or horses.
Mr.. Christmas heard it also, for l dim
Y saw him move.
My hands felt along the cool barrels,
nd toyed with the hammers and triggers
nxiously enough, and ! put the gun to
~ shoulder against the sky, but failed to
ee the fview." Just as | bad taken
be weapon down again, Mr.. Christmas
aid, in a clear, low whisper, "Be sure
ou aim low, and don't be in hurry"
AS the sounds of the horses hoofs
nd of voices mingled, detected the
ouble click from the opposite gun.
,llowed the example, and, with both
uns cooked, we waited the enemy's near
r approach. Gradually, ] recognized
le outlines of the men against The sky,
loudly as it was they were approaching
! single file, and as they became black
r and better defined, l heard a siifed
ugh and an OATH. In short time they
ere within twenty yards of where we
ood, and they pulled up to consult
Though thew spoke in whispers, heard
Iuch that passed, for my sense of hear
u bad become extremely acute, as that
{ all shepherds does. 1t was impossible
distinguish by the tones who the speak
rs were, but heard one of them in
uire -
"Are you sure the hands amt above ?"
"Sartain-when Leary spun bis yarn
oout the fire, the cove sent 'em all
way 10 it."
"Hallelujah fust. If we fire the box,
II bring 'em back"
"And no grabbing the molls,' whis-
- -. o,,tharsfot,-oi, ,p1