Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1865-08-19

y
You' rye had hard ride. see. Are the
sheen ALL right ~ issThere' is mo- time
for supper. Red Jim % / hurriedly
told hrm all l. knew. He heard me 90
tbe end without once interrlipting, and
then said quickly, Come in. Indeed,
there is no time to lose" 1 stepped at
ter him across the pleasant room where
there were seated two ladies reading. =
Ladies'" said Mr. Christmas as grace
fully as though / held the position OF a
gentleman rather than that of serf
want. sstlis is Ned Graham, the shop
herd. to whom you remember sending
medicines and comforts during his i'll
ness-" The ladies bowed pleasantly as
NJ Christmas continued, 'tHe is now
come 70 return the kindness with inter-
ost . They looked at me with some sur
mise principally, think, because of
the emphatic, distinct way in which the
last few words were spoken. After a
nause, the master said, /" Amelia, Emil
| iy, wish to speak to you both for q
moment" They all three left the room,
while I, curious in such matters, looked
at the open books that were lying on
the table. One was "1vanhoe;" sec
ond some French work; and that oppo-
site the old gentleman's chair, a large
family Bible. In few minutes i heard
Mr.. Christmas step, as he returned
With two double barreled guns There
was rigid expression on his face, very
different to what had ever seen there
before not the slightest evidence OF
| falteripg or fear. Are you cool, and
a good shot ?" were tine first words he
uttered. Il am, sir, replied, conn
IDENTIFY "Are the guns loaded, and the
ladies safe 2" s'They are IN as safe a
nositiori as 1 can find for them, Ned /;
and the guns are loaded With coarse
Slot and ball. You had better see if
the powder is well up into the nipples.
am sorry to say my caps are none OF
the best. 4 shot missed may be death
TO ms. and TO those ] value more than
myself. However, we are IN the hands
of God" What plan do you propose,
Mr. Christmas % L asked earnestly
q Take half glass of brandy, and /
viii tell YOU" lie signed to the side
board, where a decanter stood. / was
about to follow his suggestion, when he
said, 'sStay. Don't pass between the
| light and the window. TO round
the table. Everything must wear the
appearance of peace. We cannot
| tell where they are now, and 81 1t
would not do TO arouse their sus-
picious." In few minutes the light
was extinguished, the door was bolted,
and we STEPPED quietly out of the little
parlor in front. ''Now," said my mas
ter. slowly, '.there are only our two
selves TO defend my home and children.
NV servants are all absent at bush-fire
| that was reported this afternoon, and
everything will depend upon our cool
ness and determination. We cannot do
otherwise than shoot to kill. The gang
will, of course, enter by the slip pan
nels, for they will not run the risk OF
leaving their horses behind. Then, as
the faintest noise can be heard on such
night as this, they will not hazard
the pulling down of the fence. We will
each take upa position behind the large
posts, take sure aim, and fire low. I'll
ire first" As silently as spectres, we
walked across to the paddock entrance,
and stood opposite each other as indica-
ted. With straining eyes and beat
ing heart, peered into the obscurity.
Afar. l thought / could see faint tsiDt
ON the skv, like the reflection of the ruf-
fans camp fire. The night was terri
bly, oppressive. There YVES nothing APP
parently on which to exercise the SEN
SEES but a kind of overpowering hush
There was a dim hay curtain across
the sky, and of black darkness
At last there came thin, faint murmur
that barely caught the ear, and, as /
listened to know If it We're real, Icaught
another but better-dehned noise that
oyerpowered the first. AT last, l de
tected something that might be the foot.
falls of horse; sometimes it would die
away and come again, but each time
more clearly than before. And yet, /
could not feel certain that was not de-
ceiYipg myself, Eventually. ] heard
mufied sound, distinct and defined
enough to proclaim the approach of o
horse, or horses. Mr. Christmas heard
it also, for 1 dinnly saw him move. My
hands felt along the cold barrels, and
tovsd with the hammers and triggers
anxiously enough, aud put the gun to
INV shoulder against the sky, but failed
to see the s'view." just as had taken
the gun down again, Mr.. Christmas
said, in low, clear whisper: BE sure
Won 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. follow
ed the example, and, with both guns
cooked, we waited the enemy's nearer
approach. Gradually recognized the
outlines of the men against the sky,
cIouded as il was; they were approach
ing in single file, and as they became
black and better defined, / heard STU
fled oath. In short time they were
within twenty yards from where we
stood, and they pulled up to consult.
Although they spoke in whispers, i
heard much that passed, for my sense
of hearing had become extremely acute,
as that OF all shepherds does. 1t
was impossible to distinguish by
the tones who the speakers were, but /
heard one of them inquire, s'are you
sure the hands amt above?" '.Sartin
when Leary spun his yarn about the
fire, e the cove sent 'em away to it."
s.Halleluiah fust. If we fire the box,
it'll bring 'em back" '.And no grab
bling the molls,H whispered one of
them, authoritatively, and whom fan
cied was Red Jim, still make the
cursed old psalm singer backlog for
the bonfire. Then Wen make love If
YOU choose" "Come onl" said an inn
patient voice; ''don't hold a prayer
meeting over IT," They then tied their
horses to fence that ran at right angles
to the post against which / stood, and
anDroached the entrance, still in single