The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1865-08-18

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as Mr.. Christmas continued, " lie is now
come to return the kindness with interest"
They looked at me with some surprise !;
principally, think, because Of the en-
phaiic, distinct way in which tie las. few
words were spoken. After a pause the
master said, "Ameiia, Emily, | wish to
speak to you both for a moment" They
all three left the room, while 7, curl.
Gus in such matters, looked at the open
books tina. were lying on the table. One
WAS "Ivanhoe;" a second some French
work; aud that opposite the old gentle
mans chair, large family Bible. In few
minutes heard Mr.. Christmas step, as be
returned with two double barreled guns.
There was rigid expression on bis face,
very different 20 what | had ever seen
there before; no. the slightest evidence Of
fal,ering or fear. "Are you cool and a
good shot 70 were he first words he ut
tered Il am. SIR replied, confidently.
Are the guns loaded, and the ladies safe +!
"They are in as safe a position as can
find for them, Ned; and the guns are load
ed with coarse shot and ball. You had
better see if the powder is we'll Up into the
nipples. | am sorry to say my caps are
none Of the best. A shot missed may be
death to us, and to those | value more
than myself. However, we are in the
hands Of God" What plan do you pros
pose. Mr.. Christmas! | asked earnestly.
Take half glass of brandy, and | will
tell you" He signed TO the sideboard,
where decanter stood. | was about to
follow his suggestion, when he said 'stay.
Don't pass between the light and the win
dow. Go round the table. Everything
must wear the appearance of peace. We
| cannot tell where they are now, and it
would not do to arouse Their suspicions. -
In few minutes the light as was ex.in>
guisbed, the door was bolted, and we
stepped quietly ont Of the little parlor in
front.
"Now," said my master, slowly, "there
are our only two selves to defend my home
ard children. My servants are all absent
a: bush fire thst was reported this after
noon, and everything will depend upon
our GOODNESS and determination. We can
not do otherwise than 10 shoot 10 XII.
The gang will, of course, enter by the
slip pannels, for they will not run tie risk
| of leaving their horses behind. Then, as
the talntest noise can be heard on such a
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.
S]i . nd
to the paddock entrance, and stood oppo
site each other as indicated. With strain
ing eyes anl beating Leart, peered into
the obsculiry. Afar, thought could
see faint faint on the sky, Ike the re-
Election Of the rulliaus camp fire The
night was terribly oppressive. There was
nothing apparently on which to exercise
the senses but kind OF oyerpoweling
hush. There was a dim hazy curtain
across the sky, and of black darkness,
| At last there came a thin, faint nurmur
! mat barely cauCht the ear, and, as | lis
tened to know if it were real, caught an
other bu; better defined noise that over
powered the fist. At last, | detected
something that might be the footballs of a
| horse; sometimes II would die away and
! come again, tut eSch time more clearly
than before. And yet, | could not feel
certain that was not deceiying myself
| Eventually, head q muiflel sound, dis
| slrct and defined enough to proclaim The
ppIoach OF horse, or horses Mr.
| Christmas heard it also, for dimy saw
him move. Ny hands fej. along the cold
barrels, and toyed with the hammers and
triggers anXlously enough, and | put the
gun to my shoulder against the sky, but
failed to see the view" Just as | had
taken the gun down again, Mr. Christmas
said in low, clear whisper: "Be sure
you aim low, and don't be in a hurry"
AS the sounds OF the horses hoofs and Of
voices mingled, | detected the double click
from the opposite gun. | followed the
example, ard with both guns cooked, we
waited the enemy's nearer approach,
Gradually recognized the outlines of the
men against the sky, clouded as it was;
they were approaching in single file, and
as they became black and better defined
| heard siihed oath. In a short time
they were within twenty yards from where
we stood, and they pulled up to consult
Although they spoke in whispers, beard
much that passed, for my sense Of hearing
had become extremely acute, as that Of all
shepherds does. |, was impossible to dis
tinguish by the tones who the speakers
were, but | heard one of them inquire,
"are you sure the hands amt above z"
" Sartin--w when Leary spun his yarn about
The fire, the cove sent 'em away to il "
" Ha!'elujah fuss. If we fire the box, i'll
bring EN- back" "And 10 grabbing the
molls," whispered one of them, au!bori-
tatively, and whom fancied was Red jim,
=" till | make the cursed old psalm singer
backlog for the bonfire Then we'll
make love if you choose" Come on! y
said an impatient voice, don't hold a pray
er meeting over i. They then tied their
horses to fence that ran at RICH, angles
to the post against which stood, and ap-
preached the entrance, still in single file
determined to adhere strictly to the or
ders had received, and waited for the
opposite fire. knew tia. my companion
would allow the men TO advance little.
so that he might not endanger me; and it
was with throbbing heart that l saw the
black form Of the bushranger pass between
Is. | heard him stumble with an oath
over cart rut. Then line Of flame cut