The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1865-07-28


to the nipples. am sorry to say my cap
are none of the best. A shot missed ma
be death to us. and to those value NOR
than myself However, we are in tn
hands of God"
"What plan do YOU purpose, Mr
Christmas ;" | asked earnestly.
"Take half glass of brandy, and
will tell you
He signed to the sideboard. where a de
canter stood. / was about to follow hi
suggestion, when he said "Stay. Dom
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 woul,
not do to arouse their suspicious"
In a few minutes, the light was extin
guished, the door was bolted, and we step
ped quietly out on the little parterre il
front.
"Now," said my master, slowly, "thert
are only our two selves to defend nv home
and my children. My servants are al
absent at bush fire that was reported
this afternoon, and everything will de.
pend upon our GOODNESS and determination.
We cannot do otherwise than shoot tc
kill. The gang will of course enter by
the slip panels, for they will not run the
risk of leaving their horses behind. Then,
as the faintest noise can he heard on such
night as this. they will not hazard the
pulling down of the fence, We will each
take up a position behind the largest posts
take sure aim and fire low Ill fire
first"
As silently as spectres. we walked across
to the paddock entrance. and stood oppo-
site each other at the place Indicated
With straining eyes and beating heart,
peered into the obscurity. Af;ir, | thought
l could see faint tint OH the sky, like the
reflection of the rutfian's campfire. The
night was terribly silent and oppressive
There was nothing apparently on which TO
exercise the senses but kind of overpow-
cring hush. There was dim hazy cur
tain across the SKY. and the light WAS OF :.
black darkness should have thought Of
tcntimes that was dreaming, We're il not
for the patient motionleSs figure opposite.
and the faint stars. Inaction under such
circumstances is hardly TO be borne, and
my thoughts wandered from their very in
tensitv began TO Speculate how long ii
would take "A star 10 pass some black rag
ged patch OF cloud. and then would look
before me and see il dancing on the dark
ness. Then the face OF Red Jim would
grow upon me. till | saw the hideous te;l-
lures Close TO where | stood Still. III
sound broke on the dark shrouiing night.
Sometimes thought. with n chilly start.
that the hishrangers might have approach
ed the house by some other WAY. but uI
behind me all was quiet.
! A, last there came thin. faint mur
muir that barely caught the ear, and a.
listened TO know if they were real | caught
another but better defined noise that over.
powered the first At last | detectc;!
something that mi ght be the footballs of :
horse: sometimes ii would die away an,
come AGAIN. but each time more clearl,
than before. And Vet could not fee
certain that | was not decelving myself,
Eventually, l hearda mutiiel sound. dis
tinct and defined enough 10 proclaim tn,
approach of Il horse. or horses.
Mr.. Christmas heard ii also. for iiml,
saw him move
NV hands felt along the cool barrels
and toved with the hammers and trigger
anxiou>ly enough, and l put the gun Il
my shoulder against the sky. but failed t,
see the view" Just as | had taken TIN
weapon down again, Mr.. Christmas said
in clear, low whisper. ." BE sure yol
aim low. and don't he in a hurry
As the sounds of horses hooi:s and o
voices mingled. detected the double clicl
from the opposite gun. followed the ex
ample, and, with both guns cooked, W
waited the enemy's nearer approach
Gradually recognized the outlines Of tn
men against the sky, cloudy Us it was
they were approaching in single file, an'
as they became blackcr and better defined
| heard stiAed laugh and an oath. In
short time they were within twenty yard
of where we stood, and they pulled up t
consult. Although they spoke in wins
pers. l heard much that passed, for m.
sense of hearing had become extremei
acute. as that of all shepherds does.
was impossible 10 distinguish by til
tones who the speakers Were, but | hear
one of them inquire:
care YOU sure the hands amt above
Sartin-when Leary spun his yarl
about the firO the cove sent 'em all ava
to it,
':Hallelujah filst If we fire the box
it'll bring 'em back"
'And no grabbing the molls," whisper
ed one of them, authoritatively, and WHOM
| fancied was Red Jim, till | make tn
cursed old psalm-singcr back log for tn
bonfire. Then we'll make love if yo
choose
"Come on" said an impatient voice
don't hold prayer meeting over 1t.
They then tied their horses TO tenc
, that ran at right angles TO the post agalnc
, which stood, and approached the er
trance still in single file. l determined
adhere strictly to the orders | had recei'
, ed, and waited for the opposite fire
knew that my companion would allow tl
men to advance a little. 50 that he mlgl
: not endanger me: and it was with