The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1867-06-12

charge of q man whom she represented
to be her son, I strobe into the room.
When I had placed my rifle upon the
floor, | removed my heavy coat and drew
a chair near the blazing fire.
"Stormy night" said to my hostess,
who was preparing some supper for me.
She grunted some kind of an answer
and invited me to pariake of dish of
rye bread and mush. This did with a
Ewill, and after swallowing a mug of ale,
lIlht my pipe and sat listening to the wild
roaring Of the wind.
Suddenly the door was rudely thrown
open, and two men, armed almost to the
teeth, stalked in, and without utterlng ii
word threw themselves upon the floor
near where was sitting.
This movement somewhat surprised
mo, but thinking that prudence was the
better part Of valpr, I remained quiet
To add to my discomfort, one of tho
rufians took my rifle and coolly removed
the caps. was about to cxpostulate
against this, when the door was second
time opened, and three of the most re.
pulsive looking villains I had ever set
eyes upon rudely entered the room. The
unaccountable behavior of the first couple,
and the unlocked for appearance of the
new corners, made me surmise that l had
taken refuge in a den of thieves.
| | tried to laugh at the idea, but every.
thins about me impressed the horrid
truth upon my mind.
/ Resolving to sell my life as dearly as
possible, I felt for my revolver; but it
was not in my belt; | had left it in my
saddle. My trusty rife lay few feel
from me; but what service could thai
render me without any cap upon it?
The gang was grouped in a corner OIL
1.-THE hut, engaged in low conversation, and
I entertained not a doubt but that they
twere planning my death. I expected ev
Iery moment to be hurled to the Goor and
murdered.
My first impulse was to leap toward
the door aud run for my life. l would
have acted upon thiss but heavy haut
1 vas laid upon my shoulder and l wa
rrdely thrown to the ground. Lcapin.
| to my feet, unsheathed my knife =
They anticipated my intention, and will
ipfnriated yolls they sprang toward ME.
| 1t was now life or death with me-
Placing my foot firmly against the side
board, | awaited the attack. They close
with me. My knife was knocked from
my hand, and almost a dozen hand
, clutched me by the throat. | struggled
and tried to cry out, but all to no avail
With one blow | was struck to the ground
a foot stamped upon my breast, a knif
flashed above me. ! closed my eyes an,
: broathcd short prayer. But hark TIL
door is thrown open with a crash, and
yoise of authority thunders.
HHold you cowordly villains Harr
one hair in that mans head and you die !
The wretches released me, and stun
doggedly away. With one bound I wa
, upon my feet, Grasping my preserve
Q by the hand, in tremulOus voice l crieG
God bless you, sii; you have save
. ny life."
"Iave I p he replied, with somelhin
like a laugh. "Then we are even, D
f, you recognize me ?"
I looked closer into his dark face, an
with a pleasure recognized the ma
/ whose life I had saved not five hours b,
+ fore. He was the leader of that barba
: ous gang, and had it not been for h
;, timely arrival my death I fear, wouI
Q have prevented me from realizing an ou
;. laws gratitude.