The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1867-03-22

wrenched from the wall a woodei
bench secured to ii by iron plates
I seized two stools, three straw chairs
{, AMI small table, threw them int
? one corner OF the cell, broke of q les
OF the table to serve him as q sort o
club, stood with his back to the wal
, behind n sort of barricade he hac
, made, and yelled in a terrible voice
| as ne brandished his club over his
; head:--"Come on, I'm ready for We !!
The younger agent ran out of the
cell, crying at the top of his voice -
The guard! the guard, hor
The older agent remained at his
post, and, Struggling his shoulders
looked calmly at Langlade, rhi.
agents calmness exasperated til,
convict to the highest degree. lie
leaped over his barricade and ad
vanced towards him. club in hand
The agent felt then that he was want.
enly exposing himself to DANGER
Fixing his eyes on his adversary,
holding in one his bunch of keys TO
fcnd Off the club, curling his thicl,
gray moustache with the other hand,
he rapidly walked backwards, with.
out saying word. When he got
near the door, which had remained
open since the flight of the other
agent, he jumped backwards just as
Langlade was upon him, and he
slammed the door. 1t was a retreat,
but it vas an honorable retreat-it
was no route. Langlade was alone
in his cell.
Meantime the guard of soldiers
which is posted in every Jail had
armed, and was marching to the
double cell. IL was evident that a
terrible struggle was about to take
place. The convict would certainly
Der Of his adversaries, but 1t was
certain he w6sad defend himself with
energy. In his vigorous hands, ev-
cry sort of weapon would prove IA
tai instrument of defense. Besides,
he might jump on the first soldier
who entered the cell, disarm him, re-
treat behind his barricade, and keep
the enemy at bay for hours. The
soldiers, headed by the two agents,
had reached the door of the double
cell and we're about to enter it.
Vibcrt suddenly made his appear
ance.
He had heard an unusual noise,
had made inquiry, and was told what
was taking place. He said to him
self:-I ought to have expected as
much. 1t is my fault after all. 1t
is certain Langlade has some right
to complain. / have not kept my
promise strictly It is my duty to
repair all the i'll I have done, and to
prevent the effusion Of blood
Brave and resolutc as he was, he
could not hesitate long. He made
haste and joined the soldiers and
agents, and said to them, as the agent
was about turning the key OF the
door, Let me go in, I'll settle every.
thing
What are you going to do, NJ vi
bertG asked the older agent.
Il don't know but begin by send
ing the guard away, | beg of you. 1t
is not worth while to have the sol
diers killed by this fellow | master
ed him this morning, and / dare say
shall master him now. If | fail it
will he time enough to summon the
guard You know the superintend-
ent is always glad when you abstain
rom violent measures
True. Our orders are TO be as
gentle rs possible, But if you could
imagine the state of fury in which
this scoundrel is, you would despair
of producing any effect
1T costs nothing to try
You risk your life
Il had better risk mine than risl,
the lite of all these people
'As you please. Would you have
me go in with you?'
NO, it is useless
Il shall remain here, then, to go &c
your assistance if necessary.
Vibert opened the door and enter
ed the double cell.
Langlade, who had heard the clat
ter of the muskets and the murmui
of voices, expected to be attacked
and had taken refuge behind his bar
ricade. AS soon AS he saw Vibcr
his fury became frenzy. He mad,
one leap, jumped on Vibert, took hin
in his arms, and, throwing him a:
one throws ball, tossed him to thu
tI extremity of the double cell.
!, Vibert fell on his knees, rose brush
/ ed his pantaloons with his elbow tC
remove the dust, { for in the graves
! circumstances he was particula
man, and, without waiting for Lang
lade to fall on him, he crossed lii
arms and went up to him and btwl
ed in his face, You are coward! !
And you arc liar ? . s
why do you call me liar 2 aske'
vibert, without lowering his voice il
the least. .
|, Because you promised me ! SHOULD
see her, and ] have not seen her yet.
She is there, behind that door,
I They are only waiting for you to b.
cslm to show her in
/. But she will not enter here.
shall only see her behind that graf
ing. That is not what you promised
!, me.
! Il made no promise whatever OF
the subject. I dare You to tell me
promised you should see her at you
side. ~
we did not speak OF that but