Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1867-02-01


hold her In very slight esteem to seek
her hand by such extravagances, selec-
ted SigismOnd for her husband.
From Harpers Monthly.
War Adventure Of a Western Scout
1t was in 81, when I guided a de-
tachment Of cavalry who were coming
IN from Camp Floyd. We had nearly
reached the Kansas line, and were in
South Nebraska, when one afternoon
went out of camp to go to the cabin
of an old friend of mine, Mrs. Walt
ham. I took only one of my revolvers
with me, for although the war had
broke out I didn't think it necessary
to carry both my pistols, and in all or
nary skrImmages, one is better than a
dozen if you shoot straight. I saw some
wild turkeys on the road as I was goin
down, and popped one of 'em over,
thinking he'd be just the thing for
supper.
Well. I rode up to Mrs Waltham's.
jumped off my horse, and went into the
cabin, which is ike most Of the cabins
on the prarer, with only one room and
that had two doors, one opening in
front, and t'other on yard, like.
How are you. Mrs.-Ff aitham ?''
said. feeling as jolly as you please.
The minute she saw me she turned
as white as a sheet and screamed is
that you, Bill? Oh, my God | they
will kill you Runl runl They will
kill you! =
s. Who's a goin to kill me 2 said I.
There's two that can play at that
game
(" It's M'Kandlas and his gang
There's ten Of 'em, and you have no
chance THEY'VE jes gone down to the
cOrn-rack. They came up here only
five minutes ago. M'Kandlas was
dragging poor Parson Shipley on the
ground with a lariat round his neck
The preacher was most dead from
and the horses stamping on
him. NJ Kandlas knows yer bringin
in that party of Yankee cavalry, and
he sweaTs he'll cut your heart out
Run, Bill, run But it's too late;
they're comm up the lane.
While she was a talkin I remem-
bered that l had but one revolver. and
a load gone out of that. On the table
there was a horn of powder and some
little bars of lead. | poured some into
the empty chamber and rammed the
lead after it by hammering the barrel
on the table, and had inst capped the
Bistol when I heard MiKandlas sbouf.
There's that id Yankee Wild
Bills horse he's here, and we'll skin
him alive T
If I had thought of runnin before
it war too late now, and the house was
my best holt-a sort Of fortress, like.
[ never. thought / should leave that
room alive.
The scout stopped in his story, rose
from his seat, and strobe backward and
forward in a state of great excitement.
tell you what it Is, Kernel" he
resumed, after a while, don't mind
a skrimmage with these fellows round
here. Shoot one or two Of them and
the rest run away. But all of M Kand-
lass gang were reckless, blood-thirsty
devils, who would fight as long as they
had strength to pull trigger. [ have
been in tight places, but that's one Of
the few times / said my prayers.
Surround the house and give him
no quarter 2 yelled M'Kandlas. When
I heard that | felt as quiet and cool as
If | was a-goin to church | looked
round the room and saw Hawkins
rifle hanging over the bed.
81 Is that loaded 2 said I TO Mrs.
Waltham.
Yes, the poor thing whispered
She was so frightened she couldn't
speak out loud
Are you sure 2 said I, as | Jump
ed to the bed and caught it from its
hooks. Although my eye had not left
the door, yet I could see she nodded
Yes, again. | put the revolver on.
the bed, and just then NJ Kandlas
poked his nose inside the doorway, but
jumped back when he saw me with the
rifle in my hand
&" Come In here, you cOwardly dog!
I shouted Come in here and fight
me
M'Kandlas was no coward, if he
was a bully. He jumped inside the
room with his gun leveled to shoot !;
but he wasn't quick enough. My rife
ball went through his heart. He fell
back outside the house, where he was
found afterWard holding tight to his
rife, which had fallen over his head.
s. His disappearance was followed by
a yell from his gang, and then there
was a dead silence. [ put down the
rifle and took the revolver, and said to
myself: Only six shots and nine men
to kill Save your powder, Bill, for
the death-hug's a comm don t
know why it was, Kernel, continued
Bill, looking at me inquiripgly, but
at that moment things seemed clear and
sharp. [ could think strong.
There was a few seconds Of that
awful stillnes. and then the rufhans
came rushing in at both doors. How
Wild they looked with their red, drunk
en- faces and iDhamed eyes, shouting
and eussing But | never aimed more
deliberately in my life.
One-tWo-three-foUr and four
men fell dead,
That didn't stop the rest. Two Of
them fred their bird-gun at me. And
then felt a sting all over me. The
room was full Of smoke Two got in
close to me, their eyes glariDg out Of
the clouds. One l knocked down with
nv fist. You are out of the way for
while, / thought. The second !
shot dead The other three clutehed
me and crowded me onto the bed.
fought hard. broke with my hand
one mans arm. He had his fingers
round my throat. Before l could gel
to my feet / was struck across ths
breast with the stock Of rifle, and
felt the blood rushing out OF nose anC
mouth. Then l got ugly, end l re-
member that / got hold of knife anC
/ then it was all cloudy like, and / wa
/ wild, and j struck savage blows, tQl
/ lowing the devils Up from one side q
| the other Of the room and into thedor