Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1868-11-10


ed confidence and a feeling of triumph
at my easy victory, lighted the lamp
These wretches were groaning fear
fully. | felt such perfect selfcompla
cency that | had no hard feeling tow
ard the them.
Come" said I, live dressed the
wounds of these others, and if you be
quiet I'll dress yours"
you're the devil himselfr' growl
ed the man whom had dragged thro
the window.
"Will you let the devil dress your
wounds, or do you choose to suffer p
said | quietly.
He said nothing. I proceeded to
dress their wounds. The wretches
looked grateful. They seemed sur
prised and bewildered. | gave two
Of them who were wounded worst nv
bed, and left the rest on the floor
Then | put the light out as before and
waited. | would not expose myself
so : sat beside the door, as before
with every sense sharpened to an un.
usual activity. Before putting out
the Fight | had reloaded my pistol
which had been nearly used up in the
six shots which | had fired with such
effect, and as | had plenty more char,
ges left, felt quite at ease.
"l'm all ready" said l, "for fifty of
you"
"Have you got fifty pistols there ?''
said one fellow whose arm was brok,
en-. He spoke with a groan.
"You don't seem to know anything
about revolvers in these parts" said |.
"Revolvers ?"
"Yes; and the next time you try
this game you'd better find out how
the man whom you attack is armed"
The man said nothing. | waited for
a long time. At last, suddenly and
Unexpectedly, there was a loud report
of gun close outside the door. An
other followed Immediately. Instant
ly fired two or three shots They
did not seem to take effect. For |
heard footsteps hurrying down the
stairs. They evidently fancied that
| might be standing in front of the
door and tried their experiment.
They were mistaken and they knew it.
After this there was silence for a
long time. At last | heard a faint
creak on the stairs. | suspected an
other attack. | drew myself up close
against the wall and waited. Sudden
ly 1t came. Three guns were fired in
rapid succession. A fourth followed.
The door was pushed open with a ire
mend0us effort. A grOan came from
the bed. Instantly, as | felt the door
thrust open, | fired five or six shots
IN swift succession. Some others were
7vo'1nded d. H''e .nhrinkS and rnrSaS were
fearful. Footsteps again sounded
from some who were rushing down
stairs. There were two men who had
fallen In through the doorway and lay
groaning on the floor. | dragged them
inside. | closed the door again, as be
fore, placing the barricade against it
for additional security. putting these
wounded men against the barricade
1t was cruel thing to do; but wait
till you have been attacked, till your
blood is at fever heat, and you are
mad with the excitement and the pit
lless tervor of battle-wait, and ther
see what you will do.
Scarcely had | done this than
heard cry from one Of these wound
ed men. | started back. There was
silence for a time. Then | heard sof
footsteps in my room.
Some one had got in!
This was the discovery that flashed
upon my mind. What was to be done
| drew myself deeper into the gloom
Yes; there was a movement in m,
room. Some one was in it. No doub
in that last attack one Of my assail
ants had flung himself in before ha(
fired. In shutting the door | had shu
him in. What was he doing now ?
What was he p?
The groans from one of the wound
ed men whom | had last pulled in ex
cited my attention and my pity.
"Oh my GodY lie groaned; "to stal
wounded man p
Stab" | thought, "a wounded man !
What words are these? Who stab
bed? Was it this mysterious new
conner? Did he think he had caugh
me? Yes-it must be so. But VIII
had he stabbed? Evidently he had n,
other arm. No; if he had held pis
tol in his hands he would have fired
He had a dagger or a knife and tina
only. What was | to do? All wa
silent in the room. The new-come
was shut in and dared not move.
waited In silence, There was no sount
except the groans of the wounded
men. No doubt this man had foun,
out that he had attacked one of hi
own comrades in the dark by mistake
Not single thing could be per
celved in that intense darkness. Th,
man, whoever he was, stood motion
less, afraid to move. The groans oi
the wounded men arose necessarily
At last heard a movement near tn
window. | fired and instantly chang
ed my position to the other side of tn
door so as to be undiscovered. | ha,
missed him, whoever he was. Their
was long silence.
After a long time | heard a plung
ing movement against the place whic
had just occupied. The man in th
room had evidently made desperat
rush at that place from which [ ha,