The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1868-01-09
CHAPTER XIV.
THE ENcoUNTE


And Edgerton thundered at the door,
as he repeated the word.
1t few open with crash, aud the SEN
try rolled heavily to the floor By blow
! from the intruder - be uttered an oath
as he fell, and soon the whole household
was in the utmost alarm. The three
others rushed into the chamber, as their
leader, with precautions, wrung the rife
from the offenders hand, and was about
to strike him upon the head; but on their
appearance he desisted, and exclaimed
with excited tones:-
Tonight, eh, you rotten-souled trail
tor" and again he aimed another blow
with his clenc6ed fst
Austin aud his companion sat pale with
rage, as they behed the indignant Edgsr-
ton strike the soldier, aud gazing with
menacing looks upon them; but Gascom-
Der, who was fully acquainted with the
vile temper of the miScreant, wisely ap-
peared calm, and motioned to Austin, by
significant glances, to appear likewise.
lie anticipated change in their condi-
causes Of his arrest, and him into whose
power he was 70 De ueIiFereu.
Edgerton regarded them with severe
looks, which Austin, in his heart of pride,
could no longer brook, and assuming
naughty air, while blush overspread his
face, he said with bitter and emphatic
tones:
{" Dog = were it not for these irons, I
would shake the vile breath from you for
your mean cowardice, your cowardice,
/ say," repeated Austin on seeing dark
frown blacken his thin face, and coming
forward to where he sat.
He sprang forward, impelled by the
movement, and hurled himself violently
against EdgertOn = they rolled to the
floor, = then every hand was instantly
laid upon him. The infuriated leader
spraug upon his feet, uttering curses and
threats, and raised his wiry arm high
above his head, waving his comrades of.
But IN moment, hand, noTved by des-
pair and vengeance, graPpled at his throat,
and rlvlted the cold fingers on his wind
pipe. His arms fell helpless to his sides,
and, with an effort to speak, he was drag
ged downwards, and the heavy foot of
Gascomber stamped violently upon his
bosom. There was, as he had anticipated,
change in their condition. As Austin
flung himself upon Edgerton quick SEN
sation of despair seized his brain, aud he
stood up then contracting the whole
muscular power of his body, aad closing
his arms tightly to his sides, be tried to
be firm one effort, aud he tore asuEder
the handouts, aud, with blood streaming
from his wrists, he clung, with cst,hke
agility, to the throat of his foe. He
thrice struck with terrible violence his
heavy boot upon his breast, aud grs.ped
the naked sword ircm the scabb2rd One
blow. and he Glove the skull Of the rufian
who, with his hand raised, vas about to
strike the helpless Austin on the face :
the two others discharged pistols, but was
thwarted IN their aim by the soldier who
had been the Instrument to the whole af-
fray, and who now took part with the
yictors. GaScomber's sword clashed the
weapons from their hands, and picking
them up, he presented one to the latter
observing: =
Shoot them if they stir, say, shoot
them, or | will shoot you = be warned"
lie turned to the unconscious leader,
who lay upon his side groaning inwardly,
aud rolled him over with his foot: then
he proceeded to examine the contents OF
his pockets. Papers were his naln OBJ
iect, aud concealed in the outer part OF his
dress, and strapped by his side was wal
let, or leathern pouch. lie cut the straps,
aud shook out what it contained upon the
table. A pile of gold, his commission
with its bold forgery, aud few erimpled
slips of paper. lie read them with eager
ness: -
The boy removed = ten thousand;
the documents = five thousand; and your
daughter married = gratis. Fifteen
thousand dollars" lie placed that piece
OF paper in his bosom, aud took up an
other, almost reading it aloud - Arnold
Gascomber" He tore il to ftagments,