Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-03-30

Drawn MS pistol, ana glanced at them
and seated himself more firmly in his
saddle.
"What do you advise, Lever ?" ask
ed Don Alonzo of me.
"Ride along quietly and take no no.
tice of them; but if they show any
signs of hostility, fight it out as long
as we car" | answered; and as this
was seconded we continued our course
laughing and talking in most indif-
ferent style.
We had approached within twenty
yards of the five men, when one of
them called out in Spanish:
"You cannot pass here without pay
ing our demands upon you"
/ was slightly in advance, and while
he was speaking, drew my trusty re-
volver, and as the last word left his
lips, sent a ball crashing through his
skull. He fell from his horse without
a word, and before his astonished
comrades could resist US were upon
them. This would have been the end
of our struggle, had these towards
been all we had to cope with, but with
loud yells dozen more rushed upon
US from behind rocks and trees. Then
began fearful struggle, for we knew
no mercy would be shown US. For
two minutes the fighting was close and
fierce, and glancing around | saw that
Don Alonzo was dead, while Danever,
whose horse had been killed, was
fighting on foot with musket he had
torn from an aSsailant, and using it
as club, was dealing death around
him at every stroke.
Leo was quietly keeping at bay
three bandits, by his unerring revolver
and was holding his reins between his
teeth, for his left. arm hung broken at
his side.
l had escaped with slight wound
in the side, and my good horse Noble
had received a little cash in the neck.
After dispoSing of a gaunt looking
bandit in my front | again glanced
toward my friends. Don Leo was on
the ground, being beaten to death by
the blows of four men who were stand
ing above him; two bandits were RI
fling the pockets of Den AlonzO, while
Danever was struggling in the arms
of two powerful fellows.
! wheeled Noble round in an in
Stant, and catching the bride of Don
Leo's horse, sprang from my saddle,
and with one blow of my heavy knife
ended the career of one of the band
its who held Danever.
The other fed at once.
Here Danever, take the Don's
horse, and let's get out of this, /
cried, giving him the rein of Leo's
horse.
"You are right, my boy, it's too hot
for comfort here, and think we'd best
emigrate," he replied.
We sprang into our saddles, and
with one bound were free from the
murderous villains, and though few
struggling shots were fired, and pur.
suit attempted, our horses were toe
high strung to be overtaken by such
poor cattle as the bandits had.
-Four from eight leaves four, as We
used to say at school, said Danever
as we rode rapidly over the mountain
"Yes, Danever, two noble and brave
men, and two splendid horses lost il
that skirmiSh," | replied, "but an
glad we can boast of killing three tt
one. and of our own safety
Not so fast, Colonel; I've got /;
hole in between my ribs that | fea
will substract another from the eight,
answered Danever.
| glanced at him now for the frs
time since the combat, and saw tina
his face was pale as death, his lip
tightly compressed, and an expression
of anguish come to his eyes at ever
bound of his horse.
"My poor boy" l said, "you ar
really badly hurt, and we must sto
and see what | can do for you"
mo, let's ride on for a mile or Sc
= and then we'll rest"
r After a few moments we halted
and | aided Danever to dismount.-
= A small stream was near by; an
: placing him by it, | proceeded to dres
his wounds. He was faint from los
G of blood, for he had been wounde
7 three times, but a knife thrust in hi
right side was one that was slowl
p stealing his life from him. | kne'
o the moment that glanced at it, h
doom was sealed; but carefully batl
+ ed and dressed his wounds, and gi,
n ing him cup of brandy, laid hi
$ carefully back upon his blanket.
then rubbed both horses down wei
q fed and watered them, and spreadin
l. my blanket over Danever, built fiji
y and prepared some coffee. Daneve
8 awoke once and asked for brand
4 and then lay quiet again. lit a c
o gar, and with no very pleasant feeling
4 threw myself down to rest and thin
Two hours had gone by. and no soun
had broken the silence. The houl
! slipped away, the fire had gone on
q and Danever still remained quiet.
was doing off to sleep, when l W;
$ awakened by Danever calling me.
a Colonel, l am dying now" he sal
o "I feel death creeping over me. | c
Y, not fear to die, for | believe man
soul dies with his body, and the gray
e is rest"
l. "No, Danever, think you may v
e recover answered, though | kne
e death was upon him.
'e "You say so to give me hope, Cc
lie onel; but it is all over with me. L
'r me tell you that my whole life b,
d been a wild one. Poor Tracey!
killed him; and for what? =? merely
ID difference of opinion; but that caus,
Is many thousands of brave fellows
die In our war at home. did it not p