Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1870-11-22

boasted of what they meant to do and
had already done in the way of fight
ing Enthusiastically disappeared.
We afterwards learned that they took
refuge in a cornfeld in the rear of the
house, where they lay concealed until
the fight was over.
Our preparations were very simple
"a box of cartridges was opened for
we were provided with those inesti-
mable peace and life prese,vers,
breech-loading rifes) and placed ready
to hand, together with a bottle of
whiskey and a jar of water; the door
and window, our weakest points, were
secured as strongly as possible; and
then, sheltering our bodies behind the
parapet, we peered cautiously over,
and strained our eyes to get the first
glimpse Of an enemy.
Nothing is so daunting as SUSPENSE
to a young campaigner, and | felt my
heart humping against my ribs with
excitement, and a sort of nervous
dread that l should not play a mans
part in the struggle we expected
But Dicks voice, calm, low, and with
slight drawl in it, reassured me.
"Now, look here, Alfred, my boy"
he said; "if we have to fight, keep
cool, and do as l tell you. Reach
your hand over here-that's right: |
like to feel your grip ike that. Now
remember to aim steadily, as though
you were winning a cup in the rifle
corps at home, and don't show your
self more than you can help; for, tho
these beggarS have only few mus
kets and pistols in the shape of fire
arms, they can shoot pretty straight
if you stand still enough for long
sight. Their great point will be to
force the door; but we can soon stop
that ifyou are steady with your shots
and they can't fire the bricks. Do
= OO oOC al IulhS
There's something dark on the
ground near the corral" | answered:
"it seems nearer than it was"
"An Indian, sure enough, and the
balls going to commence" As he
said this Dicks rife rung out in the
silence Of the night, and l saw a splin-
ter fly white in the moonlight, about
foot above the dark object, which
thereupon started up with a cry, and
fled. Then we heard the galloping
Of horses, and about one hundred In
dianS rode into view, and, breaking
into twos and threes, circled around
US within shot-waviug spears and
shouting as though the whole compa-
ny of fallen angels had met to lament
their change of circumstances choral
Iy.
Don't shoot, that is all a feint. =
And my superior's warning came Just
in time: for dusky cloud of men
sprung out from the ditch, and rushed,
lance in hand, against the door. Well
for US that its fastenings were secure,
and that we had not been tempted to
throw away shots by the first demon
stration. Bang, bang went our ri
des, and | saw with feeling of pleas
ure that the man | had covered fell
back with hoarse yell.
Don't hurry, but in with your
cartridges" l heard next; and both
fired again together. This was too
much for them: they halted, wayered
one moment, and then disappeared as
if by magic-our rapid system of fir
Ing having completely discounted
them.
down with you" and I felt my
self pulled suddenly under the para
pet, in time to hear the bullets from
the cavalry outside the ditch sing ov-
er our heads. $50 far so good" was
Dicks comment, Take a drop of
whiskey, and watch the next move"
The moon was now nearly over
but that was Lot so much against US.
the night being clear and starlight
enough TO see a man at ten PAGES
We could hear the trampling Of hors-
es' feet, and cultural sounds Of talk
ing, and guessed that a council of war
was being held. Suddenly a spark
appeared about two hundred yards
from the house-for they had fired
our hay3tack-and grew rapidly into
a fame. Brighter and brighter it
became, and lit up the scene-which
was one Of those men do not easily
/ forget-as with the glare Of the noon.
day sun.
Grouped around the fame, and out
of range, were our foes-their swar.
thy skins and snaky hair glistened III
the fre-light; and they brandished
lances, and screamed with delight at
the destruction they had caused.
Dogs were barking, and the horses
in the corral neighing shrilly and rear
ing with terror-some fighting des
perately to escape.
| looked at my companions face
it was very pale, and the expression
decidedly ugly.
Look p he said hoarsely. "Here
comes an ambassador. Good Heav
en- look"
| turned with astonishment; but the
sickening sight saw fully accounted
for Dicks excitement and rage.
A nearly naked Indian was boldly
advancing toward US, and bearing be
fore him . burden, which effectually
secured, as he meant it to do, his i'm
munity from our shots.
A beautiful white girl of about sew
enteen was lying helpless in bis arms
Her hands were bound behind hel
back, and masses of coal black hail
enclrcled face showing deadly terror
and horror in every feature, ant
dropped nearly to the ground ovel
the savage's arm. Her dress, tori
from one white shoulder, showed how
hard had been the first iueflectua
struggle against her captors.
AS the Indian crossed the ditcl
(they had cut the rope which held ~
the draw-bridge in the first attack
with his burden, Dick. with a deel
groan, recognized her. at is Rosita
Don Ramon's daughterr' he brok'
out. Il love her, Alfred, and will
save her or die with her. Listen !