The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1870-06-28

| was over,
Our preparations were very simple
box Of cartridges was open (for we were
provided with those ii,estiniable peace
and life preservers, ,breech loading rifles
and placed ready to hand, together with
a bottle of whisky and a jar Of water
the door and window, our weakest
points, were secured as strongly as pos
sible; and then, shading our bodies be.
hind the parapet, we.peered cautiously
over, and strained our eyes to get the
first glimpse Of an enemy
Nothing is SO dauuting as suspense to
young campaigner, and / felt my heart
thnmping against my ribs with excite
ment, and sort of nervous dread that
! should not play mans part in the
struggle we expected But Dicks toipe,
calm low, and with slight drawl in it,
reassured me.
Snow, look here, Alfred, my boy, he
said, "if we have to fight, keep cool, and
do as / tell you. Reach your hand over
here--that's right; like 10 feel your
grippe like that Now remember to aim
steadily, as though you were winning a
cup in the rife corps at home, and don't
show yourself more than you can help !;
for, though these beggars have only a
few muskets and pistols in the shape of
firearms, 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 if you
are steady with your shots; and they
can't fire the bricks. Do you see any
thing?"
"There's something. dark on, tile
ground near the corral" answered it
seems nearer than it was"
can Indian sure enough, and the ball
lis going to commence" As he said this,
nick's rifle rang out in the silence of the
night, and l saw splinter fly white in
the moonlight. about a foot above the
dark object; which, theEetpon started DIP
with cry; and fed. Then we heard the
galloping of horses, and about one hun
dred Indians rode into view, and break
ing in twos and threes, circled round US
within waving spears and shout
ing as though the whole company of fal-
len angels had met to lament their
change of circumstances chorally.
"Don't shoot. This is all a feint."
And my superior's warning came just in
time; for dusky cloud of men sprung
out of 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 demonstration. Bang,
bang! went our rifles, and saw With
feeling of pleasure that the man l had
covered fell back with a hoarse yell.
"Don't hurry, but in with your cart
ridges / heard next; and both fired
again together. This was too much for
them; they hated, ,wavered one moment,
and thcn disappeared as if by magic
our rapid system of firing having COM
pletely discumitted them.
"Down with your and felt myself
suddenly pulled under the patapet, in
time to hear the bullets froid the cavalry
outside the ditch sing over dur heads.
$50 far so good" was Dicks comment.
take drop of whisky and watch the
next move" ~ @
The moon was how nearly over; but
that was not so much agaiast lis; the
night being clear and starlight enough
to see man at ten PAGES. We could
hear the trampling of horses feet, and
gutteral sounds of talking, and guessed
that council of war was being held.
Suddenly spark appeared about two
hundred yards from the house-for they
had fred OUR haystatk-and grew rapid
ly into flame. Brighter and brighter
it became. and lit up the scene-which
was one of those men do not easily for
get-as with the glare Of the nouhday
sun.
Grouped round the fame, and out of
range, were our foes-their swarthy
skins and snaky hair glistened in the
fre-light; and they brandished lances
and screamed with delight at the des.ruc-
tion they had caused.
Dogs we're barking, and horses in the
corral neighing shrilly and roaring with
terror-some fighting desperately to es
cape.
/ Hooked at my companions face; it
was very pale, and the expression deci-
dedly ugly.
'.Look! he said, hoarsely. "Herc
comes an ambassador Good heaven
look!'
turned with astonishment; but the
sickening sight saw fully accounted for
Dicks excitement and rage.
A nearly naked Indian was boldly ad-
vancing toward US. and bearing before
him burden, which effectually secured,
as he meant it to do, his immunity from
our shots.
A beautiful White girl of about seven
teen was lying helpless In his arms. Her
hands were bound behind her back, and
masses of coal black hair encircled a
faGe sii5wing deadly terror and hcrror in
every feature, dad drooped nearly to the
ground over the .sasage's afnd. Her
dress, torn from one White shoulder,
showed how hard had been the first inef
fectual struggle against her captors
As the Indian trUssed the ditch (they
had cut the rope which held up the
in the first attack with his
burden, Dick, with deep groan, recog
nized her. ut is Rosita, Don Ramon's
daughter he broke out. "I love her,
Alfred, and will save her or die with her.
Listen r'' he continued, hurriedly. "This
rascal has come to make some proposal
to lis. Keep soht EYE on him; and the
moment you get fair chatoe,t fire at him.
If you kill her, it is the better fate
When hear the shot / will throw open
the window (Which can do more easily
than the door, and try for rescue. But
for heavens sake, don't leave the roof. |
Our only hope is in your being able to
keep. off the others, who will rush from
the ditch. Good bye"
And he was down the ladder before
coul d speak, leaving his hat cunningly |
above the parapet. Poot Dick
all his GOODNESS and sang froid had van
ished new. ] myself was not in a pleas.