The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1870-08-13

the rear of the house, where they lay
concealed until the fght was over.
Our preparations were very simple
box of cartridges was opened (for we were
provided with those inestimable peace
and life preservers, breech-loading rifes)
and placed ready to hand, together with
bottle of whisky 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 glimpse OF the
enemy.
Nothing is so daunting as suspense to
a young campaigner, and | felt my heart
humping against my ribs with excite
ment, and q sort Of nervous dread that
should not play mans part in the strug-
gle we expected But Dick voice, calm,
low, and with n slight drawl in it, reas
sured me.
"Now look here, Alfred. my boy" he
said off we have to fight, keep cool and
do as tell you. Reach your hand over
here-that's right /; like to feel your
grippe like that. Now remember to alm
steadily, as though you were winning
cup in the rife corps at home, and don't
show yourself more than you can help;
for though these beggars have only few
muskets and pistols in the shape of FIRE
arms, they can shoot pretty straight if
you can stand still enough for long
sight. Their great point will be to force
the door open but we can soon stop that
ify you are steady with your shots and
they can't fire the bricks. Do you see
anything?"
There's something dark on the ground
near the corral,' | answered sit seems
nearer than it was"
"An Indian, sure enough, and the balls
going to commence" AS he said this,
Dicks rifle rung out in the silence of the
night, and l saw a splinter fly white in
the moonlight, about a foot above the
dark object, which thereupon started
with cry and fed. Then we heard the
galloping of horses, and about one hun
dred Indians rode into full view, and,
breaking into twos and threes, circled
round us within shot-waiving spears
and shouting as though tho whole COM
pany of fallen angels had met to lament
their change of circumstances chorally.
"Don't shoot This is all feint!" And
my superior 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
fastening we're 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 that [ covered
fell back with hoarse yell.
Don't hurry, but in with your cart
ridges" heard next; and both free
again together. This was too much fol
them they halted, wavered one moment
and than disappeared as if by magic, oul
rapid system of firing having completely
discounted them.
Down with you" and | felt myself
pulled suddenly under the parapet. II
time to hear the bullets from the cavalry
outside the ditch, sing over our heads
$50 far so good,' was Dicks comment
"Take drop of whisky; and watch the
next move.
The moon was now nearly over bu
that was not so much against US, the
night being clear and starlight enough t.
! SEQ man at ten PAGES. We could hea
the trampling of horses feet, and gut
tural sounds of talking, and guessed tha
! council of war was being held. Sud
denly spark appeared about two hun
dred yards from the house-for they hat
fred our haystack-and grew rapidly int,
a fame. Brighter and brighter it became
and lit up the scene-which was one ofthos
; men do not easily forget-as with tn
glare of the MONDAY sun.
Grouped round the flame, and out o
range, were our foes-their swarth.
; skins and snaky hair gilstened in tn
freight and they brandished lance
!, and screamed with delight at the destruc
ton they had caused.
Dogs were barking, and the horses il
the corral neighing shriliy and rearing
with terror--some fighting desperately t
escape.
= 1 looked at my companions face;
was very pale, and the expression deci
dedly ugly.
Look" said he hoarsely "Her
comes an ambassador. Good Heavens
look -
turned with astonishment; but tn
, sickening sight saw fully accounted TO
Dicks excitement and rage.
A nearly naked Indian was boldly ad
vanciDg towards US, and bearing befor
him a burden, which effectually secured
as he meant it to do, his immunity tror
our shots.
!, n beautiful W1lGe SiII dDOue oosCnsSS
was lying helpless in his arms. Her hand
!, were bound behind her back, and masse
of coal black hair encircled face show
! ing deadly terror and horror in ever
:, feature, and dropped nearly to the groun
: = over the savage's arm. Her dress tor
= from one white shoulder, showed ho'
! hard had been the first Intellectual strue
! gle against her captors.
Y AS the Indian crossed the ditch (the
had cut the ropo which held up tn
/, draw-bridge IN the first attack with hi
o burden, Dick, with deep groan, recof
q nized her. at is Rosita, Don Ramon
1t daughter ~ he broke out. "I love hel
IS Alfred, and will save her or die with hel
3, "Listen," he continued hurriedly. 9TH
- rascal has come to make some proposal I
70 us. Keep your eye on him; and th
v moment you get feir chance, Ere Z
af him. IF you kill her IL ia the halter fot,