Eaton weekly Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1866-1875, 1870-06-23

let us mount your fleetest horses, senores,
and ride for life. Soon they will be here,
and who can Withstand theIferce brdUos p
eff this be true" said Dick, turning to
and believe it is, for these coward
ly scoundrels' faces are proof that they
pare to fight the better. OF course they
were not attacking Ramon's place; he has
a fort strong enough to resist a thousand
of them, and plenty of men and arms as
well. Most likely they made q dash to
carry off any one who might be strolling
at distance from the house, or to drive
off the horses and it's equally likely that
we shall have them here soon, where
there's a better chance for night attack.
In any event, we must be prepared for
them. Naturally, we can't run away, and
leave all we have in the world to be de-
stroyed, as those valiant gentlemen
propose" '- 7.-
The natives-both the late arrivals and
our own two men, who had often boasted
of what they meant to do and had already
done in the way of fighting Indians-sud-
denly disappeared. We aflerward learned
that they took refuge in a corn-field in
the rear of the house, where they lay con-
cealed until the fight was over.
Our preparations we're very eimple-a
box of cartridges was open (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 jar of water; the
door and window, our weakest points,
were secured as strongly as possible; and
then, shading our bodies behind the para
pet, we peered cautiously over, and
strained our eyes to get the first glimpse
of an enemy.
Nothing is SO dauhting as suspense to
young campaigner, and felt my heart
humping against my ribs with excite
ment, and a sort of nervous dread that I
should not play mans part in the strug-
gle we expected. But Dicks voice, calm,
low, and with a slight drawl in it, reas-
sured 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
like that Now remember to aim steadily,
as though you were winning cup in the
rifle corps at home, and don't show your
self more than You can help; for, though
these beggars have only few muskets
and pistols in the shape of firearms, they
can shoot pretty straight if you stand still
enough for long sight. Their great
can soon stop that if you are steady with
| your shots and they can't fire the bricks.
| Do you see anything p
"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,
night, and saw splinter fly white in
the moonlight, about foot above the
dark object, which thereupon started up
with cry, and fled. Then we heard the
galloping of horses, and about one hun
dred Indians rode into view, and, break
| ing into twos and threes, circled round us
within shot-waving spears and shouting
as though the whole company of fallen
angels had met to lament their change of
circumstances chorally.
"Don't shoot This is all 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 demonstration. Bang, bang
went our rifles, and saw with a feeling
of pleasure that the man I had covered
| fell back with hosrse yell - ~ ef
"Don't hurry, but in with your car.
| tridges," I heard next; and both fired
again together. This was too much fol
them they halted, wavered one moment
and then disappeared as If by magic-oul
rapid system of firing having completely
l
"DoWn with you I" and felt mysel
pulled suddenly under the parapet, in TIM
to hear the bullets from the cavalry out
side the ditch sing over our heads. 81
far SO good" was Dicks comment. TAX
drop of whisky, and watch the mex
move" 49,.
The moon was now nearly over; bu
that was not so much against us, the nigh
being clear and starlight enough to see
1 70 n
trampling of horses feet, and guttura
sounds Of taking, and Guessed that
1scouncil of wsf Was being held jSuddenl!
II spark Appeafed about two hundreI
yards from the house-for they had fire.
our haystack-and grew rapidly into
flame. Brighter and brighter it became
and lit up the scene-which was one o
those men do not easily forget-as wit
the glare of the MONDAY sun.
Grouped round the flame, and out @
range, were our foes--their swarthy skin
and snaky hair glistened in the freight
and they brandished lances, and screame
with delight at the destruction they ha
caused. -.....
Dogs were barking, and horses in tn
corral neighing shrilly and roaring wit
terror-some fighting desperately to ef
cape.
was very pale, and the expression de
cidedly ugly.
"LookP he said, hoarsely; "Her
comes an ambassador. Good heaven
lookT 80"
1 1 turned with astonishment; but tn
sickening sight saw fully accounted 70
Dick g excitement and rage.
A nearly naked Indian was boldly aC
vancing toward rs, and, bearing befor
him a burden, which eEectually secured
as he meant it to do, his immunity fro1
} our shots. *
! A beautiful white girl of about sever
l teen was lying helpless in his arms. He
hands were bound behind her back, an
l masses of coal-b black hair encircled fac
J showing deadly terror and horror i
8 every feature, and dropped nearly to th
/ ground over the saVage's arm. He
D dress, torn from one white shoulde1
showed how hard had been the first inc
4 fectual struggle against her captors.
, As the Indian crossed the ditch (the
had cut the rope which held up the draw
: bridge in the first attack with his burdel
? Dick, with q deep groan, recognized hel
: at is Rosita, Don Ramon's daughter
d he broke out. az love her, Alfred, ar
d will save her or die with her. Listen
t he continued, hurriedly. "This rascal h
e come to make some proposal to us. Kee
4 l.