The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1872-04-02

| iS'ti Sil, NY liiS ID ShoI b,diiu SiIl
ccrely thank you for your kind protec
ton" she feobly murmured, and sanl
exhausted on the bed.
| was about to offer somG assistance
when again heard steps on the stairs
and earnest talking, as of persons re
monstrating. Thinking the attack at thc
door would be renewed, | drew the bed
stead against it and threw the bedding
over the headboa:d, and thus formed :
kind of breastwork.
"say, Mister, don't shoot; l want tc
speak few words with you," said .
voice at the head of the stairs.
"Tll shoot the first man who come;
near the door, I replied savagely.
"Oh, no, don't; I'm your friend" HI
replied in tone which carried treacherJ
with it. "Comc to the door, will yer ?
Eyes; but don't you come"
Il won't; ere you there?'
Eyes"
"Close2"
"Yes."
felt slight moving Of the bed ovel
The trap, during which time the men out
side kept up an incessant jabbcr.
One end of the he'd was raised softly
and taking hold of it with my left hafC
gently raised it up, until I could dis
cover q head above the opening.
Are you at the door?"
"Yes'-and simultaneously with MY
answer wenta ieaden messenger through
the head in the trap, and bang came {
bullet through the door.
The sound of a heavy fall announced
that my shot had taken effect.
| / searched for the revolver the girl haC
used and fortunately found it, and wai
happy to discover that but one load hae
been shot out of it, which l replaced
and being thus reinforced / felt more
confident of victory.
But to overcome this gang seemed al
most hopeless, as their numbers might
be very large, was so far from assist
anee, But might not some providentia
circumstance transpire to deliver mt
from the hands of these desperadoes
| determined to do my test, t,and to leave
the result in the hands of Him who di
rects the affairs of men.
a noise at the window drew my atten
tion,and l caught the glimpse of man:
head slowly rising above the SILL TAX.
| ing deliberate aim,I gave him the con.
tents of one barrel, and he descended
much quicker than he came up.
What would be the next feature of the
programme l could not imagine; but
| like wild beast at bay, watched every
move, and had my ears open TO every
sound. But felt that something deci
sive must be done, for day would soon
make its appearance, and they would
have the advantage Of me.
Again they were ascending the stairs
l now determined to put an end to the
contest, and if possible to overcome
them, and to make them come to terms
or die in the attempt.
drew the bedstead around so as te
protect the girl from their fire, and ther
stationed myself near the door, bat be-
yond their reach.
Crash went an axe against the door
and the spinters flew in every direction
1t Was but the work Of a moment tc
break the door in, and when it fell from
its fastsnings, I sailed forth with re
volver in each hand. One man dropped
before me, another reeIed and fed pre-
cipitstely down stairs. A few shots were
returned, one of which took effect in my
shoulder, and as l felt the blood tricklt
down my side it only increased my des
peration. l rushed after them firing
whenever / was sure my shot would b.
effectual. When l reached the bar-roon
gave my last shot. He fell and begged
me to spare him, as he was the only re-
naming one of the party. Thinking he
could not escape, l returaed to the
house, and taking light searched i
thoroughly, and could not find another
live man about it. / then ascended the
stairs and found the girl somewhat re
covered. We then set about dressing
our wounds, and was 80 absorbed in the
matter that l did not notice q glaring
light which was breaking through the
door.
"The house is on fire." exclaimed the
girl, springing to her feet.
Taking her by the hand we rushed te
the stairway, but it was one continuous
sheet Of fire. We then returned to the
window,and finding the ladder still there
by which the man had assembled, | tool
her in my arms and descended, thus ef
fecting our escape from another eminent
danger.
The man had set the house on FIRE
and either perished in the flames q,
dragged himself to some place of con
cealment.
Finding two horses in stable close
by, we took possession of them and re
turned to little town near the Missis
sippi River. The lovely girl and myself
who had met so strangely, never parted
but will remain one and the same until
death, nor have we ever for2 otter
The Robbers Roost, or Hans Last Vic
tim.