The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1872-08-09
n woman :" returned the first speaker

pOWueT lOT ttidt uloIC IuoInlu, salu
the little man.
I'VE must have this door OPEN"
and suiting the action TO the word, as
sault was made on it.
| levelled my revolver and fired,
when, with an oath, the man fell back
upon the floor. 1 gave them two
more shots, when they retreated pre-
cipitately down stairs. / reloaded my
revolver, and then returned To my
companion who was trying to staunch
the blood was flowing from wound
in her neck.
II fear, sir, my life is short, and l
sincerely thank you for your kind
protection" she ieebly murmured,
aud sank exhausted on the bed.
was about to offer some assist
ance, when again heard steps on the
stairs, and earnest talking, rs if per.
sons demonstrating. Thinking the
attack on the door would be renewed,
| drew the bedstead against it, and
threw the light bedding over the
head board, and thus formed kind
of breast-work.
"Say, Mister, don't shoot, | want to
speak few words with you" said n
voice a.. the head of the stars.
"I'Il 81. DOT the first man that comes
near that door," L replied somewhat
savageiy.
ooh, no, don't, I'm your friend" he
replied in a tone which carried treach
erv with it. Come to the door, will
you ~
Yes; but don't Won come"
II won't; are you there r
"Yes."
CLOSE 2"
"Yes."
felt slight moving of the bed
over the trap. during which time tho
men outside kept up an incessant jab'
ber.
One end of the bed was raising
softly, and taking hold OF il with my
left haod. gently raised 1t up, until
! could discover a head above the
opening.
Are you at the door ?"
Yes"
simultaneously with my answer
leaden messenger went through the
head in the trap. aud bang came bul,
let through the door
The sound of heavy fall down be-
low announced that my shot had Ia
ken effect.
searched tor the revolver the girl
had used, aud fortunately found it,
aud was happy TO discover that only
one load had been shot out of it,
Being thus reinforced felt confident
of victory.
But TO overcome this gang seemed
almost hopeless. as their numbers
might be very large, and so far from
assistance But might not some
providential circumstance transpirc to
deliver me from the hands OF these
desperadoes was determined TO
do my best, and leave the result in
the hands of Him who directs the at.
fairs of men.
A noise at the window drew my
attention and caught the glimpse of
a mans head slowly rising above the
sill. Taking deliberate aim, | gave
him the contents of one barrel, and
he descended much quicker than he
came up.
What woul2 be the next feature OF
the programme ] could not imagine /;
but like wild beast at bay watched
every move, and had my ears open TO
every sound; but | felt that some
thing decisive must be done, for day
would soon make its appearance aud
then they would have the advantage
of me.
Again they were ascending the
stairs. now determined to put an
end to the contest, and, if possible,
overcome them and make them come
to terms, or die in the attempt.
l drew the bedstead around so as
to protect the girl from their fire, and
then stationed myself near the door,
but beyond their reach. Crash went
an Ak against the door, and the splin-
ters flew in every direction. 1t was
but the work of moment to break
the door in, and when it fell from its
fastenings, sailed forth with a re.
volyer in each hand. One man drop
ped before me, another reeled and
fled precipitately down stairs. A few
shots were returned, one of which
took effect in my shoulder, and as the
blood trickled down by my side, il
only increased my desperation. ]
rushed after them, firing whenever ]
was sure my shot would be effectual
When reached the bar-room, l could
} see but one man, and as he fed
through the door, l gave him my las,
shot. He fell and begged me to
: spare him, as he was the only remain
ing one of the party. Thinking he
could not escape, l returned to the
house, and taking light, searched i
thoroughly, and could not find another
live man about it. | then ascendet
! the stairs, and found the girl some
, what recovered. We then set aboI
! dressing our wounds, and was so alb
. sorbed in the matter that l did no
. notice glaring light which was break
, ing through the door.
2 THE house is on tirep exclaimed
the girl.
Taking her by the hand, we rushe'
$ to the stairway, but it was one con
, tinuous sheet of fire. We then re
: turned to the window, and finding TIL
ladder still there by which the ma
had assembled, I took her ia my arm
and descended, thus effecting our es
e cape from another imminent danger
The man had set the house on fire
/ and either perished in the flames, o
i J,o,.oo h:,uoalf 20 oo,,,o ,,lona n