The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1873-05-23
MI i S G ELAN g or s..
For THE Agis Dc Mteligehccr'
4 FIGHT FOR LIFE,

4 FIGHT FOR LIFE.
In the year 1901, at the time of the SER
vile instruction in ST. Domingo, there lived
in one of the fiourishing towns On the coast,
a French merchant whose name was NJ.
Louis DeVilliers. His family consisted of
himself, his wife and only daughter, Mdlle.
Adrienne, and a young Frenchman named
Pierre Vallettc. who was M. DeVilliers'
confidential clerk There was likewise an
other young man employed as store-keeper,
named Dubois, who did not live at the
mansion, but boarded at hotel near by.
M. DeVilliers' dwelling was situated near
the water The front of the chateau next
the street was built of stone without Win
dows, the only opening being the door,
which was reached by flight of steps.
This avenue was narrow, and each side of
it was protected by strong iron paling.
The house had formerly been built with a
view to strength by buccaneer, its origi-
nal owner. The house extended back from
the street to the water, where there was a
boat house in which DeVilliers kept an
elegant sail boat; the front of the boat
house was secured by gate. The only
chance of attacking the chateau was at the
front, as the rear Of the building was pro-
tected by the water.
M. Nallettc was a native of France and
had arrived at the island about year be-
fore. He was a firstclass scholor and u
gentleman in very respect. He had studied
military tactics and was one of the best
swordsmen i'll the kingdom. He owned a
sword of the finest Damascus steel, which
had seen service in the Crusades against
the Ottomans, which he had bought in
Paris. Pierre was active, strong and brave,
and had complete control of his passions.
Always cool and calm in emergencies, he
was q dangerous customer when called on
to act in defense of his own or his friends
lives.
On the first morning Of the outbreak, as
DeVilliers and his interesting family were
seated at breakfast young Dubois entered
unannounced and in brcathless haste COM
municated the sad fact that the negro
slaves were in state of instruction, and
that they were numbering the white inhab-
itants indiscrminately and that u squad
of them, about thirty in number, were at
that momert making their way to Mon
sieurs' chateau. Pierre told M. DeVillers and
the ladies to be calm and fear nothing, and
he would meet the villains and keep them at
bay until they could reach the boat house
and embark in the boat, as their only chance
ofcscape was by water. He told M. Dubois
to go with them and assist them, adding
that if he was not killed he would soon
join them. He now buckled on his trusty
sword and went to the front door to receive
the enemy, He could now hear the wild
shouts Of the savage, infatuated negroes.
II had not long to watt for in few mo-
ments, the bloody, half naked band of flu
rious savages made their appearance, head
ed by giant negro they called the lion.
They came bowling, cursing and bias
pheming. They were already crimsoned
with the blood oftheir slaughtered victims.
The lion carried heavy battle axe. He
was naked to his waist and looked the very
picture of demon inferno. AS they APP
preached the mansion and saw the door open
and Pierre standing on the landing ready to
receive them, the bloody leader made rush
up the steps followed by as many negroes
as could crowd in the narrow avenue. The
infatuated savage now with demoniac
howl made sweeping cut at Pierre with
his axe but his arm fell at his side partly
severed from his body, and next moment
he fell back on his companions pierced
through the heart by Pierre's good sword
A volley of musketry was now fired by the
savages, which killed five of their own
number, but did not harm our hero. Anoth-
er huge negro now sprang over the body of
their giant leader and made lunge at Val
lette with knife, but he fell with his head
Topped over on his shoulder by Pierre's
Damascus blade. The demons were now
crazed and furious. They blindly rushed
on Vallette's blade in the widest and most
reckless manner. Our swordsman kept cool
and collected, and met their wild advances
as calm as u May morning, now lop-
ping off head, next piercing a heart, then
breaking an arm and anon an abdomen
thrust, until he had piled twenty murderers
in the narrow stairway. Seeing at length
that they would all be killed, the remaining
few of the attacking mob took to their
heels with infatuated curses and went in
search of fresh recruits. In the meantime
Monsieur had hastily packed up his valua-
bles> together with his money, which was
luckily on the bank of France, aud taking
his wife and daughter, accompanied by M.
Dubois, they sought the boat in the real
of the villa. Vallette having defeated the
attacking party, and well knowing there
was no time to lose, and wishing, if posi-
BILE, to save his friends, now hastily left the
dead negroes and sought his friends in the
boat-house. He found them already EN-.
barked Now opening the gate they bold
ly pushed their boat into the open water
when stepping their mast, they hoisted sail
The wind was blowing strong off shore
the sail filled and the boat was soon sail
ing at rapid rate before the wind. An.
other squad of the desperadoes now saw
them and with wild yells fired a volley Of
musketry after them, but their aim was
wild, their bullets striking the water one
hundred yards to the larboard Of the boat
A lot OF negroes now manned small sloor
and gave chase. AS their craft carrie