The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1874-10-16

IL "a eAhNA UASSs
Now look to ysnder window where
the young girl stood n moment ago,
with suspense as she beheld her father
struggling for his life, now stands that
old man himself, his brow barred, his
arms grasping the rifle, while his gray
hairs wave back from his wrinkled and
blood-dabbled face. That was a fine
figure of an old veteran, nerved for his
last fight a stout warrior, preparing
for his death struggle
Death struggle? Yes-for the old
man, Isaac Wampole, has dealt too
many hard blows among the British
soldiers, tricked, foiled and cheated
them too often to escape now.
A few minutes longer and they would
be reinforced by a large party of refu-
gees. The powder and arms in the old
block-hOuse, perhaps his daughter her
self, was to be their reward.
There was scarcely Il hope for the old
man, and vet he was determined to make
a desperate fight.
I'VE must bluff of these ~rascals :"
he said, with q smile, turning to his
child. Now, Bess, my girl, when I
fire this rifle you hand me another, and
so or until the whole eight shots are
fired That will keep them on the
other side of the wall for a few minutes
AT least, and then We will have to trust
TO GOD for the rest :"
Look down there and see a hand steal
ing over the wall. The old man leveled
his piece-that British trooper falls
back with a crushed hand upon his
comrades heads.
No longer quiveriDg with suspense,
hut suddenly growing firm, the young
girl passes a loaded rifle to the vet
GRAMS grasp, and silently awaits the
result.
For a moment al is silent below the
British braves are somewhat 10th to trv
that wall when a stout old rebel"
rife in hand, is looking from Wonder
window. There is Il p9use-low, deep
murmurs-they are holding a council.
moment IS gone, and nine heads
are thrust above the wall at once
bark .-one-two-thrce , The old vet
eraa Las fired three shots, three dying,
~groveling in the yard, beneath the
shadow of the wall.
Quick, Bess. the rifles ="
And the brave girl passed The rifles
to her fathers grasp there are four
more shots, and three soldiers fall back
ike weights of lead upon the ground,
and a single red coat is seen slowly
mounting 70 the top of the wall, his
eyes fixed upon the hall door, which he
vii force ere a moment is gone.
Now the last ball is free d, the old man
stands there in that second story win
dow, his hands vainly striving for
another loaded rifle.
At this moment the wounded and d--
ing band below were joined by a party
OF some twenty refugees, who clad III
their robber uniform came rushing from
the woods, and with one bound are
leaping from the summit of the wall.
Quick, Bess, my rife
And look there-even while the vet
eran stood looking out upon the foes,
the brave girl-for slender in form and
beautiful III face, she is a brave
girl, q hero woman-had managed, as
if by instructive impulse, to load q rifle.
She handed it to her father, and then
loaded another and another Was not
that Il beautiful sight A fair, young
girl grasping powder and ball, with
ramrod rising and fallen in her slender
6
Now look down to the wall again. :
The refugees arc climbing over Its sum J
mlt-again q horrid cry and another 7
wounded man tumbled down on his
lead and dying comrades. f
But, now look A smoke rises. the !
ire blazes up around the wall ; they C
fired the gate. A moment and the f
BOLT and lock will he burned from the il
'ocket-the passage will he free. Now {
s the fiery moment of the old mans /,
rial. o
While the brave daughter loads he )
continues to fire with that deadly aim, o
nut now-oh, horror-he falls, he falls h
With a musket ball driven into his il
The daughters outstretched u