Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-11-15

IN tne way.
Another step and we saw that the
figure was that of man dressed in q
long, frieze coat, and carrying an
enormous stick or "wattle," so long
that when used for resting, it was
grasped one-third of its length below
the top.
"God save We, sir I" said the man,
stepping aside q little as he drew
near.
"God save ye kindly" replied my
father, as he swayed the pony little
to one side, so as to allow the man to
pass.
But the man turned, and faced TO-
wards the way we were going.
"A very fine night, SIR" said the
man, as he edged nearer and nearer
to the head Of the pony, who seemed
to have an instructive desire to keep
as far from him as possible ga
fine nightsir, but rather dark for this
road"
"Oh, there will soon be plenty of
light" replied my father. Besides,
l know this road very well, and have
proved it in many a darker night"
"True for We, sir" replied the man,
with another accession of love for
being near the head of the pony.
"But there's worse things nor the
dark night to be afraid of on this
road"
s.Indecd,v said my father, as his
right arm gradually slipped round to
his back, and his hand grasped and
drew on to his right knee the barrel
of the blunderbuss.
"Yis, an / wonder you're not
afcard," said the man. "Didn't We
hear how they trated Purcell, the
male-monger, a few days ago, an
what they done to ould Doran of Bal
lymaturk? Yis, there's worse things
nor the dark night about here, I can
tell YOU"
;True for ye," replied my father,in
a bitter tone of mimmicry of the
mans voice and style, San you're
one of them"
The man halted for half a step, and
exclaimed
"Onc oy-"
"Look here" cried my father, as he
bent low over the neck of the pony,
and bringing round the mouth
of the blunderbuss so that 1t gaped
right in the face of the man-"this is
what makes me not afraid of all the
prowling villains in the country"
As he spoke he regained his former
position, and tho moon, shooting from
behind the last cloud that had hid it,
flashed full on the polished barrel Of
the bluuderbuss. The man staggered
back an instant, then made step as
if he were about to leap the black
ditch, and disappear among the
clumps of turf that dotted the waste.
"Hold!" cried my father, still in the
same fierce, quick tone. "Don't at
tempt to leave us"
The man, as if moved by some pow
er beyond his will, turned obedient-
ly, and stepped forward.
"Now, listen" continued my father.
of you attempt to move one foot out
of the direct path, if you go a single
step faster or slower than we do, If
you whistle, sing, or make a sign of
any kind that may be heard by your
murderous companions lurking be-
HlHu lIlVsC SluChS vi luIls ptOW
your brains out"
The man gave one quick glance
over his right shoulder, saw the wide
mouth and barrel of the blunderbuss
bearing right down upon him, my
fathers hand grasping the lock and
my fathers fierce eyes and stern,
white face looking for the slightest
sign of disobedience. He shivered,
dropped his eyes to the ground and
walked on steadily.
After this no sound, save the pat of
the pony's feet, or the deep breathing
of the man, broke the stiffness until
the bog was passed and the regular
road was gained.
At this my father drew a breath of
relief, and leaned back in the saddle.
The man glanced quickly around,
then sprang toward the fence by the
roadside, bounded over it and disap-
pearcd.
Then my father grasped the reins
tightly, leaned forward minute,
and, for the first time in year.
Dolly felt the spurs. Ten minutes
more and the light was flying from
the flints beneath her heels in our
lane, and I could hear the joyful cry
of Mick O'IIara as he flung back the
gate. and we dashed on to the lawu.
"Thc Lord be praised this night"
cried Mick-"The Lord above be
praised! I! Here at last, safe and
sound"
NY father did not speak, but dis
mounted slowly, helped me to my
feet, then flinging the reinsto Mike,
walked into the house, and laid the
blunderbuss on the table in the parlor
as softly as if had been child.
"This old piece has never done a
better piece ofwork than tonight"
he said, solemnly; "for it has saved a
life instead of Staying. But what do
you think, Dick? and he turned to
me laughing-"there hasn't been an
ounce of powder in that old barrel
for twenty years."