Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1876-05-04
had rested thereon, while he remark

|
TO Welt my farm ran Us into
i do not regret father; we hac
two pleasant days at TIE dear ole
homestead, and though we did no
accomplish all we went for, | hops
the Information we gave will be o
valuable serVice-see lhere | Ger
tainly saw man in yonder thicket,
The party quickly drew rein, but
nothing being visible of suspicious
character, Mr.. Ashland remarked.
| Come, let US push on. for | do moi
think the cowboys would venture
thus near the British lines-hal'
The exclamation of Mr. Ashland
was on account of observing three
men step forth from the thicket, and
quietly level their guns upon the
party.
| Maud Ashland turned deadly pale
while look of anxiety again apper-
ed upon the face of her father--as
for the groom his look of fright was
almost ludicrous.
Now hold on thar! no runnin', or
we'll blaze away at We, eff there is q
gal in the crowd, impudently said
one Of the men, advancing near the
horses heads.
They were hard. looking set
| dressed in the mixed uniforms of the
British and Continental armies, with
a smattering of civilians attire.
But they were well armed, and
their rough faces showed they were
men who would not hesitate at any
deed of blood.
We'll. my men, what would you
with us? said Mr.. Ashland, assuming
an indifference he did not feel.
We want you to get our toll-you
are on our highway, old grey head
Are you of the British or Contin.
entail army?'
| Now look ahear-you mustn't be
curious, old man; we b'longs to tho
side that pays US most
'Ha! you are COW boys
we is men as wants your spare
cash, and / guesses as how wen take
that, and then keep the gal and Mig
ger, until you comes down h4n ssome
for their ransom
Good God! men, will give you
all | have-nay, L will myself remain
with you as your prisoner, ifyou will
allow my daughter and servant TO
GO Onto morrow my servant can
return with the sum demanded tor
my ransom
NC, old man, we want the gal and
the nigger-what are you lookin' at.
gal?' and the man looked quietly
around as be saw Maud gazing
earnestly down the road.
But nothing was visible of sus-
picious nature, and the speaker, who
seemed to act as the loader, sgain
turned to Mr.. Ashland.
As be did so there was u chatter
in the underbrush, and out dashed Il
horseman, q British officer, splendid
ly mounted, and with drawn sabre.
Ere resistance could be offered
one of the COW boys fell dead, his
head nearly severed from his body,
by one sweep Of the horssman' g
blade.
The steed was then spurred upon
another of the worthy trio, and went
down rolling in the dust of the road.
But the loader of the COW boys
suddenly gave shrilI call, and at the
same time lsveled his carbine full at
the heart of the officer.
The flash and report followed, but
the gallant steed caught the bullet in
his brain, ard saved his master from
instant death.
Down wont the poor animal, pin
ming his rider beneath his weight,
but who, even though Frustrated,
drew a pistol and leveled il at the
head of the cow boy; but as he did
so his arm was seized from behind,
and one glance proved to him that
resistance was useless, for half-doz-
zen rude looking mon had como to
the rescue, three of whom held the
horses of Mr.. Ashland, Maud and
the negro, and the others were hold.
ing their muskets Ieveled at him.
You've done for two of US, Colonel
but | guesses IS how we's got tie
drop on yer now-bind him, men,
for that thar man is Colonel Coving-
ton, as hung my brother, an he's TO
dance a jig at the end O. rope and
the leader of the COW boys seemed
delighted at the capture he had
made.
Then Mr. Ashland and maud were
in dispalr, for moment before they
had hoped that they had left all
danger behind them.
Egbert Ashland was one of the
wealthiest men 10 the conolies, and
though an Englshman by birth, he
had come to America and adopted it
as his hcme.
He was the second SOP of q noble
family, but had cared little for title,
and desire to live away from the
pomp and vanities of court life.
Shortly after his arrival in New
York he had married an American
heiress, and entering upon business
career, became most prosperous
merchant.
When the war broke ont between
the states and the mother country
Egbert Ashland espoused the cause
of his adopted country, though be
kept very quiet upon the subject.
When his two children we're re-
spectivcly seventeen and thirteen