The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-11-15

nedNV cuTIdlu, ANU TdlslIg TIE sdSHJ
looked out.
A single glance was sufficient to cause
me thrill of surprise, and | gave low
that instantly brought Bose
to my side.
Far below, l could see the faint glim-
mer of water, the low murmur of which
came indistinctly up from the depths,
while, on level with what should have
been then the ground, l dimly saw the
waving tree tops, as they gently swayed
before the fresh night breeze, and knew
the window overlooked a chasm, the
sounding of which | could only guess
at.
In other words, the house, or that por-
ton of it, was built upon the very verge
of a cliff, the solid rock forming
foundation more lasting than any that
could be made by the hands of man.
| leaned far out, and saw there was
not an inch of space left between the
heavy logs on which the structure rested
and the edge of the precipice; and then
| turned away with full conviction that
if escape must be made, it certainly
would not be in that direction. There
was nothing especially strange in this !;
there were many houses so constructed
i had seen one or two myself-and yet
when | drew back into the room, and
saw the look in Bose's dusky face, felt
that danger, quick and deadly, was
lowering in the air.
Without speaking, | went to my saddle
bags and got out my pistols superb pair
of long double rifles, that | knew to be
accurate anywhere under half a hun
dred yards.
Darl denis what | likes to seep'
exclaimed Bose as he dived down into
his own bag, and fished out an old-horse
pistol that had belonged to my grand
father, and which knew was loaded to
the muzzle with No. l buckshot. 1t
was terrible weapon at close quarter.
The stable In which our horses were
feeding could be watched, and by events
transpiring in that locality we would
shape our actions. | found the door
could be locked from the inside, and, in
addition to this, improyised bar by
means of chair-leg, wrenched off, and
thrust through heavy iron staple that
had been driven into the wall. Its
fellow on the opposite side was missing.
We then lifted the clothes-press before
the window, leaving just room enough
one one side to clearly see, and il
necessary, fire through; dragged the
bureau against the door with as little
noise as possible, and felt that everything
that was possible had been done.
A deathlike silence reigned over the
place, broken only once by the voice OF
the colored girl singing as she crossed
the stable yard,
| had fallen into half doze, seated in
chair near the window facing the
stables, where Bose was on watch, when
suddenly felt light touch upon my
arm, and the voice of the faithful senti
mel in my ear:
Wake up, Mars Ralph; dey's foolin
bout de stable doc arter de horses
shuah," brought me wide awake to my
feet.
Cautiously peeping out, l saw at :
glance that Bose was right in his con
lecture. There were two of them-one
standing out in the clear moonlight
evidently watching my window, Will,
the other-and | fancied it was the land
lord-was in the shadow near the door
which at that moment slowly swun,
open.
AS the man disappeared within tn
building, low, keen whistle cut tn
air, and at the same instant | heard tn
knob of my door cautiously tried.
The thing was now plain. Will
those below were securing the horses
those above were either attempting t
gain access with murderous intent, O
else on guard to prevent my coming
the rescue of my property.
A low hiss from Bose brought me
his side from the door where | had bee
listening.
"Dey's got de hosses out in de yard,
he whispered, as he drew aside to let m
look out through the broken pane.
"Take the door," 1 said, "and fiji
through if they attack. I am goin
to shoot that fellow holding th
, horses"
" Lordy, Mars Ralph, its de taver
keeper! He amt no count. Drop de bi
man 7" was the sensible advice. which
determined to adopt.
Noiselessly drawing aside the curtain
| rested the muzzle of my pistol upo
, the sash where the light had been broke
away, and drew bead upon the talle
, of the two men who stood, holdin
, three horses, out in the bright mool
light.
The sharp crack of the weapon was il
$ stantly followed by yell of pain, an
| | saw the ruffian reel backward, an
| measure his length upon the earth, an
: then from the main building there rar
out
q "Murderl murder Oh, helpT'
Like lightning it flashed across m
e mind. There were three horses out
E the open lott There was, then, anoth,
q traveller beside ourselves.
. Aheavy blow descended upon the doc
a and voice roared:
"Quickl Burst the internal thi1
o open, and let me get at him! The scou
2 drel has killed Dave!'
: " Let me have it, Bose" whispere
rapidly reloading, my pistol. ether
|, With a steady hand the plucky fello
a levelled the huge weapon, and pulled tt
trigger.
e A deafening report followed, al
e again a shrill cry of mortal anguish to
a that the shot had not been wasted.
o "Sabe us! how it do kick !" exclaim
Bose, under his breath.
!, The blow had fallen like an unexpect
1iulueTuolG upon Ine DanulGS, al
d moment later we heard their retreatil
footsteps down the corridor.
s "Dar'l! be more of 'em heah 'fo
n long, Mars Ralph said Bose, with
t, omnious shake of the head. 'tI 'spet
g desc b'long to band, and, eff dey COM
n an we still heah, we gone 'coons f
r. shuah."
'e This view of the case was new
lie me; but | felt the force of it. l kn'
that such bands did exist in the
e. mountains.
ii A hasty glance through the wind'
from which 1 had just fired showed !
10 that escape in that direction was imp
~ sible. | looked out and saw man, wi
a rifle in his hand, dodge round t
or corner of the table. He was on gual
r and then | knew they had sent off for
al Inducements.
We Stunned for moment, [ turn
IL round, and started helplessly at Boz
but he, brave fellow that he was, ne7