The Lamoille news. (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1877-1881, 1877-08-29


pearance of secrecy, where they re-
ceived some important charge from the
Sheriff. Immediately under the eyes,
but far removed from the ears, Of all
in the village.
At twelve precisely, q drum beat
the ''long rolf before the BOLD ORA
COON" and Richard appeared, accom-
panied by Captain HOLSTER, who was
clad in his vestments as commander of
the ''Templeion Light-lnfantry."
1t will be unnecessary to detail the
minute movements that succeeded.
We shall briefly say, that scouts came
in and reported, that the fugitives had
evidently gained knowledge of the
attack, and were certifying for des-
perate resistance. This intelligence
certainly made a material change, not
only in the plans Of the leaders, but
in the countenances of the soldiery
also. The men looked at one another
with serious faces, and Hiram and
Richard began to consult together,
apart.
At this juncture, they were joined
by Billy Kirby, who came along the
highway. The woodThopper was
amazed at the military array, but the
sheriff eagerly availed himself of this
powerful reimbursement, and command
ed his assistance in putting the laws
in force. Billy held Mr.. Jones in too
much Difference to object: and it was
finally arranged, that he should be the
| bearer of a summons to the garrison
to surrender, before they proceeded
to extremities. The troops now di-
vided, one party being led over the
Vision, and were brought in on the
left of the cave, while the remainder
advanced upon its right. Mr.. Jones
and DIR. Todd,-for the surgeon was
in attendance also,-appeared on the
platform of rock, Immediately over
the heads Of the garrison, though out
of their sight. Hiram thought this
approaching too near, and he therefore
accompanied Kirby along the side of
hill, to within a safe distance of the
Notifications, where he took shelter
behind tree. Most of the men dis
covered q wonderful accuracy Of eye
in bringing some object in range be-
tween them and their enemy, and the
only two of the besiegers, who were
left in plain sight Of the besieged,
were Captain Hollister on one side,
and the wood-chopper on the other.
BY this time, Kirby had received his
orders, and he advanced coolly along
the mountain, picking his way with the
same indifference as if he were pursu-
ing his ordinary business. When he
was within hundred feet of the works,
the long much dreaded rife Of the
Misunderstanding was seen issuing
from the parapet, and his voice cried
aloud
"Kcep off! Billy Kirby, keep off!
/ wish We no harm; but if man of
We all comes step higher, therell be
blood split a-twixt us. God forgive
the one that draws it first but so it
must be-"
"Come, old chap" said Billy, good
naturally, "don't be grabbed, but hear
what man has to say. pveno consarn
maths dq iiRnfg and t"d6RE o kta st'" tic
valie of a beetle-ring which gets the
better; but there's Squire Doolittle,
) out yonder behind the beech sapling
= he has invited me to come in and ask
you to give up TO the law-thats all. y
81 see the varmint! ! see his
clothes p cried the indignant Natty
"and if he'll only show so much flesh
as will bury a rifle bullet, thirty to the
pound, I'll make him feel me. Go
away, Billy, | bid ye; you know my
aim, and bear you no malice"
"You over calkilate your aim, Nat
ty, said the other, as he stepped be-
hind pine that stood near him. 81.
you think to shoot q man through q
tree With II three foot but. 7 can lay
this tree right across you in ten MIMI
ties, by any mans watch, and in less
time, too; so be civil want no more
than what's right"
There was a simple seriousness in
the countenance of Natty, that show
ed he was much in earnest but it was
also evident, that he was reluctant to
! shed human blood. He answered the
Vaunt of the wood-chopper, by saying
81 know you drop a tree where you
will, Billy Kirby; but if you show a
hand, or an arm, in doing it, there'll
be bones to set, and blood to staunch,
| tell you. If it's only to get into the
cave that We want, wait till a two hours
sun, and you may enter it in welcome
but come in now you shall not.
There's one dead body already, lying
on the cold rocks, and there's another
in which the life can hardly be said to
stay. If you will come in, there'll be
dead withoutas well as within"
The wood-chopper slept out fear
4essly from bis cover, and cried
That's fair; and what's fair is
right. He wants you to stop till it's
two hours to sun-down; and ] see
reason in the thing. A man can give
up when he's wrong, it, you don't
crowd him too hard but you crowd a
man, and he gets to be like a stubborn
ox-the more you beat, the worse he
kicks"
The sturdy notions of independence
maintained by Billy, neither suited the
emergency, nor the impotence of Mr..
Jones, who was burning with desire