The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1878-11-19

Oub INV lui RSa'SSs q
ed from head to foot in suit of buck
skin. He bore in his hand rifle, which
he dropped to the ground and leaned
upon it. 2ar,
"What has happened-a man shot,
with gal a.howlin' for him! How do
We account for it, stranger 7"
"Easy enough; the man has been shot
by some sneakin' coward who knows
we'll where to hide himself from our bull
lets +" t
"Ye don't mean to intimate that I'm
under suspicion of doin' the deed do yer
for If ye do, I can furnish proof enough
that there amt SO much ground for that
belief as there is that scslped mus
keeter with this yer Bowie-knife. No,
Bill the Ranger is made of different stuff.
That was sneakin' act"
/ "We don't know who did the deed"
said the Colonel, "but it's been done. and
what we want to know is who the indi.
vidual is, that we may give him his just
deserts
"Good! Tn with re strangers on that
conclusion. I'm Bill the Ranger, at your
service ! Jest got here from a little buff
fer expedition with poor success, but
that doesn't make any difference. l kin
tell by the gal 8 grief that he was kind
father,and I've got my mind on avengin'
him."
Hardly had be said these words before
the sharp report of rife broke on the
might air, followed by the whiz of bul.
llet, and the Colone's left arm dropped
by his side like lump Of lead. The
Ranger and the Judge were on the alert
Both saw the smoke as it rolled away
even smelled the powder, but as before
not hide or hair OF an enemy was visi-
BILE. The canvas back of the wagon
tapped few times, then the same death
like stiffness that reigned before.
"Ghost or devil--there's death to the
man that stays here long," said the Ran
ger, taking a few strides toward the d.
rection from whence the shot had come.
The Colonel drew his revolver and fol-
lowed in the steps of the Ranger. Care.
fully they searched the whole space OF
ground for considerable distance Peo.
pile from other camps came over to see
what the trouble was, and when they
learned what had happened great was
the anxiety to see where the mysterious
shots came, from. But search as they
might nothing beyond few buffalo
bones, whitened and dried. rewarded
| them
The Colonel's wound was not so bad
but he could stand watch. The Ranger
was to be awakened IL there were signs
of the enemy; while Llze, after covering
her fathers body with blanket, gotinto
the team and sobbed herself to sleep.
"Seen anything2" asked the Ranger,
when the Colonel shook him to let him
know it.was his turn to stand watch.
"Nary a ghost; but the hour Of mid.
night is here, and time for such visits
and seein' as ye are to watch, let's rouse
the Jedge and take smoke. Perhaps
there's more danger ahead"
Right; and if don't get winged al
short notice I'll let into somebody fol
certain"
The three men filed their pipes, light.
ed them, and sat down with their rifles
|cocked, and watched the dim shadow:
around them. All was quiet as death
not sound even from the mules broke
the stiffness of the midnight hour.
'What is that hear 2" asked the
Judge, after long silence. "Footsteps
are approaching"
"Great Heavens! Look! look =
They grasped their rifles with one &C
cord, and arose and faced what seemed
to them terrible apparition Not forty
yards away, and coming toward then
with gigantic strides, was colossal 6gur
OF a man, or what seemed to be man
clad from head to foot in long fiowins
white garment. 1t lowered above then
at least ten feet, while from the plac
supposed to be the mouth issued a sui
!, phurous light. 1t carried no weapon tna
was visible, but hardly had the thre
, faced it when q shot rang out on tn
night air.
"Pm shot" exclaimed the Ranger
! clappirg bis hand upon his heart; bu
the consciousness of it sent ferociou
f light into his eyes as lie aimed at the 6s
ure. His first impulse was TO fire higl
J, but on second thought he lowered hi
q rifle to che place where the feet were SUI
I posed to be, snd fired.
!. He missed; but now all the camp
we're aroused, and seeing the ghostl
4 visitant, sent such shower of leade
Il hail into it that, before another minut
!. the mass of white was seen to wav'
}. and totter on its legs,then down it wen
/ As it fell the form of an Indian vi
7 seen to dart out from the covering al
q tske to his legs.
! "Thars the ghost himself; the villa
e Is making away-at him. boys! shou
ed the Ranger, starting forward.
n On they went, until all Of sudd'
il the figure disappeared, seeming to ent
i the ground. The Ranger was ne
e enough to him as he disappeared to n
n tice thata certain piece of sod moved.
ar Astonishing as it may seem, be actual
saw the, Indian disappear into the bo
10 els OF the earth. and the sods closed
"a gether for a moment to bafAe him.
$50 that's his trick-the red dew
" He has an underground abode. We
as we'll rout him out Of that in jiffy," SO
IN the Judge.
ne Suddenly, as the Ranger placed
nt feet on certain spot, the ground ga
sv way, and be was precipitated into
: some FIVE feet deep-right into the mit
10 of five Indians. Dropping his rifle,
i. drew bowie. knife, and .hen commenc
en- terrific combat at uneven odds; but
m was not alone, for nearly score of riff
were pointing right into the pit, ready
Mt send death into their midst at secon'
or warning.
"Git back to the side we are. Range
th shouted the Colonel, $50 as we kin Gle
as out the varmints without tetchin you
IN The Ranger fell back, all the time g
ing thrusts himself, though wounded a
ed hardly able to stand.
en "Fire !" commanded the Colonel.
At the word sheet of fame burst il
rt, the pit, lighting up the savage faces Q
,ur sending nearly every Indian to his b
wn py hunting ground Those remain
me were dubbed with the hunters rifles.