The Benton record. [volume] (Benton, M.T. [Mont.]) 1875-1879, 1878-06-28

Il have no arms. You have taken my
horses and cattle; not''-his color rising
''for the use of the army, but for thieves
and murderers, who plunder on their own
account"
'Father! father" my mother whispered
in terror, laying her hand on his arm
"we are at their mercy!"
"Tbe old cock crows well, laughed
the leader: but it is the young fowl we
want"
"What do you mean?"
"Your son Joe has been seen prowling
about the neighborhood. We've orders
to take him and hang him to the nearest
tree"
MY mother put out her hands before her.
"My son is dead" she said.
For minute even these rufians we're
silent.
owen soon see that" cried the fore
most, "Come boys!"
They rapsacked the house, The family
could offer no opposition, being but women
and children, with two weak old men to
guard us.
My father sat trembling with rage and
shame, poor old Dutton beside him. The
negroes had all gone. Nobody was left out
Yakob, busy as usual in the stable, for he
had turned into man-ofall- ll-work when
left alone.
He came out from the stable now, glanc-
ed at the pillagers, and going to the door
Of his shanty, sat down and lighted his
pipe.
"He would not move if they blew him
up with petard /" cried Sue, whose
knowledge u Earlilze instss4A.as : 4--- a
I Presently they came up to him.
'Hi, Dutchy! We've heard of you,
What side are you on, Reb or Yank?"
II goes for my own side"
$50 do we. Stand out of the way. We
want to go into this cabin"
"Nein dish is mein house" calmly.
"Get up, you pig!' prodding him with
the point of his sword.
"0h, yesh! gets up" slowly rising
and putting his hands into his eapacious
pockets. He drew out couple Of revol-
vers, and pointed them full il the faces Of
his assailants.
r gets up and-I fires"
He lid fre-once, twice, it seemed to
me dozen times, turning sharply from
side to side.
TIE men staggered back dismayed
Two fell and were dragged off BY 1be
others. Like all bulIies, they we're cow
ards.
For moment they hesitated, as if IN
certain whether to take the German b.
storm or to take to their heels. 4 sting
ing bullet in the leaders arm decided the
day in favor Of Yakob.
They fred back scattering shots as they
retreated, but did not face the determined
Dutchman again. / saw him totter as thf
last man fred, but he recovered himself
and stood delivering his deadly shots witt
the same stolidity and regularity will
which he hammered in bean-pole.
With oaths and yells, the men hurried
down the road.
We ran out. Yakob lay on the Zoo
white and ghastly. Ny mother raised b
! head
{ He is dying2 she said.
t'Why did he throw his life away for th
, old shanty y cried Sue, impatientl,y"
Yakob shook his head. Not de house.
. The same thought came to Us both. "
| pushed the door open. On the bed lay
pallid skeleton ofa man, our brave, han6
! some Charley!
{ For more than month Yakob had bic
/ den him there, afraid to trust even b
) mother with thesecret.
1 ftbe faithful German had died for b
!. friend, It would have been but one !
many such sacrifices which the testim
j brought from men.
|, But Charley lived, and is now sturd
farmer On the Shenandoah. Yakob i Il.
! steward and partner, known to 81 II
. country side as the ugIest, shreVdes
most honest man IN the valley.