Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1878-07-27

Shell, of course, could offer no OBJ
lection, being the party on the de-
fensiVe, and the weaker of the bel
ligerent forces. Mcdonald then
informed him that, unless he con-
scented to deliver himself up to their
mercies, they would fire the house.
"Then you must do so, inhuman
monsters !" abruptly exclaimed the
heroic wife-''for he stall not yield,
if have to take his life to- prevent
him."
"Ah, madam" said Mcdonald,
'we'H have you out. We do not
wish to burn, only to smoke you.
/ shall try to obtain an entrance,
cost what it will"
The Tories then began to prepare
to fire the house; and while they
were engaged at this task their
leader, who really possessed courage
of the animal order, took crOwbar,
with which they We're always sup
piled, and going to the door, began
to deal rapid and powerful blows
upon it. BY this time poor
Shells little stock of powder was
exhausted, and he was at loss for
a method of effectual resistance.
Suddenly plan was conceived. 1t
was one of those bold expedients
which men in desperate positions so
frequently bring to their relief in an
instant, when all cause for hope
seems to have vanished. Hastily
removing the bars and bolts that
still resisted firmly the fearful pry-
ing and pounding of Mcdonald, he
opened it-as the matter-Of-fact
chrOnicler who furnishes the crude
fact says-"quick as a flash of light
ming" He ut once seized the aston
ished and all but eXulting Tory,
drew him into the house, and be-
fore any of the gentry outside knew
of the transaction, Donald McDOn-
aid was a prisoner. He was dis
armed and bound, but not until
after some slight resistance. He
was then made to give up all the
ammunition he had to be fred
against his own comrades.
Mcdonald" said Shell, quietly,
as he helped his family load the
pieces, "yGu came here to murder
us, who never offended you or yours.
Mere cruelty dictated this blood
thirsty attempt of you and your
brother Savages. They are now
firing my house. The very instant
smoke becomes peTceptible to our
nOstrils / will set fire to your cloth
ing, and if my bones are to crumble
to ashes here, yours shall mOulder
beside them"
"Oh, God - cried the Tory, af-
frighted by the contemplation of Il
death which he knew Shell would
surely infiict "let me order them
to stop and extinguish the fire they
have already made"
Certainly" replied Shell, as he
cOOlly fred through one of the loop
holes.
Mcdonald soon alarmed his band
by his cries, and signified to one of
the whites the nature of his peril,
begging that the flames if enkindled,
might be instantly "put out" The
man answered that that they should
be put out, but that to get in, and
kill Shell and his family, they were
determined, as he had killed three
of their men and wounded four
others, one severely.
"phen there are but eight left to
do service" said Mcdonald, with
rage in his features.
Il guess we are match for that
number yet" was the remark of the
intrepid patriot.
The outsiders were really determ-
ined to do some execution, for after
crying to Mcdonald to shield him
self if ne could. they thrust five
musket-barrels through the loop
holes. Mrs. Shell seized q Ratchet
and before they were withdrawn
ruined every one. Only two were
even fired. BY one the heroine was
badly wounded in the left arm, and
the other, strange to say, struck
Mcdonald in the leg. He shrieked
with pain.
Shell now informed the maraud-
ers, whose zeal appeared to have
become thin and Watery by a dilu-
ton of fear and wonder, that they
were too many in the house for
them, and in their turn they (the
inmates) would sally out and attack
them, knowing their strength from
Mcdonald. 1t was signitied that
the assailants did not credit Shells
assertion.
"Tell Them" said Mrs. Shell,
holding the hatchet over McDOn-
aids heed, chow many there are
here-strOng, able-bOdied men,"
The PROSTATE Tory eyed the
hatchet and the frightful appearance
of the woman who held it. He
then looked upon Shell, who held
his hands up, with the fingers and
thumbs Outstretched. Mcdonald
took the hint. He replied, speaking
to his men, "There are ten here,
besides Shell, his wife and Il
daughter"
eyes, we heard you were COM
ing" exclaimed Shells oldest son,
a lad of eighteen, land now you had
better better be going"
a pause was observed. The party
outside consulted. There was some
wrangling, which soon subsidized,
and ut last they moved of. Mrs.
Shells wound was dressed, which
occupied some time, and then Shell
commanded his family to prepare
for instant flight. He said he knew
the Tories would return, and they
should he disappointed in finding
nobody but their wounded leader.
All the articles of use, arms, ETC.,
that could be carried were hastily
gathered together, and an hour or
two after the retirement of the foe,
Shell and his family were ready to
dCcamp.
81 should like to have something
to remember this day by, and my
victory over you," said Shell to Me
Donald, who was grooming with the
pain of his wound "let me see if |
can find a mementO."
He searched the person of the
Tory and found Il silver-mOuntcd
tOmahawk of exquisite workman
ship, for carrying which he was no.
tOrious. 1t was Il sort of badge of
his infamy.
"I'll take this was Shells re-
mark, as he secured it in the belt
which he wore. "And now, Me
Donald" he continued. as he APP
preached the threshold # the door,
there is one favor you must do me
as an Old friend"
ooh, yes, " stammcred Mcdonald,
sneering as energetically as his con-
ditiOn would permit. 81 know
ycs-what is it ~
"Why," was the response, "just
be kind enough to shout for General
Washington.
k.N-,f IvfII mo- I,u4 don, - +r.,,,,, IL q,