The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1879-07-31

l
and which 1 knew was loaded down t,
the muzzle with No. 1 buckshOt. l
was a terrible weapon at close quarters
The stables in which our horses wer'
feeding could be watched, and b!
events transporting in that locality w
would shape our actions. l found thu
door could be locked from the inside
and, in addition to this, improvised ,
bar by means of chair leg wrenchet
off and thrust through heavy iro1
staple that had been driven into tn,
wall. Its fellow on the opposite sid,
was missing.
We then lifted the clothes press be
fore the window, leaving Just room
enough on one side to clearly see, and
if necessary, fire through; dragged thu
bureau against the door with as little
noise as possible, and felt that every
thing that was possible had been done
A deathlike stiffness reigned over tn,
place, broken only once by the voice o
the colored girl singing as she crossed
the stable yard.
l had fallen into half doze, seatee
in chair near the windows facing the
stables, where Bose was on the watch
when suddenly l felt a slight touch
upon r'y arm and the voice of the faith
full sentinel 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, I saw at 8
glance that Bose was right in his con-
jecture-there were two of them-ont
standing out in the clear moonlight
evidently watching my window. while
the other-and l fancied it was the
landlord-was in the shadow near the
door, which at that moment slowly
swung open.
AS the man disappeared within the
building, low, keen whistle cut the
air, and at the same instant heard the
knob of my door cautiously tried.
A low hiss from Bose brought me to
his side, from the door where I had
been listening.
"Dey's got de hcsses out in de yard ~
he whispered, as he drew aside to let
me look out through the broken pane.
"Take the door," said, "and fire
through if they attack. l am going to
shoot that fellow holding the horses. y
"Lordy, Mars Ralph, it's de tavern.
keeper. He amt no count. Drop de
big manr' was the sensible advice,
which determined to adopt.
Noiselessly drawing aside the curtain
l rested the muzzle of my pistol on the
sash where the light had been broken
away; and drew a bead upon the tallest
of the two men who stood, holding the
three horses, out in the bright moon
light.
The sharp crack of the weapon was
instantly followed by yell of pain,
and l saw the ruffian reel backward
and measure his length upon the earth
and then from the main building there
rang out:
"Murder! Murder! Oh, helpr'
Like lightning it flashed across my
mind. There were three horses out il
the open lot! There was, then, an
other traveller besides ourselves.
A heavy blow descended upon thu
door, and voice roared:
"Quick! Burst the internal thing
open, and let me get at him. The
scoundrel has killed Daver'
"Let them have it, Bose," whis
pered, rapidly reloading my pistol
"There, second panel"
With a steady hand the plucky fel
low leveled the huge weapon ant
pulled the trigger.
| A deafening report followed, anC
again shrill cry of mortal anguish
told them the shot had not been wasted
| Col n ,,o1 do
claimed Bose, under his breath.
The blow had fallen like an unex
pected thunderbolt upon the bandits
and a moment later we heard their re
treating footsteps down the corridor.
"Dar'n be more of 'em heah for.
long, Mars Ralph" said Bose. 81
'spects desc b'longs to a band, and i
dey comes an we still heah we gon,
coons for shuah.''
This view of the case was new tt
me, but felt the force of it; knew
that such bands did exist in thes,
mountains.
Stunned for q moment, 1 turned
round and stared hopelessly at Bose
but he, brave fellow that he was, never
lost his head for an instant.
"Bound to Leah here, Mars Ralph y
he said quite confidently. can dal
amt no way gwine 'cept tro dat win
dow;" and he pointed to the one over
looking the cliff.
lmerely shook my head, and turned
to watch again, hoping to get shot a
the rascal on guard.
Bose, left to his own devices, at ono,
went to work. 1 heard him fussins
around the bed for some time, but never
looked to see what he was after unit
he spoke.
"Now den for de rope" heard hin
say, and in an instant l caught hi!
meaning.
He had stripped the bed of its cover
ing, dragged off the heavy tick ant
the stout hempen rope with which i
was "corded."
In five minutes he had drawn tn,
rope through its many turnings, ant
then, gathering the coil in his hands
he drew up the sash and prepared t,
take soundings.
It failed to touch the bottom; but no
wise disheartened, he seized the cottol
coverlet and spliced on. This sue
ceeded, and the cord was drawn vi
preparatory to knotting it in place o
cross-pieces.
In the meantime the silence withou
had been broken once. A shrill, keel
whistle, such as we had heard before
was given by the man on the watch
} and replied to by some one seemingly
} little way of. Then l heard footstep
soft. cat-like ones-on the verandal
outside, showing that robbers were OF
the alert at all points.
, At length Bose announced the "lcd
) der" ready. 1t was again lowere
from the window, and the end was he'll
and made fast to the bed we had dragge
, over for the purpose.
SHOW den. Mars Ralph, 60 dow
fust, and see if 'um strong enough t
bar u.s.
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