The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1881-01-28
EBENs FRIDAY, JAN ssI NUMBER


a moment later cat-like footballs upon the
floor of the cellar, together with cautious
whisperings; and then the stairs creaked
family beneath the weight Of a man.
Il will shoot the first one-you take the
next" muttered Mrs, BstemaE to her sister
in-law.
They were not kept much longer in sus-
pense The latch was raised, and a shadOwy
figure stood before them. With rapidly beat
ing heart but hand as steady as though she
was practicing upon an inanimate target,
Mrs. Bateman raised her revolver, and, with
the muzzIe almost touching the phantom-like
figure, fired.
4 half-stifled curse-a groan-and the out
law fell heavily to the floor, shot through the
heart.
His companions gave q simultaneous cry
of surprise but then rushed forward, scarce
understanding what had occurred. The fore
most one stepped upon the PROSTATE form
and fell, but it was with revolver bullet in
his body. At the same moment Mrs. Bate
man fired a second shot into the pantry
which, from the bitter curse that followed,
was not without effect.
This deadly reception-so unexpected, too
laws that they hastily fell back, more than
one tumbling down the cellar stairs. Accord
ing to their precOnccrted plan, the two women
quickly retreated from the kitchen, closing
and barring the door. They then hurriedly
dragged furniture and piled it against the
door, forming the best baTricade that lay in
their power
At that moment shrill screams came from
up stairs. and recognizing the voice Of her
children, Mrs. Bateman momentarily lost
her coolness, for she believed the outlaws
had effected an entrance from the front, and
were then numbering her loved ones; and,
forgetting everything else, she flew up stairs
to defend Of die with her children.
Finding the defenders did not follow up
their advantage, the outlaws quickly recover
ed from their alright, and hearing the noise
made by the two women in barricading the
door, they guessed pretty near the truth, and
rushed forward in q body, all the more dan
gerous for their momentary repuse. One
/ of their number having lighted a candle fIom
( the stock kept in the cellar, with yes of
deviiish rage, they dashed against the door
/ but it resisted. Smashing table they seiz-
ed the pieces and fairly battered down the
door, bursting it from its hinges then one
short rush, ard the mass Of furniture was
hurled on the floor.
Fortunately for her Gas it happened), Miss
Bateman was struck by some of the .urni
ture and knocked senscless to the floor
where she lay completely hidden beneatl
the leaves of a table, and the outlaws Chamber
ed over the confused pile without discover
ing her.
But they went no further. loud shou
came from without, mingled with the thun
der OF horses hoofs and knowing that thei
only hope Of safety lay in immediate flight
the outlaws rushed to the kitchen and tor,
open the back door, escaping out into tn,
open ar.
But they were not to escape 50 easily. Th,
rescuine party, led bv James Bateman, ha,
already surrounded the house and as th,
outlaws emerged into the bright moonlgh
a volley Of revolver bullets greeted them
staying five and leaving only three alive
These three, headed by "Three- fingered
Jack" made a desperate rush for their hors
es, which We're tethercd at the back OF tn,
garden. Only Jack and one other eve
touched the saddle and before the WOO,
was gained, Jack rode by himself, the so!
survivor who returned to tell the black tale
But be did escape, though pursued for miles
thanks 20 his splendid animal.
Mss Batemau was found slightly injured
though both Of the women who had SO brave
" defended their home, gave way after TIA
, rescue, and were i'll for weeks.
From that dag forth, James Bateman wa
, another person. He never touched auothe
drop of liquor, though it was a hard struggl
and nearly brought him 90 deaths door. II
. regsined his strength and mental power in
, great degree, and yet lives in the same hcus
that his wife and sister So heroicaly defend
ed against joaquin Mureta and his villain
5 Gus bandits.