Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1883-07-25

that, out this man was desperate, ana
armed, aud if he became too angry, he
would not hesitate to kill me.
[ sought to cool him OF little.
Hold a blt! said I. "Don't beat
me for another mans wrongs. Let me
go, and Til say no more about your
trespaasine; or, if you want to fight,
let ne up and throw away your knife,
and I'll fight you"
emo, you'll not fight me. nor I won't
let you up" Missed the brute, sinking
his fingers in my throat and tUcklng his
knife back into his bosom, IN simply
give you good beating and let you
CO." -
He had raised his heavy hand to carry
out his programme when something
flashed past my eyes, heard a sounding
blow, and the next moment Tom was by
my side, while the spy lay near at hand,
stunned and bleeding.
He had you there, major" laughed
my partner. ''Just saw you in time to
save your phiz. | threw the hammer [
had, and made lucky hit. wouldn't
have cared much" he added examining
the fellow, if it had killed him.. :"
Two of the men about the we'll were
ordered to drag the spy, who at length
regained consciousness, ont TO the high
way, quarter of mile off, and after
dinner and a concluding smoke my
horse was brought up for my ride home
ward. Tom suggested that he ride with
me part way.
"Do," said ], 60 and We'll run over to
OilvilIe and see about that new drill.
You can get back here by dark, and
we'll be together to the turn and talk
matters up well"
This we did, riding together to the
little town, then back to the turn Or
cross roads where we must separate. 1t
was about dusk when we reached that
SPOT, and, as we sat talking, sudden
shout arose from the roadside on either
hand, half a dozen figures appeared in
the cleaning rushing toward us, two or
three pistols rang out, and the hum and
whiz of bullets sang In our ears, mingled
with coarse oaths and cries of " Down
with 'em! Down with 'emi'
"Ihe spiesw cried Tom. "Follow
me-"
He turned his horse toward the open
country. striking one fool who grasped
at his reins to the earth, where he lay to
be trodden upon by my mare as she flew
after Toms bay, well frightened by the
cries and even more so by the pistol
shots behind her.
For a few moments we rode In silence,
then Tom slackened his speed and [
drew alongside.
Icaughtone of their balls in my arm,
said he. odd you get any? ?"
"No, l replied. care you much
hurt ?"
"Only a flesh wound, which I can
bind with my handkerchief. These fell
lows have horses in the brush and will
be after US. You see, they must either
kill Us now or leave the country, so, it
behooves us to keep out of their way.
Hist! I hear them now"
The rattle of hoofs was distinct
upon the night air. We turned and
fed.
1t was seven miles across the country
TO the nearest town of any size, and in
that direction we rode. There Were too
many OF the others to fight, and we could
only run.
As we pressed onward, now through
brush and woods, again across the open,
the heavens above us grew dark and
threatening, and before half the distance
had been made, rain began to fall
FBahr' said [; 'fthis is worse STILL"
Z" Yes, replied my companion; "and if
1t proves to be a thunder storm, the
very worst, for we are among the tanks
now, just in little valley that [ don't
like"
Let us hurry" said I, "for it is a
thunder storm.
I had hardly spoken, when a most
vivid fame lit all the air, followed by the
crash Of the thunder. But after that
came a wild, exultant cry ringing
through the pouring rain from behind
US. The pursuers had noted us In the
single CLEAN OF the lightning, and we're
now fast following.
But even that danger fed from our
minds III the presence of the greater one.
The storm was now In its full fury, and
the fiery path of the lightning lit the
heavens about us almost constantly, fol-
lowed by the heavy, cracking roar of
the thunder; and we yet among the oil
tanks-great iron tanks, half-dozen or
more along the line of the little valley.
any one of which, if struck by light
ming, would fill the lowlands with blaz-
ing oil!
"Faster! Fasterp' cried Tom, urging
his terrified horse forward at break
neck speed. "We must reach tie
ridge!'
I'm after you," replied I, pressing
my knees against my mare. ''If we can
only"
I was interrupted by a resembling
crash of thunder, which roared even as
the lightning famed close beside us, and
ere either could speak, a second dull
roar answered that of heavens artillery,
and broad glare shot upward on our
right, illuminating ali the country
round.
A tank had been struck and burst.
fGreat heavens, look!' cried my COM
panion, turning in his saddle.
My gaze followed his. The sight be-
fore US was terrific.
Not q quarter of mile away, in the
lowest line Of the valley an oil tank was
burning fercely, and from it ran
broad, flaming river, tending toward the
other tanks below,