Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1883-08-25
4 NIGHT ATTACK.

left England TO become the partner oi
an old schoolmatc, Dick Mcringale, as
sheep farmer in South America. We IN
vested our joint and rather modest capital
in Il large league of land on the Parana,
and erected on it a small house, built OF
sun-baked brick, which consisted of one
tolcrably large room, with flat roof ana
parapct, accessible from the inside by
means of ladder. Around it ut Il short
distance we had dug deep, dry ditch,
crossed by Il draw-bridgc, intended as
protection against surprise from Indians.
One day Dick remarked to me that he
had been told that morning that the say
ages had crossed the river, and we must
keep our wits about US. 1t was scarcely
two hours after that two Guachos put IN
an appearance. Their usually swarthy
faces were livid with fear. They spranS
from their horses, which, covered with
blood, sweat and foam, showed how sharp
had been the ride, and rushed overthc
draw-bridgc. They told us, us soon as
terror would allow them, that 800 Indians
were in hot pursuit, and would soon be on
the spot, and besought us, for the love of
the Virgin, to give them shelter.
Dick, rather to my surprise, calmly lit
his pipe, and then ordered our visitors to
"makc themselves scarce, unless" he
said politely, "you can tell q plain tale,
senores, without lies"
After cross-qucstioning we learned that
they had been to buy horse at the station
OF a rich Spaniard, Don Ramon Garcia,
who lived about four leagues from us, and
that when they reached the top of gentle
rise in the ground, and made view OF
the house, they had seen to their horror
and dismay Il large body of the dreaded
Indians, who were attacking-for they
heard shots-Don Ramon's cstancia.
'If this be true" said Dick, "thc sooner
we prepare to fight, the better. We must
be prepared for them"
The natiycs-both tho late arrivals and
our own two men, who had often boasted
Of what they meant to do and had already
done in the way of fighting InGians-sud-
denly disappeared. We aftcrward learned
that they took refuge in a cOrnlield in the
rear of the house, where they lay con-
cealed until the fight was over.
Our preparations were very simple-a
box of cartridges was opened (for We were
provided with those inestimablC peace and
life prcscrvers, brccch-loading ri1cs) and
placed ready to hand, together with jar
OF water; the door and window, our
weakest points, were secured rs strongly
as possible; and then sheltering our bodies
behind the parapct, we peercd cautiously
over, and strained our eyes to get the first
glimpse OF an enemy.
"Alfred, my boy" said Dick, "kcep
cool and do as tell you. Remember to aim
steadily, and don't show yourself more
than you can help. Their great point
will be to force the door; but we can soon
stop that if you are steady with your
Shots
Just then something dark appeared on
the ground near the corral. can Indian
sure enough, and the balls going to COM
mence." AS he said this Dicks rifle rang
out in the silence of the night and saw
splinter fly white in the moonlight, about
a foot above the dark object, which there
upon started up with cry, and fled.
Then We heard the galloping of horses;
and about a hundred Indians rode i'll view.
"Don't shoot. This is all feint."
His warning came just in time; for a
dusky crowd of men sprang out Of the
ditch and rushed, lance in hand, against
the door /. was we'll that its fastcnings
were secure. Bang bang! went out our
rifles. They halted, wavered one mo-
ment, and then disappeared as if by magic
our rapid firing having completely dis
comfircd them.
The moon retired, but the night was
clear enough to enable US to see man at
ten PAGES. Suddenly a spark appeared
They had fired our y-stack-brighter
and brighter it became.
Grouped around the flame, and out Of
range, wore our foes-tleir swarthy skins
and snaky hair glistened in the firc-light,
and they brandishcd laHccs and screamed
with delight at the destruction they had
caused.
l looked at my companions face. 1t
was very pale.
''Look." lie said ftIIere comes an en-
bassa1or. "Good heavens! Look!'
turned with establishment 4 nearly