The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-08-19
CHAPTER VI.
THE BATTLE OF THE BEES.

ed. The tlrst impulse of Angus, after
awakening, was to rush down stairs, but
before he carried it out wise second
thoughts occurred to him. He listened
long enough to learn the character of the
visitors, then slipped on his coat, put a
pistol and long hunting knife in his
belt, and, with his loaded shotgun, stole
to the roos of the back porch, whence de-
scent to the ground was easy.
The night was very dark, but familiarity
with the place enabled him to steal neise-
lessly around in his stocking feet. He
was soon at one of the windows, saw the
group within, and listened few moments
longer to what the ruffians said.
Meanwhile he tried to think of some
plan of action. To shoot one would only
bring upon the family the worst forms of
vengeance from the other two. In some
way he must seek to deal with each one
sepel ately, and, for few moments was at
loss what to do. Then the light from the
dow gave him glimpse of the horses tied
to the low branches of neighboring tree,
and he adopted the only expedient of
which he could think. Securing a very
heavy club he went to the tree and leaned
his gun against 1t. Then he pricked a
one of the men would come out to investi-
gate. The evenings we have seen, justi-
fed his expectation, and, standing little
back in the darkness, he waited with his
club.
The man called Bill came out, cropping,
stumbling and swearing towards the hor-
ses, Angus, whose eyes were accustomed
to the darkness, watched for a favorable
moment, then delivered the blow with all
all his force. There was heavy thud, the
man fell like log and lay motionless.
The boy however, had no idea of trust
ing to the chances of his reviving, and,
with straps from bride, bound him hand
and foot.
The plan had worked so we'll that Angus
determined to try it again, and soon an
other horse was plunging and neighing
from pain. Both the ruffians now sprung
from the table with loud oaths, but the
Tory said, "You go, Lem, and help Bill.
and I'll watch so this gal can't steal of and
bring lot o. Wings down on u.s."
"What in thunder's the trouble, Bill?''
shouted Lem, from the door.
"Horse throwed himself and kicking the
Others" replied Angus, trping to initiate
the gruff voices of the enemies. Come
and help"
"Satan must be to play to change yer
voice so mainly"
"It's full O. Bacon" mumbled Angus,
grasping his club.
The man approached YEARLY, as if sus-
picio1s, and Angus saw the CLEAN of a
knife in his right hand as he CROPPED his
way with the left. "Hang it all, I'm goin'
| - n I;-bt ba y,0ttara6
AS he turney, Angus stepped lightly for
ward and struck him. The man heard his
step and the downward rush of the bull
geon, but barely had time to put up his
arm instinctively to ward off the blow
Although his arm was broken and his
head struck with such force as to fell him
to the earth, he had time to utter a loud
groah before the boy could strike him
again. The Tory heard the groan, rushed
to the door and shouted, "Bill, Lem, what's
up?"
| He only heard the sound of some one
moving swiftly. 1t was Angus getting his
gun. The boy was naturally wary, and,
under the teaching of hard experience and
the training of George, had learned to
take every precaution, Fearing that the
printing might have been dampened by tie
storm and that his gun would miss fire, he
continued his fleet steps around to the
back Of the house and slipped the collar
from large, savage dog saying, Back,
Wolf. back. Follow close"
The Tory had called to his confederates
again and again, enraged and perplexed
at receiving no reply, he jumped to the
conclusion that the horses had been turn
ed loose, that his confederates were follow
ing them, and that Lem had groaned from
striking something in the dark. Men in
their situation know that lasting their hor-
ses may easily cost them their lives. In
his fear and anger he turned upon Mrs,
McIntire, and with an oath exclaimed,
"Therec some cursed treachery goin
on"
II don't know what you mean," she fall
tered.
"Yer will in minute" and wipping out
long knife, he siezed her by the throat
and demanded, "Who was out there, run
min off the hOssesY"
Seeing the ruffians grasp on her moth
er's throat and his threatening knife, Ella
hesitated no longer. Snatching her pistol
she leveled it at his head and cried, "Back!
take your hand from my mather, or I'll
fire."
At this instant Angus appeared at the
door. Drop your weapons or you are
dead man," he shouted.
The Tory was appalled, far moment
but Injured to danger and bloodshed, he
did not lose his hardihood. Thinking his
companions to be not far off, his one Oh
ject was to gain time. He now believed
that the boy had merely turned the horses
loose. That Angus had disabled two
strong men without sound ar struggle
did not enter his mind. With a sullenly
"Ohol" he began, $50 you're the imp that's
been playin' the mischief with the bosses.
Come my young cocherel, don't yer git
yetself and folks inter trouble with that
shootin' iron. Yer'd better listen ter rea-
son and keep house over yer"
drop your weapons or I'll shoot" the
boy again shouted.
Indeed he would have fred at once had
not the cunning william stood in line with
Mrs. McIntire.
"Stand aside, mother, crried Angus.
Ella, now that her brother appeared, was
momentarily off her guard, and the wary
eye of the Tory observed the fact. With
singularly quick movement he struck
her arm blow which sent the pistOlhying
from her hand, then threw his arms around
her and held her in front of Linn before