The National tribune., 1886-05-13

InaIs What They're geltlng ready 10 90
now If I'm not mistaken" answered Barnard.
They're preparing to charge us. I'm pretty
sure that what Gannaway's doing now is tell
ing them to load up and be ready for rush
forward when he gives the word. They'll run
up on TO us, fire in our faces, and then well have
il, tooth and toe-nail, for the barricade. Let's
get ready for them, for never will we have more
need of every preparation than we will inside
of the next five minutes"
Take careful aim with your carbines, boys"
Grimsted and Barnard said 10 their men; :" but
don't fire a shot until they reach the edge of
that plowed ground. Then give it to them as
fast as you can shoot until they reach the barri-
cade, when you must drop your earbines and
pick up your reyolvers. Only make sure to
have your shots hit, and we'll whip them out
for good"
The sky became gloomier and more depress-
ing than ever. The clouds seemed TO drag
down 70 the very tops of the trees, and the day
light diminished to a somber and portentous
twilight A few struggling rain-drops FELL and
in the awful silence that followed the compile
ton of the preparations ratified loudly on the
dry com-blades in the barricade.
Then with a yell that threatened TO freeze
My very blood, the rebels sprang from their
shelters and rushed for the barricade. It seemed
as if they must overthrow it and all who were
in II by the sheer dash of the onset.
For an instant there was no reply from the
rose above the yells of their enemies, who fell
at every step. In spite OF all this the wave Of
maddened men reached the barricade, and then
came still deadlier work. Heavily charged
shotguns fired almost against mems heads, tore
their skulls 10 fragments, revolvers cracked
incessantly, and dubbed guns and carbines,
welded by the strong arms of half-crazed men,
dealt death around.
Gannaway was everywhere along his line,
urging on the assault. Hewould keup bodily
those who shrank, and force them against the
barricade. His revolver had long been empty.
Repeatedly he rushed up against the barricade
and struck savagely at Grimsted or Barnard
with a shotgun that he carried and these would
respond with equal vigor with carbine-barrels,
until they were separated by the surge of the
other combatants.
Gannaway's desperation and the ferceness of
those he led could not oyermaster the stubborn
courage OF the defenders, aud soon that leader
had the modification of realizing that the at
tack was a failure He gave the order TO fall
back, which was accomplished without loss. as
every Union revolver and carbine was empty,
and he sullenly followed his men. In a few
minutes he rode forward again, waving a white
handkerchief.
"What do you wantp" called out Grimsted.
81 want 10 make proposition"
"All right; let's hear it,"
There's one man in there that can settle
this thing with me without any more loss Of
life, except his or mine. Let him come out
here and fight me singlehanded, and I'll agree
TO abide by the result If / kill him, I'll
let the rest of You mount yo hoses and march
| of unmOlested. If he kills me, I'll expect yo'
10 do the same TO my men,"
I'll agree TO that" called out Barnard In
stanty. Pm the man you want, and I'm the
man that wants YOU"
"Shut mp, Charley" shouted Grimsted an
i .w~Slw IIruw- n -
seniori Besides, that feller's mig meat. I've
got a first mortgage on him. Mr.. GannaWay,
I'm your huckleberry. Name your weapons
and take your distance, and I'll be with you
in three shakes Of a lambs tail"
you're not the man / want at all" an
swered Gannaway scornfully. "Tll take care
of you after I've settled him (pointing TO Bar
nard)-that IS surprising 20 want anything
then. Capt. Barnard, do / understand that
you consent2"
"Assurodly do" said Barnard. "How
do you want 10 fight?"
ANY faih way. Easiest and soonest arranged
the betteh. Load yo' revolver, mount yo'
hose, and place yo'self at that end o. this field.
I'll take my position at this end, and we'll ride
toward each otheh, firing as we come I'll
/ trust 20 carrot-tOpped friend theh pointing
10 Grimstedl to give the word TO start, and to
carry out 20 side o. the agreement at the end
| OF the fight"
This meant that each of the combatants
should place himself at the one end of the field
which separated the rebels from the Unionists,
and ride toward each other, between the lines,
so that the whole fight would be in full view OF
both sides.
They took their positions, and the whole
array of combatants arose from behind their
cOverts TO watch the duel.
Are you readyp" called out Grimsted in a
loud voice. Both nodded affirmatiyely. "Then
CO."
Worn out with fatigue, Gannaway's horse
was quieter than Barnard's, which had been
rendered FESTIVE by the excitement. This
/ promised to endanger the steadineSs of the Ohio
Captains aim.
The two men began riding toward each other
| while the spectators scarcely moved a muscle
ia the complete stiffness of their watching
/ They had gone half the distance before either
made a motion with his pistol Then both
raised their pistols with a simultaneous i'm.
pulse, and fired.
The rebels saw the white handkerchief
around Barnard's head fly Off aud a streak OF
red appear where il had been.
He's hit him in the head" shouted they.
Gannaway reeled a little in his saddle and
caught its pommel with his bride hand.
A crimson rill trickled down the breast OF
his gray coat.
Hcsitating second, as IL to nerve himself up
be sunk the rowels Of his spurs into his horses
tanks and dashed forward. firing rapidly.
Barnard fired another shot with deliber.
ate aim, and then raising his revolver almost
TO perpendicular, waited until Gannaway was
hardly horses length from him.
Then he lowered his pistol and shot him
fairly through the forehead.
The Kentuckian rolled TO the ground; hi:
faithful horse stood for few minutes looking
wonderingly at his PROSTATE master a great
cheer went up from the Union soldiers, and tht
rebels, mounting their horses, rode of Inmo
Tested up the road, leaving their dead and
wounded behind.
ITO be continued