The Press., 1891-03-19

road and all approaches. The night was moonlight The thud of hoofs came very near and then ceased. watched the road from loophole in one of the shutters. Soon white flag appeared from behind the bluff. It was followed by the man who carried it. He halted at the gate for mo ment and hailed the house. The dogs sprang savagely at him, but seemingly recognized an acquaintance, for when he spoke to them the creatures licked his hand. z.
 ".It's Ezra Thornton said King in low tone.
 ""Tomi hello, Tomp shouted the flag bearer.
 ".Answer him, Mary said King. Mrs. King opened the door.
 "sTom's not at home. MT. Thornton, she said Its so late that I can't ask you in.' "sThe sheriff is here, Mrs. King; he knows that Tom is at home. Icame along so as to prevent trouble, if I could. Now, it ain't any good Toms fighting. The sheriff's ridden from Pine lake on his trail, and he means to take him if he has to burn down the house! Don't let him make trou- ble, Mrs. King
 half smile was on his face. His wife sighed.
 's'It's no use, MT. Thornton; you must tell the sheriff that Toms not at home and that can't open the house at this time of night,' she said. Thornton shook his head sadly and retraced hs steps.
 Five minutes elapsed. They seemed an age to me, but King lighted cigar and smoked it as placidly as if he were back in New York, waiting to take his wife to the theatre. Then dozen men appeared from behind the bluff and started for the gate King swung his Winchester to his shoul- der, flung open the door and hailed them, Go back or throw up your handsp
 ''The barrels ef Q dozen rifles gleamed in the moonlight as they were focused on the door, but King had shut it almost as he spoke.
 ssThe sheriff and his men slowly retreat ed. Neither side seemed desirous of begin ming an attempt at bloodshed. As they reached the shadow of the bluff the posse halted, and the sheriff stepped forward and formally called upon King to surrender. King took no notice of the command. Then the sheriff said something to his fol- lowers, land they started on run for the gate. King raised his rifle again, took steady aim through the hole in the shutter of his window and fired.
 ''The sheriff dropped. The others came on. King fired again. Another man fell, clutching at the ground and swearing horribly as he rolled over in agony. Then his companions halted.
 "Dropp called King, and crouched be- low the level of the window. King and his wife were both on their knees out of danger. As I stopped there was sharp volley. Bullets struck the walls, which were impenetrabIe, and two holes in the shutter of Kings window showed that the | marksmen had selected the right target. | King had risen to his feet and fired three times, wounding two more men. Another | +INo of rNf pulling the trigger. Three balls pene- | trated the shutter and one wounded him | in the shoulder.
 Mrs. King turned pale, but she said | nothing and brought some warm water from the kitchen, with which she stood ready to bathe his wound. He had no time to stop for that. The sheriff's men were almost within such an angle of the door as would render it impossible to aim at them from the loopholes. Kings rifle cracked again: it was answered by another volley from outside, and he reeled back, wounded in the neck and thigh. He tainted from the pain, and I, too, tainted from the nerv- ous strain, I suppose; I was only young ster then, you know.
 ssWhen I regained consciousness the sheriff was inside the house. He had been only slightly wounded. After King fell his wife talked with the attacking party, and admitted them on the sheriff's promise that her husbana's life should be protect ed. It would have been madness to bar them out, as they told her plainly that they would break in at any cost, even il they risked her life.
 taIWo of the men wounded by King were very badly hurt. A doctor had come uI from Cow Gap with the sheriff, apticipat ing bloodshed. for King had often quietly but forcibly declared his intention. of re sisting to tie death any attempt that might be made to arrest him. The doctor hae remained with Kings friend. Thornton behind the bluffs while the fight was 1T progress. He attended to all the wounded King was painfully but not mortally hurt One of the others, however, was in very dangerous condition. The whole party camped for the night at the ranch. wa. placed under arrest on suspicion of being : an accomplice of the horse thief who hat been my fathers friend.
 i '"The next day we went down to Gov Gap, where was released on proving thu ] truth of my story, but was enjoined iron , leaving town, as they wanted me for wit ness at Kings trial, which would talk place as soon as his condition permitted A week later he was brought down ant locked up in the wooden shanty that the. called jail. He broke out one night ant made good his escape, much to the disgus of his jailers, who supposed that weakness would effectualIy debar him from any at tempt of that kind. A hunt was institute' by the sheriff, who had quite got over hi E wound, but King had covered his track 2 skillfully as when he fled from New York and the search was completely fruitless
 His wife vanished at the same time, and al attempt was made to track her, but sh did not go to her parents home, and tn
 authorities never solved the mystery of he
 disappearance "-Detroit News.