Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1892-04-02

of the building, and then a stream of
lurid flame was seen to issue from the
stables. They had been fired by the
cattIeInen.
This unexpected move created pro-
found sensation among the men gar
risoned within the house. Then before
they had recovered from their surprise
the sound of rapidly advancing feet was
heard on the east side of the building;
then mass of dark forms rushed up tc
the house and with IA heavy piece of tim
Der beat in the front door, which fell in.
side with lond crash.
instantly dozen guns cracked from
the inside of the house. and four of the
intruders went down. A heavy vOlley
from the Cattlemen came i'll quick re-
sponse. and shower Of bullets came
..ashug into the building Then they
made rush for the door, Rat were
promptly repelled by the settlers, who
poured a telling fire into their ranks,
causing them to tail back III wild dis
order.
1t was evident that the attacking party
had greatly underestimated the strength
of the garrison, and they had paid dearly
for the mistake. for it was evident that
some of them had been killed and nearly
"a dozen wounded. In falling back they
| had takeh their dead and wounded along,
End no re-attacl; WAS expected for the
present at least. Twoof the settlers had
been slightly wounded, but none seri-
Ously. and those in the building were
masters Of the situation, for the time be-
iag at least.
But another danger now presented IL
self The flames that were now leaping
about the burning stables threatened to
reach the house. causing great alarm to
| those within
| Two men were set apart to watch the
| fire and give instant warning should it
I be communicated to the house The
| flames lit up the surrounding prairie.
but no sign Of the attacking party was
visible in the circle of light. They had
| doubtless withdrawn to a safe distance,
where they would wait till the flames
| should subSide before venturing to make
another attack,
The discovery that there was a good
number of armed men in the inn had
evidently upset their plans. but there
WAS little hope that they would relin-
Quish their evil design.
a half hour passed. and the flames at
, the stables had IN manner burned
down. and the timberS soon fell in. leav
ing mass of smoking embers. But the
danger of the fire being carried to the
house was now passed. and those inside
felt sense of thaukfulness that that
part of the danger was no longer threat
ening them.
As the fire died ont and darkness gath
cred over the prairie another attack was
momentarily expected from the cattle
men. Their defeat in their first attempt
to fire the house would doubtless make
them more cautious in their next move
ments The warm reception they had
received at the hands of the settlers
would not tend to pacify matters. and
that they would seek to wreak a terrible
vengeance ON the little garrison none
doubted in the least.
But in spite of the expected attack the
night passed without any further demon
stratiou Of hostilities. AS the gray dawn
stole over the prairie il was discovered
that the enemy had withdrawn nearly
an eighth of mile, but had divided
their force into four divisions, com
pletely surrounding the house. What
they proposed to accomplish by such
proceeding was a mystery, yet all felt
certain that they were up to some new
mischief, which might be put into exc
cution at any moment.
One thing was plain; the cattlemen
We're determined that no one should es-
cape from the building, and had taken
this means to prevent it: but just how
they We're going to conduct their next
move was shrouded in uncertainty.
All the horses ridden by the settlers
had been turned loose on the prairie, as
had the stock belonging to the Riggsbys,
which had been confined in the stable,
for i'll spite of their vicious and lawless
character the cattlemen scorned the idea
of taking anything in the shape of live
stock that did not belong to them. They
might kill man if he offended them,
but take his stock-never. This was an
unwritten law. to which they adhered
with scrupulous exactness.
The day wore on and the cattlemen
still remained in close watch upon the
house Then it was that the settlers
began to understand the strange ma
neuvers of the foe. The cattlemen. find
ing that they could not capture the gar
rison without great loss, had resorted to
strategy. 1t was plain now that they
We're preparing for siege that might be
carried on for days-even weeks should
the case require it-until the besieged
should be starved into submission.