The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-11-17
CHAPTER XIV.

. / found the home Of Colonel Mansley
better prepared for defense than would
be suspected. Like most southsrnere,
he was fond Of hunting, and in his
house were two Hne ri6ss, . shotgun
and small revolver. The smaller rifle
and pistol were the property Of his
daughter, who was an expert In their
use as we'll as horsewoman Of oonsum-
mate skill. The revolver belonging to
the colonel had been taken by him when
he rode of in quest Of re.enforoements
80 that no cartridges were found Of
which could make use. But his rife
was placed at my disposal, while Miss
Mansley was similarly armed.
Our hope was that il the vigilantes
arrived before the master OF the house
we could stand them of until he came.
The real strength Of this peculiar de.
fense, as it seemed to me, lay in the
personality Of the young woman, who
was well known and universally respect.
ed. 1t was hard to believe that COM
pany Of her neighbors would proceed to
violence in which she was sure to be-
come involved, but when intimated
such belief she shook her head, and
since she knew them better than I her
views were entitled to belief.
Erastus Brown was our main reliance
among the servants. He expressed an
eagernsss to join In the defense, but
since he refrained from doing 20 until
after his mistress announcement that
be was to oonflne his services to watch
man or scout it cannot be believed he
was much disappointed. The other men,
Of whom there were several. were en-.
Joined to scan the country In every di.
rection and report promptly the discov-
cry Of anything suspicious.
Early in the afternoon, when every
thing appeared to be quiet, Mis- Mans.
ley and ate q hasty lunch. We re-
manned in the parlor, moving from
window to window, talking together in
low tones and continually on the alert.
Nothing could be oleater to me than our
powerlessness against a determined at
tack. If our assailants should confne
their assault to the front of the house,
where they would be in fair range, it
is probable that we could have held
them off indefinitely, but 1t was too
much to expect them to butt their heads
against wall in that fashion.
1t was about the middle Of the after.
noon that Erastus Brown, who was on
the lookout at one Of the upper win
dows, rushed down stairs in state Of
excitement, with startling news.
"Dey're comm I" he gapped. "Dey'u
be here in few minutesl''
Whom do you mean?" asked Miss
Mansley, betraying less excitement than
myself.
"De biggermists, dat am gwine to
tore de house down'
"How many?'
"Two hundred and twenty-five; I
counted 'eml''
Instead of replying to this astound.
ing declaration, the young woman ran
up stairs. She had hardly disappeared,
when she uttered a glad cry.
"Father is returningl" she called.
Almost instantly she reappeared at
the head of the stairs and fastened to
my side, her face aglow with delighted
excitement.
"Is he alone?'' I asked.
"He brings endorsements. Isn't it
grand?"
"How many3'
"Two-sufficient to repel l00."
Evidently the daughter held good
opinion Of her parents courage. Never
theless four determined men (for in
clude myself constituted formidable
force, to say nothing Of the brave young
woman.
A few minutes later the three horse.
men dashed up and leaped from their
saddles.
Erastus was on hand to take charge
Of their animals, and Esther opened the