The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-18


1 have but just come over it
Meantime / had caught Curtis's eve and
by almost imperceptible movement saw
the same thought in his mind that was
working in mine. These two men coming
from the east had a suspicious manner.
Neither of us could have said just why at
that moment. but by this glance we both
/ agreed to watch them. The meal went on
and in a few moments the two strangers
lit their pipes and went over to the fire.
Curtis was still eating.
What are we to do?" L asked under my
| breath.
Wait" said Curtis in the same voice,
and then he added aloud: ''Master-er-''
Holt. sir at your bidding, sir" said the
landlord. trying to bend his fat belly in a
bow and rubbing mis- hands together
Master Holt. can you give me a room to-
night?'
wei. yes, gentlemen" said the tavern
keeper effusively. Certainly, certainly 1
suppose, now these two gentlemen"
pointing to the two men from the east,
will have room by themselves-a large
room tbs, at that. sir and 1 can give you
three gentlemen accommodation easily. OF
course, in these times sirs. perhaps two
will never mind being together. We keep a
fine tavern, sirs, none such another the
I, whole country round and my madam,
she"
The landlord stopped abruptly and turned
around. for the door at the back of the
room opened and a little shaver ran up to
him and was now tugging at his coat The
host stopped and listened to what the boy
! had 10 say. Then out rang a howl from
| him, and he turned a clay color:
MY God! oh! oh! sirs, we shall all be
killed." and he wrung his hands
What is t, Holt. man? What's to do?"
cried the two soldiers
'Oh, Lord! Oh! they're here again!
| they've been here before 1 know EN-. They
know 1 have little set by for my old age!
I'm ruined! I'm ruined!' and the tears
rolled down his cheeks.
AT this moment the woman shrieked from
behind the counter. and we knew that the
wife had the news we'll. Every one had
| arisen and was standing, when such an in
terruption at this moment so bewildered
and maddened me that cried out:
well man, what in the DEVILS name ails
! thee? Speak upr
THE SINNERS! the Skinners They're
coming to rob me-" screamed the terrified
tavern-keeper.
In that case" said the calm voice of
Curtis, -. 'twould not be amiss to drop that
bar across the front door and pull the
| shutters to-"
| Evidently the landlord had a little sense
| left for in a bound he was at the door and
had the huge iron bar in it's place between
| two iron staples. At the same moment one
of the two soldiers stepped to the front
window to close the wooden shutters. His
| head had scarcely passed through the
frame when a loud report came to us from
| outside, and the poor fellow rolled back
and fell upon the floor, shot clean through
| the head
Twas quite enough to break the spell that
hung over us. Every one was talking and
running TO blockade windows with tables
and chairs for most men of those days had
had some training in such scenes before
now. Curtis, Acton and L naturally drew
together. and we thrust table against
window, another shot came through it,
| and a pounding began on the door,
"'Tis bad, badr' l muttered
ION the contrary" said Curtis, nothing
could be more fortunate"
81 do not see it in that light" answered
l, testify. I'VE shall be separated without
having talked"
ION the contrary, again. my friend we
can now talk without fear of Interruptions
while before we should have been hard
put to it to find way"
Another shot came through the table and
clipped a bit off the shoulder of Actions
coat.
But we shall be killed. and then our
expedition will fail" cried l.
NAY nay" said Acton, Rob has the
right of it. We need have no fear of inter-
ruption now. We can
Master Holt, turn out the light" cried
1 sharply, then they cannot see." Out
went the light instantly. Outside every
noise ceased as if by magic
"Well, how shall we talk?' muttered l.
for it seemed the last straw-this untimely
attack.
Hold thy tongue. man. and I'll show
thee said Curtis. Holt" he continued
land you, sirs, come over this way. So
now landlord. you are attacked. 1 see''
Attacked? Ny God. I'm ruined. I'm a
dead man"
THAT you will be, if you do not act"
But what can 1 do?"
Have you guns?'
AYE, three"
Very we'll; do you. your wife and this re-
naming soldier with the boy go upstairs
with two Of the guns and fire down on
these men from above
1--WE can fire through the old loopholes,"
said his wife.
Good. so much the better. These two
men and myself will take the ground floor
front and kill any one who tries to enter
The two gentlemen who have just eaten
with us Will guard the rear of the house"
But /"
A crash now sounded in the hall
THE door! the doorr cried the landlord
and his wife in one voice
''You see, there is no time TO lose" said
the cold, clear voice of Curtis Indeed. the
GOODNESS of the man and the reason in all
he said made us instinctively put ourselves
under his command. and in few moments
the two strangers We're in the kitchen.
watching the rear door. the tavern-keeper
and his wife with the boy and the soldier
were upstairs; and we three were barrf-
cading the weakened door by a device of
Curtis's which consisted of huge table
wedged between the door ana a projection
of the chimney that went up on one side
OF the narrow hall.
Now my friends said Curtis coolly. in
his natural voice. when the door was
strengthened, ''let US sit here between the