Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-01-07

!. "a ~ f
! The fight tods desperate.
on some luckless pate. Underfoot our
moccasins moved and trampled among
fallen hats and wigs, and sometimes
we stumbled over an insensible form,
victim of gunstock or club or buffet
from some swinging fist.
1t began to go hard with the kings
soldiers, but they stuck to the mob like
bulldogs, giving blow for blow so
stanchly and SO heartily that my blood
tingled with pleasure and pride, and 1
called out to Jack Mount: Look at
them, Jack! What very gluttons for
punishment! Nobody but British
could stand up to us like that!
But the end came suddenly now.
Horsemen were galloping up behind tho
jaded soldiers. Iisaw Shemuel dart out
of the swaying throng and take to his
heels, not even stopping to gather up
hats, handkerchiefs and wigs, of which
the sack on his back was full to the
top.
When Shemuel left stricken field it
was time for others to think Of fight.
This l perceived at once when the
Weasel came scurrying past and called
out to me. Mount followed, numbering
on at full speed The throng melted
and scattered in every. direction, and I
with them.
Mount, Renard, Shemuel and cross
ed the Boundary at respectable. speed
and were now headed for the dirty al
ley which conducted to the rear door
Of Shemuel's den, the Bear and Cubs.
We We're about to enter this lane when,
without warning, FIVE men rushed at us
in a. body, overturning us all save Jack
Mount. The next moment we were
locked in q struggle. There was not
cry, not an oath, not a sound but the
strained grasp and heavy breathing.
And now came the host Of the Bear.
and Cubs, lanthorn in one hand, meat
knife in the other, and after him tan
boy, hostler, frowzy maid and
finally Shemuel, white with fear. But
re-enforcements had arrived too late
too late to help us take the impudent
band, which had ded-too late to bring
to life that dark mass lying at the foot
Of the wall In the filth of the alley.
Greenhouse" whispered Mount, NOV
ing the body with his foot.
"Greathouse, eh?" grumbled the host
of the Bear and Cubs. ''Well, he can't
lie here behind my house" And he
caught him by the heels and dragged
him to black spot under rotten
shed. There was cistern there.
moved away, feeling strangely faint.
Mount shrugged his shoulders and
turned away indifferently. He had
done his part He had no slur for the
dead. The Weasel and 1 followed, and
together we trayersed the market
square unmolested and headed for the
Virginia Arms. discussing the utterly
unprovoked attack on us by Buffers
band.
There had been five of them. I had
recognized Wraxall and Tice; the Wea-
sci identified Murdy; shemuel had
thrust half his stock Of needles into
one fellows leg, and Mount had stern,
ly accounted for his assailant.
$50 Greathouse is dead" muttered
the Weasel.
zone thing is clear. They were after
you" observed Mount, turning on me.
1T is strange" said, that Butler
was not there. He must know what it
means for him unless he can strike me
from behind, because l shall never
miss him face to face"
returned to my chamber at the Viz !
ginia Arms, bidding servant to fetch
ink horn, wax, sand, Quill and three
sheets Of good, clean paper.
When I had lighted my candle and
the materials for writing had been
brought I sat down on the bed and /
drew the table up before me.
Ny first letter, was this:
Sir William Johnson, Bart:
Honoured and beloved Sir-My mission
l have discharged and 1t hath come to
naut. return to johnsonhall Tomorrow.
setting out with Felicity. |, will explane
all War is brocken out. We Senecas, Lee
nape. Wyandot, and showanese dugg up
ye hatchett Cresap is fled we fort and
camp burnt Logans family foully murderd ;
18th my duties and respects to Ant Mol ;
~ and my duties and respecttun afrec-
tons for you have the honour to sub
scribe myself your, dutyfull deputy ana .
MICHAEL CARDIGAN
Cornet. Border Horse.
My. second letter read thus:
My deer Kinswomen Mistress Warren:
Deer cozlen--I write to say that I |
write to acq., Int you that 1t Is my deter
lpdnation to set out for iohnsonhan to-