Year: 1859


l gave two more shots when they retreat
ed precipitately down stairs, reloaded my
pistol and returned to my companion, who
was trying to staunch the blood which was
flowing from wound that she had received
in her neck.


81 fear sir, my life is short, and sin
cerely thank you for your kind protection
she feebly murmured, and sunk exhausted
upon the bed.


was about to offer some assistance
when l again heard steps upon the stairs
and earnest talking as of some persons re-
monstrating. Thinking the attack at the
door would be renewed, l drew the bed
stead over against it, and threw the light
bedding over the headboard, and thus
| formed a kind of breastwork.


"Say, Mister, don't shoot, want to speak
a few words with you," said voice at the
head of the stairs.


all shoot the first man who comes near
that door," replied savagely.


20, no. don't! I'm your friend!" he re-
piled in tone that carried treachery with
it. Come to the door will youa


"Yes, but don't you come"


Il won't are you thar?"


"Yes."


"Close?"


"Yes."


1 felt slight moving of the bed over
the trap, during which time the man out
side kept up an incessant jabber.


One end of the bed was raised softly
and taking hold of it with my left hand |
gently eased it up, until l could discover
head above the opening.


"Areyou at the doors"


ayes"


And simultaneous with my answer went
leaden messenger through the head of
the trap, and bang came bullet through
the door.


The sound of a heavy fall announced that
my shot had taken effect.


| searched for the revolver that the girl
had used, and fortunately found it, and
was happy to discover that but one load
had been shot out of it, which replaced,
and being thus reinforced, felt more con-
fident of victory.


But to overcome this gang seemed al
most hopeless, as their numbers might be
very large, and we far from assistance. But
might not some providential circumstance
transpire to deliver me from the hands of
those desperadees. l was determined to
do my best, and leave the result in the
hands of Him who directs the affairs men.
A noise al the window, drew my attention,
and caught the glimpse of mans head
slowly rising the sill. Taking deliberate
aim; l gave him the contents of one bar
rel, and he descended quicker than he ever
came up.


What would be the next feature of the
programme, 1 could not imagine, but like
wild beast at bay, watched every move,
and had my eyes open to every sound
Butt felt that something must be done, for
day would soon make its appearance, and
they would have the advantage of me.


Again they were ascending the stairs. l
determined now to put an end to the con-
test, and if possible overcome them and
make them come to terms, or die in the
attempt.


drew the bedstead around, so as to
protect the girl from fire and then station
ed myself near the door, but beyond their
reach. .utf


Crash, went an ak against the door and
the splinters flew in every direction. 1t
was the work Of moment to break the
door in, and when it fell from its fastenings,
1 sailed forth with revolver in each
hand. One man dropped before me, an
other reeled and fled precipitately down
stairs. A few shots were returned, one of
which took effect in my shoulder, and as l
felt the blood trickle down my side, it only
increased my desperation. l rushed after
them firing whenever l thought shot
would be effectua. When l reached the
bar-room, I could see but one man, and
as he fled through the door have him my
last shot. He fell and begged me 10 spare
him, as be was the only rem lining one of
the party. Thinking he was so crippled
he could not escape, l returned to the
house, and taking light, searched it thor
oughly, and could not find another man
about it. l then assembled the stairs, and
found the girl had somewhat recovered.
We then set about dressing our woun ds,
were so absorbed in this matter that | did
notice a glaring light which was breaking
through the door.


The house is on fire exclaimed the girl
springing TO her feet. Taking her by the
hand we rushed to the stairway, but it
was one continued sheet of flame. We
then returned to the window, and finding
the ladder still there by which the man
had descended, thus affecting our escape
from another imminent danger.


The man had set the house on fire and
either perished in the fame, or dragged
himself to some place of concealment.


Finding two horses in the stable by, We
took possession of them, and returned to
a town near the Mississippi river. The low
ing girl and myself who met so strangely,
never parted, but remained the one and
the same until death. Nor have we ever |
forgot the Robbers nest, cr Hams last vic
tim. i e


How THEY FIGHT IN THE SoUrH.-An
Augusta, Ga, paper gives an account of an
affray which occurred at the breakfast table
at the Augusta Hotel, on the morning of
the 26th. What the fight was about is
not stated, beyond an intimation of little
scandal, but Mr. Parish and Mr.. Biggs fred
pistols at each other, and the shots caused
great CONSERVATION in the dining ROOM
Some rushed out-sorlie went under the |