Book Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1903 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XI THE LAWRENCE RAID We felt a wonderful relief on getting home, and having forty miles instead of ten between us and the marauders. We had one quiet day at home and thoroughly enjoyed it. Rev. Louis Bod well, who had been supplying my church during my absence, was with us. We sat up late Thursday night talking over the things that had happened during our absence. I arose quite early Friday morning. It was a beautiful morning; there was not a speck of a cloud in the sky, and the air was so still that it seemed as if the very elements were holding their breath. A few moments afterward I heard a strange noise in the south part of the town. It suggested to me the breaking up of school in the olden time, when at the word, "dismissed," every boy jumped and yelled. I went to the door and saw my neighbors everywhere peeping around their houses. Some one said, " There's a regiment of them" I could hear rapid firing at a little distance. Then there came in sight the head of a column of horsemen, rushing forward at a furious speed, the reins over the horses' necks, and the men sitting freely in their saddles with revolvers in hand, and firing continuously. On the still air came the command, " On to the hotel." At this they wheeled obliquely to the left toward the main street. They passed about three hundred yards from my door in plain sight and wheeled to the left just in front of my house. They rode five or six abreast, and were splendid horsemen. They were desperate-looking men, clad in the traditional butternut, and belted about with revolvers, some carrying as many as six. Most of them also carried carbines. Rapidly as they rushed forward the column seemed a long time in passing. At last the rear came in view, and the whole body soon...