156 WILD SPORTS OF THE WEST. 



abortive. * Who dare doubt an over-ruling Providence ?' 

 said the old gentleman, with enthusiasm : surely God 

 is with us ! ' 



" The storm which came to our relief appeared to 

 dispirit our assailants, and their parley recommenced. 

 * Morden,' said the captain of the banditti, * you have 



Lord 's rent in the house ; give us a thousand 



pounds, and we'll go off and leave you.' 



" ' All I promise I'll perform,' said the old gentleman, 

 coldly. * Bulger, for this night's work you have earned 

 a halter, and I'll attend and see you hanged.' — * Dash 

 in the door,' exclaimed the robber in a fury ; * we'll have 

 the old rogue's heart out I ' A volley of stones rattled 

 against the door, but produced no effect, and again the 

 robber parleyed. * Will you give us a hundred, 

 Morden ? ' ' Not a sixpence,' was the laconic answer. 

 Once more stones were thrown, shots discharged, and 

 threats of vengeance fulminated by the exasperated 

 villains. At last, the demand was reduced to * Twelve 

 guineas — a guinea for each man.' ' They'll be off 

 immediately,' said the old gentleman ; ' they know 

 assistance is at hand : would that we could amuse them 

 for a little longer ! ' But the ruffians were already 

 moving, and Miss Morden presently announced that 

 they were embarking, twelve in number, in a boat. 

 ' Now for a parting shot or two,' said Henry Morden. 

 We picked up a dozen cartridges, and saUied from the 

 house, as the banditti were pulling hard across the lake. 

 We opened a quick and well-directed fire, which they 

 feebly and without effect repUed to. While a musket 

 ball would reach them, we pUed them liberally with 

 shot ; and, as we learned afterwards, mortally wounded 

 one man, and slightly injured two others. As we 



