We then closed the door of the bar-room
leading to the outside. The bar-room was a strongly built log-shack,
with a heavy door secured, after the manner of the early cabins, with
two strong oak bars, so that we felt safe from attack from that quarter.
The ball-room we could not hold long, for the door was slight and
entrance was possible through the windows. But as only a few casks of
liquor were left there, our main work would be in the bar, so that the
fight would be to hold the passage-way. This we barricaded with casks
and tables. But by this time the crowd had begun to realise what had
happened, and were wildly yelling at door and windows. With an axe which
Graeme had brought with him the casks were soon stove in, and left to
empty themselves.
As I was about to empty the last cask, Graeme stopped me, saying, 'Let
that stand here. It will help us.' And so it did. 'Now skip for the
barricade,' yelled Graeme, as a man came crashing through the window.
Before he could regain his feet, however, Graeme had seized him and
flung him out upon the heads of the crowd outside.
Pages:
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171