DARING ASSAULT.-- On the evening of the 25th inst., while the Deputy Sheriff of Nevada county was passing along the Nevada road near the Deer Creek crossing, he was startled by hearing some one stealthily approaching from behind. On turning around, he was struck by a slung-shot just above the right ear, which completely stunned him. He was, however, enabled to reach the Eureka House by 9 o'clock the same evening. He started next day on horseback for Nevada, having partially recovered from the effects of the assault.
Crime appears to be on the increase in the vicinity of Nevada, according to our recent accounts from that place. We copy from the Nevada Journal an occurrence:
MORE HIGHWAY ROBBERY.--As Mr. F.A. Houghton of this city was on his way from Grass Valley to Buena Vista Ranch yesterday afternoon, when about half-way, he was accosted by a man on foot, who demanded his money. Upon his replying that he had none of consequence about him, the man requested to deliver up his horse, at the same time presenting a cocked pistol within a few inches of his person. Simultaneously upon the demand for the horse, Mr. H. drew taut his reins, and applied the spurs to his animal's flanks, which immediately made a plunge, and, as Mr. H. supposes, truck the highwayman with his heels, as the pistol was discharged at the same instant, the ball varying widely from the mark. A second discharge was immediately made, but at too great a distance to do execution. Mr. H. passed another individual a short distance ahead, who was probably an accomplice. Mr. H. was without weapons of any kind. This is the third attempt at robbery which has been made within a mile or two of that place within two weeks, at one of which the robbers succeeded in robbing their victim of some $250.
The above, with numerous other cases which have recently occurred in this vicinity, prove conclusively that there is an organized band of robbers lurking about, who have been driven from the cities below by the activity of the Vigilance Committees, and it is quite time that some measures should be taken to ferret them out and bring the rascals to justice.