Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1850-05-03

I
been dragged away, and thrown into the
water.
! Added to this, the hunting knife which
Richard Watts was known to possess, was
| found near the spot, crusted over with
| blood.
This said Stephen Moxon, turning to
the friends who accompanied him-and as
he spoke his eye flashed revengefully. his
features were pale, and his firm lips COM
pressed This, gentlemen, smells of muir
der My son has been killed =
! And Richard Watts added his friends
with one accord, is the murderer Re-
venge =
At the time Of which we write, and in
that portion of the country in which the
scene of our story is laid, but little law
existed, except the law of force and indi-
vlduals were but too apt to take upon
themselves the revenge of their own pri-
vate wrongs.
The Moxons had powerful friends
! throughout the settlement, many of whom
! were ready to consider the quarrels of that
family as their own, and to act according
/ ly. In consequence of this, as soon as it
was known that George Moxon had been
killed, and that Richard Watts was his
murderer, there was a consultation among
| the friends Of the deceased, to decide upon
the course which should be pursued.
An old hunter named Ford, a shrewd,
rough, impetuous character, put himself
at the head of Georges friends, deter
mined, as he said, TO see that the right
thing was done, and vengeance was taken
when due.
1t was rightly deemed that it would be
a difficult task to capture Richard in his
own house and Ford having given his
accomplices all necessary instructions,
proceeded to Richards residence alone.
The young man met him at the door,
and greeted Ford as he had always done.
! The latter rough as he was, could play
the hypocrite, and did so, not desiring that
Richard should suspect the object of his
visit.
Have you heard the news. Dick p
asked Ford.
What news p
That's it; what news! Ii is hard TO
say it, but must confess believe it.
What " interrupted Richard.
That George Moxon has been muir
dered, said Ford, looking his companion
full in the face.
Richard turned deathly pale, but soon
recovered himself and answered calmly
How-and when had not heard of
it,
Ford described the spot, and added that
the murderer had evidently tied some
heavy object to the body and thrown ii In
to the mill-Pond.
Richards perturbation was visible
! am sorry to say replied Ford, that
some have thought you
II echoed Richard, with start.
The fact is, pursued the hunter, cir
cumstances are against you, and it will be
necessary for You to explain where you
were last night, what has become of your
/ hunting knife, and how these spots of
blood came on your dress, considering
you brought home no game
This is a dark piece of business said
Richard turning pale. am innocent,
but there may be some difficulty in ex-
planning these things to the satisfaction of
all. | believe you are my friend-what
would you advise me to do p
would say go at once with me to
Moxon's house, and give what explanation
you can on the subject. If you are inno-
cent, which should be sorry to doubt, il
will be easy to prove yourself so.'
Decided by this appearance OF friend
ship in his visiter, Richard resolved to
follow his advice, and set out to accompany
him to Moxon's house.
On arriving there, he was surprised TO
find some half dozen stout, resolute men
assembled, apparently awaiting his arrival,
while neither Mary nor Mrs. Moxon were
in the room.
Here, said Ford, is the place to give
explanations, and recollect that your life
depends upon your words. We believe
you killed George MoXon, and we are his
avengers
Villain = muttered Richard, turning
fiercely upon his betrayer, and seizing
him by the throat; take that for your
treachery !!
In an instant the young man was borne
down by the friends of George, and bound
like culprit Finding resistance vain, he
submitted patiently to his fate.
Now said Ford, . if you have any
thing to say, we will hear it-but be brief
i have nothing to say before mob like
this replied Richard Indignantly take
me before some acknowledged authority,
and | will tell you all about the matter.
Let me warn you, however, to beware how
you treat me, for am an innocent man.
You murdered George Moxon Z said
Ford we his friends, are his avengers.
We will give you until tomorrow morn
ing to prove your innocence when, if you
fail to do so, you must suffer the penalty
Richard eyed his accusers sternly and
in silence, but opened not his mouth as
they led him away to close, narrow