The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1857-07-16

property, and before they had an idea of
+ the trap laid,' had the, property, which
Ethey were ah9ut to aasign,before they broke
under attac9aent. Finding I was neck
ahead and bound, to, win, they "caved i'm
and "forkcd over" three thousand seven
hundred and ninety -four dollars and. eigh-
teen cents per memorandum -book) in good
money. They lived in Shawneetown,- about
35.or40 miles southeast of Moores prairie.
4 received the funds just after bank open
ing, but other business detained me till af-
ter dinner. then started for c., inten-
ding to go as far as the village of Mount
Vernon that night.
l had gone along ten or twelve miles,
when I noticed splendid team of double
horses attached to light wagon, in which
were seated four men, evidently of the high.
strung order. They swept past as if to
show how easily they could do it. They
shortened in, and allowed me to come up
with them, and hailing me, asked me to
"wet" or in other words, diminish the con-
tents of a jug of old rye they had aboard !;
but 1 excused myself with the plea that 1
had plenty on board. They asked me how
far was going. I told them as far as
Mount Vernon, if my horse didn't tire out.
They mentioned pleasant tavern ten or
twelve miles ahead as nice stopping place,
and then drove on.
did not like the looks of those fellows,
nor their actions. But was bound to 90
ahead. had brace of revolvers and q
nice knife; my money was not in my va
lise or my sulky, but in belt round
my body. l drove slow, in hopes that
they would go on, and I should see
them no more. 1t was nearly dark when
[ saw tavern sign ahead. At the same
time [ saw their wagon stood before the
door. would have pressed on, but my
horse needed rest I hauled up and a wo-
man came to the door. She turned as
pale as sheet when she SAW mc-she did
not speak, but with ameaning look she put
her finger on her lips and beckoned me in
she was the wife of my late client.
When entered, the party recognised me,
and hailed me as an old travelling friend,
and asked me to drink. respectfully, but
firmly declined to do so.
"By CD, you shall drink or fight !" said
the noislest of the party.
"Just as you please; drink shall not !"
said I, purposely showing the butt of Colt
which kicks six times in rapid succession.
The party interposed, and very easily
quelled the assailant One offered me se-
gar, which I reluctantly refused, but a
glance from the woman induced me to ac-
cept. She advanced and proffered me
light, and in doing so slipped a note into
my hand, which she must have written a
moment before. Never shall forget the
words. They were:
"Beware, they are:,nembers of the gang.
They, mean to rob and murder you p Leave
soon Twill detain them !"
did not feel comfortable just then, but
tried to do 50. s.-c.
! Law -you e'iy -IooM 10 put up my
horse 2" l:asked, turning to tho woman.
"What-areI you notgoing on to-night?"
! asked one of the men; we are"
"No," said ~ shall stay here tonight"
"We'll all stay then, guess, and make
9 night of it" said another. of the cut
i'tllroats.
| You'll have to put up your own horse
|--here's a lantern" >" said the woman..s.
"I am used to-tbat," said. asGentle-
men, excuse me minute; I'll join you in
a. drink when come in"
4 "Good on your. head! More whiskey,
old gal," shouted they. !.
r. I went out, glanced at their wagon it
was oldfashioned, and Inch pins" secured
the wheels. To take out my kite and pry
:. one from the fore and hind wheels was but
the work Of An instant, and 1 threw them
as far off in The darkness as could. TO
unite my horse and dash off was the work
of a moment. sThe road lay doHn steep
hill, but my> lanternlighted me somewhat
]. I had hardly got Under full headway,
Ewhen I heard yell from the party had
ESQ upceremoniously left. put whip to
my horse. The next momeHt with shout
: they, started. threw my light away, and
I left ny horse to pick his way. A mo.
ment later / heard a crash-a horrible
shrek. The wheels were off. Then came
the rush Of the horses tearing with the
, ,, wreck Of the wagon. Fipalbthey seemed
to fetch up in the wood. One-or two
:. shrieks I heard as l swept on, leaving them
far behind. For some time I hurried nv
hose-youd better believe "rid!" I,
. was little after midnigbsaShen got te
Mount Vernon. -
The next dayfI heard that Moore.
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