Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-03-05
CHAPTER TX.

CAPT. Fritz as the reader remembers,
was dismissed from the service and with
such mark, Of disgrace. that he was asham-
ed to return home and rendered desper
ate, and resolved to have revenge, by any
means and at whatever cost. Lingering,
therefore, around the fort, and entering it,
now and then, under one pretext and anoth-
er, he induced some half dozen desperadoes
among the soldiery, to desert promising
to head them in enterprises that would
enrich them. 1t happened, too, at this
juncture, that an emissary Cf the band of
robbers TO which Mike Sloan belonged,
met with Fritz, and by glowing represen-
tations or the wealth ofthe band, and of
the exciting and joyous life they led, and
an indirect promise of leadership, induced
him to join it.
When their preparations for the journey
into Texas, had been complete, Fritz heard
of the capture of Ida and her father +; and
by an ingenious aud impassioned expose
Of the wrongs he had suffered at hers and
her fathers hands, he pursuaded the COM
psny, eight in ALL to join him in pursuit of
tae cap.ivcs, pledging himself that they
col'd make handsome sum by the ransom
Of the General-his share of which he
would surrender in consideration of the
abiolute possession of Ida. With this
diabolical purpose, they fastened their de-
plrture-knowing that Maj. Dadc was pre-
pairing to set off with strong force to res
cue the captives and inAict heavy blow
upon the savages. 1t was of vital impor
tance then, that Fritz should not only get
the start Of the Major, but that he should
come up with the Indians before they
reaahcd the village, where his small force
would not prove available
II was then near night, and the day on
on which the General and Ida had cen
mil5 prisoners; and as the expedition
rom the fort, must be delayed until the
following morning, Fritz Aattered himself
that by travelling most Of the night, he
could get far enough in advance to accom-
plish his object without danger from the
soldiers After a short search, they found
the trail, and followed jt.far enough fore
dark, to get pretty accurate idea Of its
ganavyl coarse, About midnight they
stoppeAt to rest themselves and their horses,
and had mtdosuch good progress lAat they
would have boen ahead Of Wilmer, but for
tho fact that some of their horses broke
(oo,o.during the night, and the time lost
in regaining them in the morning, and
the distance they had wandered from the
trail lost them much of the advantage they
had hoped to gain,
Lowing this party, for awhile, let us
return to tho Hermit After Wilmer left
him, lle bogan to reflect that he had done
wrong in suffering the young man to SO
alone upon a hazardous adventure, to per,
form an act which meritcd the sympathy
and demanded the aid of every good man
The more h. reflected, the stronger became
his d4si;s to tako part in the enterprise
and he would probably have set of imme,
diately but for the thought that he might,
by his presence, disconcert tho plans o.
the Lieutenant. AT any rate, he a.length
CONCLUDED, thsre could be no harm in fol
lowing behind, and if the captives were
liberated, he might be of service in getting
them forward on their return trip. Hav
ing formed this resolution, he FURNISHED
his arms packed his provisions, groOmcC
his horse aud laid him solf down to sleep
tSmg the hour OF dawn for his departure
T. have SOFA him $40 next morning
mounted up,n 6na specimen Of the mus
tsns, anl thoroaghiy armed no one would
have sus7,,,cl him of having ever pcrso
natod hermit. But, in truth, he haC
few sar,riors as Ah Inaiap. fighter, anC
iew b5,:Jg uElsgStoodthc character Of thI