Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1859-04-23

want 10 DC HdTu OH (e, L III bduSioio,
bul I'm sure you can't do much in the
way of what folks call honest courtslip.
But don't be downhearled, lad, for we're
bound 10 aid each other under all circum-
stances and in ali cases.
Martin Vantassle drew his sabre from
the earth and thruslng it forward, held
it over the blazing fire the blade was
dined and serrated with service,an there
we're red stains upon it. The other SIX
unsheathed theirs and crossed them upon
Il his, when he dictated terrible and impi-
Gus compact which they severally repea-
ted. 1t was too prolsne and shocking TO
be put verbatim upon paper. They
| pledged Ihem, elves 10 mutual brothe rhood
and crime 10 eXtermnale the struggling
and hunted Wings ; to give no quarter TO
the captured foe 10 pursue the flying fn-
gilive with remorseless fury ; 10 commit
every enormily upon the deGensele,s pat.
riots to rob, 10 burn, TO outrage heI pIess
innocence.
When this fearful and unnatural com.
pact had been made, VanIassle turned 10
Herrick and asked:
"What names have You brought =
Herrck drew solled paper from his
walsIcoat pocket, and bending toward the
fire, read the following names
Paul Razelhurst, Frank Havilsnd,
Tom Huter, PodJAh Makepeace, Gideon
Grant. Bllnko, niger, and One-eyed
Saul of Laurel swamp
Man, said Vantassle, '!hese are for
The sword We are 10 hunt them down
and kill them. BY virtue of my authorl,
", and by the oath which you have
sworn, command you TO pursue the per-
sons whose names you have heard, night
and day, I'LL you have swept them out OF
existence ~
There are seven of them and seven OF
us-a man for EACH said Herrick.
let US determine our respective men
by loi,' suggested Langford.
The idea is good, and by lot the mat
Ter shall be decided added Vanlassle.
This suggestion was eagerly received;
It's novelty made it welcome. The names
of the parties doomed to destruction were
written upon seven slips of papers, and
drawn from Vanlasslc's cap by his asso-
ciates. Herrick drew the first ballot.
Frank Haviland p he exclaimed.
The brother of Ruth = said Pollard,
with shrug, and looking inquiringly at
his comrsde.
Tom Hutter,' said Langford, drawing,
and reading his ballot.
And |, Blinko, the black, said Nlcol-
son.
And l, One-eyed Saul ! cried Pollard,
in dlsmay.
You've got something to do laughed
Vantassle. 'Ifyou outwiI Saul or Laurel
Swamp, you'll be the greatest man among
u.s.
sPodiiah Makepeace, an internal Yan.
kee = declared Tin Becker, looking al
his ballot.
Simon Arrowsmith was the last TO
draw. He drew Gideon Grant, leaving
Paul Hszelhurst for Vanlassle.
1T is just as wish it, observed the
latter, while scowl of haired gave addi-
lional malgnance 10 his expression.
He has visited the Burnsides al Lau-
relwood,' remarked Langford.
rs it Judith or Jessie ? asked Pollard,
with sneer.
III shall be neither 7 thundered Van
lassle, casting fierce glances around him.
Let US Join hands, he added, 'and swear
tha, we will respectively abide by the
ballot
This was Instantly done with clasPed
hands and unshealhed sabres they renew
ed their terrible compact, invoking drefnl
penalles if they proved recreant TO their
oath. The League of the Seven was
complete.
They separated, and went their several
ways. A moment later, and nothing but
the smouldering embers Of their fire re-
NAMED 10 mark the spot where they had
met. .....