The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1859-04-21

handsome; and if you win her at all, it
D be by foul and not by fair means. don
want to be bard on ye, Phil LaDgfor'
, but I'm sure you cant do much in ii
way of what folks call honest courtshi
But don't be down hearted, lad, for we +
boand to aid each other under all circuu
stances, and in all cases"
: Martin Vantassle drew his sabre fror
the earth and thrustng forward, held
over the blazing fire; the blade was dint
ed and scrrated. and there were red stain
upon it. The other six unsheath their
and crossed them upon his. when be die
tstcd terrible and inpious compac
which they severslly repeated. 1t wa
too profaDe and shocking to be put yer
batim upon paper. They pledged them
selves to mutual brotherhood and crime
to exterminate the struggling and hunted
Wings; to give DO quarter to the capt1r
ed foe; to pursue the flying fugitive will
remorseless fury; to commit every enorm
ity upon the defcnceless patriots; to rob
to burn, to outrage helpless innocence.
When this fearful and unnatural com
pact had been made, Vantassle turned to
Herrick aud asked
"What names have you brought"
Herrick drew a soilcd paper from his
waistcoat pocket, and be uding toward the
fire, read the following names:
paul Hazelhust, Frank Haviland Tom
Hutter, PodJah Makepeace, Gideon
Grant, Blipko, niger, and Once eyed
Saul of Laurel Swamp"
Man. said Vantassle, "thesc are for
They separated, and went their several
ways, A moment later, and nothing but
the smouldering en- bers of their fire re-
mained to mark the spot where they had
met
the sword We are to hunt them down
and kill them. By virtue of my authori-
ty, and b. the oath which you have sworn,
| command you to pursue the persons
whose names you have heard, night and
day, till you have swept them out of ex-
i>tence !"
There are seven OF them and seven of
us-a man for EACH" said lIerrick
Let US determine our respective men
oy lot" suggested Langford
"The idea is good, and by lot the mat
ter shall be decided" added Vantas>le.
This suggestion was eagerly received;
It's novelty made it welcome. The names
Of tie parties doomed to destruction were
written upon seven slips of papers, and
drawn from Vantassle's cap by his asso
,iatcs. Hcrrick drew the FIRST ballot.
Frank HaviaBd % he exclaimed.
The brother of Ruth !" said Pollard,
With sErug, and looking inquiripgly at
lis comrade.
.'Tom Hutter," said Langfora, drawing
md reading his ballot.
"Apd |, Blinko, the black" said Me
,!son.
"And I, One-eyed Saulw cried Pol
ard. in dismay.
You've get something to dc" laughed
: antas,le. "If you outWit Saul of Laur
/ Swamp, you'll be the greatest man a
nons US"
"Podijab Makepeace, n internal Yam
zee y declared Tim Becker, looking at
IL ballot
Simon Arrowsmith was the last to draw
Ie drew Gideon Grant, leaving Paul Ha-
lie hurst for antasssle
at is just as wish it." observed the
after, while scowl of hatred gave addi-
iOnsl uaiignance to bis expression.
ale has visited the Burusides at Lau-
clwood, remarked Lauglord.
II, it Judith or Jessie r. asked Pollard,
With sueer.
ut shall be neither y tbundered Van
AISLE, casting fierce glsnces around hiu.
Let us join hands" he added, "and |
wear that We will respectfully abide by
be ballot"
This was instantly done; with clasped
lands and unsheatbed sabres they re
ewed their terrible compact, invoking
ireful penalties if they proved recreant
o their oath The League of the seven
Eas complete.