The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1865-05-03


where we can have better chance Of de-
Tending ourselves.
Smith led the way, and turner followed
AT the same time the two bushwhackers
turned down into the woods in the same
direction. But fortunately for our two
friends, the big swamp spoken off, was
between them and the horsemen.
"Now, Turner, we have run far
enough, p" said Smith, drawing his revolver,
''let us sit down behind tree and rest
awhile.'
After resting about fifteen minutes, they
again started in the direction of Summer
Vile Presently they came TO the big
swamp, which was nearly impossible
81 can ne,er attemp. TO go through
that dismal swamp" said Smith, with
some determination. ''The very idea of
wading through mud and water nearly
waist deep for mile, is worse than fight
ing the detestaJie bush,chackeiS.
Suppose we strike the railroad again
and see what the chances are now," said
Turner, who seemed anxious 70 get to
Summerville at all hazards.
The idea was a capital one; for the
rebels made sure that our heroes wonld
attempt to come through the swamp about
one half mile from the railroad. There
fore, while they were eagerly watching,
the recruiting agents quietly passed down
the railroad, and reached Summerville
jus; in time to see the cars pass out Of
sight. This was sad disappointment
But they quietly seated themselves on the
platform of the Depot, with the consola-
ion, that, "what couldn't he cured, mus:
be endured"
"Where are you from, gentlemen ?"
said short, thick set man, in robel cloth
ing, with small piercing black eyes, of
about forty years OF age.
''From Charleston" said Turner
''came up on the cars this morning. and
was intending 10 return this evening. But,
unfortunately, got left"
"Well, l suppose the cars will return
tomorrow. said he.
"Oh, certainly. But we had some
important business TO attend to at Charles
ton, which required our presence to
night"
Mr.. Jones and our friends held a friend
/ ly conversation, for about one half hour,
when Smith approached the subject in
regard TO rebel bushwhackers.
"Oh, there's plenty Of them in this
vicinity" replied Jones, ''and it is good
thing that there is, for the protection of
the white people up here, and to keep the
niggars down"
''Do they ever show themselves in
Summcrvillc ?"
''What. the Regulators Certainly
they do. They come in very often after
dark, about twenty or thirty in gang,
and regulate things, and off again before
morning"
'l'ut, are you not afraid of them ?" re-
piled Turner, showing some signs of
uneasiness
Afraid of them 1! No. They are our
friends; we have regular signs and pass
words, so that we know each other where
yer we meet"
Jones went on then to tell how badly
the negroes had acted of late, and many
Of them had been caught and hung, Or
shot 10y the regulators.
THAT Cld fat niggar woman there"
(said lie, pointing to "A small crowd of
colored women and children observes
hanging as bad as any them"
''rhe regulators found part OF the goods,
stolen from old man Murray, concealed in
her trunks, and if she had been at home,
they would have hung her also"
The old negrcss was then complaining
how badly she had been treated by set
OF white men who came TO her house in
her absence, broke open her trunks
turned everything upside down, and des-
troyed great many Of her thinA
'Yes, and it served you right" said
Jones, addressing himself to her, land if
You had cnly been at home, they would
have hung youl"
'What would dey hung Inc for" said
she, somewhat inundated by his threat
"For having stolen goods in your pos.
session, you old theifl The one that
hides, is as bad as the one that steals"
"Mr. Jones no one can say that
eber have anything in my house what
don't belong 20 me, said she emphatically.
"You are liar," he cried at the top of
his voice and he gave her such lock,
that one would suppose he was about to
commit an assault upon her. Those
regulators found, with other stolen goods
in your trunks, a tohte coreylet, with old
man Murray's name on it, and it is now
in the possession of white man in the
village"
"Ma:ter Jones'" said she in pleading
tone, "God is my witness, that all of the
coverets | am mistress of bought Of
Mrs Boyd; and she can tell you SO"
'Did you buy coverlet of Mrs. Boyd
with Mnrray's name on it 2" said he tan
taiizingly.
"No; never had coverlet in my
house with Mr. Murrav's name on it,"
"Ah, SO yoa say, but know better.
Let me tell you that it was mighty good !
thing for you, that you was not at home
that night, or you would have been hung
so quick that you wouldn't have known
what hurt you"
'Then dey would have murdered an
innocent person, for, SO help me God, | |