Maryland free press., 1867-04-11

| qualntAd pointed ont to Frank each day 8
work On the map; and without assistance, and
hunting in couples, three days would be amply
sufficient to heat it all.
! had brace fyoung settlers in training at
the time, and, 10 prevent suspicion il was agreed
we should 60 out as II dog breaking was oar on
y object accordingly, early the following morning
well provined with all the "etcctelas" for such
work, we started ON our first days hunt. II
proved blank; but the second day showed US
That game was on foot and not fnr or. Ina little
wooden glen we came upon several artfully con-
cealed lars, which were evidently lately occu-
pied and in one of them | picked up an old pis-
TO- tint that had been thrown away and replaced
as there was SONG paper lying beside it, from
which small piece had been torn, as if TO COW
er new one. We tracked footsteps for q con-
siderable distance from it until they were lost in
heathery bog, and, darkness coming on, were
forced to give up the search. dom think either
OF us slept much that night When l went to
Frank, room in the morning lie was already
dressed. "One word, Harry" he said, "berore
we go. This man is armed 10 the teeth and
swears lie will not he taken alive. These fellows
seldom die game when run to the earth, but be
cannot be worse of. If there is any fighting you
Will act as reserve, and leave me to deal with
him alone.''
did promise, with some mental reservation,
ana we started. There was n long days work
before us; all the likely places We had come
across in our previous search had to he visited,
some of them miles apart. Franks senses SEEM
cd preternaturaly sharpened. No trace, howev-
or slight, escaped his notice. A red Indian could
hardly have displayed more sagacity in follow
ing up his enemys trlil II was then for the first
time that learned how exciting man-hunt BE-
comes under certain circumstances.
Towards evening We reached mountainous
last hope. There was only one face Oft, over
the sea, where a man would be likely TO conceal
himself 40 al ofn ,lnv
OF perpendicular cliffs, separated from each 9TH
er by green platforms, varying in breadth from
q foot to ten; but all sloping downward Mt a
considerable angie, so as to make the footing
rather prccarious. The cliffs gradually incteas-
cd i'll height until the lowest, which went right
down for one hundred feet into the Atlantic
Ocean.
While taking hurried cast through the bro
ken ground, we met little boy hcrdng CATTLE
He could not speak English; but we managed to
ascertain that stranger had given him penny
the day before to run down the hill for lighted
turf; when he returned the man was gone and
he htd not seen him since.
The scent was getting hot and our spirits rose
MS we comm menced the sea tide of the mountain
There.were caves in several of the platforms, and
these we agreed to search together. They were
very narrow, scarcely admitting one person
abreast; and it was nervous work feeling our
way onward, not knowing the moment when
the darkness would be illuminated by the flash
ofa pistol, which must have been the death sig
nal for one or the other, Frank always insisted
on going first, and omitted no possible precau
ton, examining the outside carefully for tracks,
and sending the dogs forward. The latter, how
ever, were so tired, after three days continuous
work, as TO be of little use.
We had reached the last shelf but one, and as
1t con tanned no caves, and was all visible from
the platform immedia' ely above, which had Just
han, bod a.. A. sl..11
er one just over the sea, when q mark in some
fresh earth, scraped from rabbit hole across the
prth attracted my attention, and on a closer
view could distinctly see traces Of mans foot.
Frank was by my side in few seconds, and
down examining the track. There was no mis-
take about it, it was plainly visible, leading in
ward, and no sign oft returning. Some one was
there; whether the nan we were in search OF or
not, remained to be seen. Frank rosa from his
knees aud drew u long breath.
"Any outlet from this?' he asked.
A''None whatevet. 1t stops sndloaiy about one
hundred yards further on. The rock above and
halow is thirty feet high, and smooth as marble
Now that remember there is q large stone Just
where the pathway ends behind which a man
might lie. If he were anywhere el'e, | might
have seen him from the upper ONE
We walked OIL silent AID cautious for some dis
tance, until we reached projecting rock. |
touched Frank.
'When we turn the corner We will be within
ten yards of the ond''
lie made no reply, put his gun under his arm,
aud sauatered carclcssly along. AS lie did so |
saw him stop suddenly and draw himself up to
his full height.
Ranging alongside could see the figure Of a
man crouching like wild beast b,hiud the stone
his head was just visible above il, and the long
barrel ofa cavalry pistol was pointed directly at
us. The dogs now sprsng forward and coul-
menccd barking furiously. The man WAS the first
-ss"Cal OF yer dogs" be shouted, 'av yc a care
for themp'
'I.et the dogs alone Ryan," said Frank, cody.
~ have warrant for you for the murder of Cap
tGia-. Put your pistol down and come for
ward.n
The fellow gave savage laugh.
Come step nearer, Butler, and see If yer
warrant can stop bull ~
Franks eyes flashed at the threat but refrain
ing himself be drew back TO the shelter of the
angle.
ry. If We rush at him now, he Is sure TO knock
one or the other of US over and | dou't like
shooting him, if it can be helped"
HHad you not better go for some of your fell
lows2 | will keep guard until you return"
"They would shoot him down at once. dare
not risk their lives on that narrow path. No,
dead or alive, shall not leave this place with
out HIM"
He stepped back a few PAGES and scanned the
rock above attcntvely. .......
"po you see HAT holly bush right over ~hiR,,
Harry? Could you get to it without being
srenT'
"Easy, but what could do there" "Lcave
that TO me- old fellow, his flank will be turned
at oil events and you will have him under your
gun. Don't fire until you see me down. thcr
! use your discretion"
With some reletauce.I consented TO go round
Taking OF my shoes, crept cautiously dowl
and peered over. | had scarcely done so whci
Frank stepped out with his watch in his hand
He spoke low, but every word fell on my eal
| distinctly.
'I shall give you FIVE inmates, Ryan; if yo'
don't throw down your arms and come out expec
no mercy, Tor you will get none. I'll shoot yo'
as would q mad dog
''The five minutes which ensued were the longes
eyer spent in my life. 1t was glorious sum
mer's evening. The sun was going down, throw
ing flood of light on the ocean far below, AM
the white wings of the sea guls as they fitted il
and out from their nest in the cliff. The rabbit
were at play on the slopes, and colony ofgloss
plumage were wheeling and screaming over m
, head,
But for that crouching and bloodstained fiigur
beneath, all would have looked peaceful and haI
py. tried to keep counting the seconds by tn