The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1867-11-06

Z
and bowie knife have been giveu up"
"Are you married or s;Dgle?"
II have wife and two children"
"Where 2"
SIN New Orleansw
"Do they depend on you for support?"
Entirely"
"Have you other property besides you
mule train 2"
"Only little, worth perhaps few hun
dred dollars"
81 think you have given me truthful an
swers," she said looking me keenly in tn
eye.
Il have, indeed fair lady, and I hope
may trust much to your kindness and mercy 7
"Give him bread and water Frances" sh,
said, turning to the old woman.
The latter stepped past her mistress ant
plaal stone jug and loaf of bread at m,
feet Both then turned to go out, aud I ex
claimed, pleadingly:
Have mercy, fair lady, and procure MT
my liberty!"
GWhat will you give for it ?" she enquir
ed.
eff necessary, everything l possess"
81 will consider your position" she re.
piled; and then the heavy iron door was
again swung too and locked, and was again
left in darkness and solitude.
From that time, fora long period-a month
as made it out saw no living soul. There
was small door set in the larger, and once a
day this was opened; but being dark out.
side, and no light being brought, could see
no one. A hand reached in a loaf of bread
and a jug of water, and handed out the
jug already there Several times address
ed words to the invisible party outside, but,
no answer ever being returned, / at length
ceased to speak, and for the last three weeks
said nothing. What suffered in that time
leave to the imagination
One day the same lady have described
came and spoke to me through the wicket.
"Are you still of the same mind, senior
willing to give all you possess for your liber-
ty?"
"Oh yes, lady yes will give all all Z!
Oh, for the love Of Heaven, set me at liber-
y!
"Will you swear to follow my directions
in every particular, and never seek to find
this place, and never seek to bring to justice
any one concerned in your capture and i'm
prisonment ?"
Eyes, lady !! by the most sacred oath you
may prescribe"
"TheD, BY the lives Of your wife and chill
dren swear p
Il do; and by my hopes of Heaven
''You will be blindtolded and led out Of
your prison. she pursued, ''but will not be
left to 60 penniless. What you have about
your person youwill be allowed to keep, and
you will be put upon the road to chihuahua.
mounted on good horse, and furnished with
heavy purse, part Of the proceeds Of your
mule train, which has been sold to advantage.
You will ride to chihuahua as fast as you
can, and report yourself as having done well,
without making mention Of any trouble on
the route, OF of any person or thing you have
heard or seen in this vicinity. After that
take my advice, and leave the country, with
out ever returning this way again"
'In every particular, kind lady, you shall
be obeyed," said l, my heart wildly beating
with hope and joy.
1T is we'll. BE ready in an hour. Adieu"
She went away, and that hour seemed to
me an age, as l hurriedly paced up and down
my dark cell. Would she keep her promise
should | again be free?
Thank heaven, she was true to her word
At the expiration Of an hour two persons en-
tered my cell in the dark, put close bapdage
over my eyes, and led me away in silence,
through long and narrow passages as before
and up to the world above. Oh what de-
lightful sensation, to feel and breathe once
more the pure air Of heaven They still con
tinued to lead ME away for something like a
mile, and then. put heavy purse in my hand
and mounted me upon a horse
"Now then" said one, 1--WE are about to
leave you. Your horses head is toward Chi
huahua. Do not touch your bandage till you
hear us whistle, then tear it off and ride for
your life, looking not behind you
l followed their directions, as had sworn
to do, and reached my destination in safety,
and soon after left the country. The bag
given nae contained the amount of thous
and dollars in gold. To this day l do not
understand the mystery Of my punishment,
robbery and parting present.