The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1867-02-02
THE QUAKER'S LEGACY.
An English Engineers Adven.
lures in Missouri.
[ Continued I

lhey were ABOUT nVe nUuuTcu SiTOlS,
80 far as could judge; and while some
wore complete suits of greasy leather,
Others were in hOmespun, or in red
shirts. and others again had Mexican
ponchos, or even colored Indian blan-
kets, mocassins, and leggings of scarlet
cloth or dressed deer-skins, gaudily en-
broldered in Indian style. All had ri
hes, bOwie-knives, and pistols, and
many had bayonets fixed to their fire.
arms; and a grimmer set of hard featur-
ed faces than theirs / had never looked
upon. They were, as | was told, de-
tachment of Jem Lanes force, and COM
handed py p. C. Cowell and Heinrich
Schwartz-the latter Of whom was a
German wine-grower, ruined by the
war, and now distinguished for his fe-
rocity as n leader of guerrillas.
Cowell, a guant frOntiersman i'll a
fringed hunting-shirt of bleached leath-
er, was the spokesman of'the band. He
gruffly accosted us, demanding that we
should at once submit our baggage to a
search by his men, as it was known that
dispatches from the rebels were being
secretly conveyed by some among us.
Argument was in vain. We were plain
ly told that, nOlens rOlens, our "plunder'
must and should be overhauled, and
that every pack and bale should be rip
ped open with knives in case of our re-
tiusal to exhibit our stores. Some of the
traders, high-spirited fellows. who had
heard the Indian war-whoop too often
to be easily alarmed, were inclined to
set the jayhawkers at defiance, but the
majority Nyerruled these rash counsels.
Indeed, the guerrillas Outnumbered us
in the proportion of three to one, and a
scutiie could have had but one termina-
ton. We complied, therefore, with the
demands of the self-constitutcd search
ers; and the effects of our company were
unceremoniously tumbled over, and
sharply inspected. Among the rest
my valise was of course opened; but
what was my surprise when Schwartz,
with deep grOwl of Zach, Hunds foot.
what have we here." dropped the meer-
schaum from between his bearded lips
and pounced upon the little black-bOund
book with the steel clasps-the quaker's
hymn .book-which he held aloft in his
hand, while score of his subOrdinates
came clamorously around him.
That's the very book-sartain as
sumachs git red leaves in the fali-time'
shouted Cowell excitedly. "Wait, boys,
till clap my eyes on the scrap o writ
in" ....
As the borderer spoke, he drew a
piece of written paper from his bullet
pouch, and eagerly pored over it, guild
ing his eyes with his sinewy forefinger.
l stood stupifed. What did all this
meant But before had time for much
thought was collared and dragged up
to the stump of q felled tree, on which
Heinrich Schwartz had taken his seat,
ready to act as my judge, though on
what grounds 1 was TO be arraigned
knew not. In answer to the fierce ques-
tisnings of those around me, i briefly
told how / became possessed Of the
book and the money, and to whom it
was to be conveyed. But words are in
adequate to do justice to my horror and
surprise when p. c. Cowell, with the
point Of his sharp hunting-knife, cut
open two leaves of the hymn-book, that
l now saw had been artfully pasted to-
getber, and drew forth letter, which
he proceeded slowly to read aloud, amid
breathless silence.
The letter was signed by an official Of
the Richmond Government, and bore
the Confederate seal. 1t was addressed
to no less celebrated person than Ma
jor-Generar QuaDtrell. the perpetratOr
of the Lecompton massacre, and it en-
closed draft on San Francisco bank
to large amount, payable TO bearer,
and to be laid ont in the purchase of
arms and horses .'for the public service
Lastly, il recommended the bearer to
Quantrell's favor aud confidence, under
the name of "that jealous patriot, Mr..
n. Bates" The reading of the letter
was accomplished amid dead sileLee;
and then followed roar ofsuch furious
wrath as English ears have seldom listen
ed to. .af
"Nick Bates. That varmint trapped at
last. Whoopr yelled dozen eXnlting
voices, while / was pushed and hustled
so violently to and fro that must have
fallen beneath the trampling feet Of the
mob but for the pressure that kept me
upright. Not word that / could say
received . moments attention, for all
shouted at once, and as ] looked to left
and right i saw q perfect grove Of bran
dished tomahawks, bayonets, asd ciub-
bed rifles, from which my only protec-
tion was the dense mass Of human be-
ings among whom 1 was wedged in
However, the traders of the caravan
joined the chiefs of the guerrilla force IN
allaying the first burst of blind rage on
the part Of the throng, and ut last the
cry of@A fair trial, gentlemen. Give