Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1869-07-29
This time he'll be cooped up for lif;

He'll swing for it. echoed Jim.
Look there Jim, interrupted the Other.
What the devils up, you fool 2
I thought, | saw mans face peeping
at me from the manzanita.'
Forester had protruded his head He
saw by the light of the burning match
the bloated faces Of James and Charles
Crocker
Stuff and nonsense. Go to work.
Have you fixed the plank SO that you
can shove it across the gulch to her win
dow?
Yes growled the brother; but it was
devilish hard work
Then We are sure Of the gal. Now
for the DAM said Charles moving away.
Like flash of lightning the plot of the
villains was revealed to Forester.
They first inten led to cut the dam
then they would rescue the family of the
miller by means of the. plank Of course
this latter would insure the gratitude Of
the miller. The breaking of the dam
would again be charged upon Forester,
who, as one of the brothers remarked,
would be sentenced to the penitentiary
for life, or else would swing for it.
A look toward the dam showed that
the water was nearly level with the path
He heard the creaking of the timbers and
planks as the two men were prying with
an iron bar at one of the beams. A
rumbling sound to his ea-s-it was the
pent up water as it began to overflow tie
dam. He rose to his feet, and drawing
aside the bushes he stepped upon a shelf
like path which ran along side of 'he
cliff.
'Villains!' he shouted The two broth
ers looked up, but saw no one, for the
light of the lantern was illuminating the
sluice gates They resumed their work.
Again Forester shouted and again they
lifted their heads, when there came a ter
rible crash mingled with the roar of the
water. Forester heard cry of despair,
and saw James Croker fall headlong
over the dam into the seething water
below.
With prayer upon his lips for the
safety of her he loved, he ran along the
narrow path until lie came opposite the
mill
The food the food For Gods sake,
gave your lives! The water is coming
They have cut the dam 7 he cried
The window of Amy's bedroom was
thrown open and the miller with lighted
candle in hand was standing before it
Too late. The rushing water had already
encircled the mill, which was now sway
ing to and fro.
Help! helpl shouted John Cluny,
raising the light above his head A cry
of terror escaped his lips as the light
shone upon the pale face of the man
whom he thought he had killed The
candle dropped from his hand as he sank
upon the floor Meanwhile Forester was
searching for the plank. At last he found
it, He tried to shove it across the gulf,
but his strength failed him.
oh God is there no help here to as
sist me Help help!' he cried, still tug
ging at the plank.
Come on, boys, shouted voice.
Soon dozen men with lanterns were
rushing towards Forester
The con gict,' cried che foremost, as he
held the lantern to the face of the PROS
trate man.
He has cut the dam again I? cried
miner Pm sure of it.
Impossible see, he has been wound
ed!' cried the first speaker. Forester
pointed to the plank and then toward the
mill.
The men understood his gestures.
Soon one end of the plank found rest
ing place upon the window sill, and a
man with lantern in hand walked across
the swaying bridge and disappeared
through the window. Another and an
other followed. A few minutes after, tw
men crawled back across the plank, bear
ing between them the insensible form OF
the miller, another followed carrying the
brother of Amy. But where was the
mills daughter ? The last man came across
empty-Eanded. She could not be found
Amy, dearest Amy !"shouted For
roster. His shrill voice sounded above
the awful roar of waters.
A white form was seen at the window.
It lifted its hands as if to warn some one
away The light Of half dozen lanterns
Illuminated her CHASTITY face, which was
partially concealed BY her long black
tresses.
Forester saw her. With supcrhuman
strength he rose to his feet and staggered |
towards the plank.
dn,y stepped upon the window sill |
She had heard the voice of him whom she
loved Slowly she walked across the
plank until she was within few feet Of
the men. She stopped. Again her lover
pronounced her name. She recognized |