St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1869-03-26


''Did they take him on horseback ="
"No."
GLOW ?'
''ln the buggy along of the Parson."
She felt sure he spoke the truth. Il
believe you," she said. "Pass out, un-
lock the door to the right, open it, 90
out She followed him out through the
gate, pistol in hand. sect your horse. -
she said.
She followed him up the road he
might find Driver. He turned off into
the wood, brought out the horse, got up
and started west She heard him gallop
down the Packerton road till his horses
tramp died away. Then she got Driver
and rode away south. The Squire. and
FONT, his servant, were riding north to
meet her. She waved them back, came
up and galloped past
"To Caramore," she cried, "come on,
come on" She led the way. They fol-
lowed. They swept away south through
the night.
L and the Parson turned into the Car
amOre road, and rolled on north.
''lf were not there in half an hour"
lie had said, ''I'll put you out of pain
The mare was suffering severely now.
had driven her twenty-five miles across
country, hill and sand and mud. | had
kept her we'll up TO her speed every rod
OF the way, and she had held out nobly.
1t went against me to keep her up, but
It was life or death to me, and we were
headed home. The pace was plainly
much slower, though.
''Whip her." he said. looked him
in the face. ''Do you think I'm brute p
lie caught up the whip and struck her
sharply. She leaped out wildly. and
went on faster, gasping at every breath,
| turned upon him with set teeth. 1t
must come to that at last; it might as
well come now.
''lf you strike her again. l said,
"Ill-" He struck her quick and sharp.
threw down the reins. ''You may
drive yourself"
He threw down the whip. His hand
leaped up to his breast. His face was
deadly white. \ CLEAN of devilish hate
glared out of his keen gray eyes
Take them up" he said, through his
clenched teeth. He drew out his hand.
saw the bright steel glitter from the
sheath.
Then | leaped upon him. l grasped
the hand that held the knife, pressed the
head back with my left, with all my
might. | turned the point in toward him
and pricked it sharply into his breast.
''let 90" | cried, ''let 90 or I'll drive
it through YOU | dug my nails into
his hand. tore the knife away, flung
1t away. behind. Then we grappled
close.
The mare swerYed out one side; the
wagon tipped on a stone. We rolled out
locked together, fell heavily on the
ground. He was underneath, l upon
him. He was stunned one instant. |
got my hand in his breast and drew his
pistol out. put the barrel close to his
iace. ''lielI, or | fire -
lie was no coward at least. He glared
up at me fierce as a tiger. ''Shoot. and
he hissed.
l flung the pis ol back 1t struck the
ienre and went off | felt that could
Kill him; but ! wanted no towards all
| ground his head into the
sand; | gripped my hand in his collar,
and tore out the spotless shirt-front. |
wanted to soil, tear, smash, blacken,
bruise, distigure his fine, smooth dress, his
hateful, lying face, his glossy hair and
beard.
lie twincd his arms round my neck,
and choked me down. | got nv hand
IN his face, and pressed it into the
ground till hc locsened his hold. struck
1t his gIittering mouth; he caught my
nand in his mouth and bit it through. l
clutched my fingers in his silky beard,
beat his head on the ground with all my
might, tore und pounded him | knew not
how.
heard the tramp of horse close by,
felt myself graspcd behind, lifted and
thrown down heavily. | was under now
and there were two of them. l heard
the rush of dozen tramping hoots; saw
: leaning lanterns flash heard shouts
md curses and oaths, and a pistols re-
port. Then | was lying looking into
owing eyes, my head upon Nel's breast.
thl>cl is in Lindesley Jail with brok-
I'll arm. The Par-on has never been
seen Or heard of. JAMES L. MCKAY.