Middletown transcript., 1869-07-31

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mournfully from one to another, and in
reply to their remarks or questions he gave
only the low cultural "Ugh.'
Come, old Greasy, tell US what ails
you," said one jovial fellow as he came
near him.
"Ugh me feel bad-so bad" was the
reply.
"Well, what is the matter?'
"Me tell bad news-white man gone
white man no come back"
These words, uttered like the voice of
an oracle, had magical effect in gather
ing the group, and, after some urging, he
told them, in his broken tongue, that on
the morning that Armsdell left them Olan-
to had gone down the mountain, and when
near the base the horseman had passed
him. While still in light of the Indian he
had reached Batcman's house. Having
thus excited their curiosity, he refused to
reveal any thing more, until strongly
urged. He then testified that Bateman
was standing near the house, at the time,
with his rife in his hand, and, deliberate
ly raising it, he shot Armsdell through the
body, and the wounded man instantly fell
from his horse.
A storm of indignation was aroused by
this recital and angry exclamations, with
threats of vengeance, passed from lip to
lip among the listeners. At last, one
more thoughtful than the rest asked:
"What did he do with the body, Olan-
to-"
The Indian hcsitated moment, and
then responded:
"Me no stay; me fraid white man see
Olanto and shoot him too-mc 90 back up
the mountain"
This reply seemed satisfactory to the
excited men, and no farther questions were
asked
This was to them strange confirmation
of their worst fears; for if Olanto had not
seen what he professed to, how could he
have known anything about it. They sup
posed he was not even aware of Armsdell's
absence, and certainly could not have
known that he had failed to return. AL
though it was then late in the morning,
their impatiencc could brook no delay, and
they started Immediately upon their crrand
of vengeance.
They found Bateman in the house, sur
rounded by his little family; but, scarcely
daunted by the scene of domestic happi-
ness that met his view, Casey told him of
their mission in few words, and also that
they had conclusive evidence of his guilt.
The man was so astounded by this sud-
den and inexplicable charge that he made,
at first, no reply to their accusations. In
deed, they gave him little opportunity for
defence, as they filled the room with their
loud imprecations. That he was guilty,
no one entertained doubt; and they were
animated by what they considered lauda-
BILE desire to avenge the death of their COM
rade. They closed their vindctive accu-
sations by informing him that, before an
other day passed, he should sleep in
new-made grave on the rugged brow of
the Gaudaloupe. His wife, with white lips
and in tones of agony, plead with them as
only wife can plead when her husbands
life is at stake, while the frightened chill
dren clung to their father with despairing
cries and piteous appeals. But as Bate
man was forcibly led out of the cabin, the
clinging little ones were thrown rudely
back within its humble walls.
A tear glistened in the eyes of more than
one of the rude mountaineers as the des-
pairing cries of the stricken wife and help
less children mingled with the earnest pro-
testations of innocence from their victim
With jeer and taunt the doomed man was
led up the lonely mountain side and
through the rocky de6les to the camp of
his prosecutors.
Long before they reached their destina-
ton, the darkness of night had settled
over the mountain crown, and the silvery
moon came out to look upon the scene.
Upon arriving at their camp, small pine
pole, which had been peeled and trimmed
for some purpose, was placed between the
projecting branches of two trees, and
large rope thrown over it. Their rude
preparations completed, they encamped for
the night; their victim, with hands and
feet securely fastened, lying in full view of
the rude gallows.
Placed so near to eternity, with his ag-
onized wife and sorrowing children in the
vale far below him, no sleep visited the
weary eyes of the prisoner. The ceaseless
tide of thought ebbed and flowed through
his active brain, while the night winds
moaned hoarsely among the tall trees, and
the starlight CLEANED through the pines
down upon the gallows that still stared him
in the face. The dark hours rolled wear
lily by, and the morning light rolled softly
over the summit; but it brought no heal
ing balm to the tortured mind Of Bateman.
We left poor Armsdell captive in the
wilderness, surrounded by a tribe of hos
tile savages-a condition which filed even
his brave heart with fear. He we'll knew
the desperate character of his foes, and
that no mercy, not even speedy death,
could be expected at their hands. Still
he did not entirely despair; and as the last
of his dusky guards sank into drunken
slumber, he began to examine tho thongs
that bound him. He soon found that,
though they were tight and strong, he
could raise his hands to his head, and he
began the slow task of biting off the main
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