The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1870-03-11

DanneMOra prison. 1hree weeks ag'
about twelve Of them fellers broke
loose, and they do say that they're
prowling around the woods, trying te
get into Canada.
"Pleasant prospect that for US, u
queth I.
"One week ago. continued Ezra.
getting more nervous, and elutchine
his hands: "Bill came down to Brs.
sy's shanty. and saw the child play
ing around in front Of the house. --
Well he took the young one by the
hair Of its head, and then, while the
poor, scared mother was standing by
scared to death, he took out a big
knife, and said. to his own flesh and
blood, boys: "D-n Ter, I'd like to
cut her throat. I'd like to hear them
squeal.'
"Well Bess she jumped forward,
and snatchcd the child away. And
then Bill made her give him all the
money she had in the house, and then
he went away, and said he was going
down the Raquctte. and she might 60
just where she darned pleased. Bill
always used to be found hanging
round Setting Pole Rapids, and its
my opinion it won't be many hours
before we come across him. Boy.
I've sworn to the Almighty TH hun,
that man to death, and hare brought
you here to help me-"
Here was, indeed, a pleasant Pros
peot-come into the woods for rccre-
alton and sent to man bunting. For
with two boats and bnt one guide, it
would have been hard work to re.
trace our steps. and Of course We
could not for moment think Of leav-
ing the poor fellow there alone.
The next morning there was no
Ezra. He and his boat had both
vanished. Towards dusk, however,
VIC heard the stroke Of a paddle, and
my gentleman walked into camp, very
quiet. but with look of cxultation
in those dangerous eyes Of his.
About midnight, after the rest had
gone to sleep, sat out by the river
side, watching the mconbcams play
lug upon the waters Of the Rapids,
and thinking how fresh aud grand and
beautiful all this was. compared to
the hustle and worry Of city life,
when something touched me heavily
upon the shoulder. Instinctivcly
grasping my revolver, and turning
hastily around, l saw Ezra standing
in the moonlight, his rife in his hand
and a wicked Ere cleaning iu his eyes.
''ilush! not word!" said he, un-
der his breath. ''if you speak, by
heaven, I'll kill YOU"
Somewhat alarmed, for I saw at .
glance that the crazy fit was upon
him, l answered. in q soothing tone:
Come, Ezra, my good man, what
Is the matter? thought you were
asleep with the rest"
"No sleep for me this night, sir.
Look here, Mr. -, took a fancy
to you, and made up my mind you
was going to help me kill Bill Strong.
l went off to. day and I've tracked
tho darn. i cuss. He'll &c here to.
night to rob the camp. just as sure as
| stand here. Now you've got to
sit here aud help me watch, and " hen
he comes, hold him, while l cut his
throat"
"You Internal scoundrel!" I res
pended, annoyed at the fellows prop.
osition. "dc you suppose 1 will sit
here quietly and submit to this i'm
pertinsnce? I'll 60 aud call the rest,
and tavc you secured, you lunatic. ,
Wont be no use," he answered,
chuckling, "tor you see I've given
them something in their drink that'll
make them sleep pretty sound till
Now look.here, Mr.. -,
if you want to help p me, we'll and good;
if not, by the Eternal, I'll cut your
throat just as quick as would Bill
Stroug's." And he handled his
hunting knife in an alarmiugly por-
tentous manner.
There was nothing to do but sub.
nit. Tho lunatic brought me my RI
fle, put knife in my hand, and we
sat down to our lonely watch. An
hour had passed. whom the mutfled
stroke Of u paddle was heard upon
the water, Ezra clappel his big
brawny hand over my mouth, and
drew NC into the shadow Of large
pine. Shortly boats keel grated
upon the beach, and the dark figure
Of a man came crawling towards tbs
camp. A sitting groan, aud Ezra
had sprung upon his unwary victim.
Standing there, in tho moonlight,
paralyzed with the horror Of the
scene, saw the deadly struggle that
was going on before Ne. The man
was evidently being worsted, but
with a quick movement, sprang to
his boat and had pushed it out into
the water With tho rapidity of
lightning. Ezra sprang to my side,
and almost dragged NE to our craft,
aud, seating mc in the stern, graspcd
the paddle and started in pursuit Of
his enemy. A chase Of life and
death! Strong had passed safely
through the rapids. and was now spin
ming along tho clear water beyond
In . moment eur boat was in the
midst Of the white water, and, was
soon sped swiftly through it. Thcn
camo the Fish Hawk Rapids, more
dangerous still than the others
These, too, were passed. and | could
sec Ezra. the clear. cold moonlight