Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1870-02-03

Win all his migHt, as ne sprahg up anu
started in the pursuit.
A vigilante. hearing him, now appear
ed from around a corner, and joined in
the chase
The thief's legs being very long, he
was swift runner still his pursuers con-
trived to keep him in sight, until they
saw him plunge among the shadows If "a
grove Of trees just outside the town.
They entered the grove and looked
round them carefully, but could see moth
ing OF the fugitive.
This is mystery said one of the Wig
ilantes, and there's no use OF our looking
for the fellow any longer. He's proba
bly, got off in some place by this time
I'VE didn't see him leave the grove,
said Jack SO bow could he have got
off,
He might have crept off in the long
grass yonder, answered the man. without
our seeing him He could do that easy
enough in the dark. These raseals are
very cunning, and IFS not often we man
age to arrest one of en-
Jack sprung forward and examined the
grass narrowly.
The man did not leave the grove be
said, resoIutely. pm sure of it the grass
isn't tramped down at all.
We'll, WELL answered the vigiIante.
Grossly Whether he did or not, you
can see for yourself that he isn't here. /
can't afford to stay here all night, hunt
ing for nothing, if you can
So saying. he turned and'moved off.
Jack did not follrw. The letter en-
trusted 10 bis care had been taken away
FROM him. and be felt that it was his duty
to endeavor to get it back.
He did not believe it contained much
money. but he knew that the captain was
a poor man, who had large family at
home dependent upon him for support.
1 will search for the rascal who has th
letter, and endeaver to obtain it while I
am able to creep muttered the brave boy,
1t never shall be said of me that allow
ed myself to be turned from the path of
duty By any man that ever breathed.
| He picked up stout stick, and NOV
ing hither and thither, peered carefully
through the shrubbery that rose in thick
masses all around him. The moonlight
struggling through the branches over his
head, afforded poor light for search,
still tho boy persevered, hoping to see the
fugitive before long. Nor was he disap-
pointed, for suddenly there was a rustling
ahead of him, and up rose the man he
was after, running towards the long
grass.
The fearless youth dar.ed after him
shouting to the vgilante, who was not yet
out Of sight, to follow him.
The officer did so; but he was still
some distance from the boy. when the
thief, finding himself near the edge Of a
swamp, turned and leveled a pistol at The
head of the youth.
Back, you young dog be grittsd
through lis teeth. Back, if you value
your lifc'
Jack preten ded to be very much alarm
ed. He turned and ran few steps. then
/ whirling round, continued on aftor the flu
gitive, who, believing he had frightened
the boy SO that he would not follow hin
further, was now running swiftly along the
edge eff the swamp.
Swift and stealtIy as an Indian. Jack
pursued, until he was within few yards
Of the fellow, whose course was now OBJ
structed by number Of bog holes.
when he hurled bis stick at the maD'
head. It ruck him on the temple, ant
| half stunned and bewildered he ssaggeret
to the side, sinking almost to his hips j,
the marsh Hebrew his pistol, however
and discharged itat the boy; bnt the wsap
on being leveled with unsteady aim, th
bullet passed over the lads head jus
grazing the right temple Of The yigilante
who was now fast coming
While the thief was yet laundering il
the mud, his persuers seized him ane
dragged him to the dry land.
Then he was haudcuffed, and the letter
which had not yet been opened, was takel
from him.
! My precious letter. cried Jack, much
overjoyed: L have it at last!.'
While the vigilante was conducting til
thief to headquarters, the. lad hurried t
: the landing, and was about to call a shore
boat, when somebody touched him on th
shoulder.
He turned and beheld his captain. VII
looked much agitated.
The letter!' he gaspcd; I hope you did nc
part with it. | have been locking all owe
town for you. | gave yon the wrong en-
selope--oue ontaining five hu ndred dol
lar bill If you have given it to job
the Spaniard; he has probably lighted hi
!. cigar with it before now; for he is ha