The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1870-02-22

even the relation of Suffers horrible
death did not disturb caused me to ACT
cautiously, and | privately signalled my
companion to do the same
| had just unconscously fallen into q
doze, caused by my fatigue, when | felt
my ankles, beneath the table, grasped as
in vice, a heavy cloth thrown over my
head, and blow as from sledge ham
mer,-stretched me stunned and bleed
ing on the floor.
have a vague recollection of brutal
and familiar laughs, and the roaring Of
huge fire, of voice | had heard before
but could not tell where in my frenzied
state | imagined the cabin on fire, and
that demons were dancing diabolically
around my burning body. The first shock
had passed away, and | felt myself car
ried toward the huge fire and then |
awoke to the fearful reality Of my situa-
tion as a rough hand was thrust beneath
my shirt in quest of my gold
, | quickly made my resolve, and with
movement AS unexpected as success
ful, threw off the hand that clutchcd
my treasure, and tore away the iron flu
gers that excoriated my throat, and the
merciless knee that crushed and suffo-
Gated me, and discharged u derrnger in
the face of the nearest assaiant. All this
occurred within two minutes.
To leap through the crashing window
to run to my saddled steed, mount him
and ride toward the forest, were fcats of
moment. After riding some three
miles, rousing the silvan denizens by my
headlong course as crashed over obstruc-
tions, at another time unsurmountable |
dsmounted and placed my ear to the
ground to detect signs of pursuit
To my alarm, the sound Of the dull
and rapid thud Of horses hoofs vibrated
the earth. Mine was now a fearful situa-
tion, with worn-out horse, in IL trackless
forest with no guide but the silent moon
and stars, with bloodthirsty men rapidly
gaining upon me, and with no arms save
one loaded pistol No time, however,was
left to reflect
Nearer and nearer came the resound-
ing hoofs in full gallop; wild and saw
age shout was borne upon the midnight
wind Frenzied by my peril, | leaped
upon my sorrel, buried the rowels in his
lacerated hanks, and sped on at my for
mer pace. But the animals strength
was spent, and suddenly, without warning
he plunged headlong to the ground life
less mass.
My pace had so gradually >lackcned
that my pursuers had gained upon me
greatly; as last resource, | sprang be-
hind huge oak and cooked my pistol
just as II horseman at full cantcr came
around turn and went headlong, horse
and man. over the dead body of ny faith
ful sorre. Seeing my chance, sprang
at the villains throat and with tremen-
dous blow of my pistol-buti, rendered
him unconscious.
In the dark shade of the dense foliage,
| could not scrutinize his countenance,
and the rapid approach Of other pursuers
made me look to my own safety, Urg-
ing the villains horse to his feet, and
with my still loaded pistol, | sped away
like the wind, upon his back. The horse
seemed strong and fresh, and | was fond
ly hoping he would carry me out Of the
dangerous forest, when suddenly the ami
nal stopped in his furious career and
sprang back upon his launches. This
unlocked for and violent movement threw
me high over the beasts head, where |
lay at the foot ofthe tree partially stunn-
ed Frantic with terror at the effects of
his behavior, the animal turned and gal
loped furiously back through the woods.
As the sounds of his hoofs died away |
recovered, and desperately awaited the ar
rival Of my pursuers. On, on, on, came
the rapid Gathering Of hoois until per-
coived the full figure ofa man armed and
mounted, coming swiftly toward me.
He was evidently unaware ofmy prox-
unity, for he came with undated pace.
At ten PAGES discharged my pistol at
his breast With cry Of agony he reel
ed from his saddle to the ground, and lay
upon his face. Prompted by humane
feelings, | stopped over him, and in that
face Of. deathly pallor recognized Sutler,
/ the man who had gone over the cliff.
llorror-stricken, | rccoiled. Glancing
once more ON the upturnei and bloody
face, then mounted this my third relay
and galloped rapidly away. In my
weak and spent condition, must have
fallen the victim Of my pursuers, if after
n short but hard ride, had not perceived
"A cluster of log-cabins little ahead sur
rounded by clearing.
dismounted and knocked \ gray
bearded settler kindly welcomed me, and
when related my terrible adventure, my
host pronounced my assailants no other
than Red Nicks band The news sool
spread through the settlement, and il
the universal Indignation party wa
armed and mounted TO 90 in pursuit o
the outlaws.
After an hours ride, We came upon
the dead body of Sutler, who was pro
nounced as one of Red Nick baud
. Without delay We rode on, and soon dis
covered the outlaw whom | had stunne,
with n blow of my pistol, just recoverin!
: from his insensiblity. lie was prompt,
secured, being no other than the iamou
: Red Nick himself, whom now recogniz
: ed as the rufiian whom had ieled to tn
ground two weeks before, on the paycmcn
| of the San Saban Hotel.
l The mystery was thickening 'roun'
, me. The outlaw was secured upon
= horse, and We set out for the rendezvous
t aud when we arrived at the cabin, al
p, was silent, BY the aid of Il lantern, tn
: interior was Scrutinized. On the floor
half covered with the debris of chairs an
5 tables, lay the body of my guide, whol
e ! had shot when burst from the mui
5 derers' hands. He, too, was pronounce
\ one of Red Nick's gang.
IA | had just risen from an inspection {