Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1870-05-12


Forester heard tie words convict, saw the
old man. saw the bright barrel of the gun,
as it was pointed towards him, and then
all was blank to him.
When his consciousness returned he
found himself lying on the top Of the cliff.
It was night. A form was bending over
him. By tie dim starlight he could dis
tinguish the features, but cold shudder
passed over his body as he felt hand was
laid upon his face, and Lo heard the voice
of the miller.
He's dead, and amt bit sorry for
it either But what am [ going to do
with the body I can't throw it over the
els. Well I guess it's best to stick to
my old plan.
The miller took a rope from his pocket,
passed it beneath the armpit5 of Forester,
and dragged the body to cave only known
to himself.
This cave was situated where one end
of the dam was fastened by the means Of
heavy timbers to the cliffs the opening
was concec ed by clump of bushes.
No one will ever find him there, NUT
tered the miller.
When he entered the bed room Of his
daughter he found her lying upon the
floor insensible.
When Forester awoke from the death
like swoon, darkness was around him.
Painfully he lifted himself upon his elbow.
Bending aside the bushes he saw the
glimmer of a lantern which stood upon the
the dam close The sluice gates. When
Forresters eyes became more accustomed
to the darkness, he perceived the forms Of
two bending over the breastwork of the
gates. Soon the sound of voices came to
his ears,-he heard his name mentioned.
He was about to creep through the opening
of the bushes when the men began to walk
towards him. About fourfeet from where
be was lying they stopped.
What time is it, JinT said one Of
them.
Time enough for our little job, replied
the other, With a coarse, harsh laugh.
This time he will be cooped up for the
rest of his life you bet, replied the other.
'Or he'll swing for it, echoed the
other.
Look there JIM interrupted Charley.
what in the devil is up?' you fool.
L thought l saw mans face peeing at
me from the mantinzette
Forester had protuded his head. He
saw by light of the burning match the
bloaten face of James and Charles Croker.
Stuff and nonsense. Go to work. Have
you fixed the plank so that you can shove
it across the gulch to her window
Yes growled the brother but it was
devilish hard work
Then we are sure Of the gal. Now for
the DAM said Charley moving away.
Like fash of tightening the plot of
the Williams was revealed to Forester.
They first intended to cut the dam, then
they would rescue the family of the miller
by means of the plank. Of couese this
latter would insure the gratitude of the
miller. The breaking Of the dam would
be again charged upon Forester, who, as
one Of the brothers remarked, would be
sentenced to penitentiary for life, or else
swing
A look towards the dam showed that
the water was nearly level with the path.
He heard the cracking of the timbers and
planks, as the men were prying with an
iron bar at one end Of the beams. A
rumbling noise came to his cars it was
the sound of the pent up water, as it be-
can to overflow the dam. He arose to his
feet and drawing aside the bushes, he
stepped upon the shelf like path which ran
along side of the cliff.
Williams he shouted. The two BROTH
ers looked up, but saw no one, for the light
of the lantern illuminated the sluice gates.
They resumed their work. Again For
roster shouted and again they lifted their
heads, and there came terrible crash.
mingled with roaring of the water. Forces
TOR heard a cry Of dispair, and saw James
Croker fail head long over the dam into
the boiling, seething water belew.
With a prayer upon his lips for the
safety of her whom he loved, he ran along
the narrow path until he came opposite Of
the mill.
sThe food, the food. for Gods sake
save your lives. They have cut the dam,
he cried.
The window Of Amy's bedroom was
thrown open, and the miller, with lightol
candle in hand stood before it. Too &c.
The rushing water had already encircled
the mill, ami was now approaching ANY 5
bedroom. He looked.
Help! help" shouted John Cluny,
raising the light above his head. A cry
of terror escaped his lips as the light sh
on the face Of the man whom he thought
he had killed. The candle dropped from
his hand as he sank upon the floor. Mean
while Forrest er was searching for the plank.
At last he found it. He tried to shove il
across the gulf but his strength failed him,
! oh God! is there no help e 6 list me ?
Help help he cried, still tugging at the
plank.
sCome on. shouted voice.
Soon dozen men with lanterns were
rushing towards Forester.
The convict cries the foremost, as he
held the lantern TO the face of the pros.
trate man.
He has cut the dam again. cried
another. L am sure Of it.
Impossible see he has been wounded.
cried the first speaker. Forester pointed
towards the plank and then towards ths
mill.
| The men understood bis gestures
Soon one end Of the plank found srestiua