The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1870-01-11

know would be in vain But if you hav
any pity for these gray hairs and a heal
almost broken, grant me, pray one re
quest"
''What is it?'
| "They will dwell in your cave, wi
they not ?'
| AYES"
| "Then take me there too. o, let m
dwell with them, and / will not murmu
IA will not curse you-I will bless you.
| The stranger regarded the aged appli
cant with singular expression; that i
lit seemed so for person who had an
nonnced himself as John A. Murrill, tn
outlaw-for there appeared to be mucI
sympathy about it. Indeed his eye
were watery, ,and he drew the back of hi
hand across one of them, as if he woult
dash away tear.
| Was this really the william who ha,
wrought the desolation the night before
Or was it some honest hunter, strong il
heart when in the right, gentle as wo
man when human suffering presented it
Iself.
| After time the stranger continued:
"Old man, how can you reach M,
Icave? II is far from here.'
40, let me try?"
"You will betray me on the road if op
portunity should occur"
"I swear that l will not.'
"You must live in an iron cage whel
there"
"Be it so. Only let me be near them.
"You must be my slave as well az
they"
81 will be doubly your slave, if by Sc
doing can only relieve them in the leas
degree"
Much more did the stranger seem tc
be affected. He turned his face away
and said, in low tone of voice:
sIf l had only found such affection
years ago what different man / might
have been!''
Then addressing himself to Mr.. Sey.
mour again, he continued
"With me you shall go, old man.
so, bless you! bless you!'
"But remember one thing. You have
promised not to betray me evenif oppor'
tunity should occur"
II have swornn'
"Murrill gave shrill whistle, and al
most instantly a splendid horse dashed
forth from neighboring thicket, came
swiftly forward to the side of its master,
rubbing its nose against him and Eeigh-
ing in an efectionate manner.
Again second blast was sounded, land
second animal made its appearance
much in the same manner. Upon the
back of his horse Murrill assisted Mr..
Seymour, and then he mounted the first.
At this moment number of the set
tiers came up, and they regarded the
stranger attentively fora moment, and
then questioned the old man with regard
to the previous night. He gave the ac-
count. rs
And then the question was asked
"Who Is this stranger with you ?"
Now was the time for the betrayal, if
Mr.. Seymour had intended such thing,
but he did not, and his answer was
'He is brave man who has much in
fuence with the indians, and thinks he
may be able to restore my loved ones to
me-" y
One of the settlers then stepped for
ward and asked of Murrill:
care not you the man who restored
Hattie Armstrong to her home last night
or rather, early this morning?"
81 am. learned by chance that la
dy captive was in the hands of Long
Run the chief. / paid the ransom and
brought her home"
A cheer broke from the lips of all pres
ent, but one, and he exclaimed:
"By thunder! boys, that's Murrill, the
pirate. Let's have him, dead or alive,
for there's big reward upon his head"
AS he spoke these words, he raised his
rifle and fired. The frontierman sell
dom misses his mark, and probably
would not have done so on this occasion,
but those around him did not believe
his assertion, and one of them stuck up
his piece just in time to send the bullet
high into the air
Murrill drew pistol, and leveling it
at the man, he asked:
eff l am the pirate, what do you ex-
pect?"
s.Instant deaths of course, since these
fellows will stand by you" was the I'm
finching answer.
Murrill only laughed, and turning his
horse in the opposite direction, galloped
toward the river at a fearful speed, fol-
lowed by the other animal,the rider find
Ing some difficulty in keeping his seat.
1t was well for the settlers that they
had not joined in with the one who rec
ognized Mprrill, forjust as he approach
ed the grove from whence the horses
came, he was joined by about twenty
mounted men, all of whom were armed
to the teeth, and had the appearance of
desperate characters.
The river was crossed and weary
journey Of three days was performed
At the end Of this time. the famous cave
of John A. Murrill was reached, upon
the Ohio River.
1t was really the robber- chief, and his
arrival was the signal for cheer after
cheer from his men, who gathered around
OF course, Mr.. Seymour looked eagerly
around him on every side, in the hope of
seeing his loved ones, but they were not
in sight. Probably they were back in the
cave; but he did not ask any questions.
Two hours passed by. Refreshments
had been served, and wine was given the
old man. Then he was led to a comfor-
table bed in the cave.
Surely he did not appear like much of
a slave as yet, and he yentured to ask
Murrill:
eWhen shall l be permitted to see
them %
3You must sleep first"
81 cannot sleep until ] have met them !"
ut will not be>until tomorrow morn
ing, SO you must content thyself."
81 wi try" 4
Murrill LETT the cave and blew several
blasts upon bugle. His men began to.
gather round him, and in short time
there were not less than one hundred of
n r I n l.