National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1870-01-21

when l felt my ankles, beneath the
table, grasped as in a vice, a heavy
cloth thrown over my head, and a
blow as from a sledge.hammer,-
stretched me stunned and bleeding
on the floor.
l havea vague recollection OF bru
tai and familiar laughs, and the
roaring of huge fire, of voice l
had heard before, but could not tell
where; in my frenzied state l im>
agined the cabin on fire, and that
demons were dancing diabOlically
around my burning body. The. first
shock had passed away, and l felt
myself carried toward the huge fire;
and then awOke to the fearful res
ality of my situation as rough
hand was thrust beneath my shirt
in quest of my gold.
quickly made my resolve, and
with movement as unexpected as
unsuccessful, l threw off the hand
that clutched my treasue, and tore
away the iron fingers that excoriat
ed my throat and the merciless knee
that crushed and suffocatcd me, and
discharged a derringer in the face
of the nearest assailant. All this
occurred within two minutes.
To leap through the crashing
window. to run to my saddled steed,
mount him, and ride toward the for
est. were feats of a moment. After
riding some three miles, ,rOusing the
silyan denizens by my headlong
course as | crashed over Obstruc-
tiOns, at another time unsurmOunt-
able, | dismounted and placed my
ear to the ground to detect sounds
of pursuit.
To my alarm, the sound of the
dull and rapid thud of horses hOOfs
vibrated through the earth. Mine
was now a fearful situation, with II
worn out hOrse,in trackless forest;
with no guide but the silent moon
and stars, with boodthirsty men
rapidly gnawing upon me, and with
no arms save one loaded pistol
No time, however, was left to reflect.
Nearer and nearer came the re,
sounding hoofs in full gallop; a
wild and savage shout was borne
upon the midnight-wild. Frenzied
by my peril, lcaped upon my sor-
rel, buried the rowrls in his lacera-
ted flanks, and sped OH at my form
er pace. But the animals strength
was spent, and suddenly. without
warning, he plunged headlong to
the ground a lifeless mass.
My pace had so gradually slacken.
ed that my pursuers had gained up
on me greatly ; as a last resource,
sprang behind huge oak and cock
ed my pistol just as horseman al
full canter came around turn and
went headloug, horse and man, over
the dead body of my faithful sorrel
Seeing my chance, sprang at the
villains throat, and with IA tremen
duous blow CT my pistol-butt, ren
dered him uncoscious.
In the dark shade of the dense
foliage, I could not scrutinize his
countcnance, and the rapid approach
of other pursulers made me look tt
my own safety. Urging the Villains
) horse to his feet, and with my still
loaded pistol, sped away like The
wind upon his back. The hors,
, seemed strong and fresh, aud | was
fondly hoping he would carry m'
, out of the dangerous forest, wher
suddenly the animal stopped in hi
furious career and sprang back upt
his launches. This unlocked fo
, and violent movement threw IN,
r high over the beasts head, where
) lay mt the foot of the tree PARTIAL,
/; stunned. Frantic with terror a
, the effects of his behaN ar, the ami
nal turned and galloped fuliousl.
; back through the woods. AS tn
2 sounds of his hoOfs died away
recovered, and desperately awaited
t the arrival of my pursuers. On,On
j. on.c came the rapid gathering of hoof
= until | perceived the full figure of
: man armed and mounted, cominI
: swiftly toward me.
! He was evidently unaware of m
e proximity, for he came with unabl
cd pace. At ten PAGES discharges
$ my pistol ut his breast. With or
i of agony he reeled from his saddl
c to the ground,a lay upon his fac,
: Prompted by humane feelings,
r stopped over him, and in that fac
e Of deathly palor recognised Sutlel
the man who had gone over the cliff
G Horror. stricken, | recoiled. Clan,
!, ing once more on the upturned an
T. bloody face, ! then mOunted-thi
l. my third relay-and galloped RAJ
J. idly away. In my weak and spen
s condition, l must have fallen tll
n victim of my pursuers, IL after "a shol
" bnt hard ride, l had not perceive
g n cluster of log cabins a little aheat
1t surrounded by clearing.
: / dismounted and knocked. A gra.
= bearded settler kindly welcomed M
: and when l related my terrible n,
y venture, my host pronounced m
~ assailants no other than Red Nick
!, band. The news soon spread throug
:. u the settlement, and In the univers
:, Indignation a party was armed an
y mounted TO 60 In pursuit of the on
- laws.
!" After nm hours ride, We came n
=, ~ on the dead body of Sutler,who WI
~ pronounced as one Of Red Nick
~ Laul MifLaiil dnlnv vn ro1ln III