The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1871-01-25

signal for my death, and so remained
perfectly motienless /; but the strange,
horrid, cold calm that stole over me will
never pass from my memory.
"Bah I" he said, putting up the pistol,
"let him live f; I've got the other one to
attend to-"
He turned away and left the hut, care
fully closing the door behind him. I
listened to his retreating footsteps, and
when they sounded distant sprang to
my feet. Ny first idea was fight, but .
moments consideration told me that
that would be certain death. I crept to
the door and peeped through the chinks
in the wall. The storm still ragged, and
by the constant flashing of the lightning
was enabled to see for some distance.
Silas was coming toward the hut, carry
ing heavy burden on bis shoulders
He stopped BY the side Of a pond about
ten yards from the building, and threw
down his load-it vas the body Of
man. Silas then took some cords FROM
mis- pocket, and with them bound huge
stone to the body. When this vas done
he picked up the ghsstly object, and
with more than human strength hurled
It into the pond. The lightning cleaned
out brightly; the pale, ghastly face
seemed turning one appealing look to
heaven for revenge; the cold, dull wa
ters closed over it, and all was still
again.
Struck with borrow, could scarcely
move, and With difficulty Fegained my
position BY the FIRE before Silas re"
turned.
Quietly taking of bis own coat and
waistcoat. which were as bad as they
could be, he threw them into one corner
of the room, and then, with all the COOL
ness imaginable, dressed himself in my
garments. He again left the hut with
my saddle-bags, and a few minutes after
ward 1 heard the ring Of my horse'r feet
as he galloped away.
In moment I had seized his coat,
and putting it on, dashed from the hut
in pursuit.
1 ran until almost ready to drop.
Still pressed on the spirit of revenge
had entered my soul, and boro me up.
At last saw horsemsn crossing the
hill. EkneW the figure but too we'll
it was Silas Cass.
Till morning I lodged from bush to
bush, keeping as close to him as I dared
Had 1 had pistol with me fear Silas
would have stood a very poor chance.
At last perceived party Of horsemeu
riding toward US, and in minute I
burst from my hiding-piace and COM
menced shouting as loudly as could.
Stop him, stop him he is = muir
ierer"
Silas looked quietly behind him, and,
seeing me running, drew his revolver,
presented and fred. The bullet vhis-
tied close to my head, but did no
damage.
By this time the horsemen had heard
my cries and we're close upon Silas, who
hesitated for moment whether to at
tack me or not, but seeing the party of
horsemen we're armed, he turned bis
horses head as if to galop across the
country ; bat the leader Of the horsemen
swung his rife round. and presented
it at Silas, called upon him 30 stop.
81 guess this is pretty shipdy," said
Silas, coolly, "all about fellow whe
has lost his money at poker"
"S,op that man." cried; "he has
robbed me of my money, horse and
clothes"
why, you darned viper" said Silas-
"didn't you lose them to me fairly at
poker, 10 the block-hut Z"
"No." cried "he robbed me there,
and 1 call upon you all to help me arrest
him for having committed murder. |
saw him throw the body into pond BY
the log hut last night. Expecting the
same fate, l wrote on an envelope these
words: Il have been robbed and mur-
dered by Siias Cass-James Ansel. q You
Will mud 1t In slis IN the hninS VI my |
coat, which that man now wears, for ne
is Silas Cass."
Scarcely had the words escaped my
lips when Silas again presented his pis-
tol, and this time with better effect, for |
the bullet pierced my arm, but at the
same instant one of the horsemeu dealt
Cass heavy blow with his rife, and
laid him senceless on the ground.
Silas was handed over to she authori-
ties aud searched; my envelope vas
found upon him. The body was found
in the pond as described. My story
was told and proved true, and in few
days l had the satisfaction Of knowing |
that Silas Cass was no more.