Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-03-28

would sutilce TO pass my body through,
could easily gain the roof, and then
safely spring to the earth for the cave
was not over ten feet from the ground.
The attempt was worth making any
way; so creeping noiselessly back to my
rude bed, from whence | could easily
touch the roof, it was so low, began my
work. To my great joy / found that the
boards could be removed without any
great effort on my part, and soon | had
an opening sufficient to let me pass out,
and had done it all so noiselessly that it
had not in the least attracted the atten-
ton of those below. teH I.af
Before making my exit once more
took a glance at the scene below, to as
sure myself that they had not yet dis
covered my Intentions. | was quickly
relieved on this point, for they were all
sitting where had last seen them, and
engaged in low, animated conversation.
In few moments more, by the aid Of
a weight-pole which lay directly across
the opening | had made in the roof, |
swung myself up, and soon stood on the
top of the cabin.
The night was dark one, with but
few stars to be seen in the armament.
Although it was midsummer, yet there
was a cool breeze stirring which made
me shiyer with cold, so unaccustomed
was | to the mountain cline.
i paused moment to listen, but hear
ing nothing | proceeded down the
roof, and creeping upon my hands and
knees as softly as possible, till / ap-
preached the cave. / had at first deter
mined to spring from here to the ground,
but new idea struck me, and one |
greatly repented of the moment after
putting it in execution. rf
The shed in which my horse was Sc
cured was only few feet from me, so
close that i could easily step upon it
from where | stood. Crossing over this
on the opposite side, stunted oak grew,
its branches extending out over the shed.
| could reach this and slide down the
trunk to the ground, thus avoiding the
danger of leap, and also the chances
of warning the inmates of the cabin of
my proceedings.
But this venture brought about what !
had all along been so anxious to avoid
o disturbance. AS stepped cautiously
across, my foot, by some means or other,
slipped, and | was precipitated headlong
upon the shed with a terrible racket,
narrowly saving myself from a fall to
the ground. tr.Ifn-f
was partially stunned, and lay there
for moment utterly unable to rise. |
could hear the trio within the cabin, as
they sprung to their feet, startled by
my fall, and then the heavy tread of
Dawton who hastened up the ladder into
the loft. could hear plainly the horrid
oath he uttered when he found that
had escaped and he yelled loudly TO
his companions:
He has escaped, boys; out and after
him he must never leave this place
alivel"
l heard the door open violently, and
the quick, ringing tread of the two men
as they came hastily around the cabin.
All this, it seemed to me, transpired
in an instant of time; and it was not
until | heard the villains coming that |
to scramble up and glide
across the roof of the she'd The tree
which | had intended to aid me in
to the ground, was covered
with a dense foliage, and, as quick as
thought, l seized an outstretehed limb
and drew myself among the branches
into its leafy covert, thus completely
screening myself from view from below.
1t was all done rapidly, and ere the
two men had yet come into view.
But in a moment thereafter they both
made their appearance, the one in front
with flaming torch in his hand,
Dye see anything of him, boysY
shouted the excited Dawton, as be came
tearing around also.
mo; he's gone" was the hasty reply.
But he cannot be far, said he. THAT
noise was made by him as he escaped on
the roof. He is somewhere about herel
Search closely for him. He must not
elude us.
And the trio, after separating, began a
search which lasted fully an hour. All
the woods that surrounded the
cabin-in every nook, in every valley,
sought me; but, at length,
entirely disheartened, they came back
toward the shed, pausing when they had
come up to it.
| now began to tremble lest they should
extend their search, and happen to ferret
out my place of concealment; but short
among themselves at once
lispelled this fear. .4
He's gone. sure, said Dawton with a
great oath.
"And all your fault, blast ye, !" retorted
,ne of the others. If you had only
,ilenced the fellow when he was in your
power, everything would have been safe
Now, besides what we have lost by him
Getting away, this part of the country
will be too hot to hold us
Yes, said the third, he II arouse the !
Whole neighborhood, and they'll be upon |
is before the sun rises 'ffF9fTt
But they'll not find us. We must |
cave before daylight added DaNton,
Z" reckon the horse II fall to Jim and |
ne, put in the second speaker, casting
N angry glance at Dawton.
Yes, boys, you can have the horse, |
eplied that individual.
This served somewhat TO mollify the |
,thers' anger; and after few more
gords, which were delivered in low, in
udible voices, Dawton adjourned to the
nut, while the two worthless, leading out
ny horse and saddling him, both mounted
i'm, and soon disappeared, in a quick
rot, down forest path.
By this time daylight was slowly break
ng in the east; but did not quit my
erch till had seen Dawton and his
Tife hurriedly follow the tracks Of the
ther two Then, when was SIRE that
hey were entirely gone, hastily de-
pended and gained the road. / walked
orward briskly till reached another
ouse, few miles distant.
A party was quickly raised, and we
.ent back in search Of the villains, but
I 4 Il - I