Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1872-03-14

ster6. anu dareu not 60 a0u get tnem,
for fear Of provoking an attack from my
immaginary foe.
Several minutes passed. and all Of a
sudden | felt the weight Of heavy hand.
or claw of u W lid beast. descend on my
right shoulder. and almost at the same
moment | felt similar sensation on my
left shoulder
drew my knife. the only weapon l
had about me-stepped back few PAGES,
and demanded who was shere, if it was
anything human.
That moment vivid fash of Lightning
illuminated the surrounding darkness.
and rendered all objects visible. A few
steps in front of ME stood two ferocious
and british looking men. 1t was plain
to me that these two were cut throats
and thieves, or if they were not, their
brutal appearance belied them wonder
fully. Two more diabolical looking
wle'ches, it has never been my ill-luck
to encounter. That they meant no good
| had no earthly reason to doubt, and,
situated as was. the prospect was any
thing but pleasant. Both ruaians held
pistols in their hands, and the weapons
were leveled at my breast.
saw all this at quick glance, and
again darkness covered everything. What
should 1 do? Attempt to reach my
horse and trust to Prov idcnce for my f.
nal rescue? To my mind that seemed
my only chance, for, in an encoun er
with TWO such brawny Williams my chance
would be slim. Whatever course l
adopted l must be quick or the next fl sh
Of lightning would betray my purpose.
Quietly stopped down and prepared
to crawl to my horse. What the TWO cut
threats were doing could not tell. for
the din of the tempest prevented me from
hearing customary sounds. The outlaws,
however. had sharper ears than ], for
before had proceeded three feet, loud,
coarse vol,e exclaimed:
"'Tain't no use, stranger. for ye can't
get away from here till ye've paid toll.
We steal for living, we do so. SO you
may expect what to get. Keep still,
that's my advice or before you know it,
yell get bullet into yer carcass"
For menent l hestated, and that
moment the whole scene was lit up by a
fash of lightri ing. There stood the out
laws, cir wicked eyes glazing upon me.
The fash revealed my own position also
AS soon as they saw me, one of them
broke out into harsh, brutal laugh, and
exclaimed:
"Must think we are a set Of mines to
be cheated that way"
''He don't know we're sort Of night
owls, and see better in the dark nor in
the light" responded number two.
"Fancies he'll escape US, likely" said
the first.
IF be does, he'll be the only man that
ever did that sort of a thing" said the
second.
"When he gets away, hope he'll let
US know it, remarked the other conf
IDENTIFY.
That l had fallen into the hands OF
two Of the worst outlaws. everything
more and more betckened Such men, l
knew. placed no more value on human
life. than on the life of a dog, AMI re-
solved to part with it, if part l must, in
au attempt to escape, however. desperate
such a course would seem under such cir.
cumstances.
1t was nov almost time for another
fash so Strengthening myself up, wait
ed for it 10 come. The mex moment il
came. and 9th almost binding brillian
cy. The OUTLAY VS. had not moved step
but remained as at first, regarding the
spot where l was standing.
"Come, stranger" yelled the man who
had first addressed me, " its about time
we come to an understanding. Yer see
VIC dou't like to fool long, and we've been
playing with you till we're tired out, We
is. Yer money er your life is what We
want. and if you don't like that, we viii
take both without asking. What DO you
say stranger. which shall it be ? Eff yee's
for fight. sing out; guess We can accom-.
modate you. Fitin's our element, and
we are always ready for scrimmage
Now if you don't do something at onest
we will certain"
During the time the outlaw was speak.
ing, l had been preparing myself for the
attempt. summouing all my courage
all my resolutions, all my determiua tiou
and assuming position best suited fol-
the attempt, bounded forward with des-
perate speed in hopes to effect my es-
cape.
The outlaws uttered a low yell, to lei
me know they were on my track. hao
expected as much, and consequently wa.
not at all disappointed.
Two muscular bounds placed me on m,
horse. and with single spring vaulteo
to his back. At the moment felt my.
self safe l was seized by brawny hands
aud the lightning showed me that if hae
been quick, my assalants had been equal
ly SO. attempted to start my horse, bu
The outlaws dragged me to the ground. )
"No go, stranger" cried one of tteu
eyer can't get away from US if you try
we're dead sure on this ground"
lay on my back on the ground, th'
rufians STOPPING over ME, with thei
knees pressed firmly against my chest
Still however, I resisted. for / was no
the man to give up without a strugel lie a
desperate as the chances may be. aud a
that mo.nent they seemingly could no
have bern any worse.
Ny assai,ants grew furious, and han
died me in anything but gcutle manner
Desperation gave me new lease Of eour
age and strength. SO that I managed Il
regain my feet I bad lost my knife ii
the struggle, and. consequently was IN
armed. Not SO the outlaw. for they still
held in their hands their murJcsous dirk
which thew were trying TO use ON M