Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-05-08


encd my breath and my footsteps, though fear
was not a usual sensation with me. The
tread behind qnickencd rs mine quickenod
and presently two men overlook ncsope join
ing mo on either side. Their faces were cov-
cred with black Grape, aud each carried a
stout stick in his hand. When the FIRST ac-
costcd mo with slow impertinence, | recog-
nized the voice Of that member Of the club
who bad most Of all excrtcd himself TO enter
tain mo at the Miners Arms, aud who had Of
fered to give up his lot whom he became the
lucky winner Of the watch. My car is quick
to recognize voices rarely deceiyipg me, aud
the voice Of this man was peculiar. Before
his insoeut speech was ended, the second
man broke 10, aud I felt could detect the
voice Of the ostler who had told me Of the
lameness Of my horse.
Come, shut up l' he said. What's the
use Of talking to him He's only got to
hand ovor toe watches; we want nothing
more Of him"
That's it," said the frst man readily.
" You see wha. We want" he added address
sing me thrca'eningly $50 be quick about
it,"
| saw Jne thing plainly enough 1t would
be Of no use for me to feigu ignorance Of
what they meant, so | simply asked them
what they were going to DO with the watches.
A stupid question enough bpt caught at
any delay, as | walked on unprotected be-
tween the tive strong. roughly-cIad miners,
with their masked faces aud their stout sticks.
It's no use for you to quibble over what
we say the drst man put in quickly; at
only wastes time, aud we don't care to spend
much in this climate. You've nothing to do
but pass US over those watches you brought
from the public, ami your own watch and
chain; we happen to know they're worth
having. G me, do it at once, or it'll be the
worse for you"
wonder whether you understand that
the descriptions and numbers arc all taken 2"
said, as easily as | could Just still for the
purpose of gaining time " aud | wonder
whether you understand that the police will
he at once on the track Of the thieves2 You'll
wish tho watches anywhere but on your per.
sons, I'm thinking
believe said Il as cooly as any one
could under the circumstances bat could
sec that the men woro little impressed by the
import Of my words.
Wen settle all that between ourselves" 4"
the ostler said, with grating chuckle; "and
as you don't seem inclined to hand that there
box over pcaceably well just help ourselves.
Go ahead, mate
Come, look here, you fellows" began,
with suldcu attempt at cool defiance, " |
know you both well enough, aud can swear to
you before any judge in England Don't you
think it would be your wisest plan to 90 off
before you've seven years transportation to
look forward to ?"
" Leave those little personal affairs for us
to SETTLE sneered the miner " we'll look
after ourselves when we leave you tonight
Come, look sharp that we amt tempted to
make your swearing to US rather harder than
you could wish. Don't you see that we're
two Of us, each with twice your strength, and
there's no help within couple Of miles.
Now. then mate, stop this ridiculous
lawdIing," put ia the other man, sullenly.
| won't wait minute longer dawding here
in the cold As he won't hand the things out
without any fuss, well do it for him, and do
it sharp. Tie up his mouth with the hand
kercher, aud pass me the cord
My mouth was gagged in an instant, as it
seemed to me aud, while | fought frantic
llly at the ruifiins they seized my wrists, and
bound them round and rouud with thin cord,
piercing the flesh until the blood came
" I've got EN- safe enough, and I'll tie EN-
so, muttered one fellow, with jeering laugh,
while the other had his great ugly hands tight
m the breast of my coat. Hold hard one
moment
Just as the man spoke, and tied the first
ink in the cord, there came towards US slowly
from the hedge on our right, u great black
mastili, his shaggy head rails d, and his sharp
gray eyes shining ia the dim, weird gloom Of
he snowy night lie hesita;ed moment be-
ore he reached us; then, with the shril bark
With which mastfIg generally prepares himself
tor an attack, he rushed upon the fellow who
vas holding me, seized him by the throat, and
throwing him down upon his back, stood with
lis iorepaws on his neck and chest. Shall
syer forget the mans abiect craven fear, a.
the dogs fierce eyes met him SO closely; as
the dogs white faugs cleaned between his
lrawnlips, aud his angry, painting breath rose
md fell upon the mans own ghaslly cheek p
Call your bloodhound of, cried the other
nan, drawing back from me in terror.
OF course saw II Was best that they should
lhiuk, as they naturally would, that the dog
vas mine 50 | answered, with a light, satlri-
'al laugh "lou don't know much OF mastifi'
# you think that such one as that would let
MS master be wayluid. With a word, | can
have you sprawlmg there beside your rascallJ
companion
| spoke ii confidently enough feeling that
both my life and property were safe but |
could not help hoping he would not force me
to prove my words
" Call HIM OIL, he edagain, shivoringa as
he looked al the deg, who evidently aud un-
nistakably ready to spring to the assault IN
. moment, as ouly mastif can-watched
every movement Of one man, while he held
the other, his great shaggy-haircd chest heay-
ing quickly.
You'd be safer, you aud your cursed ac.
compce, if YOU were ten miles away now"
SAID, almost jauntiy.
NOV then, sir, take him off, the man