Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1873-04-03
gradually started it.


to the 'front.'" breathed my helper.
"His /" The guard clanked by,
starting the sweat from every
pore OF my body, for expected
him to stumble upon my friend
and deliverer outside.
"Be quick, resumed the voice
at the grating again. "He will
return in just twenty minutes, for
have marked his beats; and
quick!" -' -a----
One after the other, each of
the bars WIS dropped from its
place; and, then, by reaching my
hands out through the aperture,
and 10y dint Of using my shoeless
feet against the wall, / struggled,
and was drawn through. Fortu-
nately, l was slim and slight; a
large man must have hopelessIy
strangled himself. Not too soon,
either; for the guard turned the
corner at the moment and came
towards US. We crouched be-
hind, in the shade OF the project,
ing wall.
| He heard nothing; saw moth
ing; paced his beat and went
back. Once out Of signt, be very
sure we did not lose much time.
Springing up, and catching to the
high fence, We swung ourselves
outside.
"The only thing that I could
get" said Davis, leading me to an
old mule, and cautioning me in
whisper to beware Of the vicious
old animals heels. "Now, look
sharp! don't take the Red Forks,
mind you, nor the main route
that leads TO the courthouse =
There are four roads by the Live
Oaks, allrunning west; you know
thenG be cure and don't take the
third one, that leads right into
the camp of the outlaws, but the
fourth takes you down among our
boys-the Regs Mind well my
directions and ride softly, while |
try to take up the attention Of
the sentinel"
mounted in a heterogeneous
manner, the old mule refusing to
remain sufficiently stationary Tor
me, to seat myself according toI
the fashion oil civilization.
Ride softly! Davis must have
been joking. For the heels of
that vicious brute beat the sod as
though be were a rum,major
beating the DEVILS tattoo, and
with considerable more force and
effect. But at last persuaded
him with my heels to move on
not until ! had heard the sentinel
.brawling. with Davis, who was
personating a drunken man with |
great zeal and eminent success.
II got cut Of The place as soon
as the stiff knees of my fine an
imal would let me; but somehow
or other ] became confused as toi
Davis directions.
The Stars broke out through
the clouds; and SO / passed the
Red Forks, and the main route
leading to the courthouse safely |
but when l came to the Live
0aks-there l was out and un-
consciously too. To this day |
| don't know how it happened. Il
certainly avoided the third road
as | believed instead of which l
turned into it. There, deeming
myself safe, / relaxed my vigi-
lance, and pictured our mems sur
prise when | should ride up to
them. Three quarters of q mile
of, could see their campfire
glaring. 4 did not shout or ap-
prise them IN any way of my
coming they were for the most
part asleep; butt went quietly on;
When close up, dashed on, and
dashed right into the camp of
bushrangers some of whom had
carried me to- prison but few
hours before.
Picture my position ! Had i
possessed a good horse | should
have made. a rush for it, while
they were petri6ed with amaze
ment; but the treacherous beast
refused to move forward or back.
Just then, couldn't | have shouted
with Richard, "My kingdom for
"a horse!" Well, they had me,
more's the pity, seeing that near
ly all Of them were drunk, and
the rest unsteady in their joints.
Maybe they made methe butt of
a few thick jokes as they pulled
me from the old mules back, and
bound my hands, making the
rope fast 10 a stump, and setting
a thick, rough fellow to guard me.
! was half palsied by the mistake
Il had made and offered no resis
tance. No doubt that much was