Eaton weekly Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1866-1875, 1873-03-06

pei her, it was impossiable to manage
the craft and keep her head down the
stream, for, as she approached nearer
and nearer the falls, it became evident
that she would go over sideways, and, if
SO, there would be the greatest danger,
unless she should happen to be exactly
In the channel, of which the chief was
not certain. But the crisis was at hand
Behind her a hundred boats had shot
out upon the river in pursuit around
her the mad rapids were boiling, seeth-
ing and roaring, and just below was the
descent, known as the falls, over which
she must plunge. She trembled, heaved
and was going down, when there came a
crash like the bursting of thusand
thunders, mingled with the most awful
shrieks-the ship had struck sunken
rock, and there she hung for a moment,
while the mad waters rushed over her
decks. Then she broke, and it was evi-
dent she was going down, a total wreck.
And, to add to the horror, a cry of fire
was raised, and it soon became evident
that nothing could save the steamer from
total destruction.
1t now became every man to look out
for himself, and Murrin 1eaped into the
water. It was with considerable diff
Guilty that he reached the shore, which
he did at length, in an exhausted state.
Then he seated himself for few mo-
ments, and waited the regathering of his
band. But he was not safe at that point,
and with only five of the robbers, who
had come to the shore, he took his way
back to his cave. Weary, sick and
bruised, he could scarcely drag his way
along, and his men were really in worse
condition than himself. The conse-
quence was that an unusual length of
Cd IN, hn
cavern. When he did arrive there his
appearance was greeted with cheers by
those who had arrived before him. They
were not entirely disheartened, as their
chief lived, for one of the robbers had
brought in news that he was among the
slain.
Murrill gazed sadly around him-he
had less than thirty men left-the others,
no doubt, had perished. But with one
exception this number seemed to well
come his return. The exception was a
man named Kit Blanchard. He frowned
6ercely, remained apart from the rest,
and seemed uneasy. Murrill noticed this,
but still he gave it little thought.
It was not long after this that the
chief entered his cavern. He had not
proceeded far, when his attention was
attracted by a groan. He approached
the spot from whence the sound pro-
ceeded, and there he found young and
lovely girl, bound hand and foot, in such
q manner that he was unables to move.
He questioned her and heard her story.
She was on the steamer when it went
over the falls. Her lover was with her,
and he had succeeded in getting her
ashore. Scarcely had they landed when
her lover was struck down dsad at her
side by robber, and she was seized and
brought thither. The robber was en-
tirely alone, with the exception of her
self, during the whole journey. He told
her that Murrin had been killed, that he
was to bS6aptain now, and she should
be forced to become his wife. The chief
removed the cords which bound her, and
led her to the entrance of the cave. He
bade her wait moment, and then he as
sembled his band. He saw that one OF
them was pale and trembling. He called
the girl forward, and requested her to
single out her captor. She pointed to
Kit Blanchard. In an instant the report
of pistol rang out /; it was fred by Muir
rill, and Kit Blanchard fell dead. The
young lady was restored to her friends.
1t was this adventure and defeat that sc
weakened the robber band that they
were soon after scattered, and the CHIEF
himself captured. His fate is a matter
of history.