The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1873-03-19

armed and resolute men were on thei
way toward Louisville, bent upol
plunder and bloodshed. -
During the day Murrill himself, ii
disguise, visited the city and the boa
be had resolved to capture. On hi
return his eyes flashed fire, and ht
exclaimed: ,,..-.-.
"Men, some of our bodies will b.
floating in the Ohio before to-morro u
morning if we attempt this job. TT
succeed we may be compelled to fght
terrible battle. What say you
Shall we 60 forward p .'''.,.. .'-,.
What is the especial danger?". in
quired one.
"Just this. After it was discovered
that one Of my spies had been : on
board the boat, extra precautions have
been taken to guard against an attack
by u.s.: Regular picket lines have
beeu thrown out, both up and down
the river on this side, and watch-hres
built and guards stationed upon the
other side; and all the hands on the
boat are heavily armed, and u military
company is held in readiness to turn
out ut moments warning, | don't
know that I am right, but I think
some of their scouts have already re.
ported the fact that we are on our
way up the river. What say you
Shall We attempt the job with such
chances against US ?"
The chief Was surrounded by set
of men who were physically brave
many of whom absolutely preferred
such adventure as was pregnant with
danger. So with one voice, they ex.
claimed:
"We'll have that steamer or ,dieP'
"Enough," replied MurriIi; "you
have decided in accordance with my
own feelings. We will have that
boat or perish in the attempt to cap
ture her. But there is one thing
greatly in our favor. .''
"What is that2" ...'..'.'' ":: .i'.''
Z "There is to be grand ball in the
cabin Of the steamer to-iight, 80 the
military will not be as Ivigilant as
usual, on account of the large crowd
which will be present; and our ap-
proach will not be SO marked, as
large numbers will probably be going
{ ack and forth from the city to the
leyee. And now tor my instructions"
"Let us have them
Forty of our men must strike back.
into the country for mile or two,
and so the -pickets will be avoided.
Ten of that number must pass above
the city, reach the river, and then
make their way slowly down, neck
deep in the water. Select the best
swimmers for this duty, as the. art
will probably ,be q useful one. The:
remaining thirty: will pass through
the city in squads Of not more than
three, and so down to the levee by
different routes, and all ready to CEN
ter at the boat at exactly IL o'clock.
|, with the remaining ten men, will
70 up the. river, avoiding the guard
by keeping well into the water. Now,
remem Der; just as the clock strikes
twelve let every man make q rush,
and let every man be at his post.
We must have no .sluggards."
f"We shall be ready =
Il myself will spring to the wheel,
with two assistants, Some OF you
cut the ropes, and let the craft drift
ont in 20 the stream. Others must fire
up as quickly as possible, and by. thc,
time we are over the falls we can set
the engine in motion" ,
"WeIl planned, captain"
"One thing more, and to this order
[ want you to give special heed"
"Wbat is it?''; e aes-
awe certainly shall have some
fighting to do, bnt use your weapons
only when actually compelled to do
50, and spare the women: If any
man among you harms one of the
ladies and learn the fact, he dies the
death of a dog. After we pass the
falls. and get up steam, We will land
all those we capture, both men and
women, and let them make their way
home as best they cam 1.... :.
1--WE shall remember, captain"
"Well, be off now. It is dark
enough to advance with safesy." .|
The forty men started to carry ont
their instructions, while Murrill COM
menced his advance up the river, and
Just rs the clock struck twelve be and
his men arrived under the stern of
the steamer, and it was evident their
proximity was not suspected, for not
the slightest note of alarm had been
sounded. There were sounds of rev.
elry above. The sweet strains of
music arose upon the air. and occa-
sionally laugh would peal out from
those all unconscious Of the fact that
grim death was lowering around
them, and that before the sun would
rise their sun would 60 down forever.
Murrill was becoming impatient, for
the next hour seemed to drag slowly
along. He, swan around the prov of
the craft, and after waiting there for
a few moments his ten men came up
they were at least half an hour ahead
of time. After a time tho first stroke
of the distant church clock was heard
it was striking twelve-and twenty
men, like huge monsters, crept out
from the dark waters and stood for an
instant upon the levee. Then, with
tightening speedsthey darted on board
the steamer, and ran into the cabin
In an instant all was confusion. Wild
shrieks burst from the female throats
ard strong men shouted the alarm