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

A RUBBERS 3 MAGNANlMlII.
1t is said the devil is not as black al
he is painted, and the same might
apply to John A. Murrill, the great
Western land pirate. At the time he
figured conspicuoasly along the Ohio
and Mississippi riders, steam boating
was comparatively in it's infancy, and
so sparsely was the country settled
that the red man still retained his
footholt. although it's absolute sway
was over. To the traveller Murrill
was terror, but to the squatters for
many miles around his cave he was
rather friend than otherwise, for he
had never been known to harm any
of them, and he had often lent them
his aid in time of trouble. Especially
had be befi'iended them from outrages
by tAe savageS, and he was not slow
to avenge any wrong inflicted upon
them by the red man. Murrill had
been idle for some time. 1t seemed
as if he had a presentiment of evil
hanging over him, and be had grown
listless, and even melancholy. His
men ventured to whisper among
themselves that their captain was
becoming iDdolent, and some of them
declared that he had received u vast
quantity OF gold which be had con.
cealed. and that at the first opportu-
nifty he intended to ship to some
distant point,sand leave them and his
former occupation forever.
All summer the captain had talked
of incLrsions, but they had baen de-
layed from time TO time, and nothing
had been accomplished. The stock of
provisions had become SO far ex-
hausled that the robbers wer compel
led to subsist principally or game.
They became discontented and some
of them openly grumbled; but single
frown of the. chief was sufficient to
impose silence. -. ...t
All the men had been lolling leis-
urely about, and as night came on
they hugged the fire closeley, and
ever aud anon they cast anxious
glances over the river, as if expecting
some important event. Even the
captain appeared uneasy, and he
strobe up and down, sometimes paus-
ing, and then continuing his walk at
q more rapid rate.
Suddenly a man on a horse appear
ed in sight, and at the same time the
shrill blast of trumpet was heard.
Instantly the men were upon their
feet, aud when the rider came up he
was surrounded in an instant, and a
dozen questions propounded in the
same breath. To one and all he made
the answer: .. 5....
THE steamer will not come further
down than Louisville, but she is a
rich prize if we can only capture her.
Her cargo is an assorted one, and it
will not be removed until snow falls,
so that it can be taken across to
Nashville in sleds, unless q warm
spell should come on then she would
come down the river and up the
Cumberland"
"There won't be any warm spell
this season." suggested one of the
robbers. "In a week the Ohio will be
frozen up tighter than a drum-head,
and the Cumberland is closed now.
We must seize her where she lies"
"Aye, ayel" was the response from
fifty .throats. Without needing these
words, Murrill asked:
Chow is the water. on the falls al
Louisvi!le2" 81 =
"Hardly enough to get her over
but there has been rain above-the
river is rising-and there will Le plen
ty bv the time we get there"
care they On the lookout for me 2
asked Murrill.
Eyes, and what is still worse,
was recognized" .,-,
"The devil !",a..
"Yes, I went on board the boat
and in looking around l saw pair o
sharp eyes fxe d upon ne, and l knew
I had seen that face before. walked
careIessly about the levee. when
ncard this chap say that l was one 0
Murrills men, and then the captain
cautioned him to keep quiet until h
could secure my arrest. But in few
moments after l was astride my nag
land then knew I was safe. But
knew they were on the lookout TO
you for, before l was recognized,
heard one Of the boat hands say thu
he hoped Murrill would come up, TO
he wanted the pleasure of hanging
him" ."#.. ,.: "'H
A fierce frown passed over the fac
of the chief, and turning SHARPLY
around he exclaimed:
"Men, get ready TO move, for W
Will be off in an hour. Well hay
that boat or perish in the attempt t.
capture her" t" .. 5
A wild cheer burst from the throat
of the robbers, and then they Sc
about making preparations for tn
adventure; and before midnight fit.