The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1874-08-07

served The porter OF the boat, who was
sleeping on the deck, having awakened at the
moment that Birch had thrown the portman-
teau overheard, saw the act, and rushing to the
captains Office, soon ascertained, by arousing
the clerk, that if was Bonney's portmanteau
which had thus been summariy dealt with
BY the time, therefore, Birch had returned to
the cabin, the porter was after him, and in
formed Bonney of the whole circumstance.
"Well, Birch, " said Bonuey, ''you have your
trouble for your pains. The watch-chain and
seal OF Col. Davenport, which / presume you
supposed were IN that portmanteau were not
there, but in safe keeping ready to be produced
against you. ! advise you, Birch, to behave
better in future, and In the meantime / shall
be compelled to add more severity to that
which have aleady unwilhngly exercised and
| give you the same warning, Long, that all
attempts to elude justice will be unavailng."
Although Bonney evlnced no feeling before
his prisoners at the loss of his portmanteau, it
was nevertheless a source of great chagrin and
regret to him. Independent of the loss OF the
bowie knife OF Birch and the pistol of Long, il
contained many OF his valuable papers. the alb
sence of which he feared might cause him some
embarrassment. The success, however, which
had so far attended all his plans, obterated
any feeling Of depression which might arse
from this unfortunate slip of hls vigilance. and
he buried its remembrance in the triumph of
justice, of which hope whispered to him be
was about to be the instrument of accomplish.
ing.
The Champion, without beng the scene OF
any further remarkable occurrence with refer
ence TO the prisoners, reached Chicago. and
Long and Birch ere Immediately transferred
to the Chicago jail, and placed IN the custody OF
Sheriff Lowe.
Bonney, with bis prisoners, was detained
some tine at Chicago, waiting for an extra
stage-coach, and during this interval, Long and
Birch were informed OF the arrest of ohters OF
the gang on the Rock River, the disclosures
they had made, and the excitement which pre-.
vailed throughout the whole country against
them. At this intelligence, the courage OF
Birch, which had been for some time failing
utterly forsook him. He cried and begged
that he might be kept confined in Chrcago.
until the excitement had, in some measure.
died away.
- ! am guilty Of robbery larceny, and many
other crimes, he said, =" but am innocent OF
the murdur OF Davenport but l shall be
lynched' know l shall, for deserve it"
" You are id fool for making such fuss:
be man. | fear not the whole crowd. peve,
wronged man in my life, said Long, looking
on those who stood in the cell with cool com.
posure, as il the most perfect innocence on his
part had swept away all danger OF any harm
coming to him.
The passengers who came across the lake
with Bonney and his prisoners, having taker
the regular stage which left Chicago immedi
ately on the arrival OF the boat were thus some
hours in advance of Bonney who had to wai
for an extra. The consequence was that they
spread the news of the arrest of the Davenport
murderers far and near. This was unfortunate
FOR the country through which Bonney had now
to pass on his way to Rock Island was thinl,
populated and was moreover infested with nu
merous members OF the great gang OF tht
Brigands of the West" 1t was morally Ger
tain that the friends Of Long and Birch, in tha
quarter, would hear all the particulars OF thei
arrest and would attempt TO rescue them. TIL,
courage and determination of Bonney. however
did not forsake him. He had conquered al
former difficulties, had passed through Danger
OF equally as hazardous nature. ane he die
not shrink from this. The precautlon O
placing extra irons on the prisoners bein.
taken, Bonney and deputy sheriff Wisencraf
lett Chicago with the prisoners az soon Al
| the coach was ready, and after few hours ride
arrived at Naperviie Iere the court was il
session, and Judge Thomas, who presided ant
was acquainted with tho power and extent o.
the bandlttl In that quarter, advised Bonney Il
quit the main road and travel to Rock Island
by circutous route. Bonney, howevr. deter.
mined to keep the main road, as it was tn,
nearest, and for the sake OF time, which wal
all important to prevent combined action on tht
part OF the gang, he resolved to run the risk o.
heading them off by the quickness OF his move
ments. Bidding the Judge adieu, Bonney ant
Wlsencraft, with Long and Birch. again tool
the stage and proceeded along the main roat
towards Little Rock.
The sun was setting in unclouded splendor
tipping the tops of the forest with colder
crown, and falling in soft radiance on the oper
glades and scattered clearings in the neighbor
hood Of Little Rock. In a small cabin in one o.
these clearings, of much the same appearance,
as old Mother Longs in Owen county, fou
men were assembled around a rude table. OF
which was the never-failing jug OF whisky
which at this time was well fanked by pistol
and bowie knives, which seemed to have beel
brought out for some special purpose A dens
forest OF miles in extent enclosed the cabin OF
every side, 80 that the congress OF four ther
assmbled were effectully sheltered from all IN
truson and observation. The features OF al
the four were rough and hard, and their Who'll
dress and manner plainly showed that the
we're some OF the darkest spirits OF that vas
western confederacy of crime, of which we hav
! presented pictures.
"Well boys" said one Of the party, who ap
peared by the Difference which the others pal,
him, to be the leader. "Well, boys, / suppos
you have heard the news, and know why hav
called you here to my cabin. Long and Dand.
Rircb ,bo tl,o do ~ ma m nam