The true northerner., 1874-05-22

sum OF money. After Baxters ueparture'
Long cogitated upon the policy o. foray in
that quarter, and unable 10 endure the monot-
ony Of five days idleness, decided hat they
could at least employ themselves in taking an
observation Of Miller's house, preparatory TO
descent upon it. il It should promise to be
profitable. The four robbers, therefore, ac-
cordlngly abandoned the old hut. aud bent
their way towards the residence OF Miller,
sharpened With the scent Of q new speculation.
1t was near nIghtrall when they arrived up in
sight OF the house, when dividing into two par
tier, John Long and Bob Birch went ahead 10
reoonnoitre and Aaron and Fox took a circuit
across the fields 10 meet them in an advanced
portion OF the road Birch aud the Wolf passed
slowly along the road carefully eyeng the
house, and finding no signs that indicated the
presence Of men, formed favorable notion OF
the chances. On meeting their comrades, It
was decided that one should go TO Mlllers and
ask lodgings over night, by way o! learning the
arrangement OF the household. This service
was deputed TO Fox. who succeeded IL obtain
ing shelter. and in learning all the probabilities
Of profit and resistance. In the evening his
ing. bringing his investigation 20 close, he
asked his host 10 give him change for ten dol
lar BILL for the purpose OF ascertaninS where
he kept his money. To his chagrin. however.
Miller declared his funds unequal 10 the small
accommodation, and the false guest returned
to his lurking companions, who had returned
and roasted at the hut, with aD unfavorable
report. II was concluded therenpon. that the
hope OF profit was TOO uncertain 20 risk any
thing upon it. and other measures we're brought
forward for the occupation OF the time.
Birch. the most restless Of them all, proposed
they should make short jaunt 20 Rock River,
on the Illinois side, TO rescue lis friend Bridge,
OF the Washington Grove station. from the
jail TO which the treachery OF West had con-
signed him but this was opposed TO by the
more prudent Fox, as involving TOO much dan
ger on the eve OF an enterprise which promised
to be OF such great importance as the sacking
OF old Davenport. Birch, however, would not
Weld his notion, 70 he set ont by himself,
promising TO rendezvous with his comrades a.
given point OH Rock leland, OF the evening
o; the Sd OF July. When he had gone, Fox and
the two brothers moved ny TO Fulton, town
on the bsr1s OF the river, ct which place, after
haylng conference with one OF the band.
named Ice, in relstion TO some counterfeit
money, they stole skuf and dropped down
the river TO place opposite Roct lsland'
where they landed Rnd csmped out. They
took good care however. 10 pull the skif
ashore and conceal il IN the bushes, that they
might have the means Of conveyance towards
their object, when the hour arrived for them
to leave their lair. Their next care was TO
stick upon the shore little wand, with small
white rag huttering In its cleft, to inform BaI-
ter where TO come. With Col. Dayenports
OVID spy glass, winch Baxter hsd borrowed on
some idle preteIt, that treacberous wretch saw
the slgnal OF the murderers, and on the evening
OF the Sd, he crossed to tell them that every-
thing had gone well, that the family were all
going to the celebration, on the Illinois shore,
on the following day, and that they might
cros- with him, st once, and take possession
Of the place where Birch Wa to join them, and
which wa. appropriately named the - Murder
ere Bluff" I be stotep skiff was again put in
requistion, 60 that the party might cross III
two divisions. On reaching the hurderert
Bluff, place which commanded good view o.
tine Davenport manslon. Birch was true TO hit
appointment, and boAstful OF having been two
hours in advance OF his sssocistes. He had Sc
: complshed nothing by his expedition to Rocl
River, and Was therefore the more eager FOL
success, IN the bloody business OF the following
} day
The Fourth Of July was opened at Rocl
Island with the firing OF cannon. and the sam,
rejoicing thunder that walked the honest towns
folk to delight startled the murderere from
: their uneasy slumbers. and announced to then
that the hour for their endeayor wss approach
ing. AZ the sun arose. they crswled into tn
concealment OF the gram fields. and watches
e with anxiety for the signal OF Baxter. whicl
J, was to motion them to advance.
At length the family OF the devoted Daven
Q port was seen to leave the door. and after tn
:, brigands had watched the innocent group on
g OF sight in the direction OF the eastern shore
they saw the dark figure of their deyilish guild
II emerge from tho angle Of an clubhouse sn
wave them on. The signal was answered b
o John Long from the bluff seeing which, th
nSuIe VI DhAtcl uihhppooaou ehu 'hO ieii
q Wolf and his party uawled towards the slmos
q deserted mansion.
While this dsnger Was approaching, Co
u Davenport sat unmolested by his window
u which looked, as we said. towards the ives
ern bank OF the Mississippi thoughtess {
e harm, and wrapped in that state OF vscaI
reverie, which ls common TO yirtuous ar
= contented mind. Suddenly his ear was
trscted by faint NOISE, which seemed net
e his well. but as it ceased al once his attel
,e ton faded, and he sank INTO his revere agail
Presently there came another noise, but III
:. time it seemed nearer, and seemed to be tn
of soft footsteps in the house. Rising fro
his chair, he advanced 10 the door TO asce
. tain the cause. but before he reached 1t, thr'
'' men burst in, and ere he could speak, a shor
thick set rufan discharged pistol at hr
which wounded HIM in the thigh and broug
him to the ground. The two other rufiai
q, then rushed upon him. and binding his han'
ss and feet with long withes OF hickory bal
e. seized him by his long grey hair and his CT
m vat, and dragged him upstairs to close
IL where according to Baxter's instructions, the
NhoNFp