Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1875-10-28

said, touching my revolver very signlfi-
emily as I spoke.
'The william cowared; for he saw in a
momtnt that | understood him.
81 s'pose you know your own BUSH
nets best" he muttered sullenly, as he
went out for my horse.
''It was with feeling of JOY that |
found myself again in the saddle, gloomy
and lonely as the way before me. Yet
my thoughts reverted sadly to the sweet
child to whose timely warning l owed
so much and determined to obtain a
search warrant and rescue her, If possi~
bic, from the cruel hands of those whom
felt had no claim on her.
II soon struck into the Black Forest,
which was composed principally OF fir
and pine, and to whose dark foliage it
doubtless owed it's name.
"But soon the faithful creature that
had never failed me before began to halt
and finally became SO lame as to be un-
able to proceed further. Suspecting
some treachers, dismounted.
''The sky had partially cleared, and the
moon had risen, but she gave only fit
full light, and had now entirely disap
peared under cloud. Bnt, striking a
match, l discovered that two sharp peb-
bles had been skillfully inserted into the
bone, | succeeded in dislodging one,
but the other defied all my efforts; so
tying the animal to a tree I determined
to proceed on foot.
i hardly done so when l heard the
quick sound OF horses feet along the
road. l stepped back in the shadow of
the tree, and looked in the dir ection
whence it proceeded.
81 could just discern the outlines of
two horsemen, who reined up within a
few feet of the spot where I stood.
81 felt now that the odds were great
against me, but was determined to sci,
my life dearly.
81 shouldn't s'pose his horse would
have taken him away any further, said
one of them, whose voice l instantly
recognized as that of my late host.
"Hist here is his horse, said the 9th
er, as All impatient movement of the ana
imal betrayed his proximity.
"Just then the moon emerged from a
cloud, revealing my form distinctly, as I
stood, with one finger on the trigger,
| and watching for the first CLEAN oflight
to make my aim sure.
"The landlords eyes fell directly up-
on me, and with tnuttered curse, he
snatched pistol from his belt But-he
was too late there was sharp whistle,
followed by dull, heavy sound, throws
ing his hands upward, he fell forward
on his horse.
Gas he fell, his pistol, which was at
half cock, was discharged to all appear~
ances mortally wounding his companion
who dropped instantly to the ground.
But it seemed that this was merely
a feint, for no sooner did he see that |
was off my guard than he fired. For
tunately be aimed too high, and the ball
passed harnllessly over my head.
81 sprang forward, and after a brief
struggle succeeded in disarming him.
Then percelving that the bone of his
knee was shattered, making his escape
impossible, I left him, and mounting the
fine looking horse he rode, resumed
my journey.
at was past midnight when I reach
ed A. go, and broad daylight when ac>
companied by magistrate, posse of
constables, and several OF the villagers,
1 returned to the scene of my nights adj
venture.
''The landlord lay just as he had fal
len, his pale face turned up to the rays
of the rising sun. The other william had
managed to crawl away, but was soon
tracked and secured.
| ave then went in body to the tay~
ern. There was no one in the house but
the old woman, who, though she seemed
at first little startled by our entrance,
manifested the most stolid indifference,
even when told of the fate of her hus-
band. AS she was belle we'd TO be ac-
cessory OF his crimes, she was taken In
to custody.
To my surprise and establishment, lit
tie Kathic was no where to be found.
1t was in vain that | questioned the wo-
man, endeavoring by alternate threats
| and brides, to obtain some clue to her
fate; she retained sullen silence.
They had all gone, but / still lineer
! ed, thinking sadly of the dear child,
whom, | was constrained to fear, in saw
ing my life had lost her own, when l
heard faint cry.
put my ear to the floor whence it
seemed to proceed, and it was repeated.
AS quick as thought 1 removed some
straw that was lying upon the floor. re-,