Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-07-14

on the Maine size OF the line, Wnen we
heard voices ahead, and had just time to
slip into the frs beside the path, when
two men came in sight with packs on
their backs
We took good look at their faces as
they passed. But Stuart did not attempt
TO arrest them. They were both young
men, and had bulky packs.
1t was evident they had not come very
far that morning, for 1t was scarcely sun
rise when they passed US. There was a
frosty dew on the grass and bushes.
AS soon as they were out of hearing,
we came from our place of concealment
and followed back on their trail, to trace
them, if possible, to their camp, which
Stuart thought would prove sort of half
way house for storing contraband goods.
But for the frosty dew, we should cot
have found it. Some two miles further
up. and just over the line, there was a
thick second growth of scrub fir and
spruce. Ten or dozen years previously
the lumbermen had cut off the old growth.
The tracks in the frost at this point turn
ed from the trail and led into this dense
green thicket.
We followed cautiously in, and, after
beating about awhile, stumbled on an old
lumber camp, where the lcggers had
formerly spent the winter. So complete
ly hidden was it by the second growth
of dense frs, that one might have passed
and repassed within three rods of it,
without discovering it.
"Here's their den!" Stuart whispered.
We peeped about it; then approached
closer, and looked in at a chink betwixt
We unouttoned the door and went in.
A number Of old grain-boxes, each made
to hold a hundred bushels, lay bottom up
on the floor. Under these was a rich
sight-Havana clears, and liquors, box
on box, flask on flask; French brand1es,
and old Bourbon whisky Stuart ran his
eye over it, and said there was at least a
thousand dollars worth.
ga good haul" he chuckled.
"But it's over the line" | said. eve
can't touch EN- over here.''
"See if DON'T" laughed Stuart. SIN
such case as this, I'll take the risk.
I've seen EN- carry the stuff across. And
in this out Of the-way hole, it is not so
easy proving just where the line isl
He had hardly uttered the words when
he heard voices in the frs outside and
close by.
"They've come back for something,''
Stuart muttered.
There wasn't even chance to get out.
The detective hastily tipped up one of the
big boxes, and we both slipped under it..
The edge was hardly down on the floor
when the door was pushed open.
'Strapge Bige didn't button it," wer
the first words we heard, in a harsh,
coarse voice, as the owner OF it stepped
into the camp. He was followed by an
other and another, till gang Of at least
ten men had come in and thrown down
their guns and packs.
Some of them sat down on the very
box we were under. There was knot
hole in the box above us, large enough to
have stuck fist through.
To say that we felt uncomfortable,
there in the very den Of that lawless gang
expecting nothing but that we should be
discovered next minute, but family ex-
pressed our emotions, my own, at least
True, we might make a stout hight
with our carbine and revolver; but we
should certainly be overpowered and put
out of the way. The safety OF every man
in the gang would demand that we
should be disposed of etfectually; and,
from their talk, they seemed the men 10
do any desperate deed, Halt their con-
versation was oaths.
The smugglers seemed tired. We soon
understood that they had been travelling
all night. They sat and lay round for
ten or fifteen minutes. One Of them,
whom the others called "Cap'n" then
said:
'Pack away the stuff, boys, and then
get up breakfast"
They all rose up and unbound their
packs.
"Shall we stow 1t in this box?" asked
one, tipping up the box we were under at
least foot.
Our hearts leaped, and we gripped our
weapons.
mo: put it in this one" said another.
The man let the box fall back.
1t seemed as if they must hear our
breathing, for we painted, in spite of our
soAV0o. We udlcN uOt tVtu whisper W
each other.
When they had finished packing the
goods, some of them commenced getting
breakfast, while the others sat talking
together. The conversation was partly
in French, partly in English, interspersed
with profusion of oaths.
A great deal of interesting matter came
to our ears--namcs of men engaged with
them, all along, from Montreal to Port
land, and many facts and methods of
their illicit traffic. We were of course,
interested in this; though we felt that
every bit OF information thus given would
be an additional reason for killing us,
should we be discovered.
Boiled potatoes, fried pork, butter,
cheese and bread were soon ready. Three
or four of the rascals sat down round
our box. 1t seemed as if they must see
us through that great staring knot-hoIe
We could see their faces plainly enough
as they swore and ate alternately.
After eating, they smoked what seem
ed to be excellent cigars. Blankets were
then thrown down, and soon, but for the
heavy breathing and snoring, all would
have been quiet.
Two of them had spread their blankets
Oh the box above us, so that they covered
the knot-sole, and were lying on them.