Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1878-06-28

breakfast, while the others sat talking
| together. The conversation was partly
In French, partly in English, inter
spersed with profusion of oaths.
A great deal of interesting matter
came to our ears-names of men engaged
with them, all along, from Montreal to
Portland, 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. It seemed as if they
must see us through that great staring
knot-hole. We could see their faces
plain 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
on the box above us, 80 that they cover
ed the knot-hole, and were lying on
them. This made the air inside the box
very close after time.
The reader can imagine our situation,
if not our feelings, as the hours dragged
by. We scarcely dared to move limb
l suffered terrib ly from constant cramp
and a desire to sneeze on account of
the bad air, probably.
Well, the day passed, and hope
never to pass such another. It was, in
truth, day to try ones soul
Towards night, the "cap'n awoke,
and reused the rest of the gang. They
then partook of another meal of pork,
potatoes, bread and butter and whisky.
We had not learned the captains
name. But there was an "Eph," a
"Seth," "Mike,' q "Jed" and a
"Lige" in the gang. From their talk
while eating, we gathered that "Bige"
and Johnny" were expected to "come
up" that evening ; and we guessed that
these were the two we had seen and
tracked in the morning.
After eating, the men took their guns
and set off on their return trip up to
"the lake" We waited ten or fifteen
minutes, then raised the box and got
out from under it. Neither Stuart nor
myself could stand erect for awhile.
We helped ourselves to such food as
they had left, for we were both raven
ously hungry. But we made haste,
that we might get away before "Bige"
and "Johnny" should return.
Stuart said we must get hold of these
| two at all hazards, 1t was already after
sunset. Rather tnan risk q scuffie with
them there in the shanty, Stuart con-
cluded to attempt their arrest outside.
We took two blankets, and went down
about nalf uullo GllUiI troll, ,uhn-a
we lay down amongst some frs, near the
old road on which we had come up in
the m rning.
Shortly after dark we heard them pass,
going up to their store camp.
We spent the night there, ard very
earl y in the morning posted ourselves in
some cedars, close to the trail. In about
half an hour we heard them coming.
When they had approached to within
ten yards, we stepped ont suddenly, and
covered them, point blank, with our re-
volver and carbine. They stopped and
stood motiohless.
Stuart told them, in a few words who
we were and what was wanted. 1t turn
ed out that they were only "hired men,"
| They made no show of resistance. Hav-
ing handcuffed them, we took them,
with their packs, to the settlement.
They both offered to turn States evi-
dence-to save themselves.
The next day we got the deputy-sher-
iff and five men, whom the sheriff sum-
moned, to go back with us to the store
camp to seize the contraband goods,
and, if possible, to arrest the whole
gang.
But over half the cigars and liquors
had been taken away. By some means
spies, perhaps-the gang had learned
their danger, and taken what they could
of their goods. However, we seized
what was left; and the evidence given
by the two men arrested would have led
to the capture of the whole gang had
they not left for other parts.
In March following, however, Stuart
arrested Eph Mclaughlin and Lige
Judkins in the Grand Trunk Depot at
Portland, being able to identify them
from the view he had of their faces
through the knot-hole in that old grain
box.
They stared when he iestingly told
them how he came to know them.
If we'd a. known you's there" ex-
claimed Eph, with an oath, and grind
ing his teeth, "you'd never got this
chance on us %