Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1880-02-21
selves 10 a travelled highway.
They had lost
THEIR DETERMINED FOES

Au thC AaA nhC~S VI tuC S1tAOAC
swamp behind them. They start
ed down the road, which lay along
the bank of stream of considera-
BILE size. Wearied into a state of
exhaustion, they hoped to find a
snug place where they could rest
and take some food. But their
trials were not yet at an end In
the lonely depths of the forest,
with the dark, still river on one
side, and the timbered wilderness
on the other, they heard the ON
NOUS sound Of horses hoofs. They
listened. There were horsemen
behind and before them. In an
other moment sounds came from
the woods, which indicated that
they were being surrounded.
The wearied freebooters quickly
stepped into the deep shadow of a
great tree, which stood upon the
bank of the stream, to await furth-
er developments. That the horse
men were gradually closing
around them they were speedily
convinced. Their situation was
critical. What could be done !?
The stream below them was evil
IDENTIFY deep and dangerous to ford.
Their plans were quickly formed
and consummated. They quietly
dropped down the bank TO the
margin of the stream, which at
that place flowed close to an abb
rupt bank. They were there by
that tree bat moment ago." they
heard one man remark, as q party
came up to the spot where the out
laws had stood but moment be-
fore. 1t was evident that their.
numbers must exceed twenty.
Stealthily
THE HUNTED BROTHERS
moved down the stream along the
margin of the water, and close up
under the overhanging bank.
They heard their pursuers discuss
the situation. "They are still
near at hand, no doubt" the
brothers heard one remark. Then
the movements indicated that
they were preparing for a more
careful examination of the situa-
tion where they were. Soon sew
eral men came riding down the
road just over their heads. They
had reached place where the
river flowed under q shelving
bank, and the brothers could go
no further without taking to the
water. Four men came down the
bank above, and came toward
them. The brothers were con-
strained to take 10 the stream.
The water was about two feet
deep. They chung close to the
bank and silently reached place
they deemed safe, in cave-like
excavation made by the water
under the roots of a great tree. The
hunters came to the place where
the bank and the waters met, and,
apparently satisfied, they turned
and went back. The brothers
heard the clash of horses hoofs on
bridge below, and then they
knew that the crossing below was
guarded. After time all became
still around them. They con-
Guided to u a45
SWIM OR WADE THE RIVER
from the point where they were,
and, once on the opposite side, to
strike through the country. Silent
ly as possible, without any splash
ing. they came from their place of
CO lcealment, and waded out into
the stream, until they were COM
PEELED to swim. The night was
quite dark, and they passed over
without being discovered. Climb
ing the opposite bank, they found
themselves in open woods. With
all the haste which they could
make they proceeded westward. A
mile away they came to a corn
field. and in the field there was
thicket. Here they found a hiding
place. and as wet as they were,
they partook of repast of green
corn, and lying down on the grass,
they slept sou9dly until the sun
was up. Waiting sometime in a
sunny place until their clothes had
partly dried, the brothers started
on their weary way. All day they
travelled without being molested.
In the evening, while travelling
along country road, they met a
man leading two horses, one of
which was saddled. They spoke
to him, and from his manner and
the answers he made them, they
were convinced he had not heard
anything about the affair at North
field. They asked him If he would
like to sell the horses he was lead
ing He answered that 1t was his
business to deal in horse-hesh.
What would he take for the pair?