The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1880-01-08
JANUARY s, 1890. ]
miscellaneous.
THE JAMES BOYS.
HCw Pretty Annie RalStOn Be
came the Wife Of One of the
Notorious Outlaws.

when Coleman. James and Robert Younger
were captured, and Pitts, Caldwell and
Miller were killed, fills a chapter of thrill
ing interest in the adventures of the boys.
The story has never before been told Three
days after they had separated from their
comrades, they came to a wilderness region,
where the timber was heavy and the un-
derbrush thick. Here they proposed to
rest for a season, but they were tracked to
their hiding place and fired upon by a band
of pursuers. Frank James received a wound
in the hip. The brush was so thick that
the pursuers, who were on horseback, could
make no Roadway, and three of them dis
mounted to continue the chase on foot. The
direction taken by the hunted men led to a
swamp, but the season being dry there was
but little mud in the basin. The bushes
were close together. and aquatic plants
were high. The three men seem resolved
to close up with them. Several times the
hunted bandits could have killed the citi-
zens but for the facts that their ammuni-
ton was giving out, and they desired to
take care of what remained for the last
emergency. 1t was getting late; the sun
was low in the west, and the shadows were
deepening in the foIest. The three pursu-
ers were determinedlv following them.
Once or twice the hunted men were temp
ted to turn and try the issue with their
foes.
But they kept on. Just when daylight
faded away they emerged from the swamp
and found themselves in a travelled high
way. They had lost
THEIR FOES
in the darkness Of the sombre swamp be-
hind them. They started down the road,
which lay along the bank of a stream of
considerable size. Wearried into a state of
exhaustion, they hoped to find asnug 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 timber
ed wilderness or the other, they heard the
sOminous sounds of horses hoofs. They lis
tened. There were horscmen behind and
before them. In another 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
further developments. That the horsemen
were gradually closing around them they
were speedily convinced. There situation was
critical. What could be done ? The stream
below them was evidently deep and dan
gerous to ford. Their plans were quickly
formed and contaminated. They quietly
dropped down the bank to the margin Of
the stream, which at that place flowed close
to an abrupt bank. They were there by
that tree but a moment ago." they heard
spot where the outlaws had stood but a
moment before. 1t was evident that their
must exceed twenty. Stealthily
THE HUNTED BROTHERS
moved down the stream along the margin
OF the water, and close up under the over
hanging bank. They heard their pursuers
discuss the situation. ''They are still near ,
at hand, no doubt" the brothers heard one
Then the movements indicated
they were preparing for a more care
full examination of the situation where they |
were. Soon several men came riding down
the road just over their heads. They had
reached a place where the river flowed un- |
a sheling bank, and the brothers would
90 no further without taking to the water.
Four men came down the bank above, and |
came towards them. The brothers were
constrained to tax to the stream. The wa
ter was about two feet deep. They clung
lose to the bank and silently reached a
place they deemed safe, in a cave like exca-
walton made by water under the roots of a
great tree. The hunters came to Il place
where the bank and the waters met, and,
apparently satisfied, they turned and went
back. The brothers heard the clash of
horses feet on a bridge below, aud then
knew that the crossing below was guarded.
a short time all became still around
them. They concluded to
WIN OR WADE THE RIVER
from the point where they were, and, once
on the opposite side, to strike through the
Silently as possible, without any
Splashlng, they came from their place Of
concealment, and waded out into the
stream, until they were compelled to swim.
The night was quite dark, and they passed
over without being discovered. Climbing
he opposite bank, they found themself in
IN open wood. With all the haste which
hey could make they proceeded westward.
\ mile away they came to a cornfeld, and
n the field there was a thicket. Here thew
abiding place, and, as wet as they
we're they partoek of a repast of green corn,
nd - 1~~