The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1880-09-21


Dave Long was as pale Is death, and
he stood trembling from head to foot
the picture of guilt. His comrades looked
on bewildered.
"You see," continued Black, by the
way of further explanation, I" it was on
his guilty mind and he couldn't help
blurting it out, considering, of course,
that the murder would be discovered at
daylight or sooner. Luckily it was not
discovered till o'clock-except to the
murderer, and he has very kindly volun-
teered to expose himself"
"Curse my tongue" exclaimed the cul-
prit, grinding his teeth with rage and
fear, wish it had been torn out p
"There's always something exclaimed
the detective quietly. You left no trace
not a shred nor thread, nor shoestring,
not even hair, but you came right up
here and told on yourself"
"Dave Long Dave Long can this
be?" exclaimed one Of his comrades re-
proachfully.
The crestfallen wretch hung his head
and seemed ready to fall to the earth.
You poor devil said another of his
comrades. "Who'd have thought it !?
If it wasn't for the old times sake, we'd
string you up. Take him away, Mr..
Black, let us see him no more"
" If the camp find it out, they'll lynch
him before you can get away with him, :"
suggested another.
Filled with terror at the prospects,
Long determined to make one desperate
effort for his life With a sudden spring
he released himself from the detective
and darted away toward thicket not
far off. He had some hope that his speed
might bear him away beyond the imme-
date reach of Black or miners, where he
could work off his manacles. But the
agile officer bounded after him, and,
before he had gone thirty yards,
dragged him down. Maddened at the
situation, the prisoner began fierce but
hopeless struggle, attempting with kicks
and blows to inf1ict some injury on his
captor; but Black, whose strength was
extraordinary, clutched him by the throat
and soon overpowered him.
"Look here" said he, somewhat heated,
eff you carry on this way they will learn
what you've done, and bang you up to
tree; and I'll not hinder them. If you
will go quietly l can promise you fair
trial, and you may not be hanged for
weeks YETI
"Let me up" he faItered, " and I'll go
with you"
And give me no further trouble -
"No."
The dread of being lynched had
mighty influence on him.
"See that you keep your word, then.
And mind, if, on the way to Marysville,
you make another such move, III shoot
you down."
And he allowed him to get up, taking
care to maintain his grasp on his arm.
But the scuffle had already attracted
attention, and the miners were rupning up
from all directions. II
What's this +? What's the matter 2"
q score of them asked. II
They saw by the handcuffs on Longs
wrists that one belonging to their camp
was in the hands of an officer, and did
not like it. They were jealous of the law,
and jumping to the conclusion that Long
was arrested for merely shooting some
one in little row at Marysville the first
thought was to rescue him.
He shan't go :" shouted one
Release him added another.
=" Don't let him take me-" pleaded Dave
Long.
The crowd began to close in.
"Stand back ;" thundered the detec-
tive, iourishing his revolver. am
Detective Black, from Sacramento, and
this is my prisoner. If any man dares to
interfere / will shoot him down like
dog"
Although threats of bullets were not
muchAin those days, the fearless bearing
of the officer, who stood firmly grasping
the prisoner, and with single arm oppo-
sing hundred reckless men, had its effect,
and they.stood undecided. Taking ad-
vantage of the momentary truce, Black
hurriedly whispered to the prisoner:
"f you don't tell them not to inter
fere, guess I'd better fly. Pll be all
right.
What is it you've done, Long?"
He turned paler than ever.
"We must know what it is. Was it
scrape in Marysville ?"
"Yes-yes. Never mind. I'll be back"
and his heart sank at the thought he
never would" back before long and tell
you all about it."
So the detective was allowed to depart
with his prisoner.
Two Of Longs mess accompanied them,
and the culprit was lodged in Jail at
Marysville that night, while the mur-
dered woman's husband was released.
An effort was made by the authorities
to keep the matter quiet for while; but
all the facts leaked out, and the angry
population did not wait for the laws slow
vengeance.
On the following Friday night, July
20, the miserable wretch was taken from
the Jail by party of disguised men and
hanged to tree whose broad boughs
overshadowed the scene of the crime.
In his last moments, with the moose
around his neck, he confessed his gilt,
and died praying for mercy.
Gainesville SUM-
At loacf niuot non- twoufiefh ha of the