The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1881-04-26

starting, and by the light Of the match
he was enabled to gather the description
which he had given us of the Lieuten-
ants brother, as we were now convinced
the boy was. But why was he in such
company?
After these details we hastened to the
ferry and embarked without delay
When about half way across I caught
CLEAN of light, which seemed TO come
from the basement of the old Mason
House, and called my companions
attention to 1t. AT first he thought 1t
might be lantern, but as we had sue
cessive glimpses of 1t through gaps in
the foliage of the tree and shrubbery we
finally convinced ourselves that my first
conclusion was right.
Upon landing proposed that we In
vestlgate the matter. My familiarity
with the habits of those whose duties
took them into that neighborhood, add
ed to the fact that there were stringent
orders against trespassing upon the
property, led me to believe all was not
as it should be. .
AT first the lieutenant demurred, but
finally acceding to my wish, we passed
down the carriage drive underneath the
overhanging trees, and, making our
way up to the building with the utmost
caution, found that the light came from
a small window on the side nearest the
river, and which opened into one of the
largest of the dungeon-like apartments
in the cellar.
From the interior came the murmur
of voices. Falling upon our hands and
knees, we crept up until we could look
through the cracks between the boards
partially covering the window, and
gazed within.
Had it not been for my hand placed
hastily, and fear rather heavy, over
my companions mouth, he would have
cried aloud, and l must confess that it
required all of my selfcontrol to keep
from uttering an exclamation of horror
at what we saw.
In the further corner of the dungeon,
partly reclining upon pile of army
blankets, lay the one for whom all
Washington had been searched through
and through. His hands were bound
fast, and short piece OF wood, wrapped
with canvas, was firmly held between
his distended jaws, preventing any sue
cessful attempt at outcry.
There was wild, pleading look in
his eyes, coupled with settled express
sion of horror, which it seems to me
must have moved the heart of even the
most relentless savage. His face was as
pale as the face of a corpse, and there
were marks of violence visible upon 1t,
giving fearful evidence of most brutal
treatment.
In front of him, at about the centre of
the cell, around a box upon which burn
ed two tallow dips, were seated four
men, or beings having the forms of
men, playing cards. A black bottle
stood near at hand, from which each in
turn helped himself.
heard the click of the lock as the
lieutenant cooked his revolver, and was
just in time to prevent him from shoot
ing the miscreants, or one of them at
least. My next step was to withdraw
him, almost by main force, from the
scene. When we had retired short
distance, hurried consultation was
held, and it was decided that an effort
should be made to capture the gang.
went to the guard-house and easily
procured the services of the men off
duty, and led them back to the mansion,
posting sentinel wherever there was
necessity for so doing, in order to pre-
vent an escape.
The lieutenant, with the remainder of
our force, passed around to the rear,
where there was an outside entrance TO
the cellar, prepared to arrest any who
might attempt to flee by that route or,
If necessary, to break in the door and
gain admission to the interior. L re-
sumed my station at the window, and
when satisfied every arrangement had
been made, called out: Z" You are sur
rounded; yield yourselves prisoners or
you will be fired upon" In an instant
the lights were extinguishod, and the
next moment heard deep groan and
gurgllng, halfsuppressed cry of mortal
agony.
There was confused rush toward the
back of the house, succeeded by few
heavy blows, a short, sharp struggle,
curses, groans, thud, fall, and when
reached the lieutenant he was bending
over the PROSTATE body of one of the
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