The National tribune., 1881-09-03

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 heavily, over my companions
mouth he would have cried aloud, and | must
confess that it required all of my selt-contrO to
keep from uttering an exclamation of horror at
what we saw.
In the further corner of the dungeon, partly re-
clning upon pile of army blankets, lay the one
for whom all Washington had been searched
through and through. His hands were bound
fast and a short piece of wood wrapped with can
vas, was held firmly between his dstended jaws
by cords preventing any successful attempt at
Outcry.
There was a wild, pleading look in his eyes,
coupled with settled expression of horror, which
it seemed to me must have moved the heart of
the most relentless savage. His face was
pale as the face of corpse, and there were marks
of violence visible upon it, giving fearful evidence
of most brutal treatment.
In front of him, at about the centre of the cell,
around a box, upon which burned two tallow
dips, were seated four men, or beings having the
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 pre-
vent him from shooting the miscreants, or one Of
them at least. My next step to withdraw
him, almost by main force, from the scene. When
we had retired a short distance a hurried consul
tation was held and it was decided that effort
should be made to capture the gang.
| went to the guard d-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. | resumed my
station at the window, and, when satisfied every
arrangement had been made called out . You
are surrounded; yield yourselves prisoners or you
will be fired upon In an instant the lights
were extinguished, and the next moment | heard
a deep grOan and gurgling hat-suppressed cry
of mortal agony
There was confused rush toward the back of
the house, succeeded by a few heavy blows,
short, sharp struggle curses groans thud a fall,
and when reached the Lieutenant he was bend
ing over the PROSTATE body of one of the villains
clutching his throat with what would have proved
a death grip had | not interpOsed.
All four of the rascals were now securely fast
ened (one of them had been bayoneted through
the body in escape, and died in a
few minutes thought was of their
victim.
Cropping my way inside, | struck match and
relit one of the candles. AS did so the Lieuten-
ant, who close beside me, gave one bound to
the side of his brother who was lying back upon
the blankets, and took him in his arms Then
he became senseess. | hasened to his side and
unlocked his arms from the slender FORM and as
| did so saw for the first time what appeared to
be an ugly knife wound in the youths left breast
Hastily tearing open the garments to discover
the extent of the injury, made another discov-
cry, which sent thrill through every fibre of my
being. The Lieutenant's supposed brother was a
woman But the cruel knife had too well done
its work. She was dead.
Gathering the bloody clothing over the pulse
less heart, | laid the unfortunate creature down
and, calling in one of the men to help bore the
Lieutenant outside where he soon revived
Lulu! Lulu. Oh, Cod" he mOaned. Dead.
dead" He seemed for several minutes completely
overcome by his great grief and with no more
strength than a child
Suddenly he aroused and sprang to his feet with
the leap of panther. Walking to the side of one
of the villains, lying PROSTATE and helpless upon
the earth he brought the heel of his boot down in
his face crushing the features out of all semblance
of humanity. Before | could intervene he had
reached the second, who, turning his head Just in
time, received the irOn-shOd heel upon the cheek
which was laid open to the bone by the gancing
blow. Then, giving way to another fit of weep
ing the Lieutenant entered the cell ar. | followed
close behind He took the dead form in his arms
removed the cruel gag kissed the swollen lips.
the ashen cheeks, the dark curly hair and spurn-
ing my proffered assistance, bore her out beneath
the stars and laid her tenderly down upon the
grass not far removed from her murderers Then
he flung himself down by her side and wept as
strong men seldom do.
After some little time went to him. laid a hand
upon his shoulder, saying, Lieutenant, what are
we to do with these men?" He sprang to his feet
at the sound of my voice like one suddenly awak-
ened from sleep.
"Yes it is time for vengeance" he grated out
between his set teeth; Il am ready"
But what do you intend dOing?" queried.
shall [ turn the prisoners to the guard?"