The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-10-27
THE MARKSMAN.

1WO CtutuIlco dSO lhi OuSbo 1IuAopO
life and property were but slightly pro-
tected, compared with the arrangement
of our advanced system. When the
poacher failed to capture suffciency of
game, the temptation to supply the want
bv obtaining the ready possession of a
purse we'll filled with gold was irresisti-
BILE to the half savage minds of the men
living in a lawless state. The latter
course had this advantage, that it pre-
cluded the necessity of going to market,
and disposing of the game under suspi
cious circumstances, and at reduced
price; while, in either case, the prize was
won by the pulling OF trigger.
The leader of the band of poachers
which frequented this forest was young
man of q good family, residing near
village on the skirts of the ferest. Lib
,ertinism had lured him into crime. Pas
sionately enamored of young girl who
had been refused him in marriage, he
decided upon her abduction. For this
purpose he associated himself with some
wild youths of dubious or decidedly bad
character; and to escape the vengeance
of the laws which the greater number OF
them had outraged, they were together
to pass their lives in the midst of the
forest. Skillful and fearless poachers,
they presently became the terror OF the
keepers; and when any of these opposed
their depredations, a shot from an argue
buse 1.-THE fire-arm then in fashion, :,
aimed from behind the covert OF tree,
speedily silenced the gamekeepers'
attack. Presently no one dared to pene-
trate within the recesses Of the Great
Forest; and few were hardy enough to
journey on its borders.
Hans Rudner, the leader of this daring
band, had commenced the reckless life OF
An outlaw by carrying off the young girl
of whom have already spoken; but run
ming riot in the excess of his unbridled
power. he presently became stated with
his conquest. Like other gallants,
less alienated from society, but
scarcely less mischievous, he was
fond of change. He visited the
neighboring towns and villages under
different DISCUSSES, and whenever he
spied beautiful woman, he was sure to
watch her movements until q favorable
moment arose, and then, bouncing upon
her like a vulture, he bore her away into
the heart of the woods. After this came
the turn of q second and third, until
there were reckoned in Frankfort no
fewer than nine beautiful girls thus
carried of, eight of whom were subse-
IL uuently returned to their disconsolate
parents in state little calculated to al
lay their sad disquietude.
When the keepers of the forest jointly
attacked the poachers, the latter forming
an ambuscade in the pits and ravines, or
amid the branches OF the tall trees, al
lowed the enemy to advance. At q sig
nal given by Rudner, their pieces we're
all fred at once, and seldom did one OF
the unfortunate keepers escape from the
cruel massacre to carry the intelligence
to the neighboring villages. Rudner's
companions fred ut the bodies OF their
opponents; but Rudner himself always
lodged his ball in the left eye OF the man
at whom he took aim. Whenever poor
wretch was found lying dead upon one
OF the roads adjoining, with the mark OF
ball having passed through his left eye,
the customary exclamation was: lis
the ball of Rudner Lineks-Auge" left
ye).
Enormities like these could not fail TO
lead to catastrophe. The senator's OF
Frankfort assembled to deliberate upon
the most effectual means Of breaking mp
and utterly DISCRIMINATING this atrocioua
band. Troops were hastily enrolled for
the service. All the hardy youths VI the
neighboring villages, including the
brothers and those who bad been
aNnnoed 70 the injured maidens, painting