The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1883-08-17

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ado you ever see any of the Illicit
distillers 2" L asked.
81 expect I see them, but 1 don't
know them, of course. They are terrible
when they get mad, but as long as they
are not disturbed you wouldn't know
that they were in the neighborhood.
Whel removed here they regarded pa
with lingering suspicion, but finally,
satisfied that he was in no way con-
nected with the goyerln ent, they dis
missed their apprehensions and have
ever since treated him with the utmost
courtesy. Pa is making money out of
the coffin business, but it is such a
grim trade that | cannot half enjoy
any financial benefit that we derive
from it. Say. you're hunting for the
wild cats, amt you?'
"Hush, don't talk 50 loud"
"No5ody can hear us, but you are,
ain t you"
"suppose I were, do you think 1
would tell any one?"
81 heard you tell father. but it's all
right. L won't say anything about it.
l haven't any friends among the wild
cats, and for my part wouldn't care
if they were all in prison"
"I remained several days longer,
and then decided to return to the city,
report unfavorably, adopt other meas
ures, and again take up the enterprise.
Anderson advised me to sell the horse
and go down with tlat-boat load of
collins. / did not like the idea, but
rejecting that it would be safer dis
posed of my hors and was soon ready
for the voyage.
| babe my friends an affectionate
farewell. and soon stood on Il coffin big
enough for The Cardiff giant, and
waved my handkerchief at sophia An
derson as the boat rounded the bend.
We had started early, and by the time
the shadows began to lengthen we
were a long distance from Dripping
Spring. 1t seemed to me that the men
on the boat watched me curiously, for
every time walked aroundit appeared
that one of them followed me.
My suspicious increased as evening
came on, and when saw the
men engaged in whispered con
versatiOn | was convinced that
violence was meditated. Happening
to notice a coffin on which several
others were piled, saw something
dripping from it. Just then | looked
up and saw a gun leveled at me In
another instant bullet whizzed close
to my hea |, so close that | fell back
ward into the water. | did not lose
my presence of mind and kept myself
under water as long as possible. When
arose to the surface, several other
shots were fired, and sinking again !
remained under water until L reached
the shore, which fortunately was not
far away, when L arose under thick
clump of willows. Through the gath
ering darkness | could dimly see the
men, and could hear the splashing of
an oar which knew was manipulated
to keep the boat from floating down.
81 reckin he's all right, said one of
the men.
81 know he is" gruff voice re-
piled, "fer | rawed bead on his
head, an man what can hit a halter
dollar sixty yards amt mo slouch OF a
shooter, femme tell yer. Bet he's got
a bullet through the brain eff he's got
any brain"
"I'd ruther bet on the bullet than
the BRAIN" the first speaker rejoined.
We've got to be certain about
these things" said man who seemed
to be in authority. You know what
Anderson's orders is. Git a boat thar
Jack, an you an Tom paddle out thar
awhile. Go out thar to them willows"
The boat was lowered and the splash
ing of the oars came nearer and nearer.
My heart beat violently. Great God,
the moon came out and shone full on
my face. eassd myself down until
only the tip of my nose was above the
surface. "Thank heaven" breathed,
as cloud obscured the moon Just as
the boat brushed the willows. They
struck under with their oars, actually
struck me once, and just as l was
about to seize the boat and take my
chances of turning it over and escap-
ing, one of them said
"He's all right, tell you. Think 1
can't hit mans head? Shove her off,
and breathed prayer as the dip of
the oars grew fainter.
/ remained in this uncomfortable
position about half hour longer, then
drew myself out and was soon travel
ing through the woods. After terri
BILE journey of hunger and fatigue l
reached Little Rock and made my re-
port.
Several days afterward | was again
en- route for Dripping Spring, this
time with strong posse of men.
Touching White river near the place
where | had fallen overheard, we dis
mounted 60 rest. We had not been
there very long until we saw the coffin
boat returning. l secreted myself and
ordered my men to compel the boat to
land and to bring the men to our rest
ing-place. instructing them as to
form of interrogation.
When hailed they readily complied
and approached the bank. They did
not seem to like so much attention, for
they did not move up the bank with
any great degree of alacrity.