Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1883-11-14

lOChtu dnu DOAbNN WV
prey 10 my worst apprehensions. L
remem berod the cruelty Of these mask
ed men, aud 1 knew that If they did
not murder me outright they would by
binding aud gagging so torture me as
10 make even death itself desirable.
Of one thing 1 was satisfied, that the
safety of the robbers depended upon
my being secured, aud to achieve that
result would be their FIRST object. II
had weapon 20 that could have
made an effort to preserve my llle'
would then have been coDtented, but
the idea of an unarmed boy being thus
left to the mercy Of these unfsellng
rufians almost drove me to distraction.
I heard their footsteps ascending the
stairs, and proceeded TO barricade the
door, when a thought flashed through
nv brain. How was it that 1t escaped
me so long? The carrier pigeon that l
had just received from Uncle Toby !
T would release with a message 1t
would return to Uncle Toby's, and
would be saved, aud the robbers toiled
in their search fol plunder.
wrote a message hurricdlv, secured
it 20 the bird. which placed upon the
window-sill, when. after moments
hesitation, it ascended skyward, a. d
when is passed from my sight was hy'
ing like the wind ID the direction OF
Uncle Toby's. The message read as
follows
"UNcLE ToBY-The house has been
entered by six masked burglars. Come
Immediately. BOB.
Scarcely had the bird started on its
homeward fight when the robbers
reached my door and tried TO force it I;
but had pushed my bedstead against
the door, aud with my personal efforts
TO prevent them from catering. l BAG
improvisod a barricade that promised
TO resist all attacks made against it.
The prolonged defense I was making
incenscd aud cxasperated the fellows
to such a degree that they poured forth
threats of veDgeasce upon me. Their
patience became exhausted at last, and
pistol shot which grazed my cheek
warned me Of the danger Of longer re-
naming in that position. 1t had been
fred through the panel of the door.
l rushed to the window and gazed
cut upon the lawn below. The dis
tauce was great, and it seemed 10 me
that, while torture awaited me il cap
tured bv the robbers, there was cer-
tain death In leap from the window.
What should do -? The distance 10
Uncle Tob,'s house was but five miles,
which the pigeon must have covered by
tbs time. Bnt suppose the bird should
not be discovered? Suppose Uncle
Toby had gone to his room Tor the
night, and my message would not be
seen and read before morning? The
very thought was so agonizlng to me
that refused to entertain ii.
All this time the fellows were work
ing at the door. The bolt was forced,
and slowly but surely the barricade was
Yielding 10 the power outside. 1 saw
masked face peer through The opening
thus made, and the gllmmer oil the
dark lantern from outside. / could re-
main no longer. Death itself seemed
preferable TO the uncertainty OF nv
fale at the hands Of these desperate
fellows.
rushed to the window, and, with
out hesitation, l jumped. 1t seemed
to me 10 be a lifetime before | struck
the ground, and when l did, l rolled
over uron the grass, temporarily para
lived from the shock l had received.
When | attempted TO rise, the grip oil
an iron hasd pressed my throat, and |
fel! the cold muzzle Of pistol as it was
pressed against my temple.
To resist meant death. l held my
peace while the robber proceeded TO
bind me for whenever l displayed
apy restlessness. that cold steel was
pressed against my head. The onl,
struggle made was when he attempt
ed TO insert gag in my mouth; but
had 10 submit. for I received blow
from the butt of the fellows pistol that
multiplied the stars that saw in the
heavens huudredfold.
Completely discouraged, 1 gave my
self up in despair. resisted no Ion
ger, closing my eyes to shut out, as 1t
were, the gloomy prospect before me.
somewhat surprised at the prolonged
delay of the robber in periecting my
piniouing, 1 opened my eyes.
Uncle Toby stood over me. Stretch
ed upon the grass by my side was the
fellow who had secured me, gaping
wound in his head ahfordIng an expla-
nation OF The sudden ending of his at
tempt upon my liberty.
A dozen determined and well.armed
men were with him. The masked
robbers at first showed disposition to
resist, but on reflection, seeing the
hopelessness OF any such attempt, they
surrendered Internationally. AT The
next term OF the court they were each
sentenced TO fifteen years Imprison.
ment.
Uncle Toby was making bis final
round of his grounds on the night IN
question, when the rustling Of a BIRDS
wings attracted bis attention. 1t en-
tered the pigeon cote. Unable to con-
troll his curiosity, and anxious 10 ascer-
tain the cause of such peculiar pro
ceedino. be nrocured a ladder, ascend