Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-08-09
by man nkined Hines, who received us In
very haspitable manner, although

pickets passing and repasslng the house.
On the fifth day Hines bade US get ready as
he was going to guide US to.the Potomac.
Before starting, however, he admonished
us to walk in single file and keep as quiet
as possible We had proceeded but
about mile from the house when we OBJ
served man rushing across field towards
us and calling our guide. Hines walked to-
wards him. They seemed to have some
heated discussion or dispute about some
thing. and before we could realize what
had happened the stranger had drawn a
pistol and shot Hines, who, without utter
ing word, dropped dead at his feet. On
our attempting to intercept the murderer
he turned and threatened to kill the entire
party if VIC dared to interfere with him.
This was, indeed, a serious position to be
placed in. We stood dumfounded, not
knowing what to DO. TO give an alarm
might place US in false position and en-
danger our lives. To bring the body back
home would not alter our position any, and
at best it might raise o suspicion that we
were privy to the murder. SO we hastily
| decided to leave, and acting on the impulse
| of the moment, fed across a field and over
| fences for a distance of about two miles.
until we reached another farm house the
proprietor of which,
] FOR A CERTAIN CONSIDERATION,
Agreed to take us to Ucomico creek on the
Potomac. He hastily Harvesting team To
/ an open wagon, We were soon again on our
way. It was about o'clock when we
started The sky looked threatening all
morning, but so far it had not rained. We
rode along pleasantly for about an hour,
when turning bend in the road we were
! suddenly confronted by two fully armed
and equipped cavalry scouts. The one who
tod
looking fellow and of pleasant address. He
ordered the driver to halt, and doffing his
hat in cavalierly manner, babe us good
day, and addressing himself to the writer,
who happened TO be seated next to the
driver, wished to know whittier we were
travelling 10. / replied that we were on our
way to the Potomac. Have you the
proper passes?" was his next inquiry.
which brought the called for documents
from us. He took and examined them very
closely anG informed us that they were
forgeries; and, furthermore that it would
be his unpleasant duty to escort us back to
Richmond. ! began to suspect that we
haG been led into an ambush, and stepping |
off the wagon asked few moments con-
Versation with him. l told him it would !
cause us considerable annoyance and ex-
pense to so back, and limited gently if we |
could not make it an object for them TO let |
us pass.
TREY HELD ! PRIVATE CoEFAB PoR a FEW
MINUTES
The result Of which was an assessment of
$50 each for the privilege Of proceeding
The amount was promptly paid over, and
once more We were on our way. This
was about 4 clock. 1t started to rain and
was getting pretty dark. We rode through
q drenching rain until about o'clock P
NJ, when we drew up in front of
misunderstanding shanty, through the
windows OF which we could see "a light
Pickering. When the wagon stopped the
door opened, and bury form appeared,
whom the driver introduced to us as Capt.
Miller, vino would take us across the Poto-
mac. We entered and found the entire
lower floor to consist Of one large room and
q loft overhead reached by means of lad
der A large fireplace, III which great logs
OF wood were burning made the place look
quite cheerful, as there was little furni-
ture III the room saving table and a few
chairs. We were RECALLED with drink Of
appieiack (such abominable stuff and
then furnished with supper consisting of
coffee and stale corn-brcad, which was ;
eaten with a relish. After supper the
Captain informed us that whenever we so
desired We could lay down in front OF the fire I
and sleep We were not long in following
his invitation, Is we were completely worn j
ont with the days journey. The following I
morning the sun shone brightly, and when
the Captain awOke us we were again
RECALLED WITH SOME APPLEJACx
And served with a moderately good break
ast, after which we were treated to pipe
md some tobacco. We started out in front
Il the house and took a survey OF the stu
stlon, and for the first time got 4 good look {
It the Captain. He was a man of about so, c
II medium hight, but burly form, and '
more villanous cbuntenanee partly hid Z
ten by slouched hat l never beheld on d /
human being before. He wore blue fan
lei shirt, pants tucked in his boots and his ,
waist was encircled by belt containing a T
evolver and q bowie knife. One of our 9
ompanions had patch quilt which !;
lie brought with him from Richmond, and =
laviug it thoroughly drenched the day be- y
ore, hung it in the sun to dry. The Captain f
aw 1t, and approaching me asked who the =
.uilt belonged 10. l replied in iocular
manner, informing him that the quilt was
he property of the young man with the
trawberry blonde hair. Il want that 5
,lanket," the Captain continued, and I'll
AVE it even if ! have to give him So for it," q
informed my friend of theEaptain's offer, e
nd his answer was that he would rather L
ear 1t into thousand shreds than sell it d
or that sum. The Captain overheard his y
nswer, and loading up with applejack and y
a pistol III one hand and
nife in the other, s
THREATENED TO ExTBRMINATE THE WHOLE U
CROWD, =
md do il so etfectualiy, too, as not 10 leave 4
grease spot TO show that VIC ever existed. .
he owner of the quilt became alarmed. :,
nd fearing the Captain might do some y
hing rash, requested me to mollifv him. =
nd, if necessary, give him the d-n quilt.
o approaching the Captain / remarked
Say, Captain, if | wanted that ar darned G
lanket would jist 20 and take it and ask q
ObOdy no Odds He looked me square a
4 the eye and asked, Would youT' Il
eturned his look unAinchingly and said, D
l would" He seemed to sober UP sud 81
emily, took the quilt oil the line, entered "
ne house and invited us all 10 take a drink D
nth him, for which he subsequently
larged us fifty cents each We were W
bilged to stay here for three days, and on
re fourth, seeing a negro getting q boat 81
lady, we naturally jumped at the conclu- fc
on that We were going to start for the 81
laryla1d shore and consequently placed /
1r baggage huriedly in the boat and If
alted. Presently the Captain appeared p
n the scene and wanted to know who ! OF
j that truck belonged to, and by whose h
lthority it was placed there He further ii
formed US that he was not going to take W
5 over that day, having little private til
lair of his own to attend to. Some per-
lasion, and an offer of an extra induce CT
ent, finally brought him to terms, and he OF
'nsented TO take us. nj
z sETTLEp OUR BILL, WHICH WAS EYoR- al
NOUS, 81
or would nc allow any baggage to be or
aced in the boat until a dollar per pound ST
as paid for y. Atlast everything was set To
ed, and by . o'clock p. NJ. we started the ia
iptain and the negro at the oars. The be
stance from our starting point to the Ma ba
land shore of the Potomac is nearly six tn
en- miles. Our boat was fat-botiomed Iii
id in a very leaky condition, scarcely
rye enough for the number it contained. in