Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1884-11-07

"Robbersi" thought Martin, with
thrill. He was not afraid, for, besides be-
ing brave boy, he knew lie had nothing
to be robbed of, even if the highwaymen
discovered him.
"How many passengers:" demanded
the same voice.
eight inside, one outside and the
driver"
They had entirely forgotten Martin,
even If he could as yet be counted pas
senger.
Cautiously creeping through thicket,
the boy lookeduo the bottom of the slope.
The horses were standing quietly, and the
driver and the eight passengers were also
standing-iu a row, with their arms raised
straight above their heads, rs they had
been ordered. This was to prevent their
getting hold of the weapons in their pock-
cts. The most scared looking face among
them WAS that of the young man who had
40 earnestly desired 10 be attacked by the
robbers. lie stood with his hands thrown
up and trembling, his eyes wide, aud his
face pale with terror. Tie old lady alone
was in the coach, where she had tainted
dead away. @
Up and down the line Of scared amt in
dgnant passengers went two men, with
their faces colored, and handkerchief
tied close around their heads, the more
efleetually to disguise them. From each
victim they took watch, jewelry, money,
whatever they could find, and even de-
prived the fat old gentleman Of his nice
travelling coat and cap, and the scared
young man of his new boots-onc of the
robbers remarking that he was about 10
travel and needed 4 fashionable fitting
out. Then, when the whole party had
been searched, their pistols were unloaded
anC handed back to them empty, so that
they could not be used until the robbers
were out Of reach-and the driver was
told that he might now proceed Oh his
journey.
AS the coach started up the other &C.
clivity the two robbers gathered up their
booty and assembled the hill. Here they
paused, and after listening for moment,
as if TO assure themselves that no one was
on the road, they crept into the very
thicket of mountain laurel behind which
Martin Sherwood stood. Here they de-
posted their booty and began sorting it,
having first deposited their pistols on
Hat rock at his elbow. They appeared in
high spirits, and laughed and talked as
they busted themselves.
"This is better than pegging shoes in
State prison." said one, an ill-looking fel.
low of about five and thirty.
"Pretty good days work for begin
ners," laughingly added the other, who
was quite young man. "Put the sheriff
off the scent in the morning, and cleared
about two thousand dollars in the even
ing, hot counting the watches and trim
kets."
"Don'C be too sure about the sheriff,
Jenny. | know Jack Andrews; and II
him. You may throw him off the scent
for time, but he'll be on the track again
in 10 time. tell you what, Jenny, |
shan't feel easy until I'm on the other
side OF Mystic river. Let's put UP these
things and be off. You take three Of the
watches and I'll take three. AS for the
money, there's not light enough to count
it by. Well wait till morning for that"
"All right" said the other. And
meantime here's something that will DO
us goCd"-holding UP q small brandy
flask. cit belongs to tho old eodscr with
the five hundred dollars in his bootleg.
| don't care for the stuf straight, so you
just step out there, Penny, aud dip up
drop of water" .t... .n -r.
The elder man obeycd. But as he step
ped into the road, by the side OF which
ran the little gurgling rill, he stood still,
and putting his hand to his ear, listened
intcutly. f
"Comc here, Jen. | think / hear
something fur off,"
Jem crept out Of the thickct to his COM
rade's side, and the two stood together
looking up the road and listening.
In all this time the boy had not been
twenty PAGES from them. The large
trunk of tree, with some vines that
grew about it, and the gathering dark
ness, had concealed him. Bat now, as hc
saw tile two robbers standing together in
the road, and their plumber, with the pis-
tolls, lying near him, sudden idea flash
ed upon him. His eyes Frightened, and
a sort of humorous smile played about his
mouth. He advanced cautiously, still
Keeping out of sight, and secured the pis-
tolls. Then in i loud, commanding voice,
he shouted:
"Stand ~
The robbers fairly jumped; but before
they had time to move, second order
came, quick and sharp:
GLANDS up! The first that stirs is
dead man. Cover them well, boys, with
your pistols. Now, Jenny and PeuDy,
surrender to Jack Andrews"
Jenny Immediately obeyed, and threw
up his hands. 4f4a.I,l..
1t would be Of no use to resist unarmed.
But Penny, as though he preferred the
chance of death to a return to State prison,
made one desperate effort to escape, and
darnng into the thicket on the oppo-
site side of the road disappeared like
hare, while Martin sent 4 couple Of bull
lets whizzing after him. Then quickly
springing forward, he faced the man who
stood with his hands still held up.