The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1885-06-25

1
thought it best to comply.
"On the way 10 the house we
we're joined by the other brother,
and after q few words 10 some
language unknown to II :, they both
hurried me on. The old man was
not at home whom we reached the
house, and after another consulta-
ton they chained me securely and
then made preparations for jour-
ney.
"As I gathered from hints-pur,
posely let drop-they intended to
take me TO Fort Smith to be tried.
did not exactly see tho object OF
this, ainco, il tho case was once
brought to trial, I could easily DO
cleared by I.ily's evidence.
AFTER sending some Of the ser.
wants to bring in the body, they
mounted me on q horse, they tied
my hands behind my back and my
feet under the horse, and with one
riding behind aud the other before
we set ont.
Lilly begged to be allowed to 60,
but they refused. Il was q lonely
country where Mr.. Williams lived
no house within twenty milos--or
she would have gone for help to
stop them.
"The hrst days travel passed
without incident. My captors were
taciturn, saying nothing to me and
but little to each other At night
they loosed my hands sufficiently 70
lot me eat, which was q little more
than I expected but after supper
my hands and feet were securely
fastened, with paddock.
"The night OF the second day we
camped on the edge of an old field,
grown over with brown grass. The
same precautions we're taken as on
the previous night, and soon my
captors were wrapped in slumber.
| knew that in all probability it was
my last night on earth, aud many
conflicting emotions filed my mind,
driving away sleep. But chiefly l
thought OF Lily, my prairie flower,
left to the mercy OF those rude
men.
About midnight my meditations
were Interrupted by soft rustic hes
hiud mo in tho bushes, but boforc |
ceuld speak motion voico whose
music never expected to hear
again on enrth, said hush and in q
moment Lily was beside me.
Then, with her arms around me,
hor lips close to my oar, sho told
me that she had overheard her
brothers talking OF killing mo on
the way, being afraid to do so at
home she had caught two OF bor
own horses (the best in tho country
aud followed with the hope OF res.
cuing me.
"She had a key which she thought
would open the paddock fastening
the chain that held me. The pad.
lock WAS one of the spring kind,
with the keyhole, a simple slip, at
the bottom. The key is a plain, fiat
bar, with various indentions in it to
ct the wards of the lock aies open.
$50 quietly that not a link ratified
Lily unwound the chain, and | was
once moro free. We started for the
horses, but unfortunately had got
but few feet when I stepped on a
dry stick, which broke with O loud
crack. Lily's brothers were light
sleepers, aud they woke immediate
| ly. Not seeing me, they rushed
hither and tither in search, and Just
as we reached the horses one of
them caught sight Of us and fred.
The ball struck Lily's horse and
killed it. In moment had seat
cd Lily behind me, and, conceal~
ment being now impossible, rode
away at full speed
"They saddled and came hard sf-
ter us. We kept our distance, but,
on account of the double burden
which our horse carried, were ne YER
able to get far out Of hearing, while
they followed with a persistence
worthy Of better cause. Not dar.
to stop in the nation, i rode for the
river, which fortunately reached
in time to meet you and battle them
Our horse, good as he was, was
nearly exhausted, and could not
have carried us much further.
Thanks to you, hope we arc safe
now"