Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1886-05-20
A NIGHT OF FEAR.
BY CAPT. J. MoNTFoRD.

While listening to the murmuring leaves he
stood,
More than mile immersed within the wood.
A sudden horror seized his giddy head,
And his ears tingled, and his color fed, 4.
Nature was in alarm some danger nigh
Seemed threatening, though unseen to mortal
eye.
--Dryder: "Theodore and Honorfa."
II never hear that sound" remarked the
Colonel. as the wind tore and ratified against
the side of the house, "but 1 am thrown
book to night, long ago, which I passed
under very different circumstances.
We scented story, and discovering by
our attention that such was the case, the
Colonel continued as follows:
"Half an hour before nightfall, upon n
gloomy day early in March, sprang into
the saddle in front of the Generals tent.
Il had orders in my pocket for the
forces which lay several miles away toward
the east; and had been warned that a
guerrilla band was skulking in the neigh
borhood; and knew that / must employ
great caution to escape them.
"They would make short work with n
straggler, and if / fell into their hands
there would be but one way out, and that
not such as 1 would choose.
"To reach my destination l must pass
through a wood of considerable extent.
entered the bridle-path just as the last
CLEAN of daylight vanished. The sky was
overcast, and there was that strange shiver
in the air which precludes storm.
Il reached my destination without meet
ing with any adventure; and half an hour
later set out upon my return.
"The impending storm was now at its
height. Little or no rain fell; but the wind
blew with redoubled strength as though de-
termined to tear up the trees which dis
puted its way.
II shivered as rode along through the
woods, and wished myself at the end of
my journey. 1t was terribly dark, and /
dared not urge my horse forward for fear
of fall.
Il soon suspected, from the motion of
the horse, that we had strayed from the
bridle-path, and this added to my anx-
iety.
Occasionally the loud crash of falling
timber would send the blood rushing
through my veins, and the next instant my
heart would almost cease TO beat as a
swelling, mysterious moan, which seemed
to come as low as from the fiends, swept
through the laboring air.
"To confess truth, l was becoming
| frightened. My imagination was extremely
active, and metamorphosed the half-dis-
| tinguished forms and sounds into some
thing uncomfortably fearful.
"My steed seemed to partake of my
trepidaton, for frequent snort expressed
his discomfort.
Suddenly horrible yell fell upon my
ear, followed by the report of rifle.
"Instinctively drew the horse back upon
his launches and listened. The storm
fiends seemed laid for an instant, and all
| was quiet.
"'That was mans voice. said, smooth
ing the neck of my startled steed; some
one is in trouble
AT that instant, having recovered from
my first fright, and the discontinue which
followed, 1 urged my horse onward.
"But he sprang back as the crash of fire.
arms, supplemented by series of the most
fiendish yells, sounded from in front.
II recognized the sound we'll enough this
time. 1t could have issued from no throatt
but the guerrillas; class of men whom
both Federals and Confederates had ample
cause to fear.
"They couldno be far away, and instant
" slipped from the saddle, and, securing the
horse to tree, began to creep toward the
| place where knew some dark tragedy was
transpiring.
"I soon came within sight of O numbe
of torches, and knew that the actors wer,
there.
"Stealing along through the trees, 1 came
upon the edge of little glade and its occu
pants.
"There were Just thirteen men-I was Gu.
rious enough to count them-gathereC
around young, boyish- looking man, whC
held q smoking revolver in his hand, will
which he menaced his foes.
1.~ olo ~ h.
genuine guerrilla breed, attired in clothing
of all sorts and colors-blue, gray, ant
civic.
"They are cowardly from principle; bu
/ much wondered to see so many held a
bay by one man, until spied tall mai
lying upon the ground.
"I knew at once that he had been tn
leader of the gang, and had met his fate q
the hands of the youth.
"The first report / had heard, and tn
yell which followed, had announced hi
doom.
1T took but very short time TO max
these observations, and the prospect wa
becoming darker for the young man ever
moment.
"He stood with his back against tree,
bold, intrepid look upon his face; his eye
followed every movement of his foes, an
his supple finger prepared to send soul int
eternity at the first onset.
"The young mans bearing quelled tn
rascals who confronted him; they we're de
termined to avenge their leader, but no on
seemed desirous of venturing his own life
"But this inactivity could not last always
and the bold youth must succumb unless
could relieve him.
II determined to make the attempt, al
though il seemed fruitless, and began imme
diately to form plan.
"I was fastened by a sudden movemer
on the part of one of the outlaws.
"He had been maneuvering for some tim
, 10 escape the youths glance for an instan