Nevada County picayune., 1888-12-05

was l when got ashore, that all my remaining strength was exhausted in dragging on slowly across the sand to the pine wood beyond. Once un- der the whispering trees, however, and stretched in the sweet-smelling, pine-tag carpet, 1 fell fast asleep When l woke 1 did not know where 1 was, nor whether the sun, which was then quite low, was just rising or set ting.
 Thus greatly refreshed by my five hours rest, l was desperately hun gry, and the question now uppermost in mind was of something to eat. 1 knew that the people in that part of St, Mary's were, most of them, kind ly disposed to the South, and that very night brought proof of it in the warm hospitality extended to me at 8 neighboring farmhouse.
 On the following morning l left this retreat, not only relieved of my present wants, but provided with what would supply my necessities for at least 9 week longer.
 The adventure that closed my ca reer of danger is the only one, after quilted the coast that deserves to be mentioned.
 had been travelling most on foot since l made my escape; and now, after many tedious delay, there re. mained but one critical step to be taken to determine my fate. A dis tance of ten or twelve miles was be- fore me, and 1 had to pass through the village of -, to reach my destination. For greater security l was advised to make lhts last stage of my journey by night, and by no means to enter the village till dark as there were known to be spies in the place always on the alert.
 At sunset, coming in sight of the settlement, l halted to rest and see where hest to conceal myself while l waited for mght.
 There stood, little to the left of the road, a clump of thick evergrecns, to which, as the nearest refuge, I straightway directed my course. On reaching the spot l was greatly as sured to find it grave yard. This of all places, l thought, is the one most fortunate for me; so, leaping the low stone wall, l proceeded to examine the surroundings. A fami- ly vault. in a crumbling condition, bore the names of the village; and some of the tombs were of older date. In one special corner was group of fresh graves, where l took it to be that the soldiers were buried: and among these l noticed a newer mound, which, from tue flowers upon it, l thought had just been raised l read the inscriptions from tomb to tomb till it got too dark to deciph- CT them. Presently lights from the distant houses began to appear and l was just thinking it time to go, when the sound of some vehicle com ing my way arrested the thought.
 Listening in breathless suspense, l soon found that the wheels were much nearer than l had supposed, the stealthiness of the approach alone having kept me from hearing them. Before I had time to collect myself, a close-covered wagon stopped out side the wall, and l saw two men get cautiously out of it-one to open the gate, and the other to lead the horse in. The time, the place, the myste- rious approach-everything tended to agitate me, and l was on the point of taking to flight, when the truth flashed upon me. Proceeding at once to the new-made grave, the rob- bers, each with spade from the wagon, began forthwith to remove the loose earth, with skill and ra- pidity that proved beyond doubt their professional character.
 It may be imagined with what pro- found interest 1 watched their oper- ations, In less time than had con ceived it possible the coffin was raised, and the body, around which they drew a long cloak, removed to the wagon. The work of rellling the grave was soon done and hardly an hour from the time they came in the rascals were out of the graveyard and on their way homeward. The wagon I Al