The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1888-11-10


and deliberated hastily upon my best
plan OF action. 1t might be, as the
strange message SAID, that there was
danger on the straight road but the
more thought of it the more became
convinced that it was only decoy to
draw me from my direct route for no
good purpose. This hastily formed
conclusion l acted upon, and turned
The corner and again dashed on.
On through the raging tempest; and
though | was almost sure l had passed
more than two miles, still there was no
sign of the inn l had SO confidently
expected to find. gradually perceived
that the road had dwindled to mere
path.
Drawing my horse to walk, pro-
ceeded rather more carefully, peering
intently ahead for the light from the
wished-f for tavern. Picking my way
slowly on, | suddenly saw the bright
light cleaning before me and cheered
by the sight and by the thought that l
should soon be out of the storm, l
urged my horse on at little quicker
pace. The light did not seem more
than half that distance when it sud-
denly disappeared, leaving me in more
than Egyptian darkness. Thinking that
perhaps it was hidden by tree or some
intervening object, l peered anxiously
through the darkness in the direction l
had seen the light, but in vain all was
total darkness before me.
While wandering at this I was some
what startled by the temperance of
the light, this time still farther in ad-
vance than before. did not pause
long to consider this strange event, but
at once fastened on. l had approach
ed somewhat nearer to the bearer this
time, and was congratulating myself on
a good shelter for the night, when the
light again vanished. Satisfied now
that something was wrong, or that l had
followed will-o'- '-the-wisp, l groped my
way through the trees.
But say l now had a clew to the
mysterious light. l had been lured out
here in the darkness by lantern in the
hands OF villain, and for none of the
best purposes. l thought OF the mes
sage l had found on the road and of
the solitary horseman, and almost un-
consciously connected them with the
wandering light. All !! it was no Jack
o'-lantern. l had been the victim of
some foul play. l wished l had kept
to the straight road now. No doubt
the villain, whoever he was, would not
follow his direction, and he gave me the
road he did not wish me to follow.
While forming this conclusion 1 had
unconsciously wandered on, and few
minutes later | came suddenly to what
seemed to me to be a rude hedge, and,
pushing through, found myself on the
verge of large clearing. The storm
that had thus far darkened the night
was spent, and the torn edges of the
moon drifted slowly on her pathway.
There came stealthly step close
behind me, and before | could place
myself in an attitude of defence the
cold muzzle of pistol pressed my
brow, and cool voice said: "Well, my
friend, your turn in road mas led you
into the wrong box, Ell? Can't you
tell a turn from a straight road2 But
we will nelp you out-O ye! But first
let US relieve you of that belt. Come,
Bill, take the strangers horse while l see
the chlnk."
AS the man spoke three men sprang
from the hedge and grasped my the
bride. The first conner, who appeared
to be captain Of the gang, still pressed
the pistol to my throbbing brow, and
kept on:
eyes, stranger, you are prisoner,
and when tell you that am Red
Guilmont, perhaps you will understand
why you are here. But will have done
with the preliminaries, and to business.
If you will give me the money | know
you have with you, you shall go safe to
the settlements if not, we shall not
hesitate to take it. In that case l can
not answer for the consequences.
Which do you choose?"
81 will yield my treasure but with my
life !" | cried, as | drew my hand from
beneath my cloak, disclosing a sturdy
six-shooter, which Immediately level
led on the two who held my horse.
Grasping Red Guilmont's pistol hand
firmly in mine, l pulled quickly and
as the sharp reports rang out in the
stiffness of the night two burly rufflans
sank to the ground. Dealing the out
law heavy blow on the head, l spur
red my horse and went off like the
wind,
Another moment and Red Guilmont
was mounted and on my track. My
horse, being already jaded from long
travel, was not equal to the occasion,
and my pursuer gained rapidly upon me-
l do not think he was more than ten
rods behind me when my horse slid
back on his launches, almost unseating
me, and gazing ahead l saw that we
stood just on the brink of sheeel
precipice.
l instantly turned my horse to one
side, dismounted, ran back few PAGES
and awaited the approach of the out,
law. Just as he arrived opposite tc
where l stood he attempted to rein in
his horse, knowing that l must either
have nnne over the nreclnice or was