The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1889-04-05

his pistol case arourd him, slung a
rife ever his shoulder and rushed TO
the stable, where he threw the saddle
on the back of his favorite horse, a
large and powerful bay animal, and
started of for the hills beyond the
city.
He had escaped none too soon. for
hardly had the sound of his horses
hoofs died away in the distance when
six mounted men drew rein in front Of
the house, half Of them alighted, and,
entering unceremoniously, made a
hasty but thorough search. The stable
was visited. II held but one horse
and NcUmann was known TO have two.
Nothing now remained but to catch
him and bring him back; so away
dashed tho six horsemen toward the
hills beyond the city.
The pursued man had the advantage
Of nearly half IN hours start and
superior animal; the pursuers had
the advantage of superior mum bCrs,
such power as was vested in them by
their own organization, and the
knowledge that there was practically
but one exit from the city for a
mounted fugitive.
At noon on the following day Seu-
mann was travelling along u rude
roadway oman open plain. Presently
he heard the sound OF horses hoofs,
and turning in his saddle, saw two
mounted men at considerable dis
tance behind, riding rapidly toward
him. He started his horse of at Il
gallop, and then a desperate race be-
gan. His animal was in fair form
despite his ride Of the preceding day.
and he was thus able to keep well
ahead OF his pursuers, though he
seemed unable 10 gain on them.
For more than an hour the race
continued and the hunted man was uu-
able to distance his pursuers. The
vigilantes had changed their animals
since starting, and slowly but surely
they kept gaining on Noumaun.
He was almost on tho crest Of a
mound in tho road when u rife ball
whiZzod past him. He drew rein,
turned around, and fired at one OF the
vigilante's horses. The ball struck
tho animal, which fell, carrying his
rider with him. Then Noumann
started OF again.
The other vigilantc raised his weap-
on and fired n shot, but ii missed. 1t
was evident that he could not hit his
mark while his horse was travelling at
such a speed. so, refining in his ami
nal, he took aim and fired just Us Noll-
mann was disappearing over the crest
OF "a mound. His faithful animal STUN
blod; then with cry of~pain sank TO
the Garth. Noumann jumped to his
feet and, running back to where he
could get q good aim at his remaining
mounted pursuer, he fired again, and
once moro horse and rider rolled in the
dust
II was now useless 70 attempt 10 es-
cape. There were but two things for
Neumann to do-either 10 kin his pur-
suers or TO give himself up. He did
not care TO shed human blood il he
could avoid it, and the fact that his
pursuers had thus far spared his life
led to tho hope that. after all, the Wig
ilantes had some doubt OF his guilt.
He lay upon the ground and waited
huIAl lllC 4OItlLOEL man lltu Up
preached TO within about two hundred
yards distance, when he suddenly
arose and, with folded arms, stood
looking calmly at his pUrsuer. Quick
~ raising the rifle TO his shoulder, the
vigilante took deliberate aim ut Neu-
mann, then held the weapon there as
if hesi;ating.
Ncumnn did not move. Tho vigil
lante ordered him TO surrender, and
the other replied that he would % so
only on one condition. Again tho
demand for an unconditional surren-
der was made and refused. Tho third
time tho condition was named and
granted. It was that fair trial be
given Neumann before tribunal Of tho
vigilantes.
The man advanced, and when with
in few feet Of him recognized an old
friend whom he had not seen for
years. The men were delighted to
see each other, and Neumaun told the
story Of his disappearance on that IA
tai day, and the other promised TO aid
him.
At the time the trio entered the city,
two days later, two human forms were
dangling from a limb of a tree few
miles away. They were tho two rob
bers. They had been captured, had
confessed the crime at the last mo-
ment, and had pleaded in vain for
mercy. Neumann, however, had TO bo
tried, and he established his innocence
beyond question. The vigilantes made
every reparation in their power for the
wrong done him, and in less than a
week Neumann was sworn in as a mem
Der OF the order