Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1889-11-28
Saint HafJ's Beacon,
THE LOVER OF NINA DUCLOS.

pected with IT, in which Ephraim
Junks figures as the ZERO. Ia this
tradition be il known as Toronto.
Jack, in honor Of the place Of kis ma
tiyiiy.
The scene Of his operations wac the
Beautiful Water, Jake. thirty miles
long by two wide, and which lies il a
deep aud narrow basin. There being
no marshes or ponds Of stagnant water
along its banks. which are overshad-
owed by lofty mountains, its rich
bound shores aud wooded islands give
it a picturesque appearance.
On the northwestern side Of an is
land in this lake there is q cave known
by. the name Of the bold smuggler.
1t is about ten feet wide at the en-
trance, twelve to fourteen feet high,
aud extends into the rock distance
OF some thirty feet, narrowing uEiii
the two walls meet.
Toronto Jack was brown-complex-
Toned, stalwart fellow, with hair as
black as charcoal before il has been
touched by the fire. aud han ging about
h:s shoulders like a mass of elf. locks
that had never known comb or brush.
His whiskers were also je. black, aud
his eyes flashed fiercely from under
dark, heavy brows, somewhat like a
panther " hen it is in the act Of spring.
ing upon its prey. He had a great
Roman nose, which according ID ira
dition was uncommonly red--so much
SO that whenever be washed his face
(Which was SELDOM the water fairly
dubbed and hisssd.
His lips were generally compressed
and when in that position. helped to
form a mouth displaying great firm
ness. On one side Of his face, stretch.
ing from chin to ear, was an ugly.
looking scar, which appeared more or
less purple according to the state Of
the weather, or the quantity of whis-
Ky he had lately deposited under his
chin.
He usually had huge dagger in
mia belt, besides two or three pistols.
lie also carried heavy cutlass and
wore great cavalry boots. In his
conversation, it is said, he was one of
the most profane men of his time.
1t appears that Toronto, in his ear.
ly career as defrauder Of the cus.
toms, had in his employ a Canadian
woman, who, it seems, was as reckless
and successful as himself. The cast
OF her features indicated plainly that
her veins were ceursed by a mixture
of French and Indian blood.
She was tall, straight and power
fully built, and though handsome,
Possessed an eye that somehow re.
minded one of a snakes. Whether
Jack had promised to marry her or
not / have been unable TO learn from
any trustworthy authority, though it
has been vaguely limited that be had.
AT all events she had dissolved all
business connection with him some
time previous to his last voyage up
the lake. Yet the woman haunted
him like a host. AT one time she
would be in Canada, at another in
Vermont. 1t was supposed that she
was in the employ of both Govern
nents at the same time, for Jack was
in the habit of smuggling goods into
Canada as we'll as Vermont. thus evad.
ing the laws of both countries on each
successful trip TO and fro.
Nina Duclos, the half.bred woman
described above, also went armed,
carrying two pistols besides a short
plant cutlass. Instead of a skiff she
had provided herself with canoe, in
which she was won't to sit like an
Iroquois as she sent it flying. swift as
an arrow, over the wave, displaying
qualities Of proves and agility sell
dom. if ever, seen even in the region
OF stalwsrt men and buxom women.
On such occasions che wore a straw
hat, made with her own hands, from
beneath which her jst-black hair
streamed on the wind like thunder
cloud torn asunder by the sweep of
the tempest.
Nina having in some mysterious
way learned of Jacks intended move
ments on certain night, jest before
he started with q cargo of valuable
goods posted officers under Birds
Head, mountain on the western
shore Of the lake. taking position
herself about two miles below. Thus
ambushed, they wait for the crafty
smuggler. Hour after hour drags
slowly by, when, 10 two tiay dark
srecks are seen in the distance. one
pursuing the other. about mile apart.
The moon has thrown bridge of sill