Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1891-05-21
Stewart started. ''What, the
land pirate:"

You will, l believe, accept my offer"
Stewart's shrewd mind at once saw
the Importance of this information,
Fifteen thousand dollars would be
paid to the man who could secure
the outlaw and his gang, and he
determined to follow the chance up.
He agreed to stop with Murrell that
night and talk the matter over.
Driving the dead robbers horse
before them, then turned off into
the woods, and in a short time
came to bayou. Here Murrell
whistled and negro came out of the
bush and took the horses. An
other whistle brought skiff and
two black oarsmen to the bank.
They got in.
The route was long and circuit
Gus. and Murrell explained that
they were going to his headquarters
in the Muscogee canebrake. At
length the boat stopped at an is
land on which were a number of
cabins, and men lounging about.
Some were well dressed, while
others were evidently frontier ruff
fans. All were well armed. With
out a word Murrell made his way
to cabin larger than the others
and entered. 1t was richly funish-
ed, and around long table, cover
ed with bottles of various liquors
sat dozen men. "This is Mr..
Stewart, friend of mine," said
Murrell "Any objection?"
No one spoke, and for the first
time Stewart felt a sentiment of
fear. 1t was fearful crew. There
was Mason, Irish McCabe, Little
Harpe, Colonel Burns, a noted
highwayman and murderer, and
among them a full-blooded negro.
a giant in size, known all along
the Mississippi as Congo Jack,
river pirate and assassin. Eve
ryone of these men had prices on
their heads, and the dauntless Stew
art figured out what bonanza such
a haul would be il he could only
bring it about.
It was evidents t6at Murrc1l Fwas
master. Turning on his heel he
said: 'Come, Stewart" and en-
tered another room. Here an ex-
cellent meal was eaten, and both
men sat until late in the night.
Stewart agreed to Murrell's propo-
sitiOn, and was to start the next
night for Selma.
A skilled counterfeiter from the
North had been lately secured by
Murrell, and he intended to flood
the country with this money, but
his man had got into trouble, and
was in Jail in Selma, and Stewards
first business was to effect his re-
lease. On looking over the list of
men he was surprised to note the
names of some who stood high in
public esteem. Murrell assured him
that there was not county in the
State that some official was not in
his pay or power.
Going out Stewart watched the
route, but it was impossible to re-
member anything, so crooked and
obscure was it. He was attended
by negro servant, whom Murrell
recommended as in every way relia-
BILE, and they had not been together
two hours before he felt sure the
fellow was spy and distrusted him.
When they got to Selma the man
was never away from his elbow, and
it became a question of doubt how
he was to see Governor Fowler with
out detection. He, however, retir-
ed to his room, under the plea of
fatigue, and about midnight slip
ped out of the room and reached
the ground.
There was party at the govern
ernor's and he sent in a note by a
servant pleading urgent business.
In short time he was in a room
with that official and Benjamin
Claiborne, encouragement of the
State, and told his story. On look
ing over the names of those whom
Murrell had recommended him to,
the governor started ''Why, one
of these men is down stairs now as
my guest"
A plan of operations was at once
agreed upon. There was to be an
important horse race at Port Glib
son, and a militia muster. Muir
rell would be there to meet Stewart.
and preparations would be made to
secure him and then attack the out