Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1892-10-14

| men made tEei
way, with nois,
jest and song, towards Il wrctchcd cot
tagc that stood in the outskirts of the
town, and raped loudly for admittancc.
The door was opened by .wthcrcd
old cronc. A candle, burning on small
table, revealed tho blackcncd walls of
the interior, the punches of herbs hang
ing from the ceiling, IL scant supply Of
battered pewter plates and coarse Garth
cnwarc on some shelves in the corner. a
few old chairs, anl pack of worn and
greasy cards apparently just flung down.
"What yc here for! OH with yc."
cried the old woman, when she SAW who
her visitors were.
"Oh, now, Peggy" said the tallcst of
the three, in a whccdliny tone, '.wc'rc
off in the morning for Louisburg, you
know, and we thought we'd pay You Il
farewell visit and get our fortune told"
''I'll warrant ycvc no sillcr to pay me
wi, Martin Sanders" said Peggy, keep
ing firm grip on the door and pushing
1t little closer as she spoke.
"Hcrc's bright new silver sixpcncc
for yc," displaying it as he spoke, land
sort. So now let us come in, and give
us Il good send OIL"
The money proved an argument not
to be gainsaid, and Peggy admitted
thcm.' When they we're seated, she took
up her cards, shulled them, and pro-
cccdcd to tell the young mems fortunes.
Job Ayrcs came first, then Tom
Goodwin. When Martin Sandcrs's turn
came, and Goody Wcsson crossed his
palm with the coin he handed her, his
lmPcrturbablc gravity, contrastcd with
the irreprcssiblc snickcring OF his COM
panions, made her suddenly suspicious.
She gave him searching glance, then
as she was about to place the coin on
the table with the others, she scrutiuizcd
it kccnly and balanced it on her hand.
Ayrcs and Goodwin gigglcd and moved
toward the door. But not the ghost of
smile passed over Martin Sandcrs's
lace. Peg struck the coin smartly
against the base of the iron can llcstick
and listened to the sound, then pressed
1t against the edge of the table 1t bent
with the pressure.
Course yc, Mart Sandcrs," she cried
Then Martin Sanders laughed, and the
three, roaring with laughter Mt the result
Of their poor trick, opened the door of
Goody NELSON'S cot, and rushed out
into the night.
She ran after them, brardishins her
staff, and raving like Il mad woman.
Curse yc, Mart Sandcrs.' she
screamed; Course the three OF We. body
and breath, flesh and bone Curse We living
down and rising up, sleeping and wax
ing, living and dying! I'll take ven.
gcancc on yc at Lousburg; I'll take ven.
geancc on yc at Louisburg" The night
wind bore the dismal threat and its
repetition to their ears, and silenced
their laughter as they ran down the hill
to their homes in the more thlckiy
settled part of the town.
The great fleet of nearly one hundred
vessels, that made up the expedition
against Louisburg, sailed from Boston on
the first OF April. Favored by wind aud
weather, 1T soon reached Cape Breton
and ives coasting alcng the shore of that
island towards its destined haven. In
watching the hills AID woods on shore,
but every indcntation of the coast was
familiar to most Of the Gloucester men.
Tor they had often been there on their
fishing voyages. Their attention was at.
tractcd to the singular movements of a
solitary crow that hovclcd persistcntly
above them, now and then alightinr on
the topmast.
AS they were entering the harbor of
Louisburg, Martin Sanders was sent for
ward to assist IN fur!ing the jD. A rome
parted suddenly under his feet and be
fell headlong into the sea.
The last sound that fell upon his cor:
before the rushing waters closed owe,
him was the hoarsc screaming of tho
crow. a powerful current was running
and 1t was only with great difficulty thai
Sanders was rescued.
Wien the excitement was over. and
the half drowned man was once moro
safely on deck, the crew had disappeared
The fleet cast anchor in the harbor ant
countless boats took the men on shore
Before the siege could commence. thu
cannon must be landed and placed i,
favorable position. 1t was arduous toll
for the soil was DOGGY, and the men Otter
sank to their knees, but all worked with
a will, and the guns, one after another
were landed.
Goodwin and Ayers, with others, wcr,
dragging cannon on slcdgc through
half frozen mud, when suddenly with ,
whir OF wings crow alighted on it
Job Ayers made dash at it with his CAD
AT the very instant that he did so, the
, rear of the sledge sank in the trcachc :.
Gus soil; the cannon gave a sudden lurch
and the arm he had flung out was c,ugh
between the cannon and sledge and hope
lessly crushed. The unfortunate rnar
was carried into camp and his arm ampu
tated.
The work OF siege went on from de
to day. Foraging parties were sent oul
sometimes, for the ratious were some
what stale and monotoncus, and Their