Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1893-09-02
CHAPTER Y.

It is decidedly irritating to be laid on
ones back in this way just when one
would most wish to be more than usually
active and efficient. But the milk is
spilled, and worrying will not restore it
to the pitcher. Imust keep quiet and hope
for better things. AT all events | have
abundant opportunity to indulge my
hobby of writing.
The topic of special interest at present
is the burglars. From information we
have received, us the newspapers say, we
are in u position to state that there is a
probability Of our being their next vic
Tins. No doubt they are a sBillful gang
of rascals, but even an amateur thief
might operate in this neighborhood with
comparative security. We have two or
three inGrm and erratic conStables to
take charge Of 20 or 80 square miles of
territory, and the facilities for escape
and concealment afforded by the topog-
raphy of this region are all that the most
fastidious could desire. Accordingly we
have seriously made up our minds to de-
fend ourselves, and not only that, but if
possible TO bag the burglars into the bar
gain.
The Cedarcliffe estate is two or three
miles in circumference, and the surface
is good deal diversifed-rocks, woods.
ravines, cliffs. cultivated lands and gar
dens The force available to guard this
frontier consisted of four persons-John,
Henry, Tom, the groom, and myself-but
my own involuntary detection reduces it
to three. Still with proper arrangement
three ought to be enough. Sinfre wants
to come in, but that is hardly practical
bic. She would unquestionably do her
part. however, should any chance bring
her in contact with the enemy. She not
only has no fear, but she is very clever
in suggestions, and in fact it was she
who first proposed the scheme which will
probably be put III operation.
The theory upon which we are pro-
ceeding is that our robbers are members
of the community and probably among
the most Jealous of those who are clamor-
ing to have the villains caught. They
have shown such competent knowledge
Of the locality, of the obstacles to be en-
countered and the facilities to be de
pended or, they have made so few mis-
takes and their success has been so uni
form that it IS difficult to suppose them
strangers, unfamiliar with the ground.
This hypothesis being granted, it follows
that although our task is made harder
( in one way it is simphfed in another.
On the one hand, they viii be able to ar
range their attack with more certainty
and confidence, but on the other we
shall be able to play of with them bit
of strategy that might else fail of its
/ effect. Let me explain.
We are in the habit every summer of
making party to so to Pebble lake and
camp out there night CT two. The lake
! lies some 10 miles to the southwark and
is surrounded by woods which have
stood beyond the memory of living man.
I In former years we built small log hut
there for the ladies of the party or for
refuge in casa of storm, and we carry
I tents, cooking apparatus and all other
paraphernalia with us.
Father bought the lake, with the sur
| rounding woodland, at the time of our
FIRST settlement here. Perhaps he intend
I'd it for a fishing preserve, or possibly
his motive was merely aasthetic. At any
I rate. there it is, and there is not q pref
tier sheet of water within 100 miles. 1t
is about 200 acres in extent and remark
ably deep at one end, where Mount Ea-
chem descends, rocky and precinitous.