Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1895-01-10
WOODBURY., N. j, THURSDAY, JANUARY TO- 1895
shought could get board with You for

thought I could get board with you for
3 day or so
'Jim's friends are mine, he said,
with sidelong glance. Come on
"This was much easier than / had ex-
pected. Jerry, or Ole Hoss, was none
other than the man was after.
"As we emerged from the wood into
the clearing lank, slabsided specimen
of humanity approached. He was about
to speak to Jerry when his eyes fell upon
me, and be suddenly turned away
There was something familiar in his
features, but could not place him.
sole Hoss passed on. and followed
him into bis cabin. 1t was small affair
with two rooms.
One we uns lives in, he explained,
AN the wimmen sleeps in t'other.
Where do the men sleep? I in
quired.
'oh, we uns bu1.ks down thar in
ther corner
The swimmen folks retired early
that night, and / sought rest ON blan-
ket that had evidently seer. several sum-
mers and innumerable hard frosts. I
was very tired, and though intended
to rise when all was quiet and take a
view Of the premises ! fell asleep.
II was awakened by the pressure Of
something cold against my forehead,
and opening my eyes looked into the
muzzle of revolver, while the voice of
my host said:
Eff you un moves hand, of goes
yer topknotl'
"'What does this mean?' demanded
in my sternest tones.
1t means that we uns are onter
you un- That's all.
Several other figures now stood over
my couch, and my genial host said.
Waal. shall we uns finish him now
or wait
Let's take him outside, one sug-
gested.
After they had bound me hand ard
foot I was carried into the open air. A
short consultation was held. and l caught
the words, down ter the hut
Nav, said one brawny fellow, he
amt bad ez that. Besides Pete may be
mistaken
His objections were received with
murmurs Of disapproval
1t amt too much, asserted my
host. It's jest what he deserves, and
it'll prove an example to tine others.
There was some more discussion.
Then was informed that on my arrival
Pete Sandford, a member of the gang,
whose still had aided in destroying
some time previously, but who had es-
capped from the officers, had recognized
me as detective who had come under
the guise OF friendship to land them all
in prison, and that was to be left in
the hut.
This failed to strike terror to my
soul, however, as supposed they would
merely leave me there overnight, and
should then have a possible chance of
escape. Had known the true nature of
my punishment would have begged my
captors. to mercifully put a bullet
through my brain.
They carried me to the hut, and one
Of the men carefully opened the door
and peered in. He took torch and thor
oughly inspected every nook before en-
tering. Finally. bound hand and foot, i
was laid on pile Of husks in one cor
ner. Then the men departed without
even closing the door. / Twas highly
elated at this oversight and lay en-
deavoring to muster strength to break
my bonds when I heard a rustEng,
gliding sound in one corner of the room
Could it be that some other human
creature was imprisoned with me? No,
it must be the wind outside. Then from
the long. dark opening used as a fire.
place came similar sound, another
and another. What was it? What could
this mean?
Suddenly / felt something glide
across my legs as they lay bound on the
foot of the bed, and the awful horror of
the situation that my prosecutors had
devised tlawned on me. / was in den
of snakes. If / moved, was dead
mar Sick with terror, l became un-
conscious.
! awoke lying beside the road. The
moon was shining full in my face, and
bending over me was the girl had
met in the afternoon.
'Twar clus call for you nm. she
said. i heered pap'n the fellers a-talkin
ez haeow they left yer here. an when
got er chance come to you un.
How did you do it?' gasped.
{" Huh? I'm used to snakes, but
but
The girl began to sob.
!" What is it?' asked, moved by
her distress.
II dassent 90 hum, fur dad will
kill me.
That's how my hair got white, "
said the major.
But the grip said l.
'Oh, she is in the next room with
the childrenl She's my wife ''-Ex-
change.