The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1896-08-27

In our hands, we thought both of the
girls must be almost baldheaded. We
searched every mountain and cove for
and we almost gave up in despair. One
day, while on the north side of Pine
Mountain. Where there Is hole just
above the road. out Of which the wind
comes in the summer and goes in dur
ing the winter. caused by the change of
temperature, We heard low moan but
could see no one. Neither one Of US
was superstitious, but must admit we
felt strange. We made low moan in
reply, and imagine our surprise when
we found we were conversing with our
long-lost sweethearts. We could not
see them. but were able to talk with
them, and we went there every day to
arrange some way Of escape. They
were imprisoned in big cave that had
dozens of rooms to it, but only one en-
trance, which they were unable to find.
The old chief, who called himself
"Benge." said he would keep them pris-
oners until they agreed to marry him
and his brother. Our sweethearts said
they had been treated politely and with
respect, but were frightened almost to
death. The Indians would keep one of
their men on guard all the time, and
sometimes several Of them would leave
and be gone for days at a time. There
were a number of rooms in the cave
that they were not allowed to go into,
but with that exception they could &c
wherever they pleased.
We had great consolation in knowing
that our sweethearts were alive. and we
watched all day and night to capture one
of the. Indians to make him show us the
entrance to the cave. One evening jus
as it was getting dark and the stars be
as it was getting dark and the stars be
biting our ears as we sat on watch abo,:
half mile below the blowing hole, W.
saw three men come out of the grount
with packs on their shoulders. Now wa
our chance; bang, bang, went our tw
rifles, and down went two men. w
rushed on to the third and threw him t
the ground and demanded him to show u
the entrance to the cave or We would XII
him. He saw it was useless to parley, an
showed US a hole about three feet sQuar
under a big rock. We made him crav
in first and we followed. When We got
several yards the danger signal was give
and Immediately several shots were fire
0f xUhi
feet in the Indian in front Of us. 1t wa
a battle in the dark. and we could hes
the rifle balls scrape the walls at OF
side. We fired at the fash Of their riff,
and heard the shrieks of our sweetheart
Finally when the firing ceased went fol
ward and found that my companion ha
received a mortal wound In the breas
that Benge and his brother were dea
and worse still, one of Our shots had gol
down the rocky halls and killed our low
ones. No words can tell or pictu
express my sorrow at that tim
I found a pine knot burning In Of
of the rooms, and with this faring tor,
stood over the PROSTATE form Of the W
man who had left family and friends
be my wife, and that she was killed
my hand. My mind was unbalanced, a.
I was about to put ball through my on
head when heard the old Indian CALI
for me. Invent to him and found h
fatally wounded. He told me he was r
an Indian, but that he and his five CO..
panions were counterfeiters and robbie
and had disguised themselves as India
to deceive the people.
I have lived like an outcast here
many years, said the hermit, and pray
death to overtake me, but there Is son
thing in the water and atmosphere Of Il
cave that prolongs life.
In few days I was well enough
travel and the olo hermit blindfolded
and led me TO the road. I have ne,
looked for the entrance to the cave, |
1t must be somewhere near the Gap
the blowing hole" may still be found
the north side of Pound Gap.