The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1896-10-22

rose on elther side ana faced each other
| like gladiators eager for the conflict.
! Their rugged sides were as the faces of
| battle-scarred veterans. The scene
passed from that of grandeur to solem-
nifty. This was my first trip upon a
raid and the character of our business
and the rugged scenery filed me with
awe. | felt as if | were trespassing,
and if the worst should come a rife ball
! from the moonshiner might be the pen
atty of my invasion.
We were in the home of the wild
mountaineer. Rugged though his do
main, his character is in keeping with
| his surroundings. He is, like the sturdy
oak, bent and shorn by many a storm,
and is never conquered and bids eternal
defiance to his foe.
As we followed the winding stream,
and carefully picked our way over crag
| and stone, the very murmur of the wa
| ter seemed to warn us not to proceed
| One of the men waved his hand for ST.
| lence, and we quickly executed his or
| der. We had reached the end of the
ravine and all thought that the still was
| llCdI at udlltl ne SlltuCe was IedElul.
Not a dry twig was snapped, not stone
was tumbled down the mountain side
it was the silence of death. Careful
| ly and gently the intervening foliage
was parted with our hands. We gazed
into the interior OF the swamp. A look
of disappointment settled over the face
Of the party. The still was not there.
! Our instructions had been followed, but
| the game had not been located
Up the steep mountain side we
| climbed our way and when the road
was reached we sat down upon the log
| to rest. We were exhausted from the
| days search and the cool breeze was
refreshing and pleasant. AS we rested
we watched the sun sink out CT sight,
and the fading reflection was met by
the shadows of the gathering twilight.
| The twilight rapidly grew into night
and the mountains faded from view
| until the whole landscape was shut cut
| by the veil of darkness.
We We're in a dilemma. Night had
overtaken us and possibly Il host of
lnoonshiners, having seen us during the
their forces for an attack
Time was slipping past. Action was
necessary and delay meant increased
danger The situation was discussed.
Across the valley familiar sound
was waited on the evening air. IN
| stantiy we were upon our feet and lis
tening for a repetition of the sound.
| In 4 L.
| time more distinct and certain. The
officers exchanged significant glances.
| Again and again sounded the AK us
each blow was given by the woodsman.
Down in the ravine we saw a little
blaze and presently the dim outline of
| smoke curled up through the trees.
| We knew the meaning, and the sounds
! of the ak were as significant to the
officers as the click of the instrument
is to the telegraph operator In a low
| conversation the raid was planned, and
| like stealthy redskins we crrpt down
! the mountain A faint light cast
in front of us and presently the hum
of voices reached our ears. We were
eager with excitement and our whole
beings thrilled with expectancy. ! re-
membered that we were in d danger
GUS locality and 1 fancied that the hum
of bullets would soon break the monet
| Ony. l shuddered, and cod, chilly
sensation crept over me.
The fire increased and the men went
| about their work. They were unsus-
pecting and laughed loudly at a joke
hot hai1,pr cold / Il ,o til
~ crowd intently. Suddenly man
leaped from the opposite side and with
drawn revolver that CLEANED murder
| ously under the glow of the fire. de-
manded that hands go up. My heart
leaped to my mouth, but to my disup-
pointment no resistance was made.
Never have l seen such surprised cX-
preston on the face of a human he
ing. CONSERVATION was written in
every line. The echo of their merry
laughter had hardly ceased before a
low cry of establishment escaped from
the mountaineers white lips He was
helpless and in despair.
The scene was one of Witness, ard
the glare of the fire threw grim, long
shadows from out the group. On the
mountain sides the shadows looked like
hob-goblins and giants.
Where is your ax?' asked an officer
of the captain. Not word was spoken
in reply. The question was repeated,
but evoked no answer. The captain
was resolute. He knew only too well
for what purpose the ak was wanted.
Not only his liberty, but his property
was to be destroyed, and he was deter
mined that he would not lend a help
ing hand by giving the desired informa-
ton.
The officers searched the place for
the AK, and when it was found the work
Of destroying the still was quickly done.
The sharp blade descended into the
worm and in n few moments the dis
tillery lay in a heap of ruins. Stand
ing close at hand was a large vat, in
which many gallons of whisky was
stored. As the officers approached the
vat | saw a look of anger plainly out
lined upon the moonshineri' faces.
They had watched the progress of de-
struction with almost a look of resigra-
ton, but when the valuable liouid that