Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1897-08-26

straight it'll do no harm; and If he
isn't, it's the thing to be done"
In mo aent Montagnie had for
gotten his caution. If the papers were
found they would perhaps kill him,
I and if he must die he would sell his
life as dearly as possible. He had
been so quiet that the two men who
approached were taken off their guard
when he suddenly whirled his heavy
stick and struck one of them heavy
blow and then turned to the other.
With bound he leaped over the fallen
men and started for the cliffs. It was
a desperate venture and every moment
he expected to hear the sound of their
guns. He struggled on, however,
unmindful of everything but his own
desire to escape.
Don't shoot! Don't shootr' he
heard Smith CALL ''He may be worth
more alive than dead. Ha! ha! Who
would have thought such peaceful
looking youngster would have given
such rap?'' and he laughed again
when he saw how angry his compan-
ions were. ''Take after him; be quick
or he'll get away"
Montagnie was struggling desper
ately to make his way up the hillside.
For moment he thought they had
abandoned the pursuit, although he
w-ndered why they didn't shoot, but
he soon understood it all when he saw
two of the men coming toward him.
They had known of path, and by
taking it had been able to gain the
heights above.
To attempt further flight was use
less now, and without word he fol-
lowed his captors to the road be-
meath.
''Take him up to the hut, boys"
said Smith and the messenger soon
found himself in rude log house
about 200 yards from the road and
concealed among the defiles of the
hills.
CHOW search him" said the leader,
and the men Immediately began to do
his bidding. His three corned hat
was cut into pieces, but nothing was
found in it. Next his coat was taken
off, and in a moment one of them ex-
claimed: "Here's something; it's in
side the lining" and he cut open the
sleeve and took out the dispatches,
which he tossed to Smith. The leader
quickly opened them, and as he read
the others watched him keenly.
cts a good find, boys, and all
right. That's what comes of making
a general out of farmer. Who was
the fool that tried to hide this in the
lining of sleeve?' he inquired, turn
ing to Montagnie. "Why, it's the
very first place we'd look into. And
you must have been drunk to think
you could get through Ramapo Pass
with them. You don't look like a
lack-wit, but you must have been not
to have taken the upper road. But
Clinton will be glad to get this! Now,
boys, what shall we do with this
fellow, hang him or send him away?'.
'sShoot him." said the one whom
the messenger had struck. cts none
too good for him.
"We'll see about that little later, ;"
replied Smith. s'We've got to get this
letter to Clinton the first thing we
do"
Two were left with the prisoner as
guard and the others soon rode
way. For three days and nights
Montagnie lay in the hut, bound hand
and foot. Not for moment were the
cords loosened, and each day his
guard told him they were about to
take him out and hang him and leave
his body on tree by the roadside as
a warning to all Wings. The preacher
had fully resigned himself and ex-
pected daily the threat would be put
into execution.
On the fourth day Smith returned,
and, after hurried consultation with
the guards, rode away. The prison
er's hands were loosed, and his ach-
ing limbs were rubbed by the guard,
but he had no other thought than that
he was being prepared for his execu-
ton. Accordingly when in a few
hours he was hidden to follow them
out of the hut he glanced on eveyy
side for the rope he thought to see
dangling from some tree. AS he
walked his thoughts were somewhat
bitter against Washington. Why had
he insisted upon his comma through
| Ramapo Pass? If he had been left to
his own device he would have taken
the upper road and never would have
fallen into the power of those desper-
ADDE'S.
.sCan you ride" said one of the
men abruptly.
eyes,, replied the preacher. Were
they about to mount him on horse
and then start the horse off after the
moose had been adjusted ? He had
heard of that plan having been used.
| But he had no time for meditation,
for they came to a place where three
| horses were waiting. Almost before
he knew what had occurred, the pris-
oner found himself mounted and rid
Il 4 h., 10