Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1898-10-13

Bay and taken to Goshen, where he
was chained to the floor of the jail and
strong guard placed over him.
All his efforts to escape had been in
vain, and with his two companions he
had been hanged, as MOntagnie him
self knew, for he had been in Goshen
on that very day. But Smiths son
Richard, had been avenging the death
of his father, and the poor Wings in
that region had been suffering more at
his hands than they had from his IA
ther. These were the thoughts that
were passing rapidly through the mind
of the messenger, and there was this
desperate, Richard Smith, approach
ing and with him FIVE men as desper-
ate as he at his back. What villainous
looking men they were He grasped
his walking stick more firmly and
tried to appear calm.
Good morrow, gentlemen" said
Montagnie.
A gruff word was the only reply,
but each man was glancing sharply at
him. Evidently they were suspicious,
but, as they passed on, MOntagnie
breathed more easily. The danger was
almost passed and in a moment he
would be beyond their sight.
But he was not to escape so easily.
Without turning his head he was aware
that they had stopped and were watch
ing him. The moment was critical
one. Would it never come to an end :?
Hold, stranger p called one of the
men. "You travel early
The messenger stopped-fOr there
was nothing else to be done-and
waited their approach. They soon
gathered about him, and he knew his
only hope lay in his being calm.
"Yes," he replied, "and neither are
you late in your start"
"Whither might you be bound ?"
said Smith, ignoring his words.
"oh, up the road here, among the
hills"
Smith laughed derisively as he re-
piled "That won't do. Up the road
may lead to Morristown or it may be
New York. You'll have to give an
account of yourself
The young preached glanced quick
ly about him. Should he try to fight .?
Six men, armed and mounted, were
before him, and they would think no
more of shooting him than they would
a squirrel by the roadside. But the
leader had not failed to note his hesi-
tation, and he turned to his men and
said: "Search him, boys. If he's
straight, it'll do no harm, and if he
isn't it's the thing to be done.
In moment Montagnie had for
gotten his caution. If the papers were
found, they would perhaps kill him,
and if he must die he would sell his
life as dearly as possible. He had
been SO quiet that the two who ap-
preached were taken off their guard
when he suddenly whirled his heavy
stick and struck one heavy blow and
then turned to the other. With
bound he leaped over the fallen men
and started for the cliffs. 1t was
desperate venture, and every moment
he expected to hear the sound Of their
guns. He struggled on, however, un-
mindful of everything but his own de-
sire to escape.
Don't shoot Don't shoot" he
heard Smith call. "He may be worth
more alive than dead. Ha, ha Who
would have thought such peaceable
looking youngster would have given
such a 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
wondered why they did not shoot, but
he soon understood it all when he saw
two of the men coming toward him.
They had known OF pain, and, oy
taking it, had been able to gain the
heights above.
To attempt further fight was use
less now, and without a word he fol-
lowed his captors to the road beneath
Take him up to the hut, boys"
said Smith, and the messenger soon
found himself in a rude log house
about 200 yards from the road and
concealed among the defles of the
hills.
Now search him, said the leader,
and the men Immediately began to do
his bidding. His three cornered hat