The Ravalli Republican., 1898-01-19

not failed to note his hesitation, 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. - z....
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 approached were taken off
their guard when he suddenly
! whirled his heavy stick and struck
one d heavy blow and then turned
to the other With bound he
leaped over the fallen men and
stan ted for the cliffs It was des-
perate venture, and every moment
he expected to hear the sound OF
their guns He struggled on, how
over, unmlndful Of everything but
his own desire to escape.
Don't shootl Don't shootr' 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 rapi" And he
laughed again when he saw how
angry his companions were. Take
after him; be quick or he'll get
away.
Montagnie was struggling desper-
ate]y to make his way up the hill
side For a moment he thought
they had abandoned the pursuit, al
though he wondered why they did
not shoot, but he soon understood it
all when he saw two of tho men
coming toward him. They had
known of a path, and, by taking it,
had been able to gain the heights
above.
To attempt further flight was use
less now, and without a word he fol-
lowed his captors to the road be-
Meath
''Take him up to the hut, boys, y
said Smith, and the messenger soon
found himself in rude log house
about 200 yards from the road and
concealed among the detiles Of the
hills
"Now search him., said the lead
er; and the men Immediately began
to do his bidding. His three cor
nered hat was cut into pieces, but
nothing was found in it. Next his
coat was taken off, and in moment
one of them exclaimed: Here's
something It's inside 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. ... ...
It's q good find, boys, and all
right. That's what comes of MAX
ing a general out of a farmer Who
was the fool that tried to hide this
in the lining of a sleeve?' he in
quired, turning 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 away2"
Shoot himl' said the one whom
the messenger had struck It's
none too good for him.
Wen see about that little
later, replied Smith. We've got
to get this letter TO Clinton the first
we do y
Two were left with the prisoner
as guard and the others soon rode
away For threo days and nights
Montagnie lay in the hut, bound
hand and foct. Not for a moment
were, the cords loosened, and eacl
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 expected daily the
threat would be put into execution
On the fourth day Smith returned
) and, after a hurried consultation
with the guards, rode away Th'
. prisoners hands were loosened ane
t his aching limbs were rubbed BY
$ tho guard, but he had no othe:
thought than that he was being pre-
! pared for his execution According
I ly, when in a few hours he was bid
! den to follow them out of the hut
e lie glanced on every side for tn
rope he thought to see dangling
q from some tree. AL he walked o1
his thoughts were somewhat bite
:, against Washington. Why had Ii
y insisted upon his coming throtgl
! Ramapo passf II lie had been lef
! to his own devices, he would hav
e taken the upper road and neve
q would have fallen into the power Q
+ these desperadoes.
"Can you ride1" said one of th
, men abruptly.
s "Yes.' reDlied the preacher