The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1898-08-24


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. y
In a 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 a heavy blow and then turned
to the other. With a bound he
leaped over the fallen men and
started for the cliffs. 1t was des-
perate venture, and every moment
he expected to hear the sound of
their guns. He struggled on, how
ever, unmindful of everything but
his own desire to escape.
Don't shootl Don't shoot!" he
heard Smith call. HE may be
worth more alive than dead. Ha,
hal Who would have thought such
a peaceable looking youngster would
have given such a raps" 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-
ately to make his way up the hill
side. For 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 the 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 fight was use
less now, and without a word hefol-
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 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 out 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.
Its a good find, boys, and all
right That's what comes of max
ing general out of farmer. Who
was the fool that tried to hide this
in the lining of a sleevef" 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 thisI Now, boys,
what shall we do with this fellow.
hang him or send him awaya'
Shoot himl'' said the one whom
the messenger had struck tits
none too good for him.
We'll see about that a little
later, replied Smith. We've got
to get this letter to Clinton the first
we do. !"
Two were left with the prisoner
as guard and the others soon rode
way. For three days and nights
-Iontagnie lay in the hut, bound
hand and foc... Not for a 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 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. The
prisoners hands were loosened and
his aching limbs were rubbed by
the guard, but he had no other
thought than that he was being pre-
pared for his execution. According
ly, when in few hours he was bid
den to follow them out of the hut,
he glanced on every side for the
rope he thought to see dangling
from some tree. AS he walked on
his thoughts were somewhat bitter
against Washington. Why had he
insisted upon his coming through
Ramapo pass3 If he had been left
to his own devices, he would have
taken the upper road and never
uo11ld have fallen into the mower of