The Delawarean., 1900-08-25

'em sure you're the same Kind. The
truth is" and she lowered her voice.
there's a great many horse thieves
and cattle stealers in this county-the
people are pretty much up to it-and
there's dozens of 'em sworn never to
let an officer go out of the county
alive.'
"What did they do to the marshal
you speak Off? l asked, with a cold
shiver
"Well, they just hung him to that
live oak across the road and buried
him under it,"
"Good heaven! But I'm not a mar
shal; wouldn't harm a man in the
county if l could" .zss
She shook her head.
s'It's no use, stranger" she said.
"They won't believe you; your looks
belle everything you say. They'll
serve you the same way
Cant escape?' I asked, in a per-
feet agony of terror. "Get my horse
and let me CO." y
tits no use; they'd kill me If I got
your horse for you. Herew She soft
ly opened door and pointed out. cts
slim chance for life, but it's your
only one. Take to the woodG, and
may heaven have mercy on you! Don't
stop to thank me-gog'
/ waited for no second invitation, but
cleared the house and plunged into the
woods unobserved. l ran without
opping for some time, and then un-
ssA49 'tedly found myself in the high
v6s w i l had travelled two hours be-
fore, " u the village visible a mile
away. ~ ruth was I had cut off
great coril.4 -etthe woods in my
flight, and, the road turning, l had
thus struck 1t -
1t was How almost twilight, but a
shout warned me that 1 was discov-
cred, and the sound of furious gallop-
ing broke on my ear. I was too much
exhausted to fly farther, even if that
could have done any good. dropped
down behind the trunk of huge tree
and desperately awaited my fate.
had my pistols with me, and resolved
that | would not be lynched without a
struggle. -.-.~----- u
A dozen horsemen rode up to within
a few yards of where l lay and.
separating, rode hither and thither
about the skirts of the woods. The
hoof of one of the horses once brushed
my leg, but lay quiet and was not
discovered, though l lay trembling.
Soon the party gathered for a consulta-
ton and, with plenty Of curses on my
devoted head, they agreed that 1 must
have taken to the woods again, but
that could not be far off.
BY common consent they dismount-
ed, hitched their horses and, dividing
into two parties, plunged into the
woods on each side of the road.
waited, with beating heart, until they
had gone so far that could not distin-
guish their voices, though I could see
the flashing of the lanterns they had
lighted, and then 1 stole forth from
my concealment.
What was my surprise and delight
to discover my own gallant steed hitch
ed with the others, with portmanteau
and blankets strapped to the saddle.
In the act of mounting him a sudden
thought occurred to me, and 1 acted
on 1T promptly. l had a sharp pocket
knife and minute sufticed to cut
every saddle girth and bride. Then
1 mounted my horse and put him to a
gallop which l never allowed him to
slacken for five miles. l travelled over
20 miles farther, and never halted un-
til I had found the sheriff of the adj
Joining county and put myself under
his protection. He heard my story and
said:
"a pretty close thing, my friend.
They'd have hung you at sight if
they'd laid hands on you. But you're
safe now; they won't venture over here.
I've got warrants for the arrest of
more than half of them, and they know
it,
l never learned that they We're able
to make any pursuit that night, but 1
should think not, after the situation 1
had left them in.-New York News.