New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-09-09
A NOVEL EXECUTION.
THE STORY OF A GERMAN BANDITS SUD
DEN TAKING OFF.
From Chambers's Journal.


dull as you might think. by any means You
see there is plenty Of game to be had, large and
small for the shooting; the scenery is delightful
70 me, VINO, IKE you am bit of an artist, and
then the bandttu usually provide little add
tlohaI excitement What l said, are there
bandltu around here them" Yes he answered,
most certainly, though not IN the direction
from which you have come. But as you proceed
into Bohemia you will find the mountains in
Tested with them, and l shall send an escort
down with you tomorrow. Indeed in these
piping times of peace it is chiefly for the pur-
pose OF escorting travellers through the noun
ta1ns that he G. You Will have a spe-
cially strong escort tomorrow, though as we
nave here at present confined IN the fort a
notorious bandit we captured but yesterday in
q raid on his hiding place, and tomorrow l
shalI send him down TO Rabensburg for trial
mere Is no doubt what his fate viii be Two
murders have been proved against him. and
there are numerous improved ones and hundreds
OF rObberies down TO his rame. It is as YOU
say y, q long way TO send him but Rabensbur.y
IS our headquarters, and he viii be tried by the
military there. But you must be tired and glad
To get TO bed Saying this. he showed me TO a
small bedroom and left me to my sum bers.
! was awakened early by the sound of bugle,
and was soon out TO enjoy the fresh air and fine
scenery was Immediately struck by the
strong position of the fort. the site on which il
was built being admirably adapted for defence
Inc ROAD, II road II could De caited-perhapS
pass would be a better word-here ran for
full mile in a kind of glen or gully. lined on
either side by lofty and precipitOuS rocks which
towering up high on each side left only mar
row way in the middle Standing in the centre
Of this gully you could look along the path about
half mile each way, AT which distance it came
10 stop, the road suddenly dipping down on
one side TO Rabensburg and the other
toward a forest 1t was in the middle of this
valley, or rather cutting. that the fort had been
built. stretching across the narrow way from
one wall to the other, so that, if necessary, the
road could be completely blocked and swept by
the guns Of the fort In times OF peace the fort
had gate left permanently open, allowing trav-
ellers TO walk right through it and pursue their
way TO the further side
Ny friend the lieutenant soon Joined me, and
l remarked the strong position held by the
hG inZ uaP Otyl6
give a good account OF ourselves before a
enemy could pass along the road from end to
end and he pointed 10 the three guns mounted
on each side, commanding the two roads.
large one in the middle and a smaller one
was on each side of it, and very formidable they
looked. He said l might leave them at noon
when the escort for the prisoner would be ready
Hardly had he finished speaking when shout
was heard in the fort, followed by report Of
rife and babel Of cries. The officer rushed
down to see what the matter, I following
him closely. Arrived at the square, found a
crowd Of soldiers assembled round a man lying
on the ground, bleeding profusely from wound
in the shoulder. The officer quickly told
the OF the tumult. The bandit while being
led Of his cell, preparatory 10 being marched
away. had suddenly stabbed a soldier with
hidden knife and taking advantage Of the sur
prise he had created. had escaped from the fort
though a sentry had fired at him. He was soon
deserted flying down the road which led TO the
forest and several men started IN pursuit Inc
officer about To follow them, when d griZZled
veteran touched his shoulder and said few
words to him Are you quite sure you can DO
/ il. gunner" asked the lieutenant. Perfectly
certain, sir, replied the Old soldier. II Will lay
my life il she viii not fail this
/ ment.'' Very well. then" said the lieutenant
Recall the men" The bugie rang out, and the
pursuers turned and slowly retraCed their steps
TO the fort. After all he went on, 1T is our
best chance, for they could never catch him
Just look the pace he is gong at I would
not lose that sCOundrel for anything. and if
. cannot take him alive anticipate his
fate and take him dead" Several men had been
p0ttng at the fugitive with their rifles, but
without success, he ordered them to desist
. as IL only throwing away ammunition.
Lighting cigarette, ne sat down and calmly
watched the ever lesSening form Of the brigand.
: I UP him and asked the reason OF
. this strange apathy on the part Of the garrison
Don't be in a hurry, my friend replied he
smiling: I'VE not lazy and foolish as
doubtless you think. Listen 10 me" He then
I explained that just as he also starting in
pursuit of the fugitive the old gunner had told
him that there a far quicker and surer
method Of arFeSting him than that of pursuit
The big gun in the centre Of the rampant on
that side had by constant practice, been trained
TO throw its prOiectile exactly in the middle of
/ the narrow path just before it dipped out of
sight, and had been kept permanently in that
position. And" the lieutenant went on, Gun
ner Miller is ready to that a ball or shell
thrown from that gun viii hit the exact spot
provided the gun has not shifted. Now, in that
/ case all have TO do is to wait TIL our friend
there gets on. near. that spot. and there you
are! You il is impossible for him TO
TO the right or left till he gets out Of the pass
owing TO the precipices either side. You
know, Muller" said he. turning to the gunner