Semi-weekly Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1897-1901, 1901-09-03

- T was plain to me that l was IN
the hands Of that terrible war
time scourge of the south, the
guerrilla. This band had been
made up In east Tennessee and had
moved out of their original stamping
ground to get away from their old
homes and find better field for pill
lage. From the Cumberland plateau
they could swoop down toward Nash
vile, Murfreesboro, McMinnville, Shell
byville, Fayette or Huntsville and.
If chased, could easily take to the
mountains, where 1t was difficult to fol-
low them. On one Of their forays Tom
Jaycox and Pete Halliday had got
wind Of my whereabouts and, with
several Of the gang. including the man
l had shot had gone down to look after
me. The country in and about Hunts
vile was too civilized for open assas-
sination, and JaycoX, after the failure
of the attempt on my life, had pro-
cured my arrest as spy. linen lol-
lowed the plan to kidnap me ana force
me into a payment of money before the
final revenge.
We bivouacked where we had met
the band on the plateau, under the
trees that waved above US, their
sprouting leaves lighted up by our
campfire. l lay awake the greater part
of the night, watching for an oppor-
tunity to escape, but one sentry after
another was placed over me. and morn
ing came without my having made the
attempt.
At sunrise we moved northward, as
on the day before, my captors sun
keepinc a strict watch over me. Dur
ing the day Jaycox pushed on IN al
vance. Why l did not know, but sur
missed that his going had something 10
do with the plan to plumber me.
The mountains seemed deserted.
Not human being did we see save
two women and negro, all on horse
back, travelling in the same direction
as ourselves. caught several gllmpses
of them, though always at distance
and wondered how 1t was that poor
white trash" to which class they up
peared to belong. could AFFORD inc ar
tendance Of a slave.
When we halted for the night. which
we did about o'clock in the AFTERNOON,
the captain came up to me ana toAu
me they were going to take me 10
point near my old home, knoxViile'
where l would be required to sign
check for q large amount all they
couId squeeze out Of me. but II there
were not sufficient funds to my creui'
In the bank must execute papers that
would enable him to convert property
into money. II would do as he wish
cd he would set me free. This kne"
to be a lie. The gang would nho p,e'
toxt to murder me whether signed the
document or not.
He left me sitting on the ground
leaning against log. contemplating
tho horrors of my situation. II oid
not nav nv ransom. l should be muir
dered: f paid 1t. should be muruel-
cd II was Hobson's choice. maue
nm nv mind that I would attempt TO
escape. Get shot and thus END situA,
tion that was inflicting on me menta,
torture far greater than any pnysiea'
main mortal ever endured.
Casting my eyes inadvertently TO
ward the road. 1 saw two women pass.
inc northward and in another momen.
recognized them as those had noticed
on the march. To my surprise. one o.
tbam turned and rode toward us. Inc
o,ber besitated, started on. turneo hn.
followed her companion l nouceu
something familiar about their heures'