News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1901-12-04
CaPtaiD r. 4. Mitchell,
Author of Chattanooga" "Chickamauga," Etc.


where / would be required to sign a
check for a large amount, all they
could squeeze out of me, but If there
were not sufficient funds to my credit
in the bank | must execute papers that
would enable him to convert property
into money. If would do as he wish
ed, he would set me free. This knew
to be lie, The gang would find pre-
text to murder me whether signed the
document or not
He left me sitting on the ground,
leaning against a log. contemplating
the horrors of my situation. If | did
not pay my ransom, | should be MUIR
dered; if | paid it, | should be murder
ed. 1t was Hobson's choice | made
up my mind that | would attempt to
escape. get shot and thus end a situa-
ton that was in6icting on me a mental
torture far greater than any physical
pain mortal ever endured.
Casting my eyes inadvertently to-
ward the road, saw two women pass
ing northward and in another moment
recognized them as those had noticed
on the march. To my surprise, one of
them turned and rode toward us. The
other hesitated, started on, turned and
followed her companion. noticed
something familiar about their figures.
The coarse texture of their jackets and
gowns and their unbecoming sunbon-
nets were out Of keeping with their
graceful carriage. 'If these women
knew" thought, that they were en-
tering a guerrilla camp, they would be
stricken with terror" When they
reached a point dozen yards distant,
they paused, the one in advance call
ing in harsh voice:
Can you uns tell us how ia it's t.
TracyW
Then beneath the homely check bon
net, through the olive darkening of her
complexion under the cheap calico,
recognized Helen Stanforth. Her beau
tiful companion was none other than
my fascinating little friend who had
saved me from the impetuous wrath OF
Captain ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Rutland.
Had a pair of angels come down
from heaven and lit on my shoulders
| could not have been more aStODished.
rubbed my eyes, thinking that my vi
sion deceived me, but when looked
again there was Helen sitting on her
horse. chatting with the guerrillas as
if they were ordinary persons, making
commonplace remarks in excellent dia-
lect, with which a long residence near
the mountains had made her familiar
Jaqueline remained short distance be.
hind her. For awhile | feared that
JaqueIine would betray them both, for
could see that she was trembling. But
| presently all terror seemed to leave her
She rode up beside Helen and began
to chaff the men, at once attracting the
attention of the whole band.
"Yo're likely gal" said one of them
"Git down often that critter and stay
awhile"
Couldn't think of it."
ooh, yes, yo' kin" And he walked
up and took mold of her bride rein.
"Yo' Jim Garfield" cried the cap
tain, ''let that cyril alonew
The captain advanced and invited the
two visitors to alight, promising that
they should be respected. Jaquelint
gave him a grateful look as he helped
her off her horse with far more gal
Iantry than might have been expected
from the leader of this gang of ruff
fans. Indeed there was something il
his bearing to make me suspect thai
this bandit aptain-Ringold they call
ed him, though | suspect the name was
assumed-was an unworthy member