The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-10-03

should so down before venturing too near the enemy's lines. When the fire had dled out he other men lay down to get few hours sleep !, hile Patterson sta t. ed though the trees toward the other side Of the point to reconnoitre. He had lain Tn the bushes near the shore only a. short time when he heard the eau tious dip of an oar, and. peering out, men c:seping up al ng the shore. His first thought was that they were British soldiers who had detected their fire and wsre looking up their camp.
 He withdrew a httls further into the bush and awaited developments. The men rowed along until they discover ad little eddy and into this they turned the bow of the boat. Drawing 1t up they hanging limbs and started lack into the woods in his dire c;ion. They went up | short distance until they were hidden in a clrClp of trees, when they halted and started fire, around which they gatl- cred to warm themselves. By creeping near, Patterson was able to overhe A- their conversation, and he was not littls surorlsed to learn that they were bank With large amount of booty taken Tn their last venture in the city of Kings | ton. 10 think was to act with Patterson. | and he edged away from the camp and
 made a detour for. the boat. Reaching
 1t. he found, carefully covered in the
 bottom. several kegs of gold and silver coin. Quietly pushing the skin off he got out of eafshot, when he took up the oars and pulled for the mouth of the | creek. He found a place suited to his needs and sunk the treasure. and then | rowed back, beached his boat and went
 to awaken his comrades. They then em- parked in their skiff and started for the Canadian shore. Patterson insisted on rowing. although urged by his compan. ions to lie down in the boat and not incur needless risk. The other three lay
 In the bottom Of the boat. and while their leader tugged away at the oars he
 told them of his adventure of the night
 ending by saving: Boys. when we get
 back tonight I'll show you where I put
 the stun and we'll whack up."
 The night was particularly favorable for their venture: the moon had gone down. and the sky and river were black and tmpenetrable. Patterson knew every foot of the river, however, and they were feeling particularly. safe and jovial over They had passed the center of the riv sr, and Patterson was pulling vigorously at the oars, with perhaps less care thar usual, when suddenly a rifle shot rang out In the stiffness and the oarsman fell ba K with a bullet through his heart
 That one lone rife shot in the dead of the night was all they heard of the enemy, but that one shot had done its had, indeed. been made. His companions lay still in the boat until 1t had drifted out ef danger, when they manned the oars ard started back home. They bringing. the body of their leader home to his family. His death was kept as secret as possible. and he was buried hur- riedly, so that no one could claim the reward.
 His companions then began to search for the hidden gold, and for many a day they dug in the banks of the creek, dredged the river bottom and explored the bay. without success, and from that day to this it Is not known to have been found. A stock company was formed at one time to make systematic search. l.. but they succeeded only In sinking a lil- tie more treasure into the black ooze of the bottom of the day. Many theories are advanced as to the possible hiding places which Patterson would have chos. en. Being hunted by the Indians, who might be anywhere, 1t is regarded as doubtful that he would land and bury his find. It is believed that his well known shrewdness led him to drop one keg at a time in places that he could readily mark In the night, so that he could get his bearings again and recover the gold, Nothing was ever heard of the robbers, and 1t is probable that, after they dis covered that they had been robbed in turn, they wasted no time in leaving the region.
 The tale is not often used to regale the summer visitor, but many an old settler knows its truth and has sought in the blue waters for the fabulous wealth Many river fisherman has gazed over the gunwale of his boat and longer foi. divining rod to pont him the way to sudden fortune Somewhere in the depths 1t lies. It may be under the deposit of ninety years, or 1t may be where the ero- sion of the stream has kept it clear; but to all questionings the only answer thus far has been the merry gurgle of the wa terS, and secure as the treasure of Can tain Kidd, it rests today somewhere be- meath the surface of Chippewa bay