Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1912-09-26
The Mountain Fiend.
A Tale of Tug River.
BY H. A. COMPTON.

lie sank 10 the ground close hv the
cabin and carefully sought an uns,op-
ped crack through which he might take
survey or the interior At last he
found one, and placing his eagle eve to
the op=ni'F hc gazed log ara steadil,
into the dhspi1ated room. Everythins,
was p rfectls qui. vi hin ard ssv,. s. -
occasional streak of uoual,c. here md
there On The floor and fsin: elov, If
oflr% erbers in II" fireplace. The r.. n,
~ss IN ~ cby darkness As hs stra-r,.o
MS eye 10 the opening a DIR, splintrr
from large stick Of wood fell into tho
embers and quickly kindled into a blaze
thio"iog bright light momon.ari'y
over tie room, and revealing the form.
81 the sleeping outlaws lying in semi
cree about the fireplace. He saw 81
mon Randolph and the woman living
closely together, hound hand and foot.
a. his eye wandered over the band Of
/ s'eeper5 1t caught glimpse Of the Con-
/ perHeoi stretched close to the wall on
the LEI; Of the old fireplace. A large
crack ran along the wall few inches
above ne sleeping outlaw. Jim thought
or creeping around 70 that quarter and
TRUSTING his knife through the crack
stab the OUTLAY tn death But hero his
better nature prevailed, and he shrcnk
from the idea # thus taking human
life
mo" said the mountaineer to hin.
self, i shan't be p Injun, even eff he is
my wust enemy. His chances fer his
soul air few enough even eff he dies
While awake, but 10 send him on while
asleep he would plunge into hell some
what Ike a frog into & mill DAM"
jim, satisfied with what ne had learn
co. stole cautiously back % his cornpan-
ions behind the clump Of shruLberv
What did We find out. Jim?" wbis-
pered Reuben as the mountaineer came
up.
l found EN- all in thar he answer
ed, pointing to the cabin. odd julie IS
stretched right plumb agln the wall and
J'st above him is crack which I can
crawl thrco. wuz awfullv temn.ed
once to stick my knife in him. bur NV
conscience told me hit wuz wrong. an, 7
dldn It do 1t. Wv course he's goner.
but 1t isn't jist right to kill a critter
even like him that way.
Mr.. Raudolphs wife an brother mir
both thar, an so is the Teller what got
away frnm US back at the house. eff
ant fooled"
fete Randolph was now on the point
o. dashing into the hut, and had lin,
not restrained him, he would probably
have done so.
You must be pstient. MIR. Ran
dolph, ," cautioned Sampson, fer "
must 60 at this proposition jist right. er
else lt'll bring death to yer wife an
young IN"
well what is the best way?" asked |
Pete impatieaJly.
That's question more ees Nv aekee !
an ans'ered," replied jim. But Of |
an to be leader. I'm goin' to GIT vonr |
wite an baby outen thar sum way fust.
then 60 at the gang liken mad dog >,
"A good idea, if it can only be carried
out ~ chimed in Ben Moore. "It's q
a desperate undertaking to think about
though, Mr.. Sampson.
Il don't keer much 'bout tho do,c,o.
specially to myself" said SAMPSON
and believin' hit can be done without
injury to the pris'ners, I'm coin, To
tackle the job in erbout a minute. So
cum on, RUDE, an let's git busy.
MIR. Randolph, you and Mr.. Moore
go with as far as the door, an be shore
an keep yer eyes wide open, too.
An boys he said turning to the.
SIX new recruits, ''youins keep yer
places ahind this larrel, an don't take
yer eyes often the door yonder ner yer
hngers often the triggers Nv yer guns
NOW cum on, Rube, afore the devils OFT
awake
In in Instant the four men had reach
ed the cabin, the door of which was
screened by rude, clumsy affair made
ol slabs, now almost crumbling to dust
his was carefully lifted and leaned
against the cabin. Jim and Reuhen !
N"NSiOOoiy lUlO IDG room /,
Randolph and Moore took Up positions
N either side of the door. Just then
lhother small particle of wood fell into =
ne smouidering embers and CATCHING
ip' lighted the whole room. CautiousIv
he two mountaineers entered and made
heir way to the sleeping captives. The
hid lay between its mother and uncla
Who we tightly bound together. Silentlv Fl
I'm drew his knife and severed their o
,onds. d
'Git up quick" he whispered to the h
7oman, IAN foller friend. Yer ole e.
nan $ at the door. Don't hesitate fer j.
he light'll soon go out" b.
The woman opened her eyes and met IL
nose of her rescuer. She would have Jl
houted for joy at sight of Sampson had
not motioned her to be quiet. l.
Take the child and make fer the Oh
Dor, whispered the mountaineer. "an'