Year: 1873

his eyes flashed fire, and he exclaimed


"Men, some of our bodies will be
floating in the Ohio before tomorrow
morning if we attempt this job. To
succeed we may be compelled to fight a
terrible battle. What say you? Shall
we go forward ?"


: 'fWhat is the especial danger ?" in
quired one.


"Just this. After it was discovered
that one of my spies had been on board
the boat, extra precautions have been
taken to guard against an attack by us.
Regular picket lines have been thrown
out, both up and down the river on this
side, and watch-fires built and guards
stationed upon the other side; and all
the hands on the boat are heavily armed,
and military company is held in readi-
ness to turn out at moments warning.
I don't know that am right, but think
some of their scouts have already re-
ported the fact that we were on our way
attempt the job with such chances
against us ?"


The chief was surrounded by set of
men who were physically brave. many of
whom absolutely preferred such adven-
ture as was pregnant with danger. So
with one voice they exclaimed


We'll have that steamer or die ?"


Enough replied Murrill "you
have decided In accordance with my own
feelings. We will have that boat or
perish in the attempt to capture her. But
there is one thing greatly in our favor.


"What is that?"


s'There is to be a grand ball in the
cabin of the steamer tonight, 80 the
military will not be as vigilant as usual,
on account of the large crowd which Will
be present /; and our approach will not
be so marked, as large numbers viii
probably be going back and forth from
the city to the levee. And now for my
instructions.


"Let us have them"


"Forty of our men must strike back
into the country for mile or two, and
so the pickets viii be avoided. Ten of
that number must pass above the city,
reach the river, and then make their way
slowly down, neck deep In the water.
Select the best swimmers for this duty,
as the art viii probably be useful one.
The remaining thirty will pass through
the city in squads of not more than
three, and 80 down to the levee by diff
ferent routes, and all ready to center at
the boat at exactly IL o'clock I, with
the remaining ten men, will go up the
river, avoiding the guard by keeping
well into the water. Now, remember ;
Just as the clock strikes twelve let every
man make rush, and let every man be
at his post. We must have no slug
CARDS. 7"


"We shall be ready"


''I myself will spring to the wheel,
with two assistants. Some of you cut
the ropes, and let the craft drift out into
the stream. Others must fire up as
quickly as possible, and by the time we
are over the falls we can set the engine
in motion.


"Wen planned, captain"


"One thing more, and to this order ]
want you to give special heed.


"What is it. "


"We certainly shall have some fight
ing to do, but use your weapons only
when actually compelled to do SO, and
spare the women. If any man among
YOU harms one of the ladies and I learn
the fact, he dies the death of dog.
After we pass the falls, and get up
steam, we viii land all those we capture,
both men and women, and let them make
their way home as best they can"


"We shall remember, captain"


Well, be off now. It is dark enough
to advance with safety"


The forty men started to carry out
their instructions, while Murrill COM
menced his advance up the river, and
Just as the clock struck twelve he and
his men arrived under the stern of the
steamer, and it was evident their prox-
unity was not suspected, for not the
slightest note of alarm had been sound
ed. There were sounds of reyely above.
The sweet strains of music arose upon
the air, and occasionally a laugh would
| al ~
the fact that grim death was hoverine
around them, and that before the sur
would rise their sun of life would &c
down forever. Murrin was becoming
impatient, for the next hour seemed tt
drag slowly along. He SWAN around to
the prov of the craft, and after waiting
there for few moments his ten meI
came up-they were at least half an hou1
ahead of time. After time the frs
stroke of the distant church clock was
heard it was striking twelve anc
twenty men, like huge monsters, crep
out from the dark waters and stood fol
an instant upon the levee. Then, witt
lightning speed, they darted ON board
the steamer, and ran into the cabin. IL
an instant all was confnsion. WllC
shrieks burst from female throats, and
strong men shouted the alarm. Man,
of the women tainted, and not a few o
those whom nature gave the form o
heroes sprang for shore or into the water
thoroughly panic-stricken. But ther'
were those on board who were not easil.
intimidated, and they began the life ant
death struggle. Drawing their pistols
they.fought coolly but determinedly; an
for time the conflict seemed to favo
them. The weapons of the twenty rob


bers were useless, for the powder ha,
/ become saturated with water, but the
fought like demons with their knives
But more than half their number ha
fallen, either dead or very badl
wounded.


The alarm had been sounded, and tn


tramp of the military could be hear
rapidly approaching. Where were tn


other thirty men? If they had failed {


been captured then all was Host. Bu


no. The boat began to move out int


the river, and twenty more robbel


rushed into the cabin. Using the pisto
freeley, the work of blood was soon con


pleted. The cabin was red with bloo'


and all around were men dead or dyin,


while the terror stricken women crouche


in agony, either in the state-rooms or


some corner over the bleeding form
some loved one.


Murrin himself had entered the whee
house, and others had commenced the