Year: 1871

the head disappeared. / sprang to the


door and closed it. 1t shut with q


sharp clicking sound as of a spring. l


stopped down and examined the man


whom | had shot, he was quite dead


| did not stop to make much Of an


examination, for | was thinking Of


escaping from the room. knew they


would soon return with assistance and


then | would stand no chance for my
life, | made up my mind to get out


Of the room lift was possible. hardly


dared to rush out by the door, for it


would be difficult to find my way in the


dark, beside | knew not whom might


meet. Just then n lucky thought
struc, me | ru>hel to the bed and
quickly threw off the clothes-cut the


cord and began pulling it out, working


as though my very life depended upon
my speed At last it was nearly all
out, enough at least to reach the ground.
! moved the bed until it was directly
opposite the window, opened it, threw
out the end Of the rope and slid down;


| was not accustomed to rope-Sliding,
and | struck the ground about rs quick
ly as though had jumped. The shock
nearly stunned me at first, but | soon


recovered, and ran for the barn after
my horse IA fast rs my legs would
carry me, Luckily | found him readily
AND was soon on his back and out in
the open mir. | was congratulating
myself on escaping from the house un


seen, but when | was nearly opposite,
the door was suddenly thrown open
and half Il dozen men rushed out
They saw me, and one of them uttered
an oath, and raising apistol, fired at
me, AS soon rs | saw them, knowing
concealment was no longer possible, |
put spurs to my horse, and dashed by
them into the road Although | was quite
near them when the pistol was dis
charged, yet owing to the motion of
my horse escaped with but slight
scratch. Before he could make ready
to fire his other pistol | was out his
reach aud riding at breaknecll speed
across the country, | did not think Of
danger ahead, thought only Of pu ting
space between me and my assailan -
| rode on at the top Of my horses SEED


or some time, when | listened for
the pursuit ofmy enemies, but could
hear nothing save the distant bowling
of the wolf the roaring Of the wind
which had now settled into stiff
breeze, and the shrill screening Of some
night birds which in my flight had
disturbed The country around as far
as l could see by the light Of the moon
looked less broken and diversified than
that which | had ridden through the
previous day, Qor it was now near the
dawn Of the nexD. Upon my right
was field of corn, ald on the slope to
my left | could see two buildings,
whether houses or barns | could not
tell. | debated in my mind some time
whether ! should go and see if could
find some habitation there, or wait
until morning. | did not know but
they might be in league with those /
hld lcf,, though | thought it hardly
probable, considering the distance l
had passed in my rapid flight.


At length | came to the conclusion
to remain where was, rs it would be
but little while before light-spent
the time as best | could-and at last
loag lcolcl for day appeared. | rode
up on Il rise Of ground near by to take
a look Of the country before determin-
inc what course to pursue, when to my
surprise and delight a village not more
than five or six miles from me met my
view Chance had led me in the right
dircc;ion' | FASTENED to ride over to
the village which | reached Just as the
early risers were making their appear
ance in the street. | inquired if there
was house of entertainment in the
place. | was soon directed to one, and
after partalling of hasty meal, [
sought out q magistrate, and laid the
matter before him. He was greatly
pleased to think that there was at last
a chance to extcrminate this band of
desperadoes which had pestcred the
country for so long time. He i'm
mediately organized force and made
an onset upon the baunts of the robber
band He succeeded in taking the
larger part of the band, among whom
recognized mine host" and the boy,
"Jim.' They were tried, found guilty
Of many crimes and are now serYing 4