was made. It was supposed that the bandits would try to break the line at
a northerly point, toward Cordova, hence their track to the southwest was
unlooked for.
At seven o’clock Friday morning two men called at the house of a Mr.
James, on the Cleveland road, and asked his wife, he being away, if she
had seen anything of two little black mules that had strayed or been
stolen. Being answered in the negative, they asked how far the river was
behind the house, and if there were any swamps between. She told them the
river was about one-quarter of a mile back, and that there was a swamp
which she thought they could pass.
One of the men then inquired which direction was south. Mrs. James
informed him, when he said he guessed she was mistaken, but on taking out
a pocket compass, he acknowledged that she was correct, and made a polite
apology for contradicting her. On leaving, they bade her a pleasant “good
morning.”
The gang then attempted to cross the Little Cannon river behind James’
house but could not get through the swamp, and returning they took to the
road going toward Waterville. After proceeding a short distance they
accosted a party of five men working on the road. They said they were in
pursuit of the robbers, and asked if the two bridges, one above and one
below were guarded. When told they were they asked if there were any fords
between. On learning that there were two, they said that they had better
take care of them, and immediately started across the fields to the river.
No sooner had the bandits left, than Mr. James, who had been told by his
wife of the visit of the men, came up. After a hurried consultation, in
which it was decided that the party that had just passed were the robbers,
James with three of the men hastened to the upper bridge about a quarter
of a mile away, and reported to Major Rogers, who with two men held that
point. A portion of the squad immediately started for the fords, James and
two others going to the lower, while Rogers and the remainder stopped at
the upper one about forty rods away.
The swamps and growth had retarded the progress of the bandits, but James
had scarcely gained his position when the gang appeared on the opposite
bank of the river leading their horses. They were carelessly talking, and
made directly for the ford. Just as the leader stepped into the shallow
stream, James exclaimed, “Come on boys,”