Black Arrow, the Avenger — page 39: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

console Mrs. Landry and to induee the colonel to listen to reason, they had left the old people to their own devices, and had set at work to consult seriously. concerning what should be done in the matter. The servants had been examined, but nothing definite had been elicited from them. There could be no doubt that the outrage had been perpetrated by mem- bers of Roder’s gang ; but there was nothing to identify the men. All were of the opinion that the abduction of Rose Landry had been intended as an act of defiance, as a declaration of war against the vigilance committee. The time had come for a struggle, said George Warner, for a struggle that could no ieee he aera If they should refuse to accept this chal- lenge, they would soon be bound hand and foot, at the mercy of the lawless ruffians who had so long controlled that por- tion of Texas, It was agreed, after a little hisitation, that the audacious challenge should be accepted, that Rose Landry should be re- covered at all hazards, and that the vigilants should extermin- ate Roder’s gang, or lose their lives in the attempt. Warner brought pens, ink and paper, and proceeded to draw up a no- tice, to be posted in March’s Settlement that night. It was while this document was being composed, that, Nat Whetstone arrived at the house. He sympathized very warmly with Colonel Landry and his wife, and approved of the resolution which the gentlemen present had taken; but advised that they should move cautiously, not risking, 100 mnch until their organization should be “ The notice,” be said, “may do the work. If it does not, you mnust proceed with great secrecy and with a large force ; for you do not know the strength of these people.” __ _ “Do you know .it, sir?” asked one of the committee, “I believe it is greater than you supposeit to be, But you need not be in a hurry to take any further measures, ~ Per- haps the notice will do the work,” With this he withdrew, followed by suspicious looks ; but suspicion did not as yet find vent in words, | Early in the night of the same day two strange characters might have been seen, if any one had been there to see them, Colonel Landry's house. Perhaps they might not have ‘seen, except bya very sharp-sighted person ; for they. comlicloooks.com _-