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The Bushwhacker’s Gratitude
by
“Now one of them spoke, and in a voice which in spite of its disguised tone I at once recognized as that of Case Haffner said, ‘You mought as well give us that money, Major, fer we’re bound to have it, and the quicker you surrender it the easier we’ll let you off.’
“I answered that I had no money; that it had not arrived. They replied that they knew all about my business, and that being closely watched I had been seen to bring that money, which they knew I expected to receive, home from the railway station the evening before.
“Finally their leader said: ‘Well, Major, ef you are bound not to own up till we force you to, we’ll have to try a dose of the Black Hole, and I reckon that’ll fetch you to terms quicker’n most anything.’
“I had heard of the Black Hole, and the suggestion thrilled me with horror. It was a pit in the lime rock reputed to be of fabulous depth and was located at some distance from my cabin in one of the most impenetrable of the forest recesses. From it, so the negroes had told me, issued uncanny moanings and groans which they attributed to the ghosts of those who they declared had been flung into it by the bushwhackers when they wished to effectually remove all traces of some of their numerous deeds of blood.
“I protested and made promises, but to no purpose. My money or the Black Hole was the only answer I received, as I was hurried away through the forest. No other word was spoken, and, left to my own bitter reflections, I took no note of the direction in which we were going, nor of the distance traversed. When we at length halted I became conscious of a hollow moaning sound that seemed to come from the earth at my feet.
“Once more the question was asked, ‘Will you give in, Major, and tell us where the money is, or shall we drop you into the back door of hell?’
“I answered, ‘For God’s sake, gentlemen, believe me when I say that I have received no money. If I had I would gladly give it as the price of my life.’
“A mocking laugh was their only reply. In another moment a slender rope was knotted under my pinioned arms and a sudden push left me swinging helplessly in the mouth of the awful pit beside which we had halted.
“‘We’ll wait here just one hour, Major,’ came to me in Case Haffner’s voice, ‘and give you a chance to consider the situation. If you decide to let us have the money inside of that time, jest holler, and we’ll pull you up. If you decide to go to hell and take the greenbacks with you, why, we’ll jest have ter bid you good-by, that’s all.’
“Then I was slowly lowered down, down, down, through the blackness. So slow was my descent that I seemed to be suspended for hours and to sink miles into the heart of the earth. The pain of the slender cord cutting into my flesh was well-nigh intolerable, and I bear livid evidences of it to this day; with each moment the moaning, gurgling, and groaning from the unknown depths into which I was sinking became more distinct and horrible.
“Suddenly, those above let go of the rope and with a yell of despair I dropped, I do not know how far, into water that closed above my head. As I rose to the surface, choking and gasping for breath, I felt that I was being swept forward by a powerful current, and as I again sank my feet touched bottom. A moment later I stood in water up to my shoulders and again breathed freely. For some time I was confused beyond the power of thought by the hollow roar of the black waters rushing through those awful caverns. All surrounding space seemed filled with snarling, formless monsters, cautiously advancing and making ready to spring at me. Even now I often awake at night with the horror of that moment strong upon me. It was so unendurable that I resolved to end it. It was with great difficulty that I maintained my footing. I could not do so much longer. Why should I attempt to? There was absolutely no hope of escape. I tried to pray ‘Oh, Lord Jesus, receive my soul.’ Then my muscles relaxed and I was swept away by the rushing torrent.