Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1838-10-02

W4OuS uO6I may D0 uSo POAessO anu AuEiOuS
but he has no composed bearing. Pic
kett was of this sort.-He shot almost
instantly after seeing the horse.-He was
about to come forward when he saw the
rider tumble; but the sudden approach of
the pursuers whose forms had been con.
cealed by the narrow and enclosed 1blind''
through which they passed, compelled
him to resume his position. and remain
quiet. He saw them take charge Of the
body, but had little idea that their aim,
like his own had been vulturous. He saw
them busy about the prey which his blow
had struck down but concluded that they
were frienks seeking to succor andto save.
Under any circumstances, his hope OF
plumber was now cut off, and he silently
withdrew into the forest where his horse
had been hidden, and hurriedly remount.
ing, commenced his return to Marengo.
But an eye was upon him that never lost
sight of him. The keen hunter that Mat
thew Weber had sat upon his path had
found his track, and pursued it with the
unerring scent of the bloodhound. More
than once the pursuer could have shot
down the fugitive with a weapon as little
anticipated, and as unerring as that which
he himself had employees. but he had nc
purpose of this sort in view. He silently
followed on--keeping close watch upon
every movement, yet never suffering him.
self to be seen. When the murderer
paused by the way side, he halted also;
when he sped towards evening, he too re.
Taxed his reins; and he drew them up Fl.
nally only, when he beheld the former, with
an audacity which he never showed while
| dwelt in Marengo, present himself at the
entrance ofmy fathers plantation, and re.
quest to see my brother. The pursuel
paused also at this moment, and entered
a little but dense wood on one side Of the
road, quietly dismounted from his horse
which he fastened in the deepest thicket
and, under cover of the underbrush, crepi
forward as nearly as he could, to the place
where Pickett waited, without mourning
any risk Of detection.
1t was not long before John Hurdis
came to the gate, and his coward SOU
made its appearance m his face, the mo.
ment that he saw his confederate. His
lips grew livid and quivered-his cheeks
were winter than his shirt, and his voice
so feeble, when he attempted to speak
that he could only articulate at all by ut.
tering himself with vehemency ant
'Ah, Pickett, that you!-weIl! what?'
The murderer had not alighted from
his horse, and he now simply bent for
ward to the other as he half whisper
ITS all fixed Squire. The nails clinch
ed. You can take the road now wher
you please, and find nothing to TRIP
you.'
'Ha! but you do not mean it, Ben?-Iti il
not as you say!-You have not done it
Are you sure?-did you see?
IT'S done-I tell you, as sure as {
gun
Hes dead them, said John Hurdis in +;
husky whisper-'R Richard Hurdis is deaC
you sayP and he tottered forward to thu
rider with a countenance in which fea
and eagerness were so mingled as to pro
duce an unquiet shrinking even In the DO
som Of his confederate.
P,e said it, Squire, and I'll say it again
to please you. l had dead aim on hi
button-just here, (helaid his hand on hi
breast)-and saw him tumble and COM
down all in heap like bag of feathers
There's no doctors can do him goo
now, | tell you. He's laid up so that the.
won't take him down again-nobody
You can go to sleep now when yo1
please
The greater felon of the two shrank bacI
as he heard these words, and covered hi
face with his hands. He seemed scare
able to stand, and leaned against the post
of the gate for his support. a sudde
shivering came over him, and when tina
passed off, he laughed brokenly as if wit
a slight CONFUSION, and the corners of hi
mouth were twiched until the tears starte
in his eyes. To what particular feeling
whether of remorse or satisfaction, b
owed these emotions, it would be dlffcu
for me to say, as it was certainly lmpos
sible for his comrade to conceive. Plc
kett looked on with wondering, and wa
half Inclined to doubt whether his proprl
etor was not oft Of his wits. But FEY
moments treasured him as John Hurd
again came forward. His tones Wer
most composed, though still unsubdue'
when he addressed him; and, perhap
something more of human apPrehenslo
dWelt upon his countenance.
you have told me, Ben Pickett, but
am not certain. Richard Hurdls was
strong mamie wouldn't die easily. d
would strike to the last. How could yo
stand against hint Why Ben he wou
crush you with a blow ofiis fist. lie VI
/ monstrous strong.
why. Squire, what are you talkir
about2 Dick Hurdis was strong, l kno
| and stout hearted. He would hold on
! his teethmet, for there was no scare
Il him. But that's nothing to The matt
now, for you see there was no night at a
The rifle did the business long shot az
steady aim-so, you see 81 his streng
went for nothing.
But how could he let YOU trap ~
Ben Picketta Richard was suspicious q
always on the watch. He wouldn't I
easily into trap. There must be sor
mistake Ben--you have not found ~
he was too much ahead Of you, and got
gelI--it's Just as wei YOU let him 60
/ H I dom caTe-indeed Pm almost glad y
didn't reach him. He's in the Nation
/ suppose BY this timer
But / did reach him Squire repf
The other. bet exactly showing how e !