The Illinois free trader and LaSalle County commercial advertiser. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1841-1843, 1841-12-17

tie satisfactory TO him was the escape Of
: the robbers. About mile from Clitton's
at a point where the road from the high.
lands to the prairie, passed through mar
row ravine of the bluff, they suddenly en-
countered Elwood. This meeting was
unexpected, and both parties refined up
their horses and for moment gazcd at
each other in silence. MAJOR Clifton, re-
covering from his surprise at this sudden
encounter, poured out upon EIwood a tor
rent of invective, and ordered him to sur
render. The young man calmly replied,
that he was not only willing to make any
explanation to Major Clifton alone, bat
was even then on the way to his house,
for the purpose of laying before him let
ters and other papers that would convince
the most ncrcdulous that his character
was above rcproach, and his family Of the
first responsibility, but would never be Ia
ken alive before sell-constituted tribunal
of Regulators. "SUrcnder instantly,
you rIlain, or / riN shoot yo1," was
the reply of Clifton. This threat, uttered
in loud and vehement tone, aroused, at
once, the spirit of EIwood. Till that mo-
mcnt he had been calm and forbcaring in
his language and demcanor. His coun-
tenance was now flushed. "Maor CLIFF
ton," said he, nothing can provoke me
to offer either insult or injury to yoU, but
if that cowardy slave Of yours, who is
striving 10 earn your favor by playing the
braggart, darcS but to raise a weapon
against me rs he threatens, | shall enec-
tually convince YOU both that knew well
how to defend myself No sooner were
these words uttered than Clifton, stung
to the quick at being treated with what he
regarded as affected and insulting iorbear-
ancc, elevated his rife and fired. EIwood,
who held the reins Of his bride in his
left hand, suddenly dropp1I them. Cliff
tons shot had taken effect in his left arm,
which now hung powerlcss and broken
by his side. st the sound of his rifle the
Majors horse gave sudden spring and
threw his rider. In a moment Major
Clifton was again upon his feet, calling
loudly upon Martin to fire. The latter
was preparing to obey, and had already
raised his rifle TO his shoulder, when FL
wood drew pistol, and hardly had the
sun cleaned upon the bright barrel, before
Martin fell. The ball passed through his
head, and he ceased to breathe almost in
simultaneously. "Tho blood of this man
is upon your own head, Major Clifton,
and not upon nine Saying this, FL
wood put spurs TO his horse and left him.
When the excitement of the contest
was over, this unfortunate young man saw
clearly the abyss into which he was
plunged. The whole country would be
shortly in pursuit of him. With his arm
broken and bleeding, his capture was inc
vitabIc, and death and ignominy equally
certain.
Despairing of escape, thoughts of sui
eide came over him, but the love OF life
soon returned, and inspired him with
determination to exert every faculty of bo-
DIV and mind to avoid the fate that await
ed him. Stopping his horse at lonely
spot near the bluff, he dismounied, took
off his saddle and bride, and turned him
loose, saying, ego, poor SeIIm, you at
least have been a true and faithful friend
to me-" This spirited but alfectionalc ami
nal followed his master several rods, and
rubbing his head gently against him, in
vited Elwood to bestow upon him the ca
rcsses he had long been accustomed tore
ceivc.
This proof of affection from a brute,
when every human being seemed leagued
against him, affected Elwood even to
| tears.
Major Clifton arrived at home, burning
with wrath, and in an hour his own vcr-
sion Of the rencontrc and the death Of
Martin, had flown through the settlement.
In the language of the west, "ihe frontier
,cas up.' The excitement was learlutly
great and it hardly needed the offer OF a
reward, by Major Clifton, Of five hundred
dollars for Elwood or his head, to give it
intensity. Long before night, more than
a hundred men were in search Of the
wounded Outlaw For two days the pur-
suit was incessant. Every place thai,
could afford concealment was repeatedly
visited. A night watch was stationed on
the prairie, and at every accessible point
of the bluff. 10 the disappointment and
modification of the settlers, not the slight
est trace of the fugitive was discovered.
His horse was seen grazing upon the prai-
RE, and repeated attempts were made to
take him, bat the noble animal, so gentle
to his master, would suffer no one else to
approach near him. The belief now pre-
vailed that he had escaped by descending
the Illinois, and the fact that skin' had
disappeared from the ferry ON the night
after the encounter, confirmed it beyond
a doubt. Farther pursuit was abandoned,