Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1843-06-07
Prom tn spirit Of d.s Tmss.
an aasEaa AnNN<TUuEU


evening before expected reach the dwelling u nay
freud, pu up Of an Inn the road, where remained
dnrng the night.
On the ensuing morning, my first care tina
my nurse properly fed and ready for the long ourne,
10 had before him. Having satisfied myself this point
iftnrned Ia tile house. was much surprised upon arri
wing the door, 90 find Il RIar a. distinctly rcmembc
closing IT, GA account OF leaving several valuable tnket
the dressing table Silently opening II, however
amazed percevng the stranger, whom had particularly
noticed the preceding evening" standing nj the toilette table
with his back the door, and diligently engaged in with
drawing the contents OF my travelling pistols.
My first impulse to rush toward and seize the fellow
by collar. moments consideration, however detemiu
ed ne following different Carefully placing the
door IN the position that found IT, retired undis
covered, to the public shngroom, where John Brown
with several o the neghbor, were converslng relave 10
the murder OF tho schoolmasier occurrence o which
hey had heard Immediately afterwards the stranger
entered the
alt Appears 10 me- them said J. after listening the de-
tails the murder, 'hat travelling in these districts must
be exceedingly dangerous However, have an excellent
pair pistols and any inerteres with me- viii give
him them warm reception"
Yes observed the stranger sit would be stupid indeed
for ride through the bush IN times like these,
without being well armed hear, that Donohue is some
where near Patrcks Plains As I'm travelling that way,
hope he will not treat with an ounce OF cold lead
only wish that could meet with companion, and then
there would be fear
perctly well understood the offer thus indirectly thrown
out for my acceptance but would rather have had his
than his company did not pretend TO comprehend
the aliusion.
81 would advise YOU to be careful Mr.. Sanicd," OBJ
served the landlord land that your pistols well
charged and prmed."
glanced the stranger and despite his best eNerons
appear unconcened, the contraction OF the blows fully
discovered how interested he felt IN the reply.
"Oh. there is occasion for fear my account re-
Piled carelessy-I took the precauton to load pistols
yesterday evening and they only require being placed IN
the holsters"
Youre travelling towards the Upper Districts then,
presume sir p said the stranger addressing himself TO
"would you have any objection TO me as eompanioni II
two heads are better than surely four arms must be bet
than two.n
..Holoa Mr. Holder for that now found was the
strangers name said the andord-"whai YOU bound
To the Upper Disuctsl Why thought You had settled
the Hawkesbury!"
Mr. Holder at this unexpected address, appeared greatly
confused. Quickly recovering his comPosure he eooly
observed that being DESTROYS OF purchasing maize he
unable TO do 50, unless be attended in person"
remarked slight shade OF suspicion spread itself
the frank the landlord hearing this obscrva
ton He was howeve SILENT and as Mr. notrenew
his offer OF which proposal was not second
ed by OF the individuals present. returned to my own
Silently fastening the door prevent intrusion, pro
coeded examine the pistols and found that the balls had
been extracted while the powder had been suffered TO
main Fearing however, that trick nigh; have been
played with the latter, withdrew the charges, and careful
~ reloaded the instruments, which placed IN the holsters
such manner, that they had been medded with must
instantly have perceyedi-
Having completed these arrangements proceeded calmly
and deliberately consider OF the best 10 be adop
ted under these suspicious circumstances That
be attacked my way, entertained not the least doubt
This however could with facility be remedied by inform
ing the landlord, who 4 constable, OF my suspicious
together with the circumstance OF the charge OF my pistols
having been extracted could too wait Tor the detachment
ct mounted police, which daily, nay hourly expected
But Of these alternatives would embrace. ietan
irresistible desire punish Mr.. Holder who, was innntely
convinced the murderer OF the aged schOomaster and
strongly suspected, OF William Clemenune Besides,
only nineteen years Of age, and having followed
seaarng life, literally imbued with that spirit OF daring
ana enterprise which that profession so well calculated TO
| 10 4
glng all that had passed knowing that the most adySa
Die plan impress Mr.. Holder with conviction that
his artice remained undiscovered. Should come IN col
li'on with him, felt the perfect confidence IN
own resources having long been considered an excellent
marksman with the pistol.
My resolution being thus formed, proceeded the SIT
ingroom, and not much surprised to hear that Mr..
Holder had left the inn.
Il hardly know what TO think of that man." observed
OF the neighbors he is here to-day and gone
Besides he calls himself settler on the Hawesbuy-now,
know the Hawkesbury well enough, and that
three months since there settler Of that there
and yet landlord tells that he has been equenng
his house for the past eight months saying this and saying
the other, and vet find that he bought single
grain Of wheat, with all his talk"
81 don't halt like that Of his, said John Brown,
about going the county 10 buy maize Tins Is not the
time of the year for that work. besides couldn't he have
samples him, like all other purchasers have. GU
did right, Mr.. Sanied, not 10 60 with himhe spends his
money too freely get 1t honestly"
The hour having arrived OF which II tended
that should start called for my bill, which betokened
honest Johns moderation charges and the horse being
the door, mount when the lanlod requested
tospeak with me privately.
'Alr Sanied said the honest fellow you are yet un.
acquainted with the these bushrangers, and am
inclined 10 suspect this Mr. Holder To be 90 not
suppose that any Of them would murder you unless you DIES
peTaey resisted IL Is their fashion kill strangers
but only those settlers against whom they have gudge
or who have many prisoners in their employ. ] would,
therefore, advise you leave any money you have 10y
with me- tis large and only take much as would
satisfy the Williams If you should meet with eny OF them
and be inclined resist, don't stand paTeying with tlem
but fire al Depend it, that's the only way get
oil.
Thanking the landlord for his advice, and informing him
that had buta trifng with me, bade him hearty
farewell, and proceeded my journey IN conformity with
tile directions furnished me-
The path that had travel truly solitary one, and
shortly after leaving Maitland IL commenced "a drifting
shower which, in despite Of my travelling cloak,
ted the skin. The sesrcrisp leaves too, rusted
across the road adding possible the DEAFNESS Of the
scence. Besides, ignorant Of the track, and
ton can be more unpeasng hantha Of having long jour
ny before YOU while every slepyou progress uodden with
uncertainty This feeling becomes bitterly painful 10 the
traveller IN forests where It lost small indeed
the probability OF meeting with any but hamlet, which
you might apply for directions concerning your
strenuousy ondoayoed however, rode under the with
cred md wdopreadng branches Of aged trees that
shudowed e PATH and rendered the track hardly percep.
BILE, 10 raise my spints, but the effort was useless. Tho
deep gloom that prevailed the loneliness Of puce the
uncertainty Of mind aud the dismal aspect o surrounding
Objects struck cOldly upon my heart. Then, too, was
whereby mustdie, with rsmOseless desperado Oft
was at the point Of turning the head Of my horse
reuacing my steps: but pride invariably inteposed,
would not permit carry the procedure into effect
thus Wavonng aud ueso.ute when my feelings wor,
fairly aroused by my attention being diverted circ1m
stances III more immediate import.
This object that could not be defined in tho
obscunly Of the forest but which evidently moving iu
parallel line with myself The sight than sui
fccut put my guard. To loosen the holsters aud
abstract the pistols but the work Of These
concealed under my cloak m such manner TO bo
dy for use, and then calmly awaited the
suit ln order. however To discover nay suspicious were
well grounded spuued my horse 10 sharp canior, and
remarked that my example was Immediately followed by
the Object n the forest IN this manner progressed lev
miles, when. n opening in the bush, which would not
admit oi further conceaIment the figure gaoping 10
the path, and, fully expected, e so.pisiv Mr. Hold.
sr Jle up alongside OF me
"NcI, Nc. Smnhed." said be- eco ! see that you are
upon your journey, and day you have OF % too"
OF am su. Nc Holder" returned ], looking usnty nc i-
oounieuanrc, "aud End the roads sufficiently difficult with.
out ut1r four miles Boo iha bush, among fallen timber"
''bu, s1d tD huahurvef for su must now term him.