The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1850-04-16

he had ferried him across the rive Styx, and
charged him heavy toll. His notorious bad
character, however, caused a suspicion, amount
ing almost to certainty, to be created against
him by the scattered settlers around, and he
was arrested. But it was known that Ford
could produce witnesses, who would swear to
anything he wished. He had often escaped
from a just punishment, by that means, before.
As they were conducting him to Jail, he was
shot through the head, by some foe whom he
had wronged. 1t was in the dusk of evening,
and amidst a crowd, and it could not be discov-
cred who had perpetrated the deed Of revenge
or retributive justice, though, suppose, not
much inquiry was made.
Many stories such as tllis--many much more
dark and bloody than this. formed, in those days
and for many years after, the subject of the
evening lireside conversation ofthe South Ken
tuckians. had heard them from my youth
upwards Twas then about twenty years DID,
had been down to Natchez on business, and
was returning, with my saddle.bags full.of gold
and silver 'camped out at night--that is, |
tethered my horee, and mounted into tree
where roasted among the limbs like cata.
mount--for in many places twas more than
days journey from one house to another, and
even when they were to be found, the woods
were generally the most hospitable, aud by far
the safest resting place. So bought provision
for myself and horse during the day; and lodgg-
ed in the trees by night not daring to kindle a
fire, though it was in the winter, for fear of at
tracing attention to my camp BY wrapping
up in my buffalo robe and blanket overcoat, |
managed, however, TO keep warm.
"One night, as | was drawing near to the
lower edge of Tennessee-it was raining and
sleeting like the very old Nick, and bitter cold,
and was tired, hungry, and half frozen-l
came to comfortable looking, double.log cab
in, every crack and crevice of which, as well as
the windows, were blazing with light; and a
savory odor Of fried venison fell on my nostrils.
creating more exquisite ttilation than ever
did an orange flower to dark-eyed Southern
maid. looked around-the night was pitchy
dark, the cold wind was bowling through the
trees, and the singing hail peltipg against my
chattering jaws could not resist the tempta-
ton.
"'Hellov
"'Hcllo, yerself,' cried a swarthy, sallow-
visaged, sandy haired fellow, in yellow jeans
trowscrs, cowllide boots and cotton shirt, COM
ing to the door.
"Can man find lodging with you for the
nightF
"I reckon so,' he replied, in rather good
humored tone, which somewhat re.assured me
for had been not without misgivings that
was purchasing fire and bed at the expense of
nv throat dismounted saw my horse dis
posed of, and entered the cabin. My heart be.
gan to misgive me, when SAW what 4 compa.
ny had got into. There were three men, be-
sides the one who had accompanied me to the
stable, youth of nineteen, and an old woman,
all sitting around blazing fire, in chimney
built of unhewn stone, whichtook up nearly the
whole side of the house. On the hearth, which
was of baked dirt, of proportionatc size, was a
gridiron, and on it the vcnison-steak which had
assailcd my nostrils with its grateful favor
They were the most villainous.lo looking set had
ever seen, and thought if had sought for Il
nest ofbandts, could not have been more sue
cesstul in finding one. One fellow, in particu.
lar, who eyed me curiously as | entered, |
thought, had tgallows.bird written all over him.
| He was dressed much as the one who came to
the door--who, by the way, had the pleasant
est countenance of them all--with the addition
of very ill-treated beaver, that had never been
acquainted with Beebe L. Costar, when it was
new. He had low, sunkcn forehead, with his
coarse, straight, red hair covering it almost en-.
tirely, and blistly beard, about an inch long,
Of the same color, covered his face completely
except his nose and little spot under cachcye
"Ihe room had no ceiling but the loose plank
floor of the garret, and couple of long, wood,
en-stocked rifles in the corner, rusty musket
over the fire. place, wooden cupboard and t.
BILE, a rude bed with a dirty path-qut, and a
few chairs of home manufacture, constituted
the furniture of the room
"Stranger, you'll have to put up with rough
far 'mong us backwoods folks said an ole
man, in coarse blue h!allkct coat, who wai
sitting in the chimney corner, and seemed to be
the hest.
The idea of a comfortable log-frc venisor
steak, fried eggs, and ash.cakes and buttermilk
being rough fare to Il man who had been roost
ing in The trees, made inc smile, as replied
"' That's the sort have been used to-
"Which way are you travelling, if mough
askp
"' am going to Kentucky
t" From below9
"I nodded.
"Ah, youtotc decent par of shootn iruns
observed the red.haired brgand, as threw OF
| NV wot oyerpoat and displayed Il c0unlc n