The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1850-04-16
pleasure as he observed its admirable workman

In these dlSSlnS. tell you, Bill s razor amt
nothin' to it. What dye say to swap!'
"And he gazed at it with the air of connois-
seur, as he passed it to the next.
"Could Mt trade, recon- said |, replacing
it in tssver sheath, after it had gone the rounds
could not afford to part with it.
you are mighty right hoss,' said the old man
in the corner, putting out Whit of smoke; 4
would mt eff was you. She's the clean grit
certain; she'd 60 through bone and ALL
eyes, would she, said the red.haired. laughing
gleefully at the idea. 4 could shave mans
head off with that ar before he'll could scorch
feather He would MT know what hurt him.
"Come stranger, supper's ready. Pm 'fraid
that we can't give you as good breakfast,
though, for the last slice of meat about the
house is on the table
We sat down to the table together, the men
without donnng their coats, and the red.haired
without doffing his hat. After supper, ofwhich
partook most voraciously, bottle of fwhiskey
was set out. The men appeared to me usually
friendly and hospitable, and laughed and talked
in their rough way very jovially; but could
not help suspecting that my we'll appointed
weapons had more influence in making them
so good.humored, than even the whiskey, of
which, must confess, however. that they par.
took very moderately.
"There was cock.loft above, which was
accessible only by ladder and trapdoor, which
was to be my sleeping apartment
"Your saddle-bags are mons Gus heavy OBJ.
served the red-haired man, picking them up, as
l started to bed, and weighing them in his hand.
YES said |, taking them myself, Il got a
good supply. of powder and lead for myself,
when was below
81 Spec so,, he replied, and, as fancied, in
a sinister tone, though his words might have
meant nothing.
"Thc attention of the whole company was
drawn to my saddle-bags, and imagined saw
them exchange looks in significant manner,
which redoubed my uneasincs, as thought
that they suspected them to be full of gold.
"AfterI had retired to bed, moved the bed
stead as noiselessly possible, with one foot Of
! it on the trap-door, SO that they could not take
me by surprise. | endeavored to lay awake, to
listen to what was going on below, which
could readily do through the cracks in the floor;
but, in spite of all my efforts, was overcome
with drowsiness and fatigue, and iu few min.
utes fell asleep.
"When awoke day was just breaking.
was startled by hearing 'gruff voice below,
saying
81 say, Bill, it's time we were KILN that fel-
Ter we were talkin' bout last night, aint it
81 could recognize, in this speaker, the red
haired brigand. God they intend to murder
me after ALL said to myself, as get out my
pistols from under my pillow.
81 reckon so,' said the other. We'll have to
kill him some time, and now will do as well as
any.
"Hes in mighty good order in my opinion
"iles as fat as the very devil!
"How shall we kill HING
"Shoot him.
"No. Is'pose we'd better knock him in the
head with an axe. Thar is no use wastin' pow.
der and shot on him, scace as they is these hard
times said Red Beard.
wWhat cold-booded scoundrcls! But III
make them waste powder and shot yet, if they
don't take care. heard them getting up and
dressing, aud more talking between them, which
their moving about prevented my catching the
sentences Of though killing seemed to be the
theme. Soon they came TO the foot of the
ladder, and one said to the other
"Go up, Bill, while 60 and make fire.
Don't make Il noise, for fear of wakin' him up
81 could hear him mounting the ladder, to
pcrpctuate the deed of villainy. Finding the
door fast, he said to the other
"EIe's got the door shct.'
"Youl have to wake him mp, then.
"Hello, stranger say, mister, hello thar.
"sWhat do Won want there! 2 asked, cock
ing a pistol.
= '"I want to get that mash-tub out O thar.
We're goin' to Kill a pig for yo"r breaht FAST
"Murder will out! thought ], bursting into a
laugh, as saw through, through the ludicrous
mistake had made. wiped the sweat from
nv brow, for it had stood there in drops, and
ct him in, saying as did So
"Well, it's well fastened that door
"Why Sol? :,
"Why, | should have blown you to the devil
as soon as You pokcd your head above it,
"The devil you say What for'
"Irclated to him what part of their CONVEX
sation had overheard, and how had miscon'
strued it. Hc laughed heartily, as did the rest
when he told them But | was mt murdered
that time. made capital breakfast of the
fat pig, for which and my lodgings, they would
not let me pay cent, although | urged it al
most to offending; and after taking swlg o
red eve all around, went on my way rejoic
inp. But even now, | can never think OF tha
Il 1,,,rr rrI,