Semi-weekly Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1851-1852, 1851-06-20

stalwart, brawny frame seemed to the alarmed
missionary of gigantic proportions; it had
bravcd the storms of more than forty winters.
Every indication painted most wildly on the
perturbed imagination of the missionary the
danger that hung over him. The first impulse
was was to urge his jaded horse into flight.
A second thought convinced him Of the hope.
lessness of the attempt, and, breathing word
of prayer to heaven for protection, he felt to
submit to his fate, with gleam of hope that
the desperate, who was but few yards from,
him. might, peradventure, spare his life.
The salutation that struck on his ears, in
harsh, gutteral voice, conveyed no consolation
to his mind, and only served to increase his
alarm.
"Hallo, stranger! what are you about there9
Where are you riding?"
The reply was given in the language of
weakness and submission, and something was
added, with indistinct uttcrance about giving
up horse and equipments ii his life might be
spared. Learning, on further inquiry, that his
route was across the river to settlement some
fifteen or twenty miles distant, the supposed
robber replied in voice by no means mild and
attractive-"You can't get there to-night-be.
sides, the old ford is washed away, and you
cannot find the new one follow mel can fr
you"
The term "fx' had. an ominous import, but
the exact degree Of outrage implied in this new
form of speech, was not very clear to the mis-
sionary. But there was no alternative. He
was alone and wholly unprotected he was
small in stature, of slender make and no weap-
ons but spiritual ones, and successful resistance
was hopeless. He knew not the path to the
river, and were he to attempt flight, the death
dealing rifle might stop him. So he turned as
directed into the trail and followed the guide.
As they slowly rode in "Iudian lile," through
the tall grass with points of timber and brush
wood for the space of two miles, the missiona
ry drew IL fancy picture on his Imagination OF
a cave and gang ofrobbers, who would soon
"fx" him, or determine his fate. He breaihed
more freely when he found only single cabin
rough looking stable for horses, and corn.
field of a few acres, with no signs of accom-.
pces.
"Llght, stranger, and take your saddlebags
-lll fr your horse"
Taking his sadde.bags on his arm as d.
rected, he entered the cabin through low
door way.-Here was woman and three
children, but their personal appearance and
dress might or might not Indicate danger to
the traveller. On her head was covering Of
coarse cotton, called, in the language OF past
generation, "sun-bonnet." 1t nearly hid her
face from human observation.
Reaching forward stool, the only saluta.
ton given was-"take seat by the fire stran.
ger"
Rccollecting what Ledyard and other trav-
elers have said of the humanity and hospitality
of the female sex, the missionary unused on
the probabilities of escapeing with life; feeling
a degree of reconciliation to the loss Of his
horse, his saddle-bags, and the contents of his
purse, which last contained but a few dollars
for travelling expenses. In his saddle-bags
were divers articles of apperal, which he could
spare, and there was the pocket bible, the gift
of mother now in heaven, hymn book, and
small package of neatly written sermons,
which had cost him several months labor, and
as he fancied, were admirably adapted to dis.
pcrse the clouds of ignorance that brooded
over the inhabitants of Illinois.
In the meantime the settler, hunter, or rob.
Der, in whatever vocation he might appear, had
replenshed the fire with some logs of dry hick.
ory, while the busy housewife was preparing
the homely meal.
1t consisted of fried venison steak, "corn
dodgers," and highly favored coffee, with the
appurtenances oil fresh cream and excellent
butter.
The missionary, who had eaten nothing
since the early dawn, and was cogitating wheth.
er feminine humanity would not afford him
morsal in the corner where he sat, was startled
with the invitaton-"Sit by, stranger, and
take bite" If surprise and gratitude were
the first emotions amazement followed, when
the apparent robor implored the blessing Of
God in a sonorous voice, closing with an eI-
pressive Amen!
Bewildered and confused, the missionary
forgot to eat, until repeatedly reminded by his
now apparently hospitable landlord, and the
ind.hcarted wife, that he did not eat-"Per-
haps he was not used to such fare" -"W ould
he take sup of milk" He did not seem to
regain his appetite until the oihcions housewife
brought on her platter of honey, gathered
from the hollow sycamore, and made divers
apologies that her larder contained nothing he
could eat.
After supper the landlord commenced
religious conversation, with the inquiry
Are you processing man, stranger" The
question relative to church membership WAS
propounded in novel form and did not con.
vey to the mind of the missionary exactly the
idea intended.
"You lookod NIGHTLY skeered when found