Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1854-10-05


Two hunters were standing near a guide.
board erected at fork Of tie road in the out.
skirts Of small town in Alabama. Il was
towards the close Of day, and they were dis.
cussing the Propriety of spending another hour
two in their favOrite pastime ere they return.
ed to their homes. Both were familiar with the
rough, stiriing scenes comprised in the life Of
frontier rileman, and their features, as they
stood there, we're expressive Of open hearted
manliness and courage.
we have just time enough before sunset.
MerdOn, to have a shot or two if we are not
unusually unlucky. What do you say to ma
king trial!'
4 am not particular-let il be as you say
But how shall we hunt. Not in company
'Of course not, You strike out into the
woods at one side of the road and will take
the other while neither of us need 20 SC far
from it but that we can hear the report of each
others rifles should we chance to find any
game. If we should not find anything, we will
meet at the tavern, three miles below, the one
that arrives there first, waiting his compan-
ion.'
Very well; We will do sO,' replied the other,
whose name was Henderson. Another thing
if you hear the report Of my weapon, as l of
yours. we will both hasten to the road-meet
--and then we can both return to the game and
dress it,
Agreed responded Merdon. and the hun.
ters EeParated-one disappearing at one side OF
the road and his companion at the other.
AT the very moment which witnessed the
parting of the hunters,a dark featured ruffianly
looking man was standing IN the centre of the
rough path We have hOnored with the appella.
ton OF road, ,and abOu; mile south of the sign
toard. This man had just paused in his hur.
ried walk up the path, and was looking around
with scrutinizing eye. Upon either hand the
forests presented an almost impenetrable mass
of leaves, limbs and shrubbery. and their shad.
ows cast strange gloom upon the one who
was regarding them.
This is, indeed, safe place of concealn,ent
equally safe for the execution of the deed,
and, by heavens! it shall serve me wellI'
As the stranger uttered these words, he
moved silently in.O dark rsvine that led into
the forest on the upper side of the path. There
was strange CLEAN in his eyes, which, together
with the significant manner in which he grasped
a rife pistol in his pocket, would have convin.
ced careful observer that the presence OF that
repulsive looking man in that lonely place be-
tokened no good.
The unknown soon secre'ed himself behind
a large stump at the entrance of the ravine,
from whence he could command full view of
the road before him, without being himself
seen. Producing his weapon, he examined
the lock, carefully glanced down the road in
the direction from which he came, and NUT.
tered:
"He will soon be here, and I arn much mis-.
taken if the money he carries has not already
sold his lfe| l rust and will be the possessor
OF thu wealth of which he boasted to the land
lord Of the Carnee Imp .....
A few moments passed in silence, and the
low, muttered curse Of satisfaction escaped
the lips Of the unknown, and he bent pier
cling glance upon man who had just appear
ed to his view riding leisurely on horse up
the road. ....4.... ......
"Tis him--the droyer and unless my
hand has lost its accustomed stcadiness and
precision, he will be corpse in less than ten
minutes and his hard earned gold will be in
my purse |"
The one who had called forth this ominous
remark from the concealed stranger, with a
countenance that bore the impress of honesty
and good nature, although the twinkle of his
small keen eyes proclaimed an uncom mon
shrewdness--a quality that has much to do
with the making of successful drover. He
was mounted upon a somewhat jaded beast,
which needed much urging to increase to a
| trOt. as.. 3D.. fsa ly.-.aaa
All unsuspicious Of evil, the droyer .~de for
ward. As he was passing the spot where the
unknown was secretsd the sudden movement
of a twig or two caused an apprehension Of dan
ger to arise in his heart. He endeavored TO
make the horse trot faster; but in the sell. same
moment the report OF pistol echoed through
the woods--the drover reeled and fell from his
saddle, while the animal bounded away--and
the assassin came forth with smile upon his
yissage, e1claiming: 80 ~. E
"Dead-dead as log. aud bis money is all
minei' i'7ai'- 20 s'sas
I
'Ha ! NerdOn has found something in the
way Of game muttered Henderson, the youn.