The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1855-12-18

they could do it, then shortened in, and allow
ed me to come up. They hailed me and asked
me to wet or in other words to diminish the
contents of a jug of old rye they had aboard
but l excused myself on the plea that had
plenty aboard. They asked how far was
going. | told them as far as Mount Vernon,
if my horse did not tire. They mentioned d
pleasant tavern ten or twelve miles ahead as a
nice stopping place and then drove on.
| did not like the looks of those fellows
nor their actions. But 1 was bound to go
ahead. il had brace of revolveFs, a nice
knife aud my money was not in the valise in
my sulkey, but in belt around my body.
drove slow in hopes they would go on, and 1
should see them no more. 1t was nearly dark
when [ saw tavern sign ahead. At the same
time saw that their wagon stood before the
door. | would have passed on but my borse
needed rest. hauled up, and woman came
to the door. She turned pale as clean sheet
when she saw me-she did not speak, but
with meaning look she put her finger on her
her lip and beckoned me in The woman was
the wife Of my late client
When entered, the party recognized me
hailed me as if | had been an old travelling,
friend and asked me to drink. | respectfully,
but firmly declined to do so. b
"By c.! you shall drink kor fight" said the
noisiest of the party. il
'Just as please-drink will noth' said |
purposely showing the butt of ''c6h which
kicks six times in rapid succession.
The others interfered, aud very easily quell-
ed my opponent. One offered me segar, Which
/ would have refused, but a glance of entreaty
from the woman induced me to accept it. She
advanced to proffer me light and in doing SO
slipped line into my hand, which she aust
have writtenin pencil but the moment before.
Never shall forget the words. They were.
"Bewarc,-they are members of the gang
they mean to rob and murder you!-ieave
soon, viii try to detain them.
didn't feel comfortable just then, but l
tried to LOOK so
ed the woman.
"What, are you not going on to-night?'' ask
ed one of the men. 1--WE are!'
"No," said 1; II shall stay here?''
"We'll all stay, reckon, and make a night
Of it," said another.
"Yeu'll have to put up your own horse
here's lanternl'' said the woman. s q.
Pm used to that said l. "Gentleme, ex-
cuse me moment, I'll join you in drink
when come in!'
''Good on your head! more whisky old gal,i'
shouted they.
| l went out glanced at their wagon, it was
Olu iaSHlOISOi, lIIiCH piliS ocCuICu WHHelS. 10
take out my knife and pry one from the fore
and hind wheels only took me an instant.
threw them as for off in the darkness as L
could. To unite my own horse and dash of, at
the work of moment. The road lay down
steep hill, but my lantern lighted me some-
what.
had hardly got under full headway, when
heard yell from the party had left so un-
tremendously. Iput my whip to my horse.
The next moment with shout they started.
threw Hriy light away, and left my horse to gSick
MS way. A moment later / heard a crash
a horrible Shrek The wheels came off Then
came the rush Of horses tearing along after
me with the wreck of the wagon. Finally
'they seemed to fetch up in the woods. One
or two shrieks / heard as | swept on leaving
them far behind For soma time hurried my
horse you'd better believe | rid 1t was lit
tie after midnight when got to Mount yer-
non.
The next day Iear1 that Moore Prairie.
team lad run away, and that two men out of
four had been so badly hurt that their lives
were despaired of | didn't cry. Ny clients
got their money-but didn't travel that rood
anu 2J1O7ei