Tribune and telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1855-1856, 1856-05-29
Adventure in the Backwoods.

In the summer of 1882, l was travelling OF
business in the western part of Tennessee. Tha
portion of the State which lies between the Ten
nessee and the Mississippi was at that time
horse paths through the woods; and the onl,
marks to guide the traveller upon his journey
were the blaZes and notches upon the trees.
was dressed in true backwood's fashion, and
rode hery mustang, with a name and tail a!
white as snow, beautiful arched neck, and al
eye like an eagle. He was perfect beauty
and as feet as the wind.-Across his back haC
thrown pair of saddle-bags, containing on one
side dozen pounds of corn-bre=d and piece
of bacon, and to balance them there was a pile
of rocks in the shape of two thousand dollars il
/ gold, which had collected and was transport
ing to bank in Kentucky TO dispose for eastern
exchange. Two large wooden stirrups hung
dangling from my saddle, and the holsters in
front contained two beauties, in the shape OF
enormous horse pistols. Over these, to keep
them dry, was the squirrel skin cover.
| had been riding for several hours.-swim-
ming the rivers that crossed my path, snuffing
IN the rich perfume of the forest flowers, watch.
ing the squirrels play about in the tree-tops,
and listening to the music which issued from
the Threats of the thousands Of bright-winged
| songsters, with which the woods abounded. l
had not seen a solitary human being since morn
ing and night was rapidly approsehing indeed
1t had already began to grow dark, and l had
made up my mind that would have to camp
out for the night. l was looking around to Sc
lect some good place, when was startled by
the neighing of horse ahead of me, and pres
entity saw two men approaching on horseback.
They were rough looking fellows, dressed in
hunting shirts, and with squirre-skin caps on
their heads. did not like their looks, and, I'M
seen by them, drew up my pistols and cooked
them, replaced them in my holsters, and then
casting my eyes ahead, l saw one of them make
motion did not like. ] resolved that if they
proved to be what | suspected, l would give
them hard fight and die game.
'Pshaw what a fool l wasr thought |. as
they rode up and bid me good evening We
conversed about five minutes, when one of them
said:
My youngster, what have you got in your
saddle bags that raitles so p
Nails l replied.
Nails said he; hey, Bill, let's examine the
article and he seized my horse by the bit
Quick as lightning l drew my pistols, and
pointing muzzle to each of their hearts said ::
Gentlemen, make motion to draw a weapon.
and that motion seals your fate.
They were completely taken by surprise, and
wheeling their horses around, they struck off
into the forest. After getting few rods, one
of them raised his fist in a threatening attitude
drew the trigger of my right hand pistol, and
the villain arm fell upon the saddle and ut
tering yell of agony, they darted off into the
woods. reloaded my pistol struck my spurs
into my horses side, and after ten miles of the
fastest riding ever experienced, | reached a
log house, where put up for the night
Two years after the incident just noted took
place, was travelling down the Mississippi on
an oId-fashioned boat, when my attention was
attracted towards an individual on board, whom
thought l had met before, but could not tell
where.-I was determined TO follow him up,
and see if could not call to my mind where
we had met, and under what circumstances At
last found an opportunity to get !. look at him
as he was seated on an old barrel-head, earnest
ly engaged III game of seven up l stepped
up, and looking over his shoulder perceived that
two fingers of his right hand were missing
The game progressed until in an excited mo-
ment, he arose, and shaking his fist in the face
OF his opponent, in answer to some remarks of
the latter concerning the game, exclaimed:
4 swear you lie p
placed my hand upon his shoulder, and turn
ing him around
All all l exclaimed, I'VE have met be-
fore =
Yes; we have met before in the woods of
Tennessee and / have sworn that you shall
die. Take thatr
And the wretch attempted to draw pistol
from his coat, but the trigger caught in the rag
ged lining of his pocket it went off, and he roll
led overheard into the muddy waters of the Mis-
sissippi-a corpse.