Washington telegraph., 1856-04-16
Adventure in the Backwoods.

aIFeVEuIC Ii t0e bacEW0OuS.
In the summer of 1915, [ was travelling
on business In the western part of Tennessee
That portion of the State which lies between
the Tennessee and the Mississippi rivers,
was at that time. a wild and dreary forest
No roads, nothing but horsepaths through
the woods; and the only marks to guide
the traveller on his journey were the 'blazes'
and 'no;ches' upon the trees. was dressed
in true backwoods fashion, and rode fiery
mustang. with name and tail as white as
snow, beautiful archcd neck, and an eye
ike an eagle He was perfect beauty and
as feet as the wind. Across his back had
thrown pair of saddle bags. containing on
one side, dozen pones of corn bread and a
piece Of bacon, and to balance them there
was pile of rocks in the other end In the
shape Of two thousand dollars in gold, which
| had collected and was Transporting to a
bank in Kentucky. to dispose of 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 were the squirrel skin
covers
| had been riding for several hours,
swimming the rivers that crossed my path,
snufiBg the rich perfume of the forest
flowers, watching the squirrels playing about
in the tree tops and listening to the music
which issued from the throats of the thou
sands of bright winged songsters with which
the woods abounded l had not seen soli-
tary human being since morning. and night
was rapidly approaching; indeed. it had al
up nv mind | would have to camp out for
the night 1 was looking around to select
some good place, when was startled by the
neighing of horse ahead of me, and
presently | saw two men approaching on
horseback They were rough looking fel
lows, dressed in hunting shirts. and with
squirrel-skin caps on their heads. l did
not Ike their looks, and, unseen by them, |
drew up my pistols, and cooking them. re-
placed them In the holsters. and casting my
eyes ahead, saw one of the men make a
motion | did rot like. [ resolved that
if they proved to be what l suspected, l
would give them hard fight, and die game
-'PshawI what fool l was" thought L,
as they rode up and babe me good evening
We conversed about FIVE minutes, when one
Of them said
My youngster. what have you got in
your saddle-bags that rattles so %
Nails replied.
Nails said he ''Hey, Bill, let's ex-
anime the article ~ and seized my horse by
the bit
Quick as lightning drew my pistols, and
pointing a muzzle to each of their hearts,
said:
Gentlemen. make motion to draw a
weapon, and that motion seals your fate W
They were completely taken by surprise,
and wheeling their horses around, they
struck off into the forest After getting a
few rods off one of them raised his fist in a
threatening attitude. l drew the trigger OF
my right hand pistol. and the villains arm
fell upon his saddle and uttering yell of
agony. they darted off into the woods /
reloaded my pistol, stuck my spurs into
my horses sides, and after ten miles OF
the fastest riding l ever experienced, !
reached log house. where L put up for the
night
Two years after the incident Just noted
took place. l was travelling down the Missis-
slppi on an old fashioned boat, when nv
attention was attracted towards an individual
on board, whom thought had met before
but where I could not tell. was deter
mined TO follow him up. and see if could
not call to mind where we had met. and un.
der what circumstances. AT last found an
opportunity to get look at him, as he wa:
seated on an old barrel head. earnestly en-
gaged in game of seven up l stepped
up and looking over his shoulder, perceived
that two fingers of his right hand were mis-
sing The game progressed. until, in. an
exciting moment he arose, and shaking hi;
is; in the face of bis opponent. in answer tC
remark Of the latter concerning the game
exclaimed
swear you lie'' -.-
placed my hand upon his shoulder, and
turning him around -fi
All hal'' / exclaimed, we've met be
fore,''
Lifting his manned hand, his face turned
white as sheet. and hoarse with passion
he vOciferated:
1es, we have met before, in the wood:
u tennessee. and have sworn that you
saall die. Take that .''
And the wretch attempted to draw a
pistol from his coat. but the trigger caugh
IN the ragged lining of his pocket-it went
on and be rolled overheard into the muddy
waters Of the Mississippi corpse.