Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1856-04-19
From "I.iie in the West :"
A Startling Adventure.

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 was at that
time wild, dreary forest. No roads-noth-
ing but horse -paths-through the woods
and the only marks TO guide the traveller up
on his journey were the "blazes" and "notch-
es" upon the trees. ] was dressed in true
backwoods fashion, and rode fiery mustang,
with name and tail rs white as snow, a
beautiful arched neck. and an eye like an ca
gle. lie was a perfect beauty, and and as
fleet as the wind. Across his back | had
thrown pair of saddle.bags, containing on
one side dozen 'pones" OF corn bread and Il
piece Of bacon, and TO balance them was
"pilc of rocks" in the other end in the shape
of two thousand dollars in gold. which had
collected and was trepsporting them TO
bank in Kentucky, to be&fkposcd of for cas-
tern exchange. Two large wooden stirrups
hung dangling from my saddle, and the boil
sters in front contained two beauties, in the
shape of enormous pistols. Over these, to
keep them dry, were the squirrel-skin covers.
had been riding for several hours, SWIM
ming the rivers that crossed my path, snuff
fling in the rich perfume Of the forest flowers,
watching :he squirrels playing about in the
tree tops, and listening TO the music which is
sued from the threats of the thousand of
bright winged songsters with which the woods
abounded. l had not seen a solitary human
being since morning, and night was rapidly
approaching; indeed, it had already begun to
grow dark, and had made ur my mind that
| would have to camp out" for the night. !
was looking around to select some good place
when ! was startled by the neighing of n
horse ahead Of me, md presently | saw two
/ moi noplt l.. L
were rough looking follows dressed in hnnt-
ing shirts, aud with squirrel caps on their
! heads. did not like their looks, and, un-
seen by them, drew up my pistols, and cock
| ing them, replaced them in the holsters. and
casting my eye forward, saw one of the men
make a motion ! did not like. | resolved
that if the proved to be what l suspected
would give them hard fight, and die brave
ly.
"Pshaw what fool I was !" Thought /,
as they rode up and bade me good evening"
We converSed for few minutes, when one Of
them said
"My youngster, what have You got in your
saddle-bags that rattles so?'
"Nails" | replied.
mails " said he. "Eh, Bill let's examine
the article and see !" and he caught hold OF
my horse by the bit
Quick as lightning drew my pistols, and
pointing mu2Zle t. each Of their hearts
said:
Gentlemen, make q motion to draw a woa,
pom and that motion seals your fate !"
They were completely taken by surprise
and wheeling their horses around. struck into
the forest. After getting few rods off, one
Of them raised his fist in threatening atti
tude. l drew the trigger of my right hand
pistol, and the Williams arm fell upon his sad
die aad, uttering yell of agony the dartet
OIL into the woods. ! reloaded my pistol
struck my spurs into my horses sides, and af
ter ten miles OF the latest riding ever expe
rienced, reached log house where | pu'
up for the night.
Two years after the incident Just note(
took place was travelling down the Missis
sippi on an old-lashioned boat, when nv at
tention was attracted to an individual OF
board whom thought had met before bu
where could not tell ! was determined t,
follow him up, and see if | could not call hin
to mind where We had met, and under wha
circumstances. At last found an opporu
! nifty to get look at him, MS he was seatet
on an old barrel head earnestly engaged in
game OF seven up" stepped up, and lool;
ing over his shoulder, perceived that two fin
gers Of his right hand were missing. Th
S'h'N l'OS'NSSNh' Nhlil, III an t-Clt-lR mo
ment he arose, and shaking his fist in he fac
OF his opponent, in answer to some remark q
: the latter concerning the game, exclaimed
81 swear you le!"
, placed my hand apon his shoulder an,
turned him around:
! "Ah! ha" exclaimed l, we've met be
! fore r.
Lifting his mamed hand his face turne,
as white as q sheet, and, hoarse with passion
he vociferated
"Qes we have met before, in the woods Q
t Tennessee, and have sworn that you shal
! die Take that !"
e And the wretch attempted to draw pis
Q tol from his coat, but the trigger caught il
t the ragged lining of his pocket-it went o
Q and he rolled over into the muddy waters o
e the Mississippi-a corpse
|