Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1856-05-22
Adventure in the BackWoods.

Adventure in the Backwoods.
In the summer of 1915, | was travelling
on business in the western part of Tennes
see. That portion of the State which lie'
between the Tennessee and he Mississippi
was at that time wild dreay forest. M
roads, nothing but horse paths through The
woods; and the only marks to guide the
taveler upon his journey were the blaze:
and the notches upon the trees. | wa:
dressed in true backwoods fashion, and
rode a fiery mustang, with name and tai
rs white rs snow, a beautiful arched neck
and an eye like an eagle. He was a per
feet beauty, and as fleet as the wind A
cross his back had thrown pair of sad
dle-bags, containing in one side a dozen
PONIES of corn bread and piece of bacon.
and to balance them there was a pile OF
rocks in the shape of two thousand dollars
in gold, which L had collected, and was
transporting to a bank in Kentucky, to dis
pose for eastern exchange. Two large
wooden stirrups hung dangling from my
saddle, and the holsters in front contained
two pistols. Over these, to keep them dry
was the squirrel skin covers.
l had been riding for several hours,
swimming the rivers that crossed my path,
snufing in the rich perfume of the iosest
flowers, watching the squirrels playing a
bout 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. | 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
up my mind to 'camp out" for the night.
l 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 fellows, dressed
in hunting shirts. and with squirrel-skin
caps on their heads. | did not like their
looks and unseen by them, L drew up my
pistols, and cooking them, replaced them
in the holsters, and casting my eyes ahead,
/ saw one of the men make motion that |
did not like. | resolved if they proved to
be what l suspected, would give them a
hard fight and die game.
'Pshawiwhat fool l wasl' thought l,
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 rattles SOP
Nails replied
Nails said he: Hey, Bill, lets exam
inc the articlel' and he seized my horse by
the bit.
Quick as lightning drew my pistols,
and pointing the muzzle to each of their
hearts, said:
'Gentlemen, make a 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 a
few rods off, one of them raised his fist i'll
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
L reloaded my pistol, struck my spurs into
my horses side, and after ten miles of the
fastest riding | ever experienced, reach
ed log house, where | put up for the
night.
Two years after the incident just noted
took place, | was travelling down the Mis- |
sissippi on an old fashioned boat, when my
attention WAS attracted towards an individ /
ual on board, whom | thought | had met
before, but where | could not tell / was
determined to follow him up and see if
could not call to mind where we had met,
and under what circumstances. At last
L found an opportunity to get good look at
him, as he was seated OH an old barrel head
earnestly engaged i'll game of seven up
| stepped up, and looking over his should
hand were missing. The game progressed
until in an exciting moment. he arose, and
shaking his fist in the face of his opponent
in answer to some remark Of the latter
c. nc ,rning the game, he exclaimed
Il swear Won liep
| placed my hand upon his shoulder, and
turning him around
'Ah! ha!' l exclaimed, we've met be-
fore?'
Lifting his maimel hand. his face turn
ed white as a sheet, and hoarse with passion
he vociferated:
Yes, we have met before in the woods
Of Tennessee, and L have sworn that YOU
sdall die Take that!
And the wretch attempted to draw pis-
tol from his coat, but the trigger caught
in the ragged lining Of his pocket; it went
off, and he rolled overheard into the muddy
waters of the Mississippi--a corpse!