Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1856-05-22
Adventures in the BackWoods.

travelling on business 10 the west
ern part of Tennessee. That portion
of the State which lies between the
Tennessee and the Mississippi, was
at that time a wild, dreary Forest
No roads, nothing but horse paths
through the woods, and the only
marks to guide the traveller upon bis
journey were the 'blazes' and notch
es, upon the trees. | was dressed
in true backwoods fashion, and rode
a fiery mustang, with a maue and
tail as white as snow, a beautiful
arched neck, and an eye like an eagle.
He was a perfect beauty, and as feet
as the wind. Across his back | had
thrown pair of saddle bags, contain
ing on the one side dozen spones'
of corn bread and a piece Of bacon,
and 70 balance them there was a pile
of rocks in the other end in the
shape of two thousand dollars in gold,
which l had collected aud was trans
porting to 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.
l had been riding for several
urs,swimming the rivers that cross
ed my path, snuffing in the rich per-
fume of the forest flowers, watching
the squirrels playing about the tree
tops, and listening to music which
issued from the throats of the thou
sands of bright winged songsters
with which the woods abounded. |
had not seen solitary human being
since morning, and night was rapid
Iy approaching it had al
ready begun TO grow dark, and | had
made up my mind would have to
camp out for the night. l was look
ing round to see some good place,
when / was startled by the neighing
Of horse ahead Of me, and present.
ly saw two men approaching me on
horseback. They were rough look
ing fellows dressed in hunting shirts,
with squirrelskin caps on their heads
| did not like their looks, and unseen
by them drew up my pistols, and
cooking them replaced them in the
holsters; and-casting my eye ahead
I saw one of the men make a motion
| did not like. / resolved that if
they proved to be what ! suspected
! would give them hard fight, and
die game.
s.Pshaw! what a fool 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
sol"
"NaiIs,' ] replied.
"Nails!" said he. "Hey, Bill, lets
examine the article" and he seized
my horse by the bit.
Quick as lightning ! drew my pis-
tolls, and pointing a muzzle to each
of their hearts, said
"Gentlemen, make q motion to
draw weapon, and that motion seals
your fate!''
They were completely taken by
surprise, and wheeling their horses a
round, struck off into the forest
After getting few rods off, one of
them raised his fist in a threatening
attitude. / drew the trigger Of my
right hand pistol and the williams
arm fell upon his saddle; and utter
ing yell Of agony, they darted oil
into the woods. reloaded my pis-
tolls struck my spurs into my horse s
sides, and after ten miles of the fast
est riding ! ever experienced, | reach
ed a log house, where l put Up fol
the night.
Two years after the incident just
noted took place, ! was travelling
down the Mississippi on an old fash.
ioned boat when my attention was
attracted toward an individual OF
board whom ! thought ] had me-
before, but where ! could not tell =
| | was determined to follow him up
and see if I could not call to mint
where We had met and under wha
circumstances. Atlast ! found al
opportunity to get q lock at him a
be was seated on an old barrel heat
Earnestly engaged in . game Of sey