The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1856-09-17
SINGULAR ADVENTURE,

on business in the Western part Of Teun
csSee. That portion of Tie State whcl
lies between the Tennc and the Missis
sippI, was at that time wild, dreary for
est. No roads, nothing bu, horse path,
through the woods; and the only mark.
TO guide the traveller upon his journey
were the blazes and no,ches upon the tree.
was dressed in true backwooks fashion
'ttid rode HeTT mustang, with = .uair
and tail rs white as SHOW, a beautiful arch.
ed neck, and all eye like an eagle. lie
WAS Il perfect beauty and rs feet as the
wind. Across his back | had thrown a
par OF saddle bags containing on one sid,
dozen pounds OF corn bread and piece
OF bacon, and TO balance them there was
pile OF rocks in the shape of two thous
and dollars in gold, which bad collected
and was lyansporiiu. to II bank in Ken.
lucky to dispose Of for Eastern eXchsupe.
Two large wooden siirrups hung dangling
from my saddle, and the holsters in r,nt
| contained two beauties, in the shape OF
enormous horse pistols. Over these, TO
keep them dry, WAS the squirrel skin
cover
had been ridin. several hours. swim
'uing the rivers that crossed my path.
snntliirg n the rich perfume OF the iurr,,
flowers, watching the squirrels playing
about III the tree tops, and listening To the
music which issued from the throats of The
thousands OF bright winged songs;ers, with
which the woods abnmndcd. had not
seen solitary human beng since morn.
ing, and night was rapidly approaching !;
indeed ii had already began to grow dark,
and made up my mind that | would
have to camp OUT for the nj ,hr. | was
looking around to select some good place.
when | was startled by the nclghlng OF Il
horse ahead of me, AMI presently ! saw
two men approaching on horseback
They were rough looking fellows. dressed
in hunting SHIRTS, and with squire! skin
caps on their heads. | did not like then
looks, and unseen by them, drew up INV
pistols and cooked them, replaced them
IN the holsters, ana casting my eyes aIIead,
saw one of the men make motion |
did not like. | resolved that ii they
proved what suspected, | would give
them a hard fight, and die game.
"Pshaw what fool was :" thought
J, as they rode up aad bid me good even
ing. We conversed about five minutes
when one oi them SAID -
My youngster, what have you got in
your saddle bags that rattle so I"
Mails" replied
Mails" said he; "hey Bill, let's exam
inc the article !" and he seized my Loise
by the bit.
Quick as lightning, drew my pistols
and pointing the muzzle 10 each Of thcir
hearts, said:
Gentleman, make a motion 10 draw
weapon, and that motion seals you.
fate"
They were completely taken by sur
prise, and wheeling their horses around
they struck oft into the forest. After get
ting few rods of, one them raised hi.
fist in threatening attitude. / drew the
trigger Of my right hand pistol, and H.,
villains arm fell upon his saddle and
uItering yell Of agony, they darlcd of
into The woods. ! reloaded my pistol
stuck my spurs into my horses sides
and after ten miles Of the hardest riding
ever experienced, ] reached log house
where put up for the night.
Two years after the incident Just no,cc
took place, was trayeIing down the Mis-
slssppl Oh an Old fashioned boat, wher
my attention was attracted toward IN
individual on board whom | thought
| mad met before, but where could no,
tell. was determined 10 follow him uf
and see If could not call 10 mind wher,
We had net and under what circumstan
ces. at las; ] found an opportunity lc
get good look at him, as lie WAS seated
upon an old barrel head, earnestly engag
ed IN a game of "seven up" | stepped
up, and looking over bis should, perceived
that two fingers Of bis right had were
missing. The game progressed, until in
an excited moment he arose, and shaking
his iist in the face of his opponent, in an.
swer to some remark of the latter concern.
ing the game exclaimed =
Il swear you Iiep p
placed my hand upon bls shoulder,
and turning him AROUND
"Ah all !" e2daimed, "we'vo met
before ("
Lifting bis MANNED hand, his face turn.
ed white sheet; and hoarse with passion
he yocilerated
Yes, we have met before, IN the woods
Of Tennessee, and IbAve sworn that you
shall die! Take thatw
And the wretch attempted to draw
pistol from his coat, but the trigger caught
in the gagged lining Of bis pocket it went
of, and he rolled overheard in the muddy
waters Of the hississippi--a corpse!