Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1856-05-10
MISCELLANY.
ADVENTURE in THE pACKwooDs.

ADVENTURE IN THE BACKWOODs.
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 Mississippi was al that time
a wild, dreary forest No roads, nothing but
horse paths through The woods and the only
marks to guide traveller upon his journey
we're the blazes and the notches upon the trees
| dressed in true backwoods fashion, and rode
n fiery mustang, with main and tail as white
rs snow, beautiful arched neck. and an eye
like an eagle. He was perfect beauty. and
as feet as the wind. Across his back had
thrown pair of saddle bags containing on one
aide dozen pounds 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 had collected and was trans
porting to bank in Kentucky to dispose for
eastern exchange. Two large wooden slirrups
hung dangling from my saddle, aud the holsters
in front contained two beauties, in the shape of
enormous horse pistols. Over these to keep
them dry, was the squirrel skin cover.
had been riding for several hours, swim
ming the rivers that crossed my path, snufIing
in the rich perfume Of the forest flowers, watch
ing the squirrels play aboui in the tree tops,
nad listening to the music tha issued from the
lhroa,s Of the thousands of bright winged
songsiers, with which the woods abounded
had not seen solitary human being since
morning and night was rapidly approaching /;
indeed it had already begun 10 grow dark, and
had made up my mind would have to camp
out for the night. l was looking around 10
select some good place, when was startled by
the neighing of horse ahead Of me, and pres.
emily saw two men approaching on horse
back. They were rough looking fellows,
dressed in hunIing-shirs, and the squirrel skin
caps on their heads. Ibid no, like their looks,
and unseen by them, drew up my pistols and
cooked them, and replaced them in my holsters
and casting my eye ahead, saw one of ,hrm
make motion did not like. resolved that
if they proved 10 be what suspected, would
give them a hard fight and die game.
'Pshaw what fool was = thought I. as
they rode up and bid me good evening. We
conversed about FIVE minutes, when one Of them
said:
My youngster, what have you 60, in your
saddle bags that ratiles sol
Nails, replied.
Nails, said he; hey Bill, let's examine
The article = and he seized my horse by the bit.
Quick as lightning drew my pistols, and
pointing the muzzles 10 each Of ihcir. hearts,
said
Gentlemen, make moiion to draw weap-
on and that motion seals your fate
They were completely taken by surprise,
and wheeling their horses around, they struck
of into the forests. Alter getting few rods
of, one Of them raised his fist into threaten
ing attitude. drew the trigger of my right
hand pistol, and the villains arm fell upon his
saddle; and utterlng yell of agony. they
darted of into the woods. reloaded nv pis-
toll, struck my spurs into my horses sides, and
after ten miles of the fastest riding ever ex-
perienced, reached log house, where put
up for the night.
Two years after the incident just noted took
place was travelling down the Mississippi on
an old fashioned boat, when my attention was
attracted towards an individual on board whom
| thought had met before, but where could
not tell. was determined to follow him up
and see il | could not call to mind where we
had met and under what circumstances. AT
last found an opportunity TO get a good look
al him, as he was seated upon an old barrel
head, earnestly engaged in game of seven
up stepped up, and looking over his Shout
der, perceived that two fingers of his right hand
'were missing. The game progressed, until, in
an excited moment he lose and shaking his fist
in the face of his opponent, in answer to some
remarks Of the latter concerning the game, ex-
claimed
Il swear you lie
placed my hand upon his shoulder, and
turning him around
'Ah! ah !! exclaimed, we've met before =
Lifting his manned hand, his face turned
white as sheet; aud, hoarse with passion, he
vocileraied
Yes, No have met before, in the woods Of
Tennessee, and have sworn tina, you shall
die Take that
And the wretch attempted 10 draw pistol
from his coat, but the trigger caught in the
ragged lining of his pocket il went of, and
he rolled overheard in the muddy waters of the
Mississippi corpse.