The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1857-05-21

as one could steer the canoe while the other
slept. rs.a.
"Aye," added, with smile; "that is good
for me, for every hour is valuable. would not
miss of meeting my friend for worlds"
"Oh-you'll meet him, never 6ar," said my
companion. EN-
Eh4hd spoke with too much meaning. l
understood it well. ! knew what that sly tone
and that strange cleaning Of the eye meant
He meant that he would put me on the road to
meet poor Kemp in the other world! wonder
ed only now that had not detected the robber
when first saw him, for the expression of his
flee Wes SO heartless, so icy,-and then his eyes
had such wicked look-that the most unprac-
ticed pysiognomist could not have Jailed to de-
tect the villain at once.
During the rest of the afternoon we conversed
some, but not SO freely as before | could see
that the villains eyes were not so frankly bent
upon me as he spoke, and then he seemed in
clined to avoid my direct glances. These move
ments on his part were not stndied nor even
intentional: but they were instructive, as tho
his very nature led him thus. At length night
came on. We ate our supper, and then smok-
ed our pipes, and finally my companion propos-
ed that I should lay down before he did At
first thought ofobjecting, but a moments re-
Election told me that had better act as though
were an honest man; SO l agreed to his prop
ostion. He took my seat at the stern, and
moved further forward, and having removed
the thwart upon which my companion had
been sitting I spread my cloak in the
bottom ofthe cauoe, and then having placed my
valise for pillow, l lay down. As soon as pos
sible drew out one ofmy pistols, and beneath
the cover of cough, cockcd'it Thief NOV
ed my body 50 that my right arm would be at
liberty, and graspng my weapon firmly with
my finger on the guard, drew up my mantle,
slouched my hat, and then settled down for my
watch.
Fortunately for me the moon was up, and
though the forest trees threw shadow upon
me, yet the beams fell full upon Karl, and
could see his every movement. We were well
into the Wabash, having entered it about three
o'clock.
"You will edll nj, at midnight" said drow-
silly
"Yes," he returned.
| "Good tight" -
"Good night--and pleasant dreams. I'll
have you farther on your way than you
think ere you wake up again.
"Perhaps so,' thought to myself as low
cred my head, and pretended to lower myself tC
sleep.
| For half an hour my companion steered the
canoe very well, and seemed to take but little
notice of me; but az the end Of that time could
see that he became more uneasy. l cor.mcnc-
cd to snore with long regularly drawn breath,
and on the instant the villain started as starts
the hunter, when he hears the tread of the
game in the woods
| But hark Aha-thero was before one lin
gering fear in my mind that | might shoot the
wrong man; but it was gone now As the fol-
low stopped the motion of the paddle I distinct
| ly heard hlm muStef-- .
"Oho, my dear shoep--you little dreamed
that Gus Karl was your companion But he'll
do you good turn. lfyour friend is dead you
shall follow him, and I take your traps to pay
your passage to heayen?' ..-..sa
! think these were the very woods. At any
rate they were the drift. As he thus spoke he
asoiselessy drew in the paddle and then rose tc
his feet. I saw him reach up over his left shoul
dor, AMI vixen he brought back his hand in it
he held huge bcwie knife; | could sec the
blade gleam iri the pale moonlight, and saw
Karl run his thumb along the edge, and ther
feel the point! Ny heart boat leaflully, and
INV breathing was hard. 1twas with the ut
most exertion that could continle my snoring g
bat managed to do it without Interruption
Slowly and no;selessly the foul wretch approach
ed me--Oh his step would not have awakened
a hound-and his long cleaning g-knfe was hal
raised. I could hear his breathing plainly, anc
could hear the grating of his teeth as he nclvot
himself for the stroke. n#
The william was by my side, and hemeasuret
the distance frem his hand to my heart with hi
teyc. In his left hand he held thick bandker
chefall waded up That was to stop my moutl
with Every nerve in my body was row strung
and my heart stood still as DEATH 0fcouse m.
snoring ceased; and at that instant the huge
knife was raised above my bosom! Quick al
thought brought my pistol up-tho muzzl
/ was within foot of the robbers heart--he ut
tered q, quick cry--f saw the bright blade quiy
er in ths moonlight, bat it came not upon me.
lpulled the trigger, and the last fear was past.
had thoaght that the weapon might miss fire
but it did not. There was sharp report, aht
as sprapg up and backed, heard a fierce yell
4 and at the same moment the robberfell forwar'
his head striking my knee as it came down.
Weak and faint sank back, but suddel
tipping Of the canoe brought me to my senses
and | went aft and took the paddle. AS sooi
4 as the boats head was once more right, turne'
my ewes upon tho form in the bottom Of the ca
noe, and saw it quiver--only spasIaeti
movement--and then all was still. a3h
All that night lsat there at my watch am
steeIed my bark. had my second pistol rea
Idly, for / knew not surely that the wretch wa
dead He might be waiting to catch me offm.
guard, and then shoot me. But the night pas
cd slowly and drearily away, and when thcmo
3 ming broke the form had rot tnoced. Then
stepped forward and found that Gustus Kar
n was dead! He had fallen with his nile true Il