The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1857-08-29
A RIVER ADVENTURE.
A Thrilling Sketch.

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with young man named Lyman Kemp, in
locating land lots along the Wabash, in
Indiana. l had gone out partly for my
health, and partly to accommodate one who
had ever been noble friend to me, and who
had purchased great deal of government
land. At Loganport, he was taken sick,
and after watching with him week in hopes
that he would soon recover, found that
he had settled fever, and, as the physician
said he would not probably be able to move
on under month, determined to push on
alone So obtained good nurse, and
having seen that my friend would have eye-
rything necessary to his comfort, which
money could procure, left.
As good fortune would have it, found q
party Of six men bound on the very route
was going, and l waited one day for the
sake of their company. At length we set
out with three pack horses to carry our lug
gage, and | soon found that had lost moth
ing by waiting, for my companions were
agreeable and entertaining. They were
going on to St. Joseph's, where they had
land already located, and where they had
lumber, during the remainder Of the sea-
son.
On the third day from Loganport, we
River, having left the Wabash on the morn
ing of that day. 1t was well on into the
evening when we reached the little log built
inn of the settlement, and we were glad
| enough for the shelter-for ere we had fair
| ly got under cover, the rain commenced to
fall in great drops, thickly too. And more
still, had to be thankful for. My horse
began to show lameness in one of his hind
legs, and when leaped from the saddle,
found that his foot panied him much, as
could tell by the manner in which he lifted
it from the ground. ordered the ostler to
bath it in cold water, and then went into
the house, where We found good substan-
tial supper, and comfortable quarters for
the night-that is, comfortable for that Sec
ton and that time.
About ten O'Clock, Just after had re-
tired, and just after was falling into o
grateful browse, was startled by the shouts
Of men, and the barking of dogs, directly
under my window. As the noise continued,
arose, and threw on my clothes, and went
down.
''What is it 90 l asked of the landlord,
who stood in the entry-way. 8
'sAh--don't you know, stranger" the
host returning. "You've heard of Gustus
Karl, perhaps %
Who in the west at some time had not
heard Of him ?-the most reckless, daring,
and murderous robber that ever cursed a
country. told the host had heard Of
him often.
"Well," he resumed, ssthe Internal vii
lain was here only this afternoon, and MUIR
dered and robbed man just up the river.
We've been out after him, but he's gin us
the slip. We tracked him as far as the up
per creek, and there he came out on the
banks, fred at US, and killed one of our
horses, and then drove into the woods. We
set the dogs on, but they lost him"
Sand you've come back horseless," /
said.
eyes," the landlord growled. "But," he
added, with knowing shake of the head,
che can't run clear much longer. The
country is in arms, and he'll either leave
these huntins' or be dropped"
"What sort of q man Is he's asked.
'The very last man in the world you
would take for Gus Karl. he is small
not a bit over five feet six; with light and
curly hair, a smooth white face, and not
very stout. But, Lord love ye he's quick
as lightning, and his eyes got FIRE in It.
lie dresses in all sorts Of shapes, but gen.
orally like a common hunter. Ohio he's
the very devil, l do behevep'
After the tub full of whisky and water
which the the host had provided, was all
drank, the crowd began to disporse, and
shortly afterwards went up again to bed,
and this time slept on uninterrupted till
morning.
l had just eaten my breakfast and had
gone out to the front door, when horse
man came dashing up to the place, himself
and animal all covered with mud. It had
been raining all night. The first thing the
new conner did, was to inquire for me. l
answered at once to the name; and he then
informed me that Lyman Kemp could not
live, and that he wished to see me q soon
as possible?
ssThe doctor says he must dis, !" said the
messenger, "and the poor fellow now only
asks for life long enough to see you.D
"Poor Lymanw l murmured to myself.
$50 young-so hopeful--with so many
friends and fond relatives in his far of
home-and taken down to die in strange
land!'' l told the man l would set out on
my return as soon as possible. He ate some
breakfast and then resumed his journsy, be.
ing bound up as high as the Pottawattamie
settled my bill, and then went for my
morse; but bitter disappointment awaited
m me: found the animals foot swollen very
Saoiy, and it pained him so, that hs could
naidly step on it. Had the road been good
! should have been tempted to try him; but
l knew that in some places mud was deep.
went 70 the host and asked him If be could
lend Or sell me horse. He could do neither.
His only spare horse had been shot the night
before by the Wabash robber. There was
not horse in the place to be obtained for
any amount of money. returned to the
stable and led my horse out, but he could
not even walk with any degree Of ease. !
could not use him. was in despair.