The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1857-08-29

along a. fast ~ horse could wade through
the mud. You shall have ono Of my canoes
for just what it u worth, and 70 can sell it
tat Loganport for - much"
Icaught tho proposition instantly, for !
thought that it was good one.
eff ye daren't shoot the rapids" added
the landlord, stye can easily shoulder the
canoe and pack it round. 'Tisn't far"
found the boat to bs . well fashioned
"dug- g-out," large enough to bear four men
with ease, and at once paid the owner his
price-ten dollars-and then had my lug
gage brought down. Igave directions about
the treatment of my horse and then put of.
fThe current was quite rapid say four or
i've miles an hour but not at all turbulent
land soon made up my mind that it was
far better than riding on horseback. The
large trees, and / saw game plenty; and
contents of my pistols at some Of the bold
80 l kept on. Only one thing seemed want
ing, and that was companion; but l was
destined to find one soon enough.
| It was shortly after noon, and l had just
eaten my dinner Of bread and cold meat,
when came to place where the river made
an abrupt bend to the right, and little
further on, came to an abrupt basin where
the current formed perfect whirlpool. l
did not notice it until my canoe got into it.,
and found myself going round instead Of
going ahead. Iplied my wood paddle with
Fall my power, and soon succeeded in shoot.
ling out from the rotary current; but in do
I ing so, ran myself upon the low, sandy
shore. The effort had fatigued me not q
little, and as found myself thus suddenly
moored, resolved to rest few minutes.
| had been in this position some ten
minutes, when was startled by hearing q
football close by me, and on looking up
I saw man at the side Of my boat. He
was young looking person, not over two
and thirty, and seemed to be hunter. He
wore wolf skin shirt, leggins Of red leath-
or, and cap Of bear skin.
| (which way are ye bound, stranger ?" he
asked in pleasing tone.
"Down the river, to Luganport," re-
Piled.
"That's fortunate. 1wish to 60 there
myself" the stranger resumed. "What
say you to my taking your second paddle,
and keeping you company 2"
81 should like il, )" told him frankly
"l've been wanting company"
$50 have i" added the hunter. "And
Pve been wanting some better mode of con-
veyance than these worn out legs through
the deep forest. :.
ssCome on" said, and as spoke, he
leaped into the canoe, and having deposited
his rife in the bow, he took one Of the pad
dies, and told me he was ready when was.
So we pushed off, and were soon clear Of
the whirlpool.
For an hour we conyersed freely. The
stranger told me his name was Allen, and
that his father lived in Columbus. He was
out now on a mere hunting and prospecting
expedition, with some companions who had
gone on to Loganport by horse, and having
lost his horse into the bargain. He said he
had great sum of money about his per-
son, and that was one reason why he dis
liked to travel in the forest.
Thus he opened his affairs to me, and
was fool enough to be equally frank. ad-
mitted that had some money, and told him
my business; and by a most quiet and un-
presuming course Of remark, he drew from
me the fact that had money enough to pur-
chase forty full lots.
Finally the conversation Jagged, and
began to give my companion closer scru-
tiny. sat in the stern of the canoe, and
he was about amidships, and facing me-
He was not large man, nor was he tall
His hair was Of a light faxen hue, and
hung in long curls about his neck; his fea-
lures were regular and handsome; and his
complexion very light. But the color of
his face was not what one could call fair
1t was cold, bloodless color, like pale mar
BILE. And for the first time, too, now look
ed particularly at his eyes. They were
gray in color, and had the brilliancy of gla-
ring ice. Their light was intense, but cold
and glittering like snakes. When l
thought of his age, l set him down for not
much over thirty.
Suddenly sharp, cold shudder ran thro'
my frame, and my heart leaped with wild
thrill. As sure as fate-I knew it-there
could be no Doubt had taken into my
canoe, and into my confidence, Gustus Karl,
the Wabash Robber! For few moments
feared my motions would betray me. l
looked carefully over his person again, and
knew | was not mistaken. could look
back now and see how cunningly he had led
me to confession Of my circumstances
how he had made me tell my affairs, and re-
veal the state of my finances. What fool
/ had been! But 'twas too late to think of
the past. had enough to do to look out
for what was evidently to come.
at length managed to overcome all my
outward emotions, and then began to watch
nv companion more sharply and closely
nv pistols were both handy, and knew
they were in order, for had examined them
both in the forenoon when l thought of
firing at some game.
They were in the breast pocket of my
coat, which pockets had been made on pur-
pose for them, and l could reach them at
any instant. Another hour passed away,
and by that time had become assured that
the robber would make no attempt upon
me until after night fall. He said that it
would be convenient that We were both
together, for we could run all night, as
ono could steer the canoe while the other
slept.
.Aye,'' added with q smile; ssthat is
good for me, for every hour is valuable
/ would not miss meeting my friend for
worlds" ~
"Oh !'' you'll meet him, never fear, !" said
iny companion.
An-n0 SPOk6 Will tOO mucn mcaitinS'
understood it well. knew what that sly
tone, and that strange CLEAN Of the eye
meant. He meant that he would put me on
the road to see poor Kemp in another world.
l wondered only now that ] had not detect
ed the robber when first saw him, for the
expression of his face was 90 heartless, so
icy-and then his eyes had such a wicked
look-that the most unpracticed physiogno-
mist could not have failed to detect the viii
lain at once. s
During the rest Of the afternoon We con-
versed some, but not 90 freely as before. l
could see that the villains eyes were
not so frankly bent upon me as he spoke,
and then he seemed inclined to avoid my
direct glances. These movements on his
part were not studied, nor even Intentional;
but they were instructive, As though his very
nature led him thus. At length night came
ons We ate our supper, and then smoked
our pipes, and finally my companion pro-
posed that should sleep before he did. At
first thought Of objecting, but few mo-
ment's reflection told me that had better
behave as though he was an honest man;
~ I aoreed to hss nronosition. He took q