Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1857-12-25
A RIVER ADVENTURE.

In the summer of 1S-, | was en9ag-
ed, with young man named Lyman
Kemp, in locating land lots along the
Wabash, in Indiana. had gone out
partly for my health, and partly to ac-
commodate one who had ever been a
noble friend to me, and who had pur-
chased a great deal Of government land.
At Davenport he was taken sick, and af-
ter watching with HIM for week, in
hopes that he would soon recover, found
that he had a settled fever, and as the
physicians said he would not be able pro-
badly, to move under month, deter
mined to push on alone. So l obtained
a good nurse, and having seen that my
friend had everything necessary for his
comfort which money could procure, l
left him.
As good luck would have it, / found a
marty of six men bound on the same
route l was going, and waited one day
for the sakes OF their company. At last
we set out, with three pack horses to car
~ our luggage, and l soon found [ had
lost nothing by waiting, as my compani-
ons were agreeable aud entertaining
They were going on to St. Joseph's
where they had land already located, and
where they had mills upon the river, and
we're intending to get out lumber during
be remainder of the season.
On the third day from Logansport we
reached Walton's settlement on the Lit
de River, having left the Wabash on the
morning of that day. 1t was well on into
the evening when we reached the little
log-built inn of the settlement, and We
We're glad enough of the shelter, for ere
we fairly got under cover, the rain COM
menced 20 fall in great drops, and thick
ly too. And more still had l to be thank
full for my horse began to show lame
ness in one of his legs, and when | leap
ed from the saddle | found that his foot
pained him much, as l could tell by the
manner in which he lifted it from the
ground. [ ordered the ostler to battle ii
with cold water, and then went into the
house, where we found a good substantial
supper, and comfortable quarters for the
night, that IS, comfortable quarters for
that section, and that time.
About ten o'clock, just after had re-
tired, and just as was falling into a
grateful browse, | was startled by the
shout of men and the barking Of dogs
directly under my window. As the noise
continued, arose and put On my clothes
and went down.
What is it p l asked of the land
lord, who stood in the entry-way.
Ah-don't you know, stranger :!
said the host, returning. You've heard
Of Gustus Karl, perhaps p
Who in the West at that time had moi
heard of him ? the most rockies, daring
and murderous robber that ever crossed
the country. l told the host l had hearC
Of him often.
Well" he resumed, the villain wa.
here only THIS afternoon, and murdered
and robbed a man just up the river
We've been out after him, but he's gil
US the slip. We tracked him as far a
the upper creek, and there he came ou
on the bank, fired at US and killed one o
our horses, and then dove into tht
woods. We set the dogs on, but the
lost him."
And you've come back bootless p
said.
Yes" the landlord growled. Blu
he added, with a knowing shake of th'
head, he can't run clear much longer
The whole country is in arms, and he'll
either leave these huntings, or be drop
ped"
"And what sort of man is he 2"
asked.
The very last man in the world yo
would take for Gus Karl. lie is small
not bit over five feet six; with ligh
curly hair, a smooth white face, and nc
very stout. But, love you, he's quick a
lightning, and his eyes got fire in it,
He dresses in all sorts of shapes, br
more like common hunter than Other
wise"
After the tub full of whiskey and VIZ
ter which the host had provided had bee
drank, the crowd began to disperse an
shortly after went up again to bed, an
this time slept OIL uninterrupted till morl
ing.
had just eaten my breakfast, and ha
gone out 10 the front door, when a hors
man came dashing up TO the place, hin
self and animal all covered with mud
1t had been raining all night. The fir
thing the conner did was to inquire f,
me. l answered at once to the nam
and he then informed me that Lyma
Kemp could not live, and that he wis
ed to see me as soon as possible.
The doctor says he must die" sa
the messenger, land the poor fello
now only asks for life long enough to s
you"
" Poor Lyman" I murmured to m
self So young, so hopeful, with
many friends and relatives in his far,
home, and taken down to die in a stran
land ?"
l told the man I would set out on n
return as soon as possible. He ate son
breakfast, and then resumed his journe
Oeing bound as far up as the Pottawal
ME border.
L settled my bill, and then sent for L
morse, but bitter disappointment ava
ed me. found the animals foot swoll
very badly, and it panied him so that
gould hardly step on it. Had the 70
oeen good | should have been tempt