Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1857-07-18


inn OF the settlement, and we were glat
enough of the shelter-for ere we had fairl
got under cover, the rain commenced to fal
in great drops, and thickly too. And NOR
still had l to be thankful for. My hors
began to show a lameness in one OF his hint
legs, and when / leaped from the saddle
found that bis foot panied him much, as
could tell by the manner in which he lifted
it from the ground. ] ordered the ostler Il
bathe it with cold water, and then went into
the house, where we found good substantial
supper, and comfortable quarters for The
night-that is comfortable for that section
and that time.
About ten o'clock, just after had retired
and just as / was falling into a gratefu
browse, ! was started 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 p asked Of the landlord, who
| stood in tho entry.way.
"Ah-don't you know, stranger {" the host
returning. You've heard of Gustus Karl
perhapsf"
who in the west at time had not heard oi
him ?-the most reckless, daring, and murder
| Gus robber that ever cursed country. told
the host had heard of him often.
"Well," he resumed, "the internal villain
was here only this afternoon, aud murdered
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 upper creek,
and there he came out on the bank. fired at
US and killed one OF our horses, and then
dove into the woods. We set the dogs on,
but they lost him."
Aud you'ys come back hoStlcss," said.
"Yes," the landlord growled. But" he
added, with knowing shake Of the head,
"he cant run clear much longer. The coun-
try is in arms, and he'll either leave these
huntins, or be dropped"
What sort of a man is heY' ! asked.
"The very last man in the world you would
take for Gus Karl lie is small-not a bit
over five feet six; with light curly hair, q
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 generally like common
hunter. Ohol he's the very devil, / do be-
lieve."
After tho tub full OF whiskcy and water
which the host had provided was all drank,
the crowd began to disperse, aud shortly
afterwards went up again to bed and this
time ] slept on uninterrupted till morning.
/ had just eaten my breakfast and had gone
out TO the front door, when horseman came
dashing up to the place, himself and animal
all covered with mud. 1t had been raining
all night. The first thing the new conner did
was to enquire for me. ! answered ut once
to the name and he then informed me that
wished to see me as soon as possible
1.-The doctor Gays he must die" said the
"and the poor fellow now only
asks for life long enough to see you"
Poor Lyman !! ! murmured to myself.
$50 yonng-so hopeful so many friends
and fond relatives in his far-oT homeland
taken down TO die in 9 strange land y ] told
the man l would set out on my return as
soon as possible. lie ate some breakfast
and then resumed his journey, being bound as
far up as the Pottawatomie border.
settled my bill, and then went for my
horse; but bitter disappointment awaited
me. ] found the animals foot swollen very
badly, and it panied HIM SO that he could
hardly step on it. Had the road been good,
should have been tempted to try him; but
| knew that in some places the mud would
be deep. i went 10 the host and asked him
if he could lend or sell me horse. lie 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. l re-
turned 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.
locke" said mine host, as I began TO
despond, cant ye manage a cancer
"Yes-very well' told him.
"Then that's your best way. The current
is strong this morning, and without stroke
OF the paddle 'twould take ye along as fast
as horse could wade through the mud.
You shall have one Of my canoes for just
what it is worth, and ye eau sell it ut Logan
port for as much"
caught the proposition instantly, for /
saw that it was good one.
IF ye daren't shoot the rapids" added the
landlord, ''ye can easily shoulder the canoe,
and pack it round. "risn't far"
found the boat to be well fashioned
"dug- out" large enough to bear four men
prce-ten dolars-and then had my luggage
brought down. gave directions about the
treatment of my horse and then put Off
The current was quite rnpid-say four or five
miles an hour-but not at all turbulent
and soon made up my mind that it was far
better than riding on horseback The banks
of the river were thickly covered with large
trees, and ! saw game plenty and more than
once was tempted TO fire the contents of my
pistols at some of the boldest "varmints :"
but | had no time to waste, so kept on.
Only one thing seemed wanting, and that was
companion but was destined to fud one
soon enough.
1t was shortly afternoon, and ] 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 a little
further on came to an abrupt basin where
the current formed perfect whirlpool. /
did not notice it until my canoe got into it,
and found myself going round instead OF
going ahead. | piled my wood paddle with
all my power, and soon succeeded in shooting
out from the rotary current but in doing so,
| ran myself upon the low, sandy shore.
The effort had fatiguPd me not u little, and
as l found myself thus suddenly moored ]
resolved to rest few minutes.
had been in this position some ten min
utes when | was startled by hearing a foot
fall close by me, and on looking up ! saw a
man at that side Of my boat. lie was o
young looking person, not over two-and thirty,
and seemed to be hunter. He wore a
wof-skin shirt, egglns Of red leather, and q
cap OF bear skin.
(which way are ye bound stranger 7" he