Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-10-14

from my saddled, and examined thoroughly ;
but could find no tracks.
Of course, the father of my noontime'S host
could not have gone this way! And yet he
had gone to Fosters Mills. l began to sus-
pect mischief. There had been an uneasy
sensation lurking in my bosom ever since l
left the inn. Something was wrong. 1 re-
| gained my saddle and looked about. Tho
sun was nearly down-in twenty minutes, at
| the farthest, it would be out of sight.
Instinctvely drew one of my pistols from
the holster. l raised the hammer, and found
the cap in its place. | was just putting it
back, when l noticed mark upon the butt
1t was peculiar knot in the wood. That pis-
| tol always carried in the left holster. 1t
was not sure as the other one. l took out
the other, and was sure the weapons had been
| changed by other hands than mine. They
| had remained in the saddle at the forest inn,
and the change must have taken place there.
l began to think. Why was Mr.. Groome so
| particular to know if my friend expected me !?
And then why should he have been SO anxious
| to have me set forward that night, instead of
remaining with him, and paying him dollar
or so more than did p? Then, this road
believed 1 had been deceived. There was no
! freshets to carry away brid ges, for it was now
early Autumn, and the river road had been
travelled all summer. And then, the saddle
| l had seen ssIke" carrying to the barn. There
was surely mischief in all this. Daniel
| Groome had daughters at his house, and, per-
haps others, whom he would not have to hear
the noise of the robbery. And very likely,
he wonld not wish to have such a deed connec-
| ted with his house at all. OF course, he knew
L had money. No would be travelling, as
l was then travelling, without considerable
| sum.
If my pistols had been taken out, might
they not have been further dealt with? l took
the one from the right holster and examined
it. The ball was in its place, and the cap on.
Still was not satisfied. l slipped the cap
! off, and found the percussion composition re-
moved. There was not particle lett within
the cap. And this was not all. l found the
| tube spiked with little pine stick
| Here was the secret sure enough. l took
| my penknite and succeeded in drawing out
| the stick; and then L examined the other pis-
I
stopped and went to work in earnest. l had
an excellent screw for removing bullets, and
my pistol barrels were emptied in a very few
moments. had a serious objection of firing
! them off in fhe woods, where the report might
betray the knowledge 1 had gained. Sol
emptied them, and then snapped a cap upon
each. l found them both clear, and then
proceeded to load them, which l did carefully.
| And now, how should I proceed? That
| this road would lead me to Fosters Mills l had
no doubt; and it would be nearer for me to
keep on than to turn back. So upon that
point my mind was made up.
And next-which way would my host come?
| For that he meant to rob me l felt certain.
Every cumstancc-everthing that had tran
| spired between him and me-pointing to that
| one simple result. Would he 60 down the
river road piece, aud head me of ? Of would
he follow me directly upa Most likely the
former. l considered upon it awhile, and
then resolved to push on and keep on my
| guard.
The sun went down, and it grew dark in the
! deep wood; but the moon was already up, and
as her beams fell lengthwise upon the road,
she gave me considerable light when my eyes
/ had become used to the transition. Half an
| hour had passed since looked to my pistols,
! and Just as | began to wonder II had been
| mistaken, / heard the sound of horses
tramp at no great distance. At first it puz-
| zled me to tell the direction from which it
| came, but moment l knew it was in advance
| of me. and upon my right hand which was to-
ward the river. Presently it stopped. drew
my horse to the left side OF the path and kept
! on a gentle trot, having raised the lapel OF
my right holster.
| In a few moments saw dark form, amid
| the bushes, little way ahead, on the right.
| AS came up man rode out. 1t was my
! host
esGood evening, sir,'' he said, with exceed
| ing politeness.
esAh-good evening" returned. eI had
not expected the pleasure of your company"
ono, 1 expect not,'' he resumed, in a sort
| of hesitating manner. ssAnd shouldn't have
come out, only for little business, L forgot
when you were at the inn.'
| 1t was plain as day. My pistols had been
| rendered useless-I had been sent off into
this unfreauented wood and now the villain
had thought to take my life and my money
without any risk to his own body, and then
hide my carcass in the earth, where very like
ly others had been hidden before. Ny eyes
were open, and my hand ready
ssMay ask to what business you aliVde Z,
said.
eyes" he snapped out, something in agree
ment with his features. 81 want money,