The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1857-10-29

There is the old raft that | carried the
company across on-that's the only
thing! responded Sherman, If that will
do can bring it round in no time, and
take you across before they have gol
three miles from the river
Anything will do, SO that | can cross,
answered John Il must overtake them
before they reach Snvder's, or l shall just
have my trouble for my pains
well, | will have the craft up to the
point yonder in five minutes, so you can
get ready and come down TO the shore a.
quick as you like And with this Sher,
man hurried off for the raft.
John Immediately unstrapped his KNAPP
sack, and handing Ito the squatter's wife,
started directly for the point in question.
When he arrived Sherman had just doub-
led the bend in the liver, aud was com
ing up TO him.
i thought in order to overtake them,
remarked John, as he stepped on board
the raft, that it would be the best policy
not to cucumber myself too much, so
left my knapsack in charge of your wife,
who promised to take care of 1T till my re-
turn. If l should be lucky in overhauling
them, l shall be back several hours be-
fore sunset, so you must keep sharp
look out, and be ready with your raft to
take me back when | come
Sherman promised; and observing be-
fore they parted that John had neglected
to bring with him any weapon of defence,
he removed from his belt the long hunt
ing knife which he carried, and gave it
to him. 1t was kindly act on the part
Of Sherman, but in the end it came near
costing him his life.
In all new territories. before anything
ike seasonable system of law and order
,an be established, few circumstances
are oftentimes sufficient to fix the most
srievous guilt upon party, and the pun
shment me.ed out to the offender or the
offender, is by no means q tardy
process. II is summary in the extreme.
'eing never insligated by feelings of pity,
,ut Of revenge.
All that day, till nightall, Sherman
watched for the return Of Mercer. At
ength. finding it too dark to distinguish
'bjects at SO great a distance. and think
ng he might possibly arrive late, he went
lown to the river, unfasteued his raft,
md crossed over. Here he remained for
long time, pacing up and down the
horc till the lateness Of the hour con-
-inced him that John would not be likely
o return that night, and with considera-
'le reluctance he gave up his watch and
eturned to the cabin.
The next morning two men from the
ettlement made their appearance at
sherman ssto inquire after John. The
quatter told his story, but neglected 10
aention anything respecting the knife and
napsack. One of the visitors with
brill of suspicion observed the latter ar.
lcle partially concealed in one corner Of
he cabin, and referred to the circum-
tance on his return to the settlement
n an hours time the merest suppostion
ad assumed the mammoth proportions Of
probability, Everybody re-
lrmbered now that they had noticed
Jmething vicious aud sinister iu the ex.
ressioh Of Sherman, and no one doubted
II moment but that John Mercer had
agn fQuly murdered for his money; and
,rthermo?c, ,hgt Robert Sherman and
70 gang that was reported to have been
er9 o. Che morning preceding; or that
oberts sherman, ,unasssted by any one
At his wife a very meek and inoffensive
'eature). had committed the bloody deed
If it had been commtted--of whic.l no
le was quite sure.
Accordingly, before noon a. warrant
as issued against Sherman, and the sher-
!, with two or three of the syt,lers to as Z
81 in the enforcement Of the law, started
= the squatler'b cabin Sherman was
home when they arrived, and nasl
6 observed their approact
lle confused and taken ahs
,arance Of the oliice