The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1857-10-17


of the paddle 'twould take you along as fas
l. as a horse could wade through the mud
II You shall have one of my canoes for lust wha
! it is worth, and We can sell it at Loganpor
y for as much
caught the proposition instantly, for
= saw it was good one.
. If ye darcn't shoot the rapids,' added tn
landlord, you can easily shoulder the canoe
and pack it round. Tisn't far
! found the boat to be we'll fashione,
'dug-out,' large enough to bear four me,
: with ease, ard at once paid the owner hi
pricc-ten dollars-and then had nv luseap,
brought down. | gave directions about til,
treatment of my horse. and then put off, Tb,
current was quite rapid-~ay four or fv,
miles an hour-but not at all turbulent. an(
soon made up my mind that it was far bet
ter than riding on horseback. The banks O
the river were thickly covered with lare,
trees, and | saw game in plenty. and NOR,
than once was tempted tc fire the content.
of my pistol at some of the boldcst warm
ints; but had no time to waste, so kcp
on. Only one thing seemed wanting. ant
that was companion; but was destined te
ind one soon enough.
1t was shortly after noon. and had ius,
eaten my dinner of bread and cold meat
when | came to place where the river mad.
an abrupt bend to the right and little fur
ther on | came to an abrupt basin, where the
currents formed perfect whirlpool. | did
not notice it till 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 current; but in doing so. ran my
self upon the low. sandy shore. The cffor;
had fatigued ne little. and rs found nv
self thus suddenly moorcd | resolved to rest
a few minutes
had been in this position some ten min
utcs when was startled by hearing foot
fall close by me. and on looking up saw a
man at that side of my boat lie wore a
wof->kin shirt. lcrgins Of red leather, and a
cap O! bear skin.
Which way are You bound. stranger? he
asked. in pleasing tone.
Down to l.o@anport. replied.
That's fortunate. wish to 60 there my
self the stranger resumed. What SAY YOU
to my taking Your second paddle. and keep
Ing vGu company.
i should like 1t. told him frankly: I've
been wanting company
$50 nave l. added the hunter. And I've
been wanting some better mode of convey
ancc than these worn out legs through the
deep forest
Come OF, | said. and as spoke he leap
ed into the canoe. and having deposited his
rifle III the bow. he took one Of the paddles.
and told me he was ready when was SO
we pushed oil. and were soon clear of the
whirlpool.
For an hour convcrScd freely The
stranger told me his name was Adams. and
that his father lived in Columbus. lie was
out now on a hunting and prospecting cxpc-
ilition with some companions, who had gone
to I.o2anport by horse and having got >cpa-
rated from them in the night. had lost his
horse into the bargain. He said he had a
great sum of money about his person. and
that was one reason why he dilikcd to tray
/ q i'll the forest.
/ Thus he opened his affairs 20 me. and was
fool enough to be equally frank admitted
tt had some money. and told him my bus
mess: and by most quiet and unprc>,iming
course of remark. he drew from me the fact
that had money enough TO purchase forty
full lets.
Finally the conversation Jagged. and be-
gan to give my companion a closer scrutiny.
| sat i'll the stern Of the canoe, and he was
about ami;Iship>. and facing me- He was no,
a large man. nor was he tall His hair was
OF tlaxcn hue. and hung in long curls about
his neck: his features were regular and hand
some: and his complexion very light. But
the color Of his face was not what one would
call fair. 1t was cold bloodcSs color, like
pale marble. And for the first time. too.
now looked particularly at his ewes. They
were grey in color. and had the briIliancv of
%larng ice. Their light was intense. but cold
and gittcring like 4 snakes. When thought
OF his age | set him down for not much over
thirty.
Suddenly sharp cold shuddcr ran through
my frame. and ny heart lcapcd with wild
thrill. As sure as fatc-l knew it-thcrc
could be no Doubt had taken into nv ca
noe. and into my confidence, GuStus Karl.
the Wabash Robhcr. For few moments
feared my emotions would betray me- look
ed carefully over his person again. and knew
| was not mistaken. | could look back now
and see how cunningly he had led me on to
confession of my circumstanccs-howh he had
made me tell my affairs. and reveal the state
of my finances. What fool | had been
But twas too late to think of the past.
had enough to look out for what was evident
ly to come.
| at length managed to overcome all nv
outward emotions. and then began to watch
my companion more sharply and closely. NV
pistols were both handy. and knew they
were both i'll order. for had examined them
i'll the forenoon when thought of firing at
some game.
They were in the breast pocket of my coat.
which pockets had been made for them. and
| could reach them at any instant Another
hour passed away, and by that time had be-
come assured that the robbcr would make no
attempt upon me till after night-fall. lie
SAID THAT it would be convenient that we were
together for we could run all night. as one
could steer while the other slept.
Aye added with a smile: that is good
for me, Tor every hour is valuable. would
not miss Of meeting my friend for the world
90! YOU will meet him. never fear said
my companion.
Ah--he spoke that with too much meaning.
| understood it well. knew what that slv
tone. and that strange cleaning of the eve
meant. lie meant that he would put me on
the road to meet poor Kemp in the other
world. wondered only now that | had not
detected the robber when first saw him for
the expression of his face was SO hcartless 50
lcyy-and then his eyes had such vic ked