White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1857-11-26

Ere long ! entered the wood, and found II
thick and gloomy. The path was plain enough,
and had evidently been at some time travelled
road. Aye-I remembered now, of having heard
my informant of the noontide speak of the cold
road" He said there used to be a road leading
to Rock River, but when Foster commenced his
settlement, new road was opened by the stream,
and the old one discontinued. He had said no
thing about any bridges. 7laGl ...f lslif
At the distance of two miles, I came to a place
where bed Of sand lay across the road. It was
sort of gully, and stream must at some time
have run there. Hooked, but saw no track upon
it. Water had swept across since any living an
imal had trodden upon it. ! slid from nv saddle
and examined thoroughly; but could find no
tracks.
OF course the father of my noontide's host
could not have gone this way. And yeShe had
gone to Fosters Mills. began to suspect mis-
chief There had been an uneasy sensation Turk
ing in my bosom ever since left the inn. Some
shing was wrong. I regained my saddle and
looked about. The sun was nearly down-in
twenty minutes, at the farthest, it would be out
of sight. la. .a..1
Instinctively drew one of my pistols from
the holster. raised the hammer, and found the
cap in its place. was just putting it back, when
noticed a mark upon the butt. 1t was pecu-
liar knot in the wood. That pistol always car
ried in the left holster. 1t was not so sure as
the other. 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. began to think. Why was Mr..
GrOOme so particular to know il nv friend ex-
pected 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
a dollar or so more than did, Then, this road
Il believed had been deceived. There were
no freshets to carry away any bridges, for it was
now early Autumn, and the river road had been
travelled all summer. And then the saddle l
had seen Ike" carrying to the barn. There
was surely mischief in all this. Daniel Groome
had daughters at his house, and, perhaps others,
whom he would not have to hear the noise of
the robbery, And very likely he would not wish
to have such deed connected with his house at
all. or course he knew had money. No one
would be travelling, as was then travelling,
without considerable sum.
If my pistols had been taken out, might they
not have been further dealt With took one
from the right holster and examined it. The ball
was in the right place, and the cap on. Still /
was not satisfied l slipped the cap off, and
found the peEussiOn composition removed
There was nota particle left within the cap
And this was not all. found the tube spiked
with a little pine stick!
Here was the secret sure enough. took my
penknife and succeeded in drawing out the stick,
and then examined the other pistol, which
found to be in the same plight. stopped and
went to work in earnest. had an excellent
screw for removing bullets, and my pistol bar
rels were emptied in a very few moments. had
serious objections to firing them off in the woods,
where the report might betray the knowledge
had gained. So l emptied them, and then snap
ped cap upon each. found them both clear,
and then proceeded to load them, which did
carefully.
And now, how should | proceed? That this
road would lead me to Fosters Mills, / had no
doubt; and it would be nearer for me to keep on
thai to turn back 30 upon that point my mind
was made up.
And next-which way would my host GOMEZ
For that he meant to rob me felt certain. Every
circumstance-everything that had transpired
between him and me-po;nting to the one sim
pie result. Would he go down the river road
apiece, and head me off or would he follow me
directly up7 Most likely the former. consid-
cred 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 if had been mistaken, /
heard the sound Of horses tramp at no great
distance. At first it puzzled me to tell the di-
rection frsm which it came, but in q moment
right hand, which was towards the river. Pres
emily it stopped. l drew my horse to the left
side of the path, and kept on gentle trot, hav-
ing raised the lapel of my right holster.
In few moments saw a dark form amid the
bushes, little way ahead, on the right. As
came up man rode ont 1t was my host!
"Good evening, SIR" he said, with exceeding
politeness.
"Ah, good evening"" returned. &" had not
expected the pleasure of your company"
"No, expect not he resumed, in sort Of
hesitating manner. " And shouldn't have come
out, only for little business forgot when you
were at the inn"
It was plain as day. Ny pistols had been rem
dered useless-I had been sent of into this un-
frequented 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 poor carcass
in the earth, where, very likely, Others had been
hidden before. Ny eyes were open, and my hand
ready.
May I ask 70 what business you alludel''
said.
ayes" he snapped out, something in agree
ment with his features. "I want meney, money,
sir"
As he spoke, he raised pistol.
"Take it, cried, raising my pistol, and
pointing it in his face .-.-
aha, Ia, ha," he laughed in coarse triumph,
your Yankee uistola Wern't made 70 harm gucb