The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1857-08-05


thought of objecting, but few moment
reflection told me that 1 had better be
have as though were an honest man
SO 1 agreed to his proposition. He tool
my seat at the stern, and 1 moved fur
ther forward, and having removed tn
thwart upon which my companion ha'
been sitting, I spread my cloak in th
canoe, and then having placed my valis
for pillow, I laid down. AS soon a
possible I drew out one of my pistols
and beneath the cover of a cough 1 cock
d it. Then L moved my body so tina
my right arm would be at liberty, anc
grasped my weaeon firmly with my fin
ger upon the guard, drew up my man
tic, slouched my hat and then settled
down for my watch.
Fortunoteiy for me, the moon was ur
and, though the forest trees threw q
shadow upon me, yet the beams fell full
upon Karl, and 1 could see his every
movement. We were well into the Wa
bash, having entered in about three o.
clock
"You will call me at midnight" 1
said drowsily.
Yes he returned.
Good night"
Good night-and pleasant dreams
III have you farther on your way than
you think ere you wake up again"
perhaps So" thought to myself, as
I lowered my head and pretended to low
er myself to sleep
For half All hour my companion steer
ed the canoe very well, and seemed to
lake but little notice of me; but at the
end of that time, 1 could see he became
more uneasy, I commenced to sncre
with long regularly drawn breath, aud
on the instant the villain started as
starts the hunter when he hears the
tread cf game in the woods.
But harkl Aha-there was before one
lingering fear in my mind that L might
shoot the wrong man; but it was now
gone. As the fellow stopped the motion
Of the paddle. L distinctly heard bin
"Oho, my dear sheep-you little
dreamed that Gus Karl was your com
panion. But he'll do you good turn.
IF your friend is dead, you shall follow
him, and I'll take your traps to pay your
passage to Heaven
1 think these were the very word -
At any rate they were their drift. AS
lie thus spoke he noiselessly drew in the
paddle and then rose to his feet. I saw
him reach up over his left shoulder, and
when he brought his hand back he had
a huge bowie knife in it. could see
the blade gleam in the pale moonlight,
and / saw Karl run his thumb along the
edge, and then felt the point!--My heart
beat fearfully, and my breathing was
hard 1t was with the utmost exertion
that 1 could continue my snoring, but l
to do it without interruption.
Slowly and noiselessly the foul wretch
me-Oh! his step woul not
have awakened a hound-and bis loug
cleaning knife was half raised. L could
hear his breathing plainly, aud could
hear the grating of his teeth as he nerv
ed him self for the stroke
The william was at my side, and he
measured the distance from his hand to
my heart with his eye. In his left hand
he held thick handkerchief all wal-
led up That was to stop my mouth
With Every nerve in my body was now
strong, and my heart stood still as death
Of course my snoring ceased; and at that
Instant the huge knife was raised above
my bosom!-Quick as thought broughf
my pistol up. the muzzle was within a
foot of the robbers heart-he uttered
quick cry-I saw the bright blade quiv
er III the moonlight, but it came not up
on me. pulled the trigger, and the last
fear was past. I had thought that the
weapon might miss fire, hut it did not.
There was a sharp report, and 1 spraug
lp and back; | heard fierce yell, and 1T
The same moment the robber fell for
ward, his head striking my knee as it
came dcwn.
Weak and faint I sunk back, but
sudden tipping of the canoe brought me
20 my senses, and l went aft and took
he paddle As soon as the boats head |
vas once more right l turned my eyes
ipon the form in the bottom of the ca
zoe, and | saw it quiver-oDly spas
nodic movement-and then all VAS
till.
All that night sat there at my watch
nd steered my little bark. 1 had my
econd pistol ready, for l knew not sure
y that the wretch was dead. He might
C waiting to catch me off my guard, and
hen shoot me. But the night passed
lowly and drearily away and when the
lorning broke, the form had not moved
hen 1 stepped forward and found that
+ustus Karl was dead. He had fallen
ith his knife true to his aim, for it had
truck very near the spot where my
cart must have been, and the point was
riven so far into the solid wood that