The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1857-11-19
8 Gbrilliug 5turq,
A RIVER ADVENTURE.
ENCOUNTER wrTn A DARING RoDBER.
A THRILLING SKETCH.
BY HOWELL com, Ja.

In the summer Of 1882 was engaged
with young man named Lyman Kemp, in
locating land lots along the Wabash in indi-
ana had gone out partly for my health,
and partly to accommodate one who had ever
been noble friend to me, and who had
purchased agreat deal of government land.
AT Logansport he was taken sick, and after
watching him a week in hopes he would
soon recover, / found that he bad a settled
fever, and. as the physician said he would
not be able to move under a month, deter
mined TO push on alone. So obtained a
good nurse, and having seen that my friend
would have everything necessary to his com
fort, which money would procure, left him.
As good fortune would have it, found
party OF six men bound on the very route
was going, and waited one Gay for the sake
of their company. At length we set out
with three pack horses to carry our luggage.
and soon found that had lost nothing by
waiting, for my companions were agreeable
and entertaining. They were going to ST.
Joseph, where they had mills upon the river,
intending to gel out lumber during the re-
mainder Of the season.
On the third day from Logansport, we
reached Walton's settlement on the little
River, having left the Wabash on the morn
ing of that day. II was well on into the
evening when we reached the little log hut
inn Of the settlement and we were glad
enough for shelter, for we had fairly got un.
der cover when the rain commenced falling,
and thickly, too. And more still had 10
be thankful for. My horse began to show
lameness in one of his hind legs, and when
| leaped from tbe saddle, found that his
foot pained him much, rs could tell from
the manner in which he lifted it from the
ground. / ordered the ostler to bathe It
in cold water, and then went into the house,
where we found good substantial supper
and comfortable quarters for the night-that
is, comfortable for that section ofthe country,
and at that time.
About ten o'clock, just after Ihad retired
and just after had fallen into grateful
drowse, i was startled by the shouts of men
and the barking Of dogs directly under my
window. AS the noise continued, / arose
and threw on my clothes, and went down
into the yard.
What is st" / asked of the landlord,
who stood in the stairway.
Ah-don't you know, stranger 2" the
host replied. "You have heard of Gustus
Karl, perhaps r.
Who in the West at that time had not
heard Of him The most reckless, daring
and murderous robber that ever cursed a
country. told the host that had heard
of him.
"Well," he resumed, the Internal villain
was here only this afternoon, aud murdered
and robbed man up the river. We've
been out after him, but he's gin us the slip.
We tracked him as far as the upper creek,
and there he camc out on the bank, fired at
US and killed one of our horses, and then
drove into the woods. We set the dogs on
him, but they lost him.
"And you have como back horseless,"
said.
Yes," the landlord growled. "But," he
added, with a knowing shake of the head,
"he can't run clear much longer. The
country is in arms, and he'll either leave
these huntins or be dropped"
What sort Of man is he 7" enqnired.
The last man in the world you would
take for Gus Karl. He is smalI--not bit
over five feet six, with light and curly hair,
q fair smooth white face, and not very stout.
But Lord love ye, he's quick rs lightning,
and his eye s got fire in it. He dresses in
all sorts Of shapes, but generally like com.
mon hunter. Oh he's the very devil, do
believe
After the tub full of wbiskey and water
whioh the host had provided, was all drank,
the crowd began 10 disperse, and shortly af-
forwards ] went up to bed and this time !
slept tilI morning.
I had just eaten my breakfast and gone
out the front door, when man on horse
come dashing up to the place, himself and
animal all covered with mud 1t had been
raining all night. The first thssg the new
conner did, was to enquire after me. / an
swered to the name; and he then informed
me that Lyman Lemp could not live, and
that he wanted to see me as soon as could
possibly get there!
"The doctor says that he must die" said
The new arrived messenger, and the poor
fellow now only asks for life long enough to
see you"
.Poor Lyman,p' murmured to myself.
g So young, so hopeful with so many friends
and fond relatives in his Ear of homer--.hen
take down and die in . strange land so Far
from them"