Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1858-12-29
az CLAIRE.
DEN THE ROBBERS.
A THRILLING STORY.

DEN Ot 4 III Il ItOBBERS-
THRILLING STORY.
Soon after the close of the last war between
Great Britain and the United States, Thomas
Stogdon, tobacco planter living in the west
crn part of Virginia, started journey tor
the purpose OF traDsacting some private busi-
ness which required his attention in one of the
northeastern counties of that State. His
route lay across one of the loftiest spurs of
the Blue Ridge, the longest and most pictur-
esque mountain range in the South.
As the times were troubled, and the passage
across the mountains considered dangerous OH
account of the robbers who infested them. Mr..
StogdoD, went not only we'll M mounted, but we'll
nrmed-a brace of trusty horseman's pistols
being carried, according to the custom of the
day, in front OF the rider and attached to the
forcpart of the saddle.
The third night after leaving home he stop
ped at roadside inn, distant about five miles
from the base OF the mountain. On dismount.
ing, he observed that one OF the horses shoes
had been lost, and directed another 10 be pnt
at the shop attached to the inn. He rose
early the next morning aud resumed his jour
ney, with view of obtaining morning pros
pect OF the mountain and the scenery of the
suljaceat country, which he had heard was
very nnc.
His horse soon began to limp, and was quite
lame when he reached the base of the noun
tain. Supposing that the shoe had been un-
skiilully put on at the inn, he stopped at the
biacksmith's shop, near the foot of the ridge,
and had the horses foot examined. After dill
igent scrutiny, the workman said that the lame
hess was not produced by the shoe, which was
properly adjusted and fastened to the hoof.
By the request of Mr.. Stogdon, the smith
examined all the shoes, but could find no cause
for iameness in the fit make of any of them.
His quick eye, however, detected ring OF
ruffied or lifted hair running around one of the
hind legs of the horse, just above the fetlock.
Raising the hair, he observed that the flesh
was bloody, and much swollen. On more care
ful examination, he discovered that small
cord of silk had been tied tightly around
the leg that it had cut into the flesh producing
Inflammation of the part and, doubtless also the
lameHess of the horse.
The discovery at once excited the suspicion
of the workman, who was both honest and
shrewd. Calling the attention of the traveller
TO the cord, which he speedily detached from
the leg of the horse, he expressed his appre-
heusion that foul play of some sort was mcdi-
tsted. y ftw years before, he related, n rider
less horse had come down from the mountain
and was found to bc lame from similar cause
tight silkcn cord having cut in almost to the
bone of the animals leg. The owner had
never been heard of, and it was believed that
lie was murdered and his body concealed in the
mountain.
Tie Smith suggested to Mr.. Stogdon the
precautIon of examening the priming and
lodGluR OF HIS DlSIOlS. ou cAdlllUlUP, tue
tints and printing in the pans were found to be
in proper condition, but the loads had been
Withdrawn from both barrels, and wads of
cloth substituted in their place.
The susi,icions of Mr.. Stogdon were fully
aroused by these proofs of prcmeditatcd de-
sign OF some sort upon him. He was bold,
brave man, however, and did not once think of
changing his route or of abandoning his jour
ney across the mountains. Carefully reload
ing, and testing the reliability of his pistols,
he bade adieu TO his honest counsellor after
suitably rcwarding him for his labor and advice
and rode off.
The morning was already far advanced when
he began TO ascend the mountain. The road
for several miles wound aloug its southern side
midway between the base and the summit
The prospect was grand and beautiful beyond
his most Sanguine expectations. To the right
the mountain ran down by degrees, abrupt or
regular to the champagne country, which,
stretched out as far as the eye could reach,
was covered with tobacco farms, corn -hclds,
dwellings. and all the diversified objects Pc
euiiar TO Virgini. landscape. On the left
the Blue Ridge rose up like mighty arch
Epringing TO meet and support the sky, eXhib-
itIng in rich profusion, all the grand and most
of the beautiful features of mountain scenery
9 Delighted with the scene and absorbed with
the emotions which it inspired, Mr.. Stogdon
rode slowly forward, recalling only OCCASION
allv, and for a moment, the suspicious excited
by the events OF the morning After running
for nearly five miles along the mountain, the
road by an abrupt turn, struck towards the
summit through deep gorge, whose Jagged
side slanted upwards to great heights on eth
er hand.
Shut out from the prospect of the subIacent
country and hemmed in by steep activities.
Mr.. Stogdon, reverted more frequently to the
mysterious developments which had come TO
light at the blacksmith's shop, and became
both alert and cautious in bis movements
Arranging his pistols so that they could easi-
ly be Withdrawn from the holsters he urged his
horse 10 quick pace as soon as he entered
the gloomy avenue of the narrow gorge.
He had gone about mile, when he saw,
some fifty yards ahead of him, large boulder
or earthly ridge, shooting nearly across the
avenue, and leaving only space broad enough
for tbe road bed, between its edge and the
steep side OF the gorge. 1t was spot favor
able for an attack by surprise, and Mr.. Stogdon