The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1858-03-26


"Tbe very last man in the world you would
take for Gus Karl He is smal--not bit over
five feet six; with light curly hair, smooth
white face, and MT very stout. But, Lord love
ye, he's quick as lightning, and his eyes got
Gre in it. He dresses in all sorts of shapes, but
generally like common hunter. Oh he's
the very devil, I do believe"
After the tub full of whiskev and water
which the host bad provided, was all drunk,
the crowd began to dlsperse, and shortly alter
wards ! went up again to bed and this time
slept on uninterrupted till morning.
l had Just eaten my breaks fast, and bad gone
out to the front door, when a horseman came
dashlng up to the place, himself and animal all
covered with mud. 1t had been raining all
night. The FIRST thing the new conner did was
to inquire for me. | answered al once to the
name, and he then informed me that Lyman
Kemp could not live, and that he wished TO see
me as soon as possible.
"'rhe doctor says be rnnst die" said the
messenger, ''and the poor fellow now only asks
for life long enough to see you"
''Poor Lyman - murmured to myself. $50
young-so hopeful-with so many friends and
fond relatives in his far-of home and taken
down to die in a strange land" told the man
| would set out on my return as quick as posi-
ble. He ate some breakfast and resumed his
journey, being bound as far up as the Pottawatto-
ME border.
eaeny bill, and then sent Tor my horse /;
ANr disappointment awaited me. |
ls9sshe animals ioot swollen very badly, and
aRained him so he could hardly step upon it.
49, been good | should have been
zbaTy bin; bat | knew that in some
A1s8tFs The mud would be deep. | went to the
host and asked hun if he could lend or sell me
horse. He could do neither. His only spare
horse had been shot by the Wabash ro55er.
There was not horse in the place to be OBJ
tanned for any amount Of money. l returned
TO the stable and led cut my horse, but he could
not even walk with any eegreee OF ease. I
could MT use him. l was in despair.
''Laok'ee," said mine host, as began 10 des-
pond, 'scan't you manage a cancer
"Yes-very WELL" told him.
"Then that's your best way. The current is
strong this morning, and without stroke of
the paddle, 'twould take you along fast as
horse could wade through the mud. You shall
have one Of my canoes for just what it is worth,
and you can sell it again at Logansport for as
much"
| caught The proposition instantly. fr eou
Il was good one.
'.If You darcn't shoot the RAPIDS added the
landlord, "ve can easily shoulder the canoe, and
pacg; it around. Tisn't far"
| found the boat TO BE- 4 we'll fashioned ''dUg-
oct" large enough to bear four men with ease,
and at once paid the owner the Price--te dol
lars-and then had my luggage brought down.
gave directions about the treatment Of my
horse, and then put off, The current was quite
rapid-say foar or five miles an hour-but not
at all turbulent, and soon made up my mind
that it was far better than riding on horseback.
The banks Of the river were thickly covered
with large trees, and | saw game in plenty, and
more Than once | was tempted 10 fire the con-
tents of my pistols at the boldest Of the "var-
minis" but [ bad no time, I kept on. Only
one thing seemed wanting, and that was COM
panion, bat ! was destined 10 find one soon
enough.
1t was shortly after noon, and had eaten
my dinner Of bread and cold meat, when / came
10 place where the river made an abrupt bend
to the right, and little further on l came 10 an
abrupt basin where the current formed per-
feet whirlpool. did not notice it until my
canoe got into if, and found myself going round
instead of going ahead. ] piled my wood pad
die with all my power, and soon succeeded in
shooting out from the current: but, in doing so,
ran myself upon the low sandy shore. The
efor. had fatigued ne not little, and as found
myself thus suddenly moored, resolved to rest
few minutes
had been in this position some ten minutes
when was startled by hearing football close
by me, and on looking upI saw a man at that
side Of my boat. He was young looking per-
son, not over tv o-and-thrty, and seemed to be
huntcr.-He wore wolf-skin shirt, leggin's
of red leather, and a cap of bear-skin.
(which way are you bound, stranger % he
asked in pleasing tone.
'Down the river to Logansport," replied
"That's fortunate. ! wish to go there myself
the stranger resumed. "What say you to nv
taking the other paddle, and keeping you compa-
n.y."
Il should ike it," told him frankly "Pvc
! been wanting company"
$50 have l." added the hunter. "And rye
| been wanting some better mode of conveyance
than these worn out legs, through the deep for
est"
''Come on said and as Ispoke, be leap
| ed into the canoe, and having deposited his
rifle in the bow, he took one OF the paddles and
told me he was ready when ] was. So we push
| ed off, and were soon clear of the whirlpool.
For an hour we conversed freely. The stran-
ger told me his name was Adams, and that his
/ father lived at Columbus. He was out on
hunting and exploring expedition with some
companions, who had gone on to Logansport
by horse, he having got separated from then
in the night, losing his horse into the bar
gam. He said that he had great sum Of money
about his person, and that was one reason why
he disked to travel in the forest.
Thus he opened his affairs TO me, and
/ was fool enough TO be equally frank / admitted