The River Falls journal. (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1857-1861, 1858-04-14

lie WAS out now on mere hunting and
prospecting excursion with some compan-
ions who had gone on to Lcganport hy
horse, and having cot separated from
them in the night, had lost bis horse into
the bargain. He said he had great sum
Of money about his person, and that was
one reason why he disliked to travel in
the forest.
Thus he opened hia-affairs to me. and
| WAS fool enough TO be equally frank
| admitted that | had some money, and
told him my business; and by most
quiet and unpresuming course of remark,
he drew from me the fact that / had
enough money to purchase forty full lots.
Finally the conversation Jagged, and l
began to give my companion closer
scrutiny. | sat in the stern of the canoe
and he was about midships, and facing
me. He was not largo man, nor was
he tell. His hair was Of light flaxen
hue, and hung in long curls about his
neck; his features were regular and hand
some, and his complexion very light
But the color of his face was not what
one would call far 1t was cold, blood
less color, like pale marble. And for the
first time, too, | now looked particularly
at his eyes. They were grey IN color,
and had the brilliancy Of glazing ice
Their light was intense, but cold and gilt
tering like snakes. When l thought
Of his age, l set him down for not much
over thirty.
Suddenly sharp cold shudder ran
through my frame, and my heart leaped
with wild thrill. As sure as tate---I
knew it-there could be no Doubt had
taken into my canoe, and into my conf
dcnce, Gustayus Karl, the Wabash Rob
Der! For q few moments feared that
my emotions would betray me. looked
carefully over his person again, and I
knew was not mistaken. l could look
back now and see how cunningly he had
led me on to confession of my circum-
stances--how he had made me tell my
affairs, md reveal the state Of mY fnan-
ces. What fool | had been! But it
was too late to think of the past. l had
enough to do to look ont for what was
evidently to come. sot,
| at last managed to overcome all my
outward emotions, and began to watch
my companion more sharply and closely.
Ny pistols were both handy, and ! knew
they were in order, for / had examined
them both in the forenoon, when | thq't
of firing at some game. aa
They were in my bIeast pockets, which
pockets had beon made on purpose for
them, and [ could reach them at any in
staut. Another hour passed away, and
by that time | felt assured that the robber
would make no attempt on me TIL after
nightfal. He said it would be convenient
now that we were together, to run all
night, as one could steer the canoe while
the other slept
save" added with a smile; that is
good for me, for every hour is valuable.
[ would not miss meeting my friend for
the world"
cob! you'll meet him, never fear"
said my companion.
All! he spoke with too much meaning.
[ understood it well. l knew what that
sly tone, and that strange cleaning OF the
eve meant. He meant that he would put
me on the road to meet poor Kemp in the
other world! | wondered only now that
I had not detected the rohber when ! first
saw him, for the expression Of his face was
so leartless, so icy-and then his eyes
had such wicked look-that the most
unpractised physiognonist could not have
failed to detect the robber at once.
During the remainder of the afternoon
we conversed some, but not as freely ms
bafora couId sec that the villains eyes
were not so frankly bent upon me as he
spoke, and then he seemed inclined to
avoid my direct glanees. These move
ments on bis part were not studied, nor
even Intentional; but they were instinct
i've, as though his very nature led HIM
thus. At length night came on. We
ate our supperand then smoked our pipes,
and finally my companion proposed that
| should sleep before he do. At first |
thought of Directing, but few moments
reflection told me that bad better behave
as though he was an honest man; so
agreed TO his proposition. He took my
seat at the stern, and | moved furthei
forward. and having removed the thwart
upon which my companion had been ST
TING / spread my cloak in the bottom q
the canoe, and then having placed my
valise for pillow, lay down. As soor
rs possible / drew out one of my pistols
and beneath the cover OF a cough | cooked
~ L-~Iv 81 TIM my