Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1858-09-29
From the Q. S. Police Gazett".l
A DANGEROUS ROAD;
gow I Captured Seven Robbers.
A SKETCH OF PRAIRIE LIFE.
By JOHN KENNEDY.

ann which we had endured a few hours
before
Nv .addle-bags were heavy from the
,eigh. of coiu | carried in them. was en-
route for land office, at which | was to
enter land, not only for myself, but for
Vthes.
| observed horscmah ahead of M, aud
travelling slo~ y in the same direction as
myself | was not very anxious fer com
p.py, and therefore did not hasten my pace,
but kept at slow gait. The man ahead of
me slackened his speed, and seemed deter
mined | should oyertake him. | accordingly
slackened mine. He di,mounted to fix some
thing about his saddle. | stopped to observe
the landscape, He attempted to mount
His horse was fractious, and mime was per-
fectly docile At length he reached the sad
die. | dismouutcd; my rigging was out of
order He dropped hls rein, aud left his
horse to Craze | examined my pistols and
looked well 10 my knife. lie cast a long
look at me, and then rode forward, at which
mounted and pursued my journey His
conduct had been suspicious | was fully
aroused to seuse OF danger. Could the man
lncau me harm or was he anxious for COM
paUy to while away the monOtony aud loneh
sess Of the route :!
For mile or Two he kept ct = very re
,p.ctable distance. and | began to think l
Nond not be troubled with his immediate
company Suddenly his horse wheeled in
his course. and came dashing furiously to,
wards me. His movement was executed 50
rapidly, and was unexpected, that | was
ata loss hox To act But as sclf-dcfence is
one of the first laws of nature, found .he
fTst suggestion which came to my mind, and
wl;h il came my pistol.
Peace rail he, 1T the same time hold
ius his hand up before him my horse took
fright sDd ran away With ne." ...
Indeed ~ | replied. '.Wla at = curious
horse. | thouS tn myself while | carefully
'urreycd the animsl-ani a uDblc beast hc
''lI's very lonesome travelling alone over
these prslrirS. and their wild samcness al
mos: friehtcus inc. / had half miud this
.norIAius %c 'lE osrr until met with COM
Iany."
You stranger in these parts, | re-
marked, as closely Scrutnlzcd the man
features. aud psrsic ulsrly observed every par;
Of his clnttiug alid equipments.
observed nothing suspicious about him
hut on the contrary, he sccmrd to be like
nvsclf-x traveller. Ills cnny rsatiou MA.
In sAu.t, uUr acquaintance was soon CON
pIrtc, snd thousht ! had miSjuigcd III,
man. lie was on the same business travel
ling 20 the same place. ami Intended to pu
up At the same hotel where | intended t.
-tp.
in addition to other facts, he informed m,
he lad five thousand dollArs in actual cash il
Air raddle-LaSs, which he was going 10 in
vest in lands In return for his unsolicitc,
confidence, acquainted him with the amour
in nv possession. at which he expressed n
surprise. bat rather intimated that it
small amount.
Il wonder if there is any danger of rob
bcrs?" ,sid he, We were approaching
small clump of trees, which were thickl
studded S,th undcrbrush-
Il should think not" | replied.
But his remarks had aw akcnsd in my min
n suspicion, Aud kept my eye iutcutIy ike
upon the woods, which lay to the right {
US. and close to which our road ran. | So
this troubled my companion, and he tried b
every possible means to divert my attentio
to some other direction. This only continue
.ny suspicious, and taken in connection wit
the manner in which he came into my con
pauy, destroyed all the confidence of homes;
/ had few moments before rep"sed III hiu
We now reached the densest part OF til
woods and noticed he rode more closely I
INV horses head, and glanced uneasily Il
ward. the timber; but at the same tin
watched. me closely.
| passed my hand behind, but no soont
was it beneath my coat than he seized tt
rein of my bride in one hand and with tt
other pointed pistol to my breast.
Another move aud you are dead man
Your money. sir" he demanded.
"Ah. a highway rob!er," said [, gain
upon him in wonder. II supposed as mucl
but you were too sharp for me-"
Il know it, he replied, I'VE all have
be sharp in this western country; we have
East world out here; but your money. an
save me the trouble of pulling this trigger
well" thought l, Il may be even vii
you yet"
You will spare my life if Igive you q
my money y?" asked, pretending to
scared almost out of my senses Perhap
though. it was not all preteuce, for confe
felt kind of light about the heart. and Il
hair moved on my head 40 if its electrei
was all positive. and each respective ha
wished to get as far away from lis fellows
possible Ana
II will spare your life, though it is CO.
trary to my rules have and will follow Il
motto, Dead men tell nc tales p'
I understood his meaning perfectly, al
knew it would but be contest for life, al
Why should submit tamely!
Well" said ], al. Is heart siekeniDg