Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1858-12-03


bersl" said he, as we were approaching small
cump of trees, which were thickly studded
with underbrush.
81 should think not" replied.
But his remarks had awakened in my mind
a suspicion, and | kept my eyes intenily fixed
upon the woods, which lay TO the right of us,
and close to which our road ran. l saw this
troubled my companion, aud he tried by every
possible means to divert my attention 10 some
other direction. This ouly continued to arouse
my suspicious, and taken in connection with
the manner IN which he came into mS compa-
ny, destroyed all the confidence of honesty /
had few moments before reposeG in him.
We now reached the densest part of the
woods, and | noticed he rode more closely to
my horses lead, and glanced uueasily toward
the timber; but at the same time he watched
me closely.
| passed my hand behind, but no sooner was
it beneath my coat than he had seized the rein
of my bride in Que haud, aud with the othera
pointed pistol to my breast.
''Another move, and you are dead man.
Your money, sir" he demanded.
"Ah highway robber," said /, gazing on
him in wonder. 81 suspected rs much, but you
were too sharp for me-"
81 know it, he replied, eve all have to be
fast in this Western county; we have fast
world out here; bat your money, aud save me
the trouble of pulling this trigger.
.'Wen," thought L, 81 may be even with you
yet"
''You viii spare my lie if | give you all my
money :" | asked, pretending To be scared al
most out of my senses. Perhaps, tho3gh, it
was not al pretence, for | must confess | felt
kild of light about the heart, aud my hair
moved on my head as if its electricity was all
positive, aud each respective hair wished to get
as far away from lis fellows as possible.
81 wiil sp4re your life, though it is contrary
to Dy rules. have aud will follow the mot
to-'Dcad men tell no tales
understood bis meaning perfectly, aud
knew it would be but contest for life, AMI
why should | submit tamely
:'Well,' said |, ''it is heart sickening to
part with the honest earnings of life of Sc
we're toll, without receiving any compensa-
tioG.
II give you your lifc," he replied, sand if
you do as all the rest OF mankind do--prey up
on your fellows for gain-you will soon make
up the auouLt YOU may Accommodate me with.
Conc, be basty, Tor | have more work before
me-
| moved forward in my saddle, aud drew up
my saddIebags, and then fixed myself again in
my seat.
jus hold that, said /, drawing out a bun
die Of shirts, aud handing them to him. He
Immediately replaced his pistol, and taking the
bundle held it very patiently
"Please hold that Bible, too, my money is
in each cud, aud Of course the bottom arti-
cle."
] again thrust my hand iuio the saddlebags,
but this time drew out long pistol, and in-
stantly it was at his breast.
''Move, or make the least noise," fairly
screamed with excitement, ':and | will blow
you through the beart.'
With my left hand fastened the rein of his
bride over the horn of my saddle, and with
my eyes staring him full in the face, reached
forward with my left hand and removed his pis-
tols--two large reyolyers.
tie turned p4le when ho found himself dis
armed, and with sckly smile, said, "You have
been too sharp for me''
"Yes," replied; ''this Western country is
fast country, and have been u itto too fast
Cor you"
Still holding the pistol to his breast, re-
placed the articles as best | could in NV sad
dlebags, and adjusted them with all their con-
tents IN their accustomed place. l tken re-
leased the bride rein, and still leveling the
pistol toward him | rode forward. and when at
respectable distance, put my horse into
canter.
s'We'll meet again." lie yelled after me,
shaking his fist menacingly.
1t had become quite dark when | approach
ed small house, staudiug alone on the prairie
L rode up ID front of it, and dsmounting, fas-
tened my horse to stake which seemed as if
driven IN the ground for that purpose. saw
a light through tie door, which stood slightly
aJar, aud on approaching 1t, heard several per-
sons IN conversation. ] raped against the ca
sing, and immediately hurley looking indi-
vldual made bis appearance.
Scan | stay all night 90 / asked scrutiniz-
ing him as well as | could iu the light which
shone diinly from candle.
'SWell, strang nger, reckon you kin, if you
put up with sich fare az kin give you"
81 AIN in no way particular" | replied, $50
/ am protected for the night
'Well, yes, that's all right, jist walk in,
and iii take care of your horse."
| walked in, with my saddlebags on my arm,
ard there sat two men-great muscular-look-
ing monsters, with stiff hair, coarse savage fea-
lures aud long dirty boards.
took seat and waited patiently for the
landlord. When he came in, thought | no.
ticed something strange i'll bis conduct, and he
watched me rather closely, aud seemed very
anxious to get a glance beneath my coat.
You'll have supper, reckon, be said, step
ping before me, and endeavoIing to make a
bow.
NO. sir | replied harshly, for saw in the
actions of the man that which convinced me |
would not eat second one. Though hungry,