Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1858-04-09
VOL. XII.
A NIGHT OF PERIL.


some years since, myself aud companion,
Dick H, drew up our horses after hard
davis ride, in front OF the comfortable inn
kept by old Maj L.. on the turnpike
Leading IRON N lsiIvile to Louisville. The
Old IL jpr is quite celebrity in those parts,
for he was one of the early settlers OF Ken
lucky. aud participated in many weli-con-
tested field with the red SONS of the forest.
He is free, open hearted, joviai companion ,
and can brew the best apple toddy ever
drank
Supper being dispatched, we adjourned to
the bar-room, where blazing log FIRE roared
and cracked, before which long row of
golden pippius were roasting, preparatory to
the expected and ever welcome toddy.
"Boys.'' says the Major, as he placed the
decanter of sold rye'' and glasses little
table by the side OF his great arm chair,
a.wbile them apples is roastin' I'll tell you a
little adventure | once had, and which hap
pened on the very road which you will have
to travel tomorrow.
"Do, Major replied Dick, whose passion
for hair-breadth escapes was second only to
his love for women, ''coue let Us have it, y
and he drew his chair closer to the old Ma
jOr.
Thirty years ago, boys, Kentucky was
not what she is now. Then this part of the
country was comparatively a wilderness
with an occasional IDiun scouting about,
and fellows of all shades and casts, worse,
il possible, than the red devils themselves
| done u g,od business them days, in the
horse trading line, aud early one morning
II cold snowy December morning it was
too-Feielt Nashville with several thousand
dollars IL belt around my body. The
horse rode a splendid animal, dark
oay. tail sixteen aud a half hands high, and
he carried me on my way right lively until
evening had begin 10 gather in had rid
den about iorty miles, and was looking about
tor some stopping place, when the road en-
tered dark. narrow pass between two high
spurs 0. the mountain. In fact it was as
desoia;e looking place as one would wish
To see, and felt chilled the moment ent er-
ed it. Well, had not advanced far when
a sudden turning Of the road revealed large
duuoie log cabin, which looked more like a
tort than d dwelling. However, it was my
only chance, So | determined to make the
best OF it: so riding up to the fence | gave a
loud s.halloo." A coarse featured slaternly
looking woman came to the door and told
me to ''lght'' | did so; and, after tieng
my horse in little shed, fed him, and enter
the house.
''The room | entered was used both as a
| bedroom and sitting roum. A log fire
bazed up the chimney. and before 1t were
seated two OF the most vilianoas looking
chaps ever saw. Tney were playing 'old
sledge' with Il greasy deck of cards, and,
with the exception OF u long stare, took no
| notice of my entrance.
ssThe woman busted herself in the kitch-
en-, and presently we sal down to tolerabie
| supper, Tor which my hard days ride had CIV
en- me an appetite. My two companions
ate voraciouSly, more like brutes than men,
and had frequent recourse to they whiskey
bottle; drink OF which, however, the new
er offered me. Immediately after supper
| they both left the room together, beckoning
the woman to follow, which she did. was
more than once tempted 10 leave the house
but the darkness deferred me. Presently
| the moman returned, and as / had finished
my pipe | desired to be shown to my bed
She took light and followed her into the
kitchen, and showing the ladder, she SAD
would find place to sleep over head. as
cended the ladder, closed the trap door a
the head oi 1t, and found myself in small
loft, containing two beds, but no carpet, ant
lighted by a single hole, cut in the logs
Finding no means of fastening the trap-d 90
| placed two chairs over it, SO that they
would fall the momen: the trap was raised
| also examined rifle -barreled pistol an
placed il together with my knife under tn
pillow. Determined to guard against sur
prise, looked under my bed, and seeing
long narrow looking box | tried TO draw
out but failed. then took the candle an
lifted the lid Boys" (and the major visib
, shuddered as he spoke al have seen DEATH
, almost every shape, but | have never seen
sight that sickened me as that did. Ther
lay inthat box a man, with his throat cut fror
earto ear-cold and ghastly, and apparent
not long dead. | dropped the lid al
! Jumped to the window TO get fresh air, ft
/: nearly took away my breath. 1t was a
m then. | was certain that | was trapped
and that my own death was being fixed uF
!, on by the cut-throats down below. | mu:
try to escape, but how that was to be-don
was more than could tell, If caught dt
termined to sell my lite as dearly as poss
ble | slid into my clothes secured my mone'
. and touk another look at my fint-fock.-
. Suddealv The idea struck me that | migi
: escape by the window. It was not from II
uround-about fourteen teei--aDd l dete
! mined to try it. took down the sash, al
- stuck my head out and listened. All VI
i still. Now or never, thought |, as sqeez'
:, my self through the narrow hole and drop2,
10 the ground. lit on my back, as aiwa,
:, do when tail, SO it did not hurt me, and,
. sing, Groped NV way to the shed where II
horse was | saddIed him rather rapidl
q and was just mounting when the door Of Il
house opened and the light blazed on me-
:, The rascals saw me, and, rushing out wi
an oath, tried to head me from the bars,
i, took couple OF digs with my heels at Il
=. bay, and pushed him at the fence. Over
,r wen, taking off the top rail, and bull
80 sung along by my head as started off.
N was an uncommuny active ride | had tn
n. night, and though did not fear their overt
n. king me, yet ! had presentiment that it W
n better to hurry along. l know you'll 4
- believe me when | say it, but it's positi
70 fact, did not stop until l galloped up to t
tavern door in the town oil ScottsvIlle, TIVE
ty miles, il it was an inch. Boys that's t
yarn, and it's true, every word as t
- you"
ks "But, Major" exclaimedthe excited Di'
es "didn't you GO back the next day and arr
IT. them!"
re .'No. exactly, my friend," replied the
il major, with low, quiet laugh. ''It's hi
tie matter, even now, to bring a man to just
OF in Kentucky. Then, the idea was ridi'
nd Ious. However, had the satisfaction
of learning, few weeks afterwards, that c