Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1859-06-11
5f(istellaneeus.
TALE OF THE SOUTH.
DEN OF THE ROBBERS.

A1AGk% Va A1Al wv S2S
DEN OF THE ROBBERS.
Soon after the close Of the last war between
Great Britain and the United States, Thorn
as Stogdon, a tobacco planter, living in the
western part Of Virginia, started on jour
ney for the purpose Of transacting some pri-
vate Business which required his, attention
in one of the northeastern counties Of that
State. His route lay across one of the iof-
test spurs Of Blue Ridge, the longest ahd
most picturesque mountain range in the
South
AS the times were troubled, and the pass.
age across the mountains considered danger
Gus on account Of the robbers VI o infested
them, Mr.. Stogdon went not only well noun
ted but well armed-a brace Of trusty horse
mems pistols being carried, according to The
custom Of the day, in front Of the rider and
attached to the fore part Of the saddle.
The third night after leaving home ht
stopped at roadside inn, distant about five
miles from the base of the mountain. Or
dismounting, he observed one Of lis horses
shoes had been lost, and directed another tx
b. put on at the shop alta ched to the inn
He rose early next morning and resumed
his journey, with view of obtaining NOR
ming prospect Of the mountain and the scene
ny of the adjacent country, which he had
heard was very fine.
His horse soon began to limp, and was
quite lame when he reached the base Of the
mountain. Surprising that tie shoe had
been unskillfully pat on at the inn, he stop
ped at blacksmitl's shop near the foot Of
the ridge and hadthe horses foot examined
After diligent scratiny, the workman said
that the lamenes, was not produced by the
shoe, which asproperly adjusted and fast
ened to tie hof.
At the requst Of Mr. Stogdon, the smith
examined all Ae shoes, could find no cause
for lameness j the fit or make of any Of them.
His quick eye, however, detected ring Of
rufled or lited hair running around one Of
the hind legs Of the horse. Just above the
fetock. Raising the hair he observed that
the flesh Sas bloody and much swollen
On morecareful examination h. discovered
that snall cord of silk had been tied SO
tightly around the leg that it had cut into
the Aeh. producing inflammation of the part
ard doubtless, also the lameness of the
horse
TIE discovery at once excited the suspi-
cion Of the workman, who was both honest
aud hrewd. Calling the. attention Of the
ira 1eler to the cord which he speedily de-
|deached from the leg Of the horse, he ex-
pressed his apprehension that foul play Of
sane sort was meditated A few years be-
fire, he related, a riderless horse had come
homs the mountains and was found to be
lame from a similar cause, tight silken
cord having cut almost to the bone of the
leg. The owuer had never been
heard of, end it was believed that he had
been murdered and his body concealed in
the mountain.
The smith suggested to Mr.. Stogdon the
precaution of examining the printing and
loading Of his pistols. On examination the
lints and printing in the pans were found
to be in proper condition, but the loads had
been withdrawn from both barrels, and wads
of cloth substituted in their place.
The suspicious Of Mr. Stogdon were fully
aroused by these proofs Of premeditated de-
sign Of some sort upon him. He was a bold
brave man, however and did not once think
either Of changing his route or abandoning
his journey across the mountains. Careful
ly re-loading and testing the reliability Of
his pistols, he babe adieu to his honest coun-
selor, after suitably rewarding him for his
labor and advice, and rode off
The morning was already far advanced
when Ee began to ascend the mountain -
The road for several miles wound along the
southern side, midway between the base
and the summit. The prospect was grand
ana beautiful beyond bis most sanguine an
topations TO the right the mountain sank
down by degrees, abrupt or regular, to the
margin of the champaign country below,
which stretch Oft as far as the eye can reach
and was covered with tobacco farms, corn
fields, dwellings, and all the diversified OBJ
jects peculiar to Nirginiailandscape On
the left the Blue Ridge rose up like NIGH
ty arch springing to meet end support the
sky, exhibiting in rich profession all the
grand and most OF the beautiful features Of
mountain scenery. 49,. o#t
Delighted with the scene, and absorbed
With the emotions which it inspired, Mr..
Stogdon rode slowly forward, recalling only
occasionally, and only for moment, the
excited by the events Of the NOR
ming. After running for nearly five miles
along the side Of the mountain, the road by
an abrupt turn, struck toward the summit,
through deep gorge whose ragged sides
slanted upward to great nights on either
hand
Shut out from the prospect of the subja-
cent country, and hemmed in by steep &C.