St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1859-05-05

uiiouhucu his cottage, lie heard the
report Of rifle seemingly at no great
distance from him. Gordon started
and quickly examining the printing of
his rifle which was suspended from
his shoulder-bclt, FASTENED in the di-
rcction of the sound. Before he had
reached the half mile which he imag.
med might intervene, he was sudden
y biouShL 10 a stand SUN ny Inc GA
clamation Of "Ho there |! Gordon
looked up somewhat surprised, and
beheld within few feet of him one
of the most ferocious looking beings
that he had ever seen. lie stood with
his rifle aimed full at Gordon, his face
was cnvelcped in black beard, while
the hair upon his head hung in ell-like
locks upon his shoulders. lie wore
upon his head cap formed of mar
mot skin, while a sort Of loose hunt
ing frock of deer.skin hung in folds
from his shoulder to his knee, and his
limbs were encased in leggins Of buf-
falo hide, while an undressed thong of
the same leather encircled his waist,
to which was attached rude powder
horn and bulletpouch. After hosting
the butt of his rife in token of friend
ship and submission, Gordon asked in
a loud voice, Whether he was friend
or foe ?" 81 am friend to nobody"
answered the stranger whether am
foe depends upon circumstances
Gordon had meanwhile approached
nearer to the stranger and proffered
him his hand, which he cordially
grasped, exclaiming, :" It's in the ma
ture of man to be an enemy, and al
ways keep my eye clear for fight,
though you look as if you meant we'll !!
AS | am more than match for you
any way, Pll venture to shake hands,"
May ask" interrogated Gordon,
how long you have dwelt in this
solitude ?"
al live not far from here" was the
reply, and go out once in a while to
pick up stray deer or SO !"
How long have you lived in these
parts ?" asked Gordon again.
Six or seven MONTHS" was the re-
ply. II generally stay about that
time in one spot. Next week shall
move away"
"Why do you move SO often," said
Gordon.
Because" replied the stranger, a
fierce light cleaning in his eye, Pm
seeking one who lives somewhere in
Kansas. Perhaps you know him his
name is Bob Ililton?"
"And your name," exclaimed Cor
don is Herbert Vaughn !"
In an instant his rife was primed
and pointed at Gordon's breast, but
the latter grasped it and the contents
passed harmlessly y into the air. Again
however, before he could utter one
word the stranger folded him in his
herculean embrace and bore him to
the ground. Gordon was man of
great personal strength as well as
courage, yet he seemed only an infant
iii the grasp of the desperate man, and
almost expected every moment to be
crushed to death. When the stranger.
looking his victim full in the face, re-
leased his hold, exclaiming, You're
not the man l should know him
among thousand ! You are not
Robert Hilton. Get up, man, and
thank your stars l had not shook your
heart out of you
Gordon then proceeded to tell his
name and brought to mind the part he
had enacted in the quarrel Of years
before. Vaughn (for it was him) again
shook the hand of his old comrade,
and at length said
well, if you can find place in
your cabin for buffalo like me, III
go with you. If not, say so y
OF course Gordon invited him to
partake of his hospitality, and during
the evening meal Vaughn related the
details of his singular flight from
home and the erratic life he was lead
ing +; while his host as he regarded
his bronzed cheek and hardened fea-
lures could scarcely believe him the
same bright-eyed and graceful strip
ling, the Herbert Vaughn of other
days.
When Robert Hilton put that
ragged bullet INTO me-" exclaimed
Vaughn, "for being better than he
was, iseoncluded to load and prime
my rifle, and step over the border,
trusting to my ramrod for help in the
hour Of need. l have travelled and
tramped," he continued, "from east to
west, from north to south, and searched
in every dark nook and corner, but
have not yet found the man. But the
time is coming. | shall trace him to
his den and settle all arrears. Here's
a ragged bullet "he exclaimed, draw
ing one from side pocket and holding
ing it up, and then replacing it again
with an air of composurc.
Evening at length came, and some
thing of the old geniality seemed to
be reused in the nature of Vaughn as
he sat before the blazing fire in Cor
don's cabin and related anecdotes of
his boyhood.
Suddenly knock was heard at the
door, loud and startling, and both Cor
don and Vaughn started to their feet.
The former, however, advanced and
opened the door, and before him stood
an armed man dressed as common
hunter, and carrying a rifle in his hand.
Gordon with the cordiality which
the denizens of the prai-
rie and solitary dweller in the lonely
cabin, invited the stranger to his fire
side, and the new conner strobe in and
took seat, laying his rifle on the
floor beside him.
"Are you friends here, or are you
inclined for fight ?" he asked, after
q pause. 81 like to know how stand |
always in company"
81 am not particular" replied
Vaughn. "But as | don't see any
need of quarrel, suppose We say
"yery good,' replied the stranger.
am myself sorry to quarrel, for
when do | am apt to use one of my
here | never bark, but !
,an bite when there's need