The Placer herald. [volume] (Auburn, Placer County, Calif.) 1855-1991, 1859-10-08
Remarkable Adventure with Highway

clans of brave warriors to every battlefield,
in this piping time of peace pour forth in
nunearbIe herds of cattle, to perish between
the Unsuitable jaws Of the proud Southron.
At the proper season, on set day, the stock
is driven in from all the surrounding region
to some appointed place-the foot of noun
tain, the side of lake, or near castle, or,
in neighboring village, or, more likely still,
battlefeld-and herdsmen are elected to
accompany the different portions into which
the drove is divided. So far, all is plain
sailing, calling for the display of no con-
siderable amount Of skill; but when cattle
from thousand hills are gathered together,
competent chief is required to conduct the
four. footed army on its weary march across
the border. The person must be man.
"All are not men who wear the human
FORM" etc. He must be one in whom the
owners have the utmost contidence-honest,
brave and skllful. The "topsman," rs he is
called, is responsible for everything; he di-
reefs all the movements, gives the signal
when to move or when to halt; is always
busy-now in front and then in the rear; and
is consulted by his subordinates in all diff
cuties. Such person must evidently be
whole man, and just exactly such man was
Kenneth Murdock, the hero of our sketch.
1t was bright, cloudless autumn day,
that Kenneth. astride powerful horse, with
big broadsword clankng against his sad
die, and a strong, fierce wolf hound 10y his
side, was pushing his way northward to the
border. He had just disposed in the Eng
lish markets, of one Of the largest droves
that ever left the Highlands. and with the
proceeds of the sale in his pockets was hast
ening homeward in advance of his compa-
nie.; for, beside his desire to account to his
employers, there was a certain Maggie that
he had promised, in case his cattle sold rea
dIy and well, to transfer into Mrs. Murdock,
and he was, therefore. very naturally anxious
to get on as fast as possible, for ho knew
that Maggie was equally impatient to be-
hold lhem-as well she might be, for a hand
somer, broader shouldered, curtier whiskered
young fellow, is not often to be seen.
His road lay across solitary part of the
country, and for several hours he had seen
no other living creature than his dog aud
his horse; but rs he emerged from little
wood tat bordered the highway, he per-
ceived a short distance before him, we'll
dressed, aristocratic gentleman, upon coal
black charger, eisurly advancing in the same
direction as himself
"a fac dog, master drover," said the gen
tleman, as he drew up abreast of him.
"Fine as a fiddler" returned Kenneth.
"A lonesome road this" said the stranger
"and am by no means sorry to have met
with n companion"
l, is a solitary bit Of travel for a sociabIe
lad," remarked Kenneth, and they fell int"
pleasant conversation. At length the stran-
GER who had been talking of the martial
spirit of the Highlanders, remarked:
"As brave as you Highand-rs are, won
der how you dare traverse the country alone
with SO much English gold as you drovers
generally have in your pockets"
"Poohv calculated Kenneth, contemptu-
ously, "if we have English gold in the or
ran, We have Scottish steel in the sheath"
"A good broadsword is a friend" said the
stranger, "but pistol is far quicker"
AYE, but pistol may miss fire-the flint
may slip, or the ball may 60 wide, and then
what is good Of it? No, no, give me the
good steel that's always ready and I'm
afraid of no highwayman in the land"
"Not even Of the renowned Capt Gordon,
who is said to be somewhere in this vicinity"
said the stranger in banter!ng tone.
"That for Capt. Gordon, returned Ken
meth, swapping his fingers and touching the
hilt of his sword, with Andrew Ferrara
here, and Bran there" nodtling to the huge
wolf hound beside him, "l',l not fear to meet
him this minute or to spit in his face any
where"
What" exclaimed the other, in tone
so expressive of doubt as to be offensive. If
your swords real Ferra? Such blades are
very scarce"
"Do you doubt my word?" asked Kenneth
sharply.
Moo; only as I before remarked, such
| blades are not common"
"By Jupiter, I'll convince you them said
Kenneth, unsheathing his sword, and point
ing to the makers name and the date.
''It is as you say" replied the other, pois
ing it in his hand, as though to weigh tae
weapon, rather than to admire it.
"rake it by the hlt, man." said Kenneth
that's no way to try a sword"
The stranger seized it by the hilt, and
making his horse leap suddenly forward
struck such furious blow at poor Bran hal
his head flew at least ten PAGES from hi'
body; then turning upon the petri6ed drover
said:
"Your money or your life! You see tina
even Highlander may be matched
"Who in Satan's name are youg gaspet
Kenneth, bewildered by the unexpected turf
affairs had taken.
IL am that Capt. Gordon, whose face yo'
proposed to spit into, and I have sworn t
take you with your own weapon. So nov
dismount, and shsll that drove Of cattle ou
of your pockets before | split your hea'