Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-10-19
WALKING THE PLANK

| The history of the West is one long record
| of bloody and atrocious deeds. Bands of out
| laws traversed the forests, ,robbng, numbering
| and committing all sorts of outrages. Not
| the least in the dark and interminable cata-
| logue is the little event we are about to lay
| before oar kind readers. We heard the story
| from the lips of one who professed-and we
| have no good reason to doubt his word-to
have played prominent part in the thrilling
| occurrence, and we give it to the reader just
| as we heard it,
/ Some years ago, said the narrator, friend
and myself agreed to take tramp, hunter
/ fashion, through the great wilderness of the
Northwest. Having provided ourselves with
what things We thought actually necessary,
and nothing more, we started upon our peril
ous Journey; for that was perilous We were
/ fully aware, and every reader will admit. Af-
/ ter encountering innumerable hardships and
many dangers, we found ourselves in the wild
est Kind of region, many miles distant from
the haunts of, civilization. Already we had
passed through enough to have discouraged
most men but we were young and full of blood,
| and not easily put out or frightened. This swas
particularly the case with my companion, whose
name was Andrew HUFF. Both of us were per-
! fectly healthy, as strong as iron, and conside-
rably experienced in the use of such articles
| as rifles, pistols, and bowie knives. In all
| these respects we could hold out with the best;
/ had it been otherwise, We should never have
| lived TO reach the point at which we finally ar
! rived.
Just about dark one evening in the latter
par. of July, after hard days tramp, We hal
| ted for the night. darker, deeper, lonelier
solitude than that which surrounded us, it
woud be hard to imagine. Silently we built
a little fire and cooked our supper silently
we ate it. Worn out, and for the time being
slightly dispirited, we were in no humor for
| conversation. For some time sat by our
camp fire without uttering a single word, and
| almost tVifhOpf mnVinp I thinl<inO of
home and absent friends, and it is only rea-
| sonablc to suppose that HUFF was similarly
occupied. After the lapse of some time, our
| fire burnt low, and l arose to replenish it
the bark of wolf startled me, and involun-
! tariy addressed my companion. Huff did not
answer me, however, but t,without noticing the
| circumstance, L threw quantity of faggots
on the fire aud addressed him.
| s.Take a few hours rest, Andy, and I'll keep
watch,'' said /, ssand after that you can do the
| same by me.''
Still got no answer, and then began to
notice my companions unusual taciturnity.
ssAnything the matter, Andy ?'' said /, re-
garding him closely.
| No answer again.
s.Thats little strange" muttered, mo-
| wing over toward my companion.
Huff was sitting facing the fire, with his
| head bent down upon his knoes. l shook him
without arousng him. Finally. raised his
| head, and at once became conscious that he was
| soundly, deeply asleep. Laughing off the
| fears that had for a few moments oppressed
me. left Huff to enjoy his nap, and settled
myself down as Comfortably as the circum-
| stances would permit.
| was very drowsy, and despite our perilous
situation despite every effort [ made to the
! contrary, could not entirely resist the over
powerlng influence of sleep. Occasionally
started up suddenly, and found had been do
zing. The last time l was aroused, was a.
I a., = T,,y,,
| feet, l beheld the fierce animal not dozen
PAGES distant, his ravenous eyes glaring upon
| me from the darkness. Selling up brand,
| | flung it at the rapacious monster with all my
| strength. 1t struck him full in the face, and
with terrible howl he darted off into the
woods. Huff did not awake, did not even stir,
I so sound his repose.
After that did not feel much inclined to
| sleep, though nothing more was to be seen or
heard. l examined my rifle and pistols, piled
more fagots on the fire, and kept on the move,
my eyes and ears open for any more nocturnal
visitors. Some time passed quietly, and be-
gan to grow insnfferaby weary. Every mus
Gle relaxed, and a drowsy torpor gradually
stole over me. Ny eyes closed unconsciously
my knees bent beneath me, and was about
T dropping to the ground, when was suddenly
| aroused by the sound of mans voice =
s:Hello, fellers, how dyer dol'' Were the
words that fell upon my ears, and aroused me
to full consciousness. ~
/ [ looked around in bewilderment. Our lit
| tie camping ground encircled by dozen
or more brawuy, fierce looking desperadoes.
1t was complete surprise, and on the spur of
the moment Iyelled aloud =
SANDY, Andy, wake up ~
eyes, wake mp, Andy 2" echoed the outlaws
loudly and derisively.
Aroused at last, my comrade sprang to his
feet, and next moment was standing by my
side. Instantly dozen or more rifles were
ieveIed at us with deadly aim.
eyer amt goin' to show fight, ar ye ?'' de-
manded one of the outlaws, a brutal looking
wretch, and the leader OF the band, as it after
wards appeared.
|, ssThat depends on circumstances ?'' respon-
. ded Andy, unhesitatingly. ssWe're two good
, men, afraid of neither man nor beast-and il
your intentions are hostile, as they appear to
be, you may take my word for 1t that we ii give
, you all the trouble we can"
eyer won't now. will yer rs rejoined the
: desperate, tauntingly. ssGuess yen have
5 yer hands full ef yer try that sort Nv game.''
l. ssWell, what do you want here, anyhow ?'
demanded boldly, fully satisfied in my own
: mind that if we were to get out of our present
scrape we had TO fight opt of it.
ssWhat do we want har was the rapid reply
ssI guess the forests as free to us as it is te
any one else. Don't tkalkelate that you're boss
here, stranger, do yer 20
ssNo'' was Andy reply, and he took
the words out Of my mouth, ssnor are you
But that's not to the point ~ he added; s'wha'
do you want with us ~
eyer money am yer traps. Understand that
sort o. talk, don't yer ~
= ssYes. we understand that you're gang OF
thieves and cut. throats 20 responded Andy
| fiercely; ssbut if you get anything from III
. vou,ye rot to fight for it, though we are bu
. two against a dozen. Give 'em shot, com
, rade /" added the fiery fellow addressing him