The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1860-12-26
SIlg(iistellany.
A California Adventure.

1" You must know" said Ned Gum
bio, ''that in my wanderings, part of
the time has been spent OH the la1d.-
The adventure [ am about to relate,
happened in the Eldorado of the wes5
lin California. / do not ask you to
believe it you can do as you choose
about that but do say it is true
every word oft. I had for the last
three months been working in the
Southern mines, time 1850. My
claim was at least fge miles from any
other, much against the wishes of my
friends. Here / built my cabin, on
either side Of which ran the great
trails.
One evening, after a-hard days la
Dor on my claim,I returned to my cab
in to find my mnsket, provisions and
cooking utensils gone The country
was, and is to this day infested with
gangs of cut-throats. It struck me
at once how matters stood | had
been robbed, ana might expect anoth
er visit from the gentry before morn
ing. My money and dust / had al
ways kept buried, so that was safe;
but was / safe, with my musket gone,
aud no weapon of defence? j seated
myself on rude lounge which | had
made, rested my head on my hands,
and bethought myself how I should
get out of this scrape.
Looking up, perceived that huge
dog was about to enter followed Ia
another, which in point of size was
not far behind him The first, mas
tiff of powerful proportions, short neck.
and blood-slot eyes, walked in and
laid down under the lounge the other
a black cur, made himself at home I'M
der tie table which stood in the mid
die Of the room 4 Here was help in
deed for man in need. Giving the
dogs few dry biscuits that were left
in the cabin by the robbers. went to
work TO fasten things.
After barring my door and piling
up nearly allthe movable articles in
the room against it, seated myself
once more on the bunge to await the
coming of my visitors. Then the dogs
walked up to me iwagging their tails,
and seemed to say wen stand by
you" They were perfect Strangers to
me, TO miner around the place having
animals of their description and that
they should come to me when / was so
much in need Of help, seemed happy
though mysterious dispensation OF
Providence. m
Ibid not have to wait long forlmy
unwelcome visitors About 10 O'Clock
the dogs showed signs of uneasiness,
and rising they went to the door, as
though anxious to get out: In few
moments / heard the footsteps of men
coming steadily down the western trail
directly toward the cabin, and upon
looking out through loop-hole, I
perceived two men armed with rifles.
I picked up a heavy miners pick, de-
termined to do my best. At this mo-
ment the large dog gave an unearthly
howl which reverberated through the
hollow, and the black dog answered
with a low Z bite before yon. bark !"
growl, displaying at the same time a
set Of teeth that led me to believe he
would do good service. Faa
The robbers W alked steadily around
the cabin, and thensretired and set up
a pitiful moaning to draw me from the
cabin. BIT | was not to be caught
so easily. They then again returned
to the cabin, and one lifted The other
upon bis shoulder SO as no get a look
inside through The loopshole- I stood
back and as his face appeared, 4 threw
into his face shoyeltnll of embers.---
With shrek he fell back, and both
rushing to the door began to batter it