The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1860-02-22

desperado, taunungiy. ."Guess yen have |
yer hands full ef yertry that sort Nv game"
-"Well, what do you want here, anyhow!'
l demanded, boldly, fully satisfied In my own |
mind that we got out Of our present sCrape |
we had to fight it out. o.. tt ....i. |
"What do we want har!" was the rapid |
replya "Tguess the forests as free to US as
it is to any one else. Don't kalkelate that
you're boss here, stranger, do yer 2" :.
ah "No!" was Andy's quick reply, and he
took the words out Of my mouth, "Dor are
you.v But that's not the point !" he added;
"what do you want with usl" ,. ...'
"Yer money an yer traps! Understand
that sort O. talk, don't yer 2"
"Yes, we understand that you're gang Of
thieves and cut-throats!' responded Andy,
ierceIy; "but if you get anything from US
you've got to fight for it, though we are but
two against dozen. Give 'em shot, COM
rade!" added the fiery fellow, addressing
himself to me. "We can't make the matter
worse!" ''
l thought so too, and raising my rife,
Andy and myself fred simultaneously.
Immediately two Of the outlaws fell dead
TO the ground, and the rest uttered con.
certed yell, that sounded more feaTfuly than
the howl of the wolf had SO recently driven
away.
"Now, give 'em the pistols!" shouted An
dy, his whole soul in the deadly conflict.
Each Of US carried brace of double
.barreled pistols, which guve US eight shots
between US, and quick as lightning we were
discharging the loads in the faces of the out
laws Six more of the brigands fell before
our aim, while we remained uniniured, not
withstandng number of scattering shot
whisted around our ears and over our heads
"Now charge upon the thieves, yelled
Andy, In stentoran tones.
II followed my comrades lead, and to
gether we ch,rged upon the remaining five
outlaws, for that number were lett. A
fierce and bloody fight eRsued. Andy per
formed miracles, and did double duty; but
as fate would have it, we were both rendered
hors du combat, my comrode by pistol
wound in the side, and by bowie cut in
the right shoulder.
~ knew nothing more after that, for the
next moment became unconscious. When
l came to myself, l found was in cave,
and it was not long before discovered that
the cave was haunt of robbers. This
much learned by listening for could see
nothing. the bright light of day seemed nev
er to penetrate that dismal cavern. 1t was
the gloomiest, chiliest place | was ever in
and from the bottom of my heart | wished
myself we'll out of it.
81 thought of Andy, you may be sure, but
could see no way OF finding out what had
becume Of nim.
cate q while, however, an old and out.
rageousy ugly Indian Squnw made her ap
pearance. She brought me food and medi
cine, and a temporary light. My wounds
had already been dressed. Of course was
eager to question her.
"My good woman," said very pleasantly
II should like to know where am-will vol
tell mes"
"She shook her head negatively, and t
all could say or do l got no other answer
I inquiree about Andy, and other matters
but re ceived no satisfaction. Finally,
gave up in despair, and let the old hag 60.
"a week passed, and was comparativel!
we'll. About the expiration of that time. tn
old squaw came to me one day and beckone
me to follow her. Having no reason to re
fuse obedience, complied with her direc
tions, and after traversing a number Of darl
passages found myself in the open air. |
was bright sunny morning, and despite m!
situation, inhaled the pure atmosphere will
delight. j
"Assembled on the spot / beheld gam
of score or more of the worst looking me-
had ever encountered, and in the midst m
friend and comrade Andrew Huff. And
, looked frightfulIy pale and emaciated, an
appeared to have suffered much worse thai
myself. We had barely time to greet eac
other, and say God bless you,a comrades
when we were suddenly and roughly seize
and gagged. at. the same time one OF tn
:. outlaws, whom at once recognized as tn
Leader of ;he party which we had first en-
. couptered, stepped forward and addressed US
"Now. cuss yer!' cried he,' passionately
, "we'Il make you pay for your handywor
! t'othtr night. Strip 'em!"
90 s.In few moments we were stripped t
. the skin, and we had neither the power
| resist or expostulate. '.r.f
"Out with the plank, hosses!" yelled tn
same fellow. "Fus. show 'em the wa
they're goin' to travel" Ign -e.-..
: "We were separately led to the brink of
4 chasm near, and made to look down into tn
almost unfathomable depths. A stream Q
waiter dashed along over the rocks at tn
bottom. 1t made me dizzy to look down.
We were then stationed few feet from tn
a brink, with guard over ua. l began t
!, comprehe nd that some trightful death await
ed US, and my feelings were dreadful.
Il "a plank about dozen feet long and
tfoot wide was then brought forward an
), placed half way over the precipice. M
blood run cold at the preparations.