The constitutional union., 1861-01-18
!, FRIDAY, JANUARY IS, 1861.

wretch, and leader 0f the band, as It alter wards appeared.
 "That depends upon circumstances" re- piled Andy, unhesitatingly. We are two good men, afraid of neither man nor beast and if your intentions are hostile, as they ap- pear to be, you may depend upon it we will give you all the trouble we can"
 < Yer won't now, will yer 7" responded the desperado, tauntingly. ' Guess yell have yer hands full, if yer try that sort of game"
 We'll, what do you want here anyhow ?" l demanded boldly, fully satisfied in my own mind that if we got out of our present scrape we would have to fight it out.
 " hat do we want" was the rapid reply z guess the forest is as free to us as lis to anybody. Don't kalkerlate yer boss here, do ye. stranger r
 Mo-" was Andy's reply, and he took the words out of my mouth nor are you. But that's not to the point" he added "whatd do you want with us r
 Yer money and yer traps Understand that sort of talk, don't yer 7"
 Yes, we understand that you are gang of thieves and cut-throats," responded Andy iercely; < but if you get anything from us, you've got to fight for it, though we are but two against a dozen Give them a shot, com rade," added the fierce fellow, we can t make the matter worse"
 thought so too. and raisingmy rifle Andy and 1 fired simultaneously.
 Immediately two of the outlaws fell dead to the ground, and the rest uttered a concerted yell that sounded more awful than that of the wolf l had so recently driven away
 Now give them the pistols :" shouted Andy, his whole soul in the deadly conflict.
 Each of us carried brace of doubIe-bar- reled pistols, which gave us eight shots be- tween us. and immediately we were discharg- ing them in the faces of the outlaws. Six more of the brigands fell before us, while we re- mained uninjured, notwithstanding a num- Der of scattering shots whisted around our ears and over our heads.
 Now charge upon the thieves :" yelled Andy, in stentorian tones.
 l l followed my comrade' lead, and together we charged upon the remaining five outlaws, for there were that many left. A fierce and bloody fight ensucd. Andy performed mira l cles and 1 done double duty; but as fate would have 1t, we were both rendered hoys dtt co0,Jut, my comrade by pistol shot in the side, and by bowie-knite cut in the right shoulder. 1 knew nothing more after that, for the next moment l became unconscious. When 1 came to myself l found Twas in a cave, and it was not long before l discovered that the cave was the haunt of robbers This much 1 learned by listening, for 1 could see nothing, the bright light of the day never seemed to penetrate that dismal cavern. It wus the gloomiest, chilliest place l was ever in, and from the bottom of my heart 1 wished myself out of it.
 thought of Andy to be sure, but could see no way of finding out what had become oI him.
 After awhile, an old and outrageously ugly Indian squaw made her appearance. She brought he food and medicine and tempo rary light My wounds had recently been dressed. Of course l was eager to question her.
 r Ny good woman, said I, very pleasantly, :. should like to kn where | alll-wiIl you tell me?"
 She shook her head negatively, and to all 1 could say or do l got no answer. l inquired about Andy and other matters, but received no satisfaction. Finally l gave up in despair, and let the old hag go
 A week passed, and I was comparatively well. About the expiration of that time, the old squaw came to me one day, and bcckoned me to follow her. Having no reason to re- fuse obedience, 1 complied with her directions, and after trWcrsng a number of dark pas ! sagcs, 1 found myself in the open air It was bright, sunny morning, and despite my situ- ! ation inhaled the pure atmosphere with de- I light Assembled on the spot 1 beheld gang of a score or more of the worst-looL1ing men | l had ever encountered and in the midst my 1 friend and comrade, Andrew Huff Andy looked frightfully pale and emanciated, and appeared to have suffered much worse than myself We had scarcely time to greet each l other, and say, God bless you, comrade," {" wben we were suddenly and roughly seized and gagged. At the same time one of the outlaws whom l at once recognized as of the party which we had at first encountered, step ped forward and addressed US
 Now, cuss yer he cried passionately, we'll make yer pay for your handiwork t'other night. Strip 'em,"
 In few moments we were stripped to the skin, and we had neither the power to resist or to eXpostulatc.
 " Out with that plank, hosscs :" yelled the same fellow fust show 'em the way they're gon' to travel"
 We were separately led to the brink of the chasm near, and made to look down into the almost unfathomable depths. A stream of water dashed along ovc' the rocks at the bot tom It made me feel dizzy to look down ! We were then stationed within a few feet of the the brink, and a guard over us. I began to comprehend that some frightful death awaited us, and my feelings were dreadful.
 A plank about dozen feet long and foot wide was then brought forward and placed halfway over the precipice, My blood ran cold at the preparations. On one end of the plank two men stationed themselves.
 Now, drive the chap for ard, shouted the leader, pointing to Andy. "'T'other feller shall see him drop, and then he follows after him. Drive him on thar, bosses p
 Every effort was made to remove Andy but the poor fellow continued obstinate. The outlaws pricked him with their knives, and beat him with their rifles, but he refused tc stir. Despite his struggles, Andy was picked up and carried to the plank. As the outlaws