The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-03-09
MISCELLANY.


Twas riding quite alone, just towards dusk,
when observed three very suspicious looking
fellows, seated beneath cluster of trees,
watching my movements very closely. / kept
steady eye upon them, having resolved in my
own mind to make use OF the feetness of my
horse so soon as should have reached In safe
~ certain point; Tor one to three is at all
times an unequal combat; but what is one un-
armed, to three handling. as / distinctly saw,
one OF those Moorish guns, some seven feet 10
length? One of my chances OF escape was in
their allowing me to reach the desired point
when / felt pretty sure my nimble animal
would not fail 10 Illustrate their aim. The
next was that their gun fortunately they had
but one) would miss fire; and in this chance
felt even more confidence than In the first; for
1 well knew that an Arabs gun seldom goes
of the first time, there being generally
q regular barrier Of corrosion between the
powder in the pan of their flint-locks and the
charge In the barrel. The comm unication be-
ing thus entirely cut off, they sometimes re-
plenish the pan three or four times before
they discover the real cause, aud have recourse
TO some clumsy pin, or the point of a nail, with
which they remove the obstruction.
neared the villains lying in ambush for me.
/ saw one Of them level the deadly weapon
and take deliberate aim. The trigger was
pulled, and distinctly heard the ominous
oVots<A Va sAS ahSSAuS R0WACt, anu sdW Us
fash, but Il was only the flash from the pan.
In an Instant rushed up 70 the murderous
set, and in the next instant they stood on
their feet to avoid being trampled under my
horses hoois. My whip was in active play,
and they scampered about, shouting and
screaming for mercy. But my eye was all the
time on the long gun, which wished TO Sc
cure and carry of as n trophy, while my horse,
always surprisingly obedenl to the slightest
If he daI xxy;eh
fellow who held tine weapon kept up brisk,
crviIinear race, which he now and then
changed into a circular one, in the hope of
battling me In my endeavor to overtake him !;
but my tractabe steed, always at his heels
brought him to a stand. He apologized and
begged me not to strike him, but he never
suspected my real motives.
The opportunity presented itself, and
seized hold OF the muzzle of his gun, while he
held as firm a grasp at its butt-end. In the
most pteous terms he now implored me not
TO deprive him OF his property maintaining, at
the same time, the struggle with great resolu-
ton. In the scuffie, the central part of the
gun came, by mere accident, to rest on the
horses chest, the Arab pulling one way and /
the other. But, rs he was q very powerful
man. and too eager to retain possession OF the
object 10 dispute, took advantage of its posi-
ton, abandoning all hopes of securing ii. l
utSC4 NY uoioC fVi Wdto. anu as tic AIdD WAS
determined not 10 give way, he facilitated my
resolution TO destroy the weapon. The sud-
den forward bound Of the horse bent the long
barrel into regular curve; and ON observing
this LEI go.
When turned round was amused to see
my adversary, with downcast countenance,
holding his semi-circular gun in his hands,
deeply lanenting its fate. do you see what
you have done ?" he asked me mournfully,
k~I< H. I'D
do" | replied laughing heartily, sand you
ought to thank me iorit; for it will now serve
you 10 lire round corners, a feat which you
cannot perform with any other gum rode
of slowly from the field of battle, thoroughly
delighted with my victory; when / looked
back saw his two companions had rejoined
the detected warrior, handling the Inflated
weapon, and no doubt sympathising with him.
When l was some distance off / heard the
three, at the top of their voices, uttering the
most select curses of the country, among
which "naal DO jeddek" cursed be the father
Of your grardiather) was the most predomi-
nant. But was not inclined to renew the
combat In behalf of my fathers grandfather"
and therefore continued my journey.
An incident of something similar nature
occurred TO q person of my acquaintance, but
with very different results. He was a great
sportsman, and his eagerness for game some
times brought him to remote and lonely parts,
frequented by notorious vagabonds. But he
invariably took the precantion, whenever he
found himselfin such localities, TO have one of
his barrels loaded with ball. On such an oc-
casion, and within few a seconds after he had
fired at quail, he heard the swapping of a
trigger at no great distance from him He
looked round, but could discover no one, when
suddenly an Arab rose from amidst the high
grass (where he had evidently been printing
his gun anew,) and took deliberate aim at him
But the sportsman anticipated him, and the as
sassin paid with his .life for his contemplated
murder. II fred" said the individual himself,
In relating the circumstance to me, "and the
ball struck the Arabs heart. He uttered a
terrific shrek. then made regular summer
sault. and fell down dead Ruined Cities
within Nunidian and Carthaginian Territories.
BY N. Davis.