The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1864-12-07
WHOLE NO. 425.
ahead blndly, which we did, trusting to
chance to guide us Alright

r ahead blindly, which we did, trusting te
f chance to guide us Alright.
, Through the lonesome forest was passed
and we had gone at least three miles, when
we came upon vacant space, in the midst
Of which stood log cabin. At the frs,
sight thought that we were approaching
the Dead Wolf," but upon a nearer ap,
: proach we could not perceive the sign that
we supposed it to have. But perhaps it
had not such an article. did not wish to
call, but must do so, to ascertain if was
on the right read to the place Of my desti-
nation.
raped loudly at the door, and when an
old woman, whose color could hardly be
told on account Of the dirt, made her ap.
pearance, Louis inquired as to our where
abouts.
In two things we were disappointed. -
This was not the Dead Wolf,' and we
were on The wrong road. Very comic, ting
assurance was this, | thought, as began
to retrace my steps through the forest and
rain, back to where the road branched off
Three weary miles it was, and two good
hours were lost in the biunder we had
made.
Just as we struck into the other road, to
our dismay, the rain began to pour down in
torrents; and in less than half an hour we
were wet to the skin. | had no means Of
determining the time, as my watch had
stopped but | imagined that it must be
| two o'clock. 1t Ight be later.
On We went through the mud and rain.
with the lonesome forest on either side,
y through which the strong easterly wind
was sighing and moaning as If plying our
| orlorn condition and sometimes | could
imagine that its voices were telling me to
turn back, but still we pushed onward as
! best we could.
Four or five miles were passed in this
manner.
Suddenly it became dark, and said to
Louis, at will rain harder soon, it grows
so dark"
"Aia't it night, sir?
"Not this three hours yet, Louis. Think
of the long way that We have got to 90 be-
| fore we rest"
"We-have come a good distance, and the
days are short now," he observed.
1T isn't night yet" said decidedly.
But in spite Of my words | was afraid
that it vas and my fears were we'll
grounded, for it grew darker every moment,
and | was obliged to confess that it was
nightlall; but where the day haG gone
was at a loss to determine.
The most fearful forebodings took posses
sion Of my mind. Here We were ct to the
skin, and cold November night fast coming
on. 10 stay out Of doors was impossible ;
yet no human habitation was near, except
the Dead Wolf" On we went in the
fast increasing darkness. must confess
that the terrors of the Dead WOLF grew
less and less-and don't know but that |
should have welcomed any human habita-
ton, even had | known that it was den of
murderers. 1t was, therefore, with feelings
of relief, if not of joy, that | saw light
cleaning brightly ahead, through the forest
trees, and | knew that il must proceed from
the tavern. 1t was not so dark but that, as
We passed the corner of the house, we could
See on board that run from the tavern to
tree, the words, Dead Wolf" in letters
of white on black ground. We were
boarding the lion in his den.
1t was not bad-lookirg man that bade
US welcome, in French, as we entered the
house. He did not look to be past forty,
and was what the world would call hand-
some-and with that politcness for which
the French are celebrated. In spite of all
that had ueard, | was at once favorably
impressed towards him.
! Before hug fire we dried our garments :;
and as we listened to the heavy beat Of the
rain without, thanked our stars that We had
found 50 good an abiding place safe from
the fury of the tempest that was bowling so
drearily without; and when, an hour later,
We had partaken Of a good, substantial
supper, our comfort was increased to the
utmost
If we had any doubts still existing as to
our security from danger, they were dissi
pated when the landlord told me that his
partner and their only servant had gone to
a village some twenty miles away, and
would not return for two or three days.
There was no more danger to be appre-
hended, fr were we not two to one ?--and
II felt pretty certain that | alone was a
match for the landlord, to say nothing OF
the help Louis might be able to afford should
be in danger.
The evening passed away pleasantly, for
my hos; could talk English very well, and
found him to be a very agreeable COM
panion. AT last sign6ed that ould
like to retire to rest. With many apologies
, for his poor sleeping accommodations, the
landlord lead US up rude ladder to the un-
finished loft, over the bar room, which con-
tanned two beds. Wishing me good nights
rest, he went out and closed the rude door.
and heard him descend the ladder into
the bar.room. l then made my prepare
tons for sleep, such as were everywhere nv
custom. My revolver placed beneath my
| Iyot1l. LII
waist, where carried it day and night. |
. placed my pertmanteau beneath the edge
Of the bed, near my head, where i. could
} hardly be moved without my knowledge.
J With these precautions threw myself up
on the bed, and was soon asleep.
What time in the night it was | know
not; but awoke with start, and terri
BILE sense of impending evil hanging owe,
me. l listened intently, but could hear nc
sound save the rain beating on the roof. 1t
. was in vain that tried to tranquilize my.
self and sleep again. found such a
proceeding entirely impossible, and laid
and listened to the rain, the regular breath.
!; ing Of Louis, and-was | mistaken? the
: low hum of voices in the bar-room. |
raised myself upon my elbow, and listened
ntently. No, was not mistaken. l could
plainly hear the sound of voices in the
room below-and they were the voices OF
men. A terrible fear darted through my
mind. Had the landlord deceived me as
to his being alone in the house, as regarded
men, or had they returned unexpectedly?
And STILL they might be late travellers, who
!, like myself, sought shelter from the storm.
would see, for could not sleep till
knew for certainty the object Of the con,
verSation below.
, rose cautiously from the bed, and