Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1868-10-21

said L. ''1ou may as well give up. You
have no chance
''Don't kill me- said he.
''If you be quiet said I, 'I'll dress
your wounds as / already have done to
the wounds of these wretches. | would
have fixed up these last two, but YOU
wouldn't let me-
He said nothing. There was an ex-
preston of intense pain on his face.
He was large, stout, broad built man,
at least six feet high, and far stronger
than / was
81 will dress your wound" said 1,
''if you promise to be quiet.
He promised.
''1f you make the slightest move
ment, said I, an put bullet through
your head; so you had better be quiet.
went up to him.
"Come," said I, ''I'll not trust YOU.
| won't trust you unless l tie your 9th
er hand up
l had my pistol, and he had nothing
but knife. lie flung the knife down.
'sGo ahead said he.
The miserable wretch was evidently
suffering awfully. His wrist had been
shot through. In his pain he thought
of nothing but relief. At first intend
ed to tie up his other hand, but, seeing
how he suffered, forebore.
He lay down. 1 put my pistols in my
side-pockets, and began to bind up his
hand. 1t was his left hand that was
wounded. Suddenly he plunged his
right hand into my pocket. was on
the watch; for there was something in
the devils face that made me distrust
him. / seized his hand before it had
grasped my pistol, and with my other
hand clutched his throat. He had only
one hand to fight with. ] silenced him
quickly. His hand dropped. He beg
ged for his life.
''You scoundrel! you don't deserve
it. Any how I'll spare your life; but
won't dress your wound, and, what is
more, I'll bind your hand"
I did so. He was afraid, and did not
attempt to resist, while tying his un-
wounded hand SO firmly that he could
not free it, and then, leaving him, went
to the others. One of these was desper-
ately wounded A bullet had broken
his leg, and there was stab in his
shoulder. The other was wounded in the
arm. Having dressed their wounds, |
then waited for further developments.
There | was with nine prisoners, all
wounded. Some of the wretches were
asleep. Those who were awake were
groaning in their pain.
Nine captured; very good nights
work; yet [ wondered how many more
there might be. That, however, it was
impossible to find out None Of the men
would answer. They all kept surly
silence. "Well, l don't care how many
of you there may be. I'm ready for
you all. I've got enough shots left to
last some days. The only thing that
can reduce me is starvation: but then,
you know, if / starve, you'll have to
starve too. How do you like that ~
Some hours passed, but no one came.
At last went to the window and shout
ont: "There are nine wounded men up
here; they all need food and drink. If
any body comes up he shan't be hurt.
Send up the woman
Nothing was said for long time. At
last there was rap at the door.
S'Who's there?'
"Me,' said a woman's voice.
[ opened cautiously, and said, off
there's anybody else, I'll fire.
''Theres nobody else,' said the fe-
male. She came in carrying basket
full of things. She went up and down
several times bringing provisions. She
informed me there were six men below,
and they wished to parley with me. l
consented, and held a parley for some
time They offered to let me go free if
| promised not to modest any of them
or inform on them. The offer was fair
one. but a frown from the woman made
me suspect foul play, so | refused to
comply, but would consider over it. At
last l offered to give up theprisonersif
they would come up unarmed into the
room, and let me 60 in peace. This
they refused. Our parley came to an
end. As the woman left for the last time
[ prepared to fasten the door. She look
ed anxiously at me. 1 bent my head