Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1868-12-31
The Robbers Haunt.
A TRAVELLERS TALE.

capitol of Brazil, to visit the mines of San
Jose Our way lay mostly over wild
mountainous region, where there were no
villages, and only here aud there large
open shed for mules and their drivers, a
kind of shop for the sale of refreshments, a
miserable kind of an inn to lodge travellers
and the regular farm house of some settler
of the country.
In soma one Of these, l tried them all
by turns, generally lodged by night, the
damp earth for a bed, a blanket over me
for covering, and any number of losth>
some bats. and poisonous carapstoos for
companions. The rats l speak of were of
the largest wild species, and would not
hesitate to gnaw your flesh when yon
were asleep. The bats were regular vam>
pires. and weuld asten upon your Toe or
thumb and suck your blood when asleep.
The carapatoos were insects MS large as
beetles. with a covering like rhinoceros,
and first fix their claws into your skin and
then burrow their heads below it, from
which they could only be removed by
main force, leaving an ulcerous wound of
dangerous and even painful character
Ugh! a vivid recollection brings them all
about me now and | shudder at the
thought as then shuddcred at the reality
of it.
l had journeyed for several days, over
many a weary league, when one afternoon
my guide and self were caught in storm,
In one of the widest parts of the nouns
tains. a.
| never before saw such lighining-the
whole heavens seemed 10 I've in blaze;
never heard such thunders-lhe frowning
rocks around seemed as if being rent
into thousands of fragments, while the
wind roared and raved like tornado.
beating down and uprooting gigantic trees
a1p tho rain came down like q hundred
cataracts.
1t was not safe to advance, even if oHr
animals had been willing; but. they, with
an instructive dread, turned tail 10 the
tempest, hudjlled themselves together, and
my guide and | sOught refuge under their
bellies.
There we remained for hours, looking
for iull which did not come till the
shades of night began 10 settle oyer the
awful scene, and then the clouds broke off
ard we resumed our journey. But we
had not advanced half mile ere night
was upon US, and our course was impedcd
by very violent mountain torrent which
we could not pass.
Heaven save US. What shall We now
do?' said l. .o.
we have no choice, senior. hut to en-
camp here or turn off to a solitary farm up
this stream. -l
Any place where we can get shelter and
food for our weary beasts. is better than
remaining here, Ricardo; why do you
hesitate? eaa
'Ihave heard that this farm house is an
abode Of Robbers
Indeed, And do you know the report
to be trucy
Not of my own knowledge, but have
good reason To believe that they infest this
part of the route.
In which case they might attack US al
this place l .s,u',
Very true; /. is an ugly place to spend
a night. 'n
well, | have brace Of good pistols,
and you a knife, and something must be
riskcd' 81
AS you say, senior, Will you venture
on to the FARM:
Yes; foi there seems to be nothing bet
ter. ..-.f ..s, -..t, -,.,t f.-. NJ
The rain had now ceased, and the clouds
were breaking away overhead, letting out
the faint light OF the brightest stars ever
drew out my pistols, shook out the
printing, put in some dry powder, took my
horse by the bride and followed after Ri
cardo.
An hour of toll brought us in sight of
light; and in -scw moments more we saw
the door of respectable looking farm
house, situated in a gloomy valley, sur
rounded by rocks and trees. ...... 4.
The door was opened to the summons
of Ricardo by an old woman with yell
low complexion, wrink.ed skin, cadave>
rous face, gray, curling hair, and serpent>
like eyes, all of which | instantly distin-
guished by the gleam of light which fell
upon her, and which were not calculated
to allay any suspicious previously excited
by my guide. She took keen, quick
survey of our persons, and in reply to Ri>
cardols request for nights entertainment
for ourselves and animals, she had, fans
cied, a too hasty, and therefore suspicious
answer.
She pointed out an old crazy structure,
half barn and half shed, where our beasts
would be so comfortable, while it would
render her SO happy to entertain the gen.
tlemen. s ts aD
4 am SO sorry that my husband and my
sons are away, senior, for they would
have been delighted to make your acquain-
tance.'
= -. - ..a. ..l..t. ,a. tI..5 r.lsf
bowed low TO the compliment and in>
quired bow many so..s she had, and when
they would return. fN - i-'t- 74i nN
She had three sons, noble boys-and
she feared neither they nor their worthy
father would return before noon Of the day
following, as the storm would keep them
away. ~ss....a y f.,asa4 Il,
Twas truly thankful for this part of The
performance of the storm, though didnt
say so. eosss. isY 81 ~ .aaro21l }
I had thus bowed my way into the CEN