Elizabeth daily monitor. [volume] (Elizabeth, N.J.) 1868-1880, 1868-11-14
THRILLING ADVENTURE.

Some years ago, before the state OF
Arkansas was so densel9 populated as
now and when the mail from Little
Rock to the eastern borders was carried
horse back, There lived q few miles
above Horsehead, stout pioneer nam
ed Jacob Burnap. His wife Polly, and
one child niue years old, made up his
family His chief siFs{fiess was hunt
ing, and his unerring rife to supply
his board, and something over. His
nearest neighbor was fifteen miles off,
so he was troubled little with pryiug
visitors.
1t was in early Spring that Jacob
started down the river with boatload
of furs and skins. He left Polly in
charge of thespFs4nises, and he left her
too, light rifle and brace of pistols.
She knew how to use the rife, for new
er was she happier than when her hus
band patted her on the shoulder and
said " Nobly done, Polly, my dear,
L could not have made better shot
myself" And he had occasion to say
this with truth, too
Jacob Burnap had been gone four
days, when towards evening horseman
rode to the hunters door. He was q
small muscular man, some forty years
Of age, and seemed Injured to all hard
ships. As he sprang from the saddle,
Polly made her appearance.
"Ah, Polly once more here. the new
conner said, as he drew well-filled pair
of saddle-bags from the back of the
beast.
Yes, and L am glad to see, you,
Morton Jacob has been gone four
days, and time is getting heavy.
Jacob gone ? Where ?"
Down the river with load of furs.
Oh-yes. Well. you shall have
the company of Liant Mortin for one
night at least 50 for the next twelve
hours you'll be safe"
Oh I feel safe enough" returned
the woman quickly only lonesome.
Well, then, for this evening you
shan't be lonesome"
Thus speaking Morton threw his sad
die and saddle-bags into the cabin, and
then led his horse around into low
shed, where he made the animal fast,
and fed him. After this, he returned
to the dwelling and entered, and was
soon discussing the events of the time
over an ample supper. His hostess
had told him all that had transpired in
the neighborhood since his last visit,
and the visitor gave her the news of the
eastern valley.
Liant Morton had been mail carrier
upon that route for several years and
never had he passed to and fro, without
spending a night at Jacob Burnap's.
In fact be was the only regular visitor
at the hunters cabin, and although the
intervals between his visits were long,
yet he seemed almost a fixture to the
place. Polly Burnap --stillin the bloom
of womanhood, knew his generous,
gentle, noble character so she felt per-
fectly free and at home in his pres
ence.
" Is it known on the route, that your
load is SO valuable % asked Polly.
9 think not--though it may be-
Still am well armed, and l fancy it
would be a tough job for any one to
take old Liant.
d" A man was robbed on the creeks
few days ago"
land the robbers have fled, Morton,
carelessly, as he drew his mail bags af-
ter him.
Morton went to bed at 8 O'Clock, as
he was tired and sleepy from his long
ride Polly had work to do, and neg
lected it while talking to her guest, so
when she had seen him safe to rest she
drew her basket to the little table
where the candle was and went to work
upon some clothing for her child, who
was soundly sleeping in the corner
The old German clock upon the wall,
with its great weights aud winding
strings all exposed, had struck ten, ere
Polly arose from her work. She had
Just pushed the basket beneath the ta-
BILE, and taken mp the candle when the
front door opened, and two men enter
ed. The. were in their stockings, their
shoes having been left outside.