The Lincoln County herald., 1868-10-08

10u years. tu0 USVty COuuuUeU uUv0
passed BY since that night Of horrors.
Ten years Of sorrow, pain and joy; ten
years Of stupendous and all embracing
change. In that time have been enacted
some Of the most sublime dramas Of Time
the lone star Of Texas shines brightly In
the armament, but ominous clouds seem
to threaten its brilliauoy. Mexico again
asserts her right to that beautiful pro.
vince which had been wrested from her
by the heroes Of San Jacinto' Tho toesin
Of war again resounds over the rich prai.
ries, and the people everywhere are
aglow with desire to "whip Mexico"
Recruiting Offices are everywhere opened !;
and into one Of these let US stop for Q
moment and stady the rich variety Of
originals which We shall 6od. As We
enter, q 6ne manly voice is trolling somo
good old ballad commemorative Of Amer.
ican prowcss by land aud sea. Here,
sitting on the floor, is . party Of hunters
looking on the strange proceedings Of
their more civilized companions. Sud.
denly oil 10 hushed still as death, for
they instinctively know that some deed
Of blood and violence is about to be per.
petratcd. "Liar," shoutsa tall, command.
ing, enc looking man to covering and
frightened man at bis feet "you are one
Of the villains who burnt my house, and
murdered my wife and child, and would
have served me the samo way IL I had not
got out Of your clutches you arc tho
last Of 'eu, but it never shall be said that
Jack West ever took tho life of his bit.
terest foo without giving him . chance !;
your mustang Is good Que mount him,
and If you can get away you may have
your life, but If I can catch you look for
no mercy, for your internal gang showed
me and mite none. Go, Eve minutes
start, and the Lord have mercy on your
guilty soul IL your mustang fails you"
The speaker turned, and walking up
to the light commenced putting fresh
caps on his revolver, and arranging his
arms. The man TO whom he had been
speaking arose, aud casting o look OF
fear aid hatred at him, rushed from the
room.
"What do yeu intend to do with him,
Colonel I" asked o pompous portlyss ssindi.
vidual, coming up and laying bis hand
familiarly on the shoulder Of West.
"Send him to H." was tho instant
reply, and the large man shrunk back into
the crowd, foe all knew the character Of
West, and none dared to arouse him.
Without word to any one he left the
room, and in q moment the furious beat
of horses hoofs told that the avengcr was
on the track Of bis victim.
For miles and miles the prairie stretched
out like IN undulating sea, terminating
its waves Of verdure in vast cypress
swamp; aud towards this swamp tho
wretch who was thus strangely offered o
chance for bis life was now Fastening
with frantic speed. 1t was a strange and
wildly romantic race. The moon full
orbed, rode high in the Heavens, shedding
food Of silvery radiance on the sceno,
and making it almost as bright as day.
A stiffness as profound as the grave
reigned around, broken only by the dull
and rapid: ::tramp Of the horses Of the pur.
uer and pursued. Faster aud faster is
the distance between them shortened, and
nearer and nearer does the horse Of West
draw to tho doomed wretch before him.
The swamp is still far away. and the
hopeless man utters shrek OF despair as
he discovers that it is impossible for
him to reach that place Of refuge. Even
now the breath Of his enemy's steed comes
like Gre into his faco, and with one more
bound they are side BY side. "Spare me;
o, for Gods sake, mcrcyl' yelled the
terror stricken fugitive. The only an.
swer was sharp, quick fash, . stunning
report; aud the murderer stood before
that God whose law he had violated and
tranpled upon by his course on earth
Gone, unshrlven, unannouncei, and with
bis white ghastly face upturned to the
sky, bis red smoking blood dabbling the
sweet white flowers, the last Of that mur.
derous band who had destroyed forever
the happiness Of tn, cold, stern, statue.
like man, now sitting on his horse and
looking downward into his face.
Reader, this is no fancy sketch John
West is not the name Of the man, oae
incident Of whose life 70 have given bu,
It Is one that has been iuoribed high on
tho rolls of fame.
Neral Innuence.
Tka in0uAnca nf n uooj avn MA Il fsv