The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1869-11-20

in his brutal features. Another was long
thin, cunning, treacherous miscreant, who
Gas l afterward learned) had been confined
for twelve years in the Sing Sing prison for
an atrocious crime. Another was short,
thick set than, with d heavy beard which
almost concealed his features, but added
to his ferocious expression. Among all the
wild adventures whom had encour tered, /,
none were altogether SO rerulsive as these
They went respectively by the names Of
"Niggar," "Sing Slug" and "Pirate."
tried to get away from the neighbor-
hood of these men, but fatality seemed to
attend my efforts. On three different occa
sions moved to new places, aud actually,
each time, encountered these men, who
had moved on before me. 1t looked as
though was actually following them. So
| tried to get rid of my aversion, and turned
myself to work.
At the last place to which we came there
was very remarkable man who had been
living there for some time. He was a
Spaniard, was tall and well formed, with
wonderful expression of resolution and
daring in his face. His face was pale, his
eyes dark, and his general appearance
commanded involuntary respect. He lived
in hut above a cavern on the side of a
neighboring hill. This place he had Sc
lected for residence some time previously.
He was never seen digging any where in
particular, and it was generally surmised
that he had some mysterious diggings in
the immediate neighborhood OF his cavern.
| dug on patiently for some months, and
gained barely enough tc supply the neces-
saries of life. / began to be very greatly
discouraged. One evening l sat moodily
near the place where had been working.
had lost all hope. For three days l had
gained absolutely nothing.
'DuenoS dlaS, SenOr.
Looking up saw the Spaniurd. bow
ed and was silent.
you have deep hole :here,' he said.
Il should think so,' | replied.
Are you encouraged, Senor 7 Pardon
me, but you look disheartened, I think
i have reason to be. l have gained
nothing l must leave this place
The Spaniard's eye lightened up. NO,
Senior, do not
DO not ?-why should I waste my time
longer 2
'One must he patient, Senor.'
'Yes, but patience has its limits.
The Spaniard gave NE look of the
deepest meaning.
'Senor,' he said, 'if you are visa you will
wait and work yet longer
7 looked inquiringy at him, but he
tnrned away, and before could speak had
gone. As | looked up saw close beside
me the trio before mentioned. They had
evidently overheard our conversation. They
were exchanging glances. / turned away
and began to whistle. In few moments l
was at my work again and they had gone.
l had scarcely given more than dozen
blows with my pick before heard loud
cry. l recognized the Spaniard's voice.
1t was in the direction of his hut. To
seize my two revolvers, and to bound for
ward in the direction in which | heard the
voice, was but the work of moment.
There stood the Spaniard with the three
men around him. He held keen
knife in his hand, and stood at bay. They
were all armed with axes.
'Help, Senor ! shouted the Spaniard.
Back, you internal fool cried 'Sing
Sing,' waving me off.
'You murderous villains ? 1 exclaimed,
leveling both revolvefs. If you dom. make
tracks double quick you'll never leave this
place alive |!
The men fell back, cowed completely by
my terrible revolvers. The Spaniard smil-
ed sarcastically, bowed to me, turned away
and disappeared among the trees. The
men walked of, scowling and muttering. l
too turned away.
A week passed. l worked on. At last
the hour came. Great heavens can l ever
forget that time-the moment when the
hopes of years, the longings of lifetime
lay fulfilled before me
1t was sunset. The clouds were all
aaame. The river rolled gloriously by.
The trees tossed up their branches in the
evening wind as though bidding the day
day farewell from the forest came burst
of melody.