The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1869-11-20
/ was master of wealth untold.

/
After the first Burst of my joy levolu.
ton came. had found my treasure, but
how could secure it :? How could | Sc
cure it 2 How could carry it away un.
seen Where should | take it ? Or. if |
did not carry it away where should | hide
it,
These thoughts flashed with the rapidity
Of light through my head l was overcome
with perplexity
1t was a lonely place. There were the
trio and the Spaniard-no other neighbors
weae near. The first we're dangerous, the
latter helpless. My strength lay in myself
My resolution was soon formed. | would
bury as much of my treasure os l could
carry into my tent, cover up the hole, and
watch all night.
1t was ten o'clock before l had buried
all that wanted in my hut, and covered up
the hole to my satisfaction. The intense
excitement Of the occasion, already began
to have its effects l fancied heard foot
steps. A moment after l reached forth to
get my revolvers, which, in my hurry and
agitation had left in my tent some hours
before.
The weapons were gone.
A cold sweat burst out upon me. rush.
cd back to the hole hoping to find them
there. A tall figure ssood there. He had
my pistols in his hands, displaying them
with a triumphant gesture to two others.
1t was Niger, with Sing Sing and
Pirate.
Il am lost = groaned To stay here is
death, to go back to my hut is destruction.
am unarmed. These men would think
no more of killing me than of crushing
fy These thoughts came and passed in
moment.
Where should l 60.
could only think of the Spaniard.
Without giving another moments thought
tuaned and fled. My movements were
seen. l was discovered With loud and
savage shout they ran after me. Six bull
lets whistled past my head, but fortunately
none touched me. If ever fear lent wings
it was at that moment. l bounded along
the path and down the hill and up on the
other side toward where the Spaniard lived.
heard them call on ME to stop.
"Never mind" cried out another voice
which recognized as that Of pirate )"
"we'll get them both together this time y
On, on ran. The clatter of footsteps
was close behind.
With the frenzy of desperation, I ratified
at the Spaniard's door. My pursuers were
close upon me.
"Let me in Save me ~ shouted
Hurried footsteps sounded within. The
bars ratified. heard heavy sound, | was
pulled violently inside, the door was banged
to and secured just as the eager blows of
my pnrsuers fell upon it.
"Just in time!" he murmered, ,hreathless-
ly. "Up stairs, quick J"
He held a lantern in his hand. BY its
light l saw rude ladder which ascended
to an opening above. 1 clambered up as l
was directed. The Spanard came up after
me.
"All right" said he, as he gave me a
meaning glance.
The men below had dealt some tremen.
dous blows at the door, which yet held on,
however. heard them eagerly shouting
to one another. They said not word to
us. "No quarter" was their motto.
A few minutes Of silence elapsed. They
had gone off. They soon returned, howev-
er. heard their heavy steps.
"This ii fix 'em, ''said one.
A moment after terrific blow, as if dealt
by some huge beam, struck the door. The
hinges yielded. But in moment a tre-
mendous growl sounded out and drowned
every other sound. 1t was a wild, deep,
terrific roar. My blood ran cold within me.
| had heard the sound before, but never 80
near. Then there arose to heaven shrek
after shrek, snd pitious calls for mercy.
The only answer was the terrific roar
which had first sounded, and sounds as of
hreakino crushinp homes In a faw min
utes all was still. The Spaniard descen-
ded. He was not gone long.
dts all over |" he said, returning.
descended. There on the floor lay the
mangled bodies of the wretches, and in the
corner was the gigantic form of the 6erc-
est and largest grizzly bear that l ever
saw.