The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1870-02-22
A Ride For Life.
BY CHARLES CALVERT.

Toward the end OF November, 20, the
writer and two companions were almost
hopelessly lost in one of the dense for
ests which abound on the Texan border.
Night was fast approaching,and violent
thunder storm rendered our beasts nearly
unmanageable. Momentarily were we in
peril from the lightning-stricken trees
that crashed terri6cally through the un-
dergrowth at each CLEAN of electricity.
| was on my way to Clarksvlle settle
ment with some $500 in gold, to be de-
posted in the branch Of our office, at
that place. Not knowing the route,
had engaged two guides proiessedly y
skilled in woodcrait Stout muscular
fellows, had engaged them as much
for protection as guidance for certain
rumors were afioat that an individual of
bloodthirsty disposition, known as Red
Nick and credited with marvellous portean
powers, infested tho district for the pur-
pose Of cnticing travellers within his
murderous reach.
This desperate, it seems, had lately
escaped from Judge Lynch, but some of
his adherents had paid their debt to the
inevorable \ Nemesis of the backwoods /;
and in revenge for this defamation of his
followers. the ferocous gentleman had
instituted series of murders and
robberies unparalleled, against mankind in
general and Texans in particular.
To resist the advances Of such marau-
ders, had purchased brace of derrin-
gers and thus equipped, and with my
gold concealed in belt, rode out OF
San Saban as the sun gave last look
over the far-away peaks.
About a month before leaving San
Saban, when was mounting my horse
in front of the hotel, an Unlocking fel.
low jostled me so roughly as to almost
throw me on my back. To my expos
tulation, he merely cursed me, and acted
SO threateningly that, indignant at the
fellows rufianly audacity, | felled him
to the ground with blow Of my whip
Without examining into the extent Of
the injury had wrought, | mounted and
rode rapidly away, and in short time
totally forgot the occurrence
After that, had engaged my guides
and had travelled some fifty miles when
we halted, bewidered, in the midst o
the thunder storm. The deluge wa,
fast obliterating the trail, and We deter
mined to camp for the nj ght at the foo
Of Il grassy hillock, II few yards from the
edge of gaping chasm, from who's
torrent. Our horses tethered and tn,
inner man satisfied, all three Of US threw
ourselves into the yoluptuous arms o
Morpheus
Suddenly, in the wee morning hours
rough shake awakened me from IN,
dreams of domestic associations. Th
SCARED and horror stricken face OF on
of the guides bent over me, speeches
from terror He pointed excitedly to
ward the bank of the roaring chasm \
first, | saw nothing; bat closer scrutin.
revealed the dragged and torn condition
Of the ground and herbage about tn
chasm's edge; aud II fur hat suspende
by a twg from is side. The trut
flashed upon me; Sutler the senio
guide, had gone over the precipicc in hi
; sleep
strained my eyes into the abyss bu
. it was all gloom. save where stragglin
moonbeams streamed their soft and Wen
ed light against its rocky sides. trie
to distinguished IA human moan in til
pandemonium Of iar-down rushing water
but naugbt save the piercing shrek {
4 some passing night-owl betrayed livin
existence in the lonely forest.
Echoes above answered our shout an
the discharge of firearms aud with sa
4 hearts we turned to saddle our horse
, one of which we discovered to be mis-
ing : broken tether told that the bea
q had broken loose and had strayed ava
it Gloomily We rode along, till we emer
J. ed upon less frequented trail, whi(
d my guide said led to Clarksville, Th
}, had been most beautiful day, and Il
g southern sun cleaned through the oa
At and cedars with oriental splendor.
,s sudden turn brought us in view OF
ID low cabin of rough logs from who
" chimney curled the wreaths that betra
ed the proximity of man. Racked by
twelve hours ride, we gladly dismou
ted aud knocked To our inquiry
p rough and shaggy man grufiy asked
in, while he conducted our steeds to {
rear.
Q. The cabin consisted of u small roo
= furnished with couple Of home-lna
chairs and table and around the ro'