The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1870-06-23

of the day, it consisted of but one 1oon
on the first tloON, with DO other furaiturt
than rude table and few stools anC
benches. Seated at the table were three
men, cards in hand, and bottle of wills
Ky within reach The landlord sal
down with them, and soon all we're deep
lily engaged at poker" The ONLY other
occupant OF the room was woman, who
was preparing supper at the fireplace
Having nothing else to do, | began tt
study the faces of nv companions the
result was far from favorable. One was
a short, buliet-headed, broad shouldered
fellow, with shock of coarse black hair
and little keen eyes almost at its roots.
He was dressed in suit of coarse mate.
rial, with a red flannel shirt, open a the
throat, displaying his short bull neck.
The second Of the group was tall gaunt
fellow, even more rough and uncouth iii
his manners than the other a thorough
savage In appearance, who though
would cut d mans throat as indi6erently
as a sleeps. The sight of these ruffians
was far from agreeable to solitary trav-
eller like myself, in such lonely spot,
and | don't like the oily obseguiousness
of the landlord at all | couldn't help
thinking that he was companion ami
accomplce Of the Others AT first SIGHT
the appearance of the last of this inSer
estlng quartette was a little more pre-
possessing; he was carefully, even sty
ishiy dressed, and easy and polished il
his manncrs. But a second glance. to a
person Of any dtsccrnmen0, gave a Il fer
ent impression his face, which other
wise might have been handsome, had an
expression Of evil that made one shudder;
through all che feline smoothness of his
manners, could discern sharp claws.
at once made up my mind that this man
had the brain of the gang the others
were only his tools.
" Unpleasant as my situation was, /
could think Of nothing better to do than
TO keep on my guard, and watch the
course ut events. 7Q
: Supper was brought by the woman,
and examined her features, to see what
| might expect from her, but could see
nothing good or pure in her looks. that
would Indicate that she differed in any
way from the rest. g..
" sat down, placing my gun within
reach against the wal, slyly felt if nv
revolver was safe, and tried to converse
carelessly with my companions; all the
Whlle feeilng as man might who was
sitting on the safety valve Of steam, en-
glne, with a full head of steam on. [ was
completely in Che power of these rascals,
should they choose to attack me, though
| resolved to sell my life dearly If they
should. Had they known had "A large
sum OF money about me, / have no doubt
they would have assailed me at once: but
they didn't know it, I took care to Give
eVasive answers to all the questions they
put to draw me out. After supper, we
took our pipes, and began to smoke,
though | don't think | ever enloyed u
pipe less IN my life. This continued per-
haps half an hour, when we heard the
Sound OF a horses hoofs. and then the
door was swung open, and in strobe re
mafkable figure. lie was very tall. almost
gigantic, andmuscular IN proportion. His
face, Or what could be seen Of 1T above
the thick black beard, had bold, open
expression, and was bronzed by exposure
TO the weather. lie was dressed all in
bucKskln like q hunter and carried q
long rifle. In his belt were the usual
knife and tomahawk; but in addition to
these ordinary weapons Of a hunter, he
also had IN his belt two double -barreued
horse pistols. AS he came in | saw that
all the rufilans looked surprised and dis
concerted; the new conner was cvidentIv
no friend OF theirs the landlord, espec.
tally, looked pale as a ghost but the
stranger did not appear to motto.
that his entrance had produced
any such. effect, but took seat as though
perfectly at home. .s~ .5...7>
Why, capn," stammered the landlord,
who'd Thought o. seem you here to,
night ? "H 81 l8e
s Well, Jake, replied the giant, we've
Deen lucky; we overlook the rascals
sooner than We expected, and took Fem
aIter short tussle in which three Of EN-
were shot. Some O the boys took tne
other two to the settlement; theyn
stretch hemp afore long. You bet wen
make this country too hot to hold these
scoundreis long. So as the Job was done
thought I'd stop here to night, instead
9, gong home, as my boss was tired
The three suffians looked very i'll at
ease during this recital, which the Can
tain gave In an easy, ofhand manner as
though 1t was common affair but thew
SAID nothing. The landlord went on,
with ms new guest to look after his
horse, and the trio drew together, and
began talking in whispers, looking fire.
qnently @t me- | was considerably mys-
tined by this tall stranger was he
indeed, as heprofessed to Be, commander
OF a party otireguIators, or was he am ac-
compllce Of tie others, meaning to oct
any confidence, and murder meY was
totally at loss what to do: should I o.
OUT boldly, mount my horse, and ATTEMPT
70 escape? No, knew nothing Of the
road, and they might easily overtake me