The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1871-12-09
4 GALiEta a0oiis.rlSSf AD;;gtihsrsI ADVENTURE RE.


sight Of, a number of rancho buildings,
grouped about Central open space. A
small stream flowed by the out-buildings,
and wound among chapparel covered
spurs below. Considerable crops of
grain had been gathered into a corral,
and n number Of horses were quietly
straying about. Yet with all the evi.
dences of considerable possessions, the
whole place had an air of suspicious
mock repose. Riding into the open
square, saw that one Of the buildings
was store, and to this / rode. tying
kaweah to the piazza post.
| thought the whole world slumbered
when l behold the sole occupant of this
country store, red faced man In panta-
looms and shirt, who lay on his back
upon counter fast asleep, the handle of
a revolver grasped in his right hand. 1t
seemed to me if l were to wake him up
Il little too suddenly he might misunder-
stand my presence aud do some acciden-
tai damage; SO L stepped back and
pokcd Kaweah, making him jump and
clatter his hcois, and at once the pro-
prietor sprung to the door, looking flus-
tered and uneasy.
asked him if he could accommodate
me for the afternoon and night, and take
care of my horse to which he replied
in very leisurely manner, that there
was a bed, and something to eat, and
hay, and that if was inclined to take
the chauces | might stay.
Being in mind to take the chances, l
did stay, and my host walked out with
me to the corral, aud showed me whore
to get Kaweah S hay and grain.
| loaied about for an hour or two.
finding that Il Chinese cook was the only
other human being in sight, and then
concluded 10 pump the landlord. A
half hours trial thoroughly dissu>tcd
me. and | gave it up US u bad job.
did however, ies:fttsaaiat he was mai Of
southern birth, Of considerable educa-
ton, which brutal lie and dcpravcd
mind had not sufficed fully to obitcratc
lie seemed to care very little for his
business. which indeed was small enough
ior during the tiuic [ spent there not n
single customer made his appearance.
The stock Of goods observed on exami
nation to be chiefly fire arn,4 and every
manner of gambling apparatus AMI
liquors; the few pieces of pufs, barrels,
aud boxes OF groceries appeared to be
disposed rather for ornament than actual
sale
frotn each OF the man S trousers pock
ste protruded the handle of a Derrin"er,
and behind his counter were arranged in
convenient positions, two or three double
barrellcd shot guns
| remarked to him that he seemed to
have handily arranged arsenal, at
which he regarded me with cool. quiet
stare, polished the handle OF one of his
Dcrrnsers upon his trousers, examined
the percussion cup with great delibera-
tiun, and them with nod of the head
intended to convey great force, said
You don't live in these parts, -. fact
Tor which ! icItenot unthanklul
The man drank brandy freely and
often, and at intervals Of about an hour
called to his side Il plc,horic old cat
namcd Gospel" F" stroked her with ncrv
Gus rap'diiy, swearing ut the same time
iii 50 dIstraIt and unconscious u manner
that he seemed mech ,nically talking to
himself
Whoever has travelled on the west
coast has not failed t. uotice the fear.
tul volleys OF oaths which the oxen
drivers hurI at their teams, but for in-
genious flights of fancy profanity | have
never met the equal of my host. With
tie most perfect good nature and un.
moved countenance he uttered forid
blasphcmies, which, | think, must have
taken hours to invent. l was glad when
bedtime Came, to be relieved OF his pre-.
senee, aud especially pleased when he
took me to the little separate building
in which was narrow single ped. Next
this building on the left was the cook.
house and dining-room, and on the right
lay his own sleeping apartment. Directly
across the square, aud not more thuu
sixty feet off, was the gate of the corral,
which, when moved, creaked on lis rusty