The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1871-01-28
Gales, shetebes, 3netOotts, 1t,
THE BRIDGE OF Death

In rich and populous county in Mis-
sissippi was once a stretch of woodland
40 dense that the sun, even during the
brightest days Of summer, never penetra-
ted It's leafy canopy, except where car
rlage-way had been cut through its CEN
tre. The bills on both sides formed a
deep ravine, through which ran a small
brook or bayou, the water only being a
few inches deep in places. and two or
three feet wide. Over this little strag-
Cling stream a rude bridge of logs and
pianks was thrown. AT all times the
air around it was damp and suggestive of
the chiils of death, while at night the
darkness could almost be felt.
For many years that part of the coun-
try had been infested by small gangs of
runaway negroes, and all efforts to cap,
ture them by the patrol had been ineffect-
ual, owing to the cooperation with the
rnnaways of the negroes Of plantations in
the surrounding country.
Many dark and bloody deed had
been committed at the bottom of the
gloomy ravine on this very bridge, until
If came at last to be called ''I'he Bridge of
Death
Many time had the cold, stark body
! of a benighted traveller been drawn from
beneath It's fatal cover, the crushed skull
proclaimiDg the manner of his death, and
pointing out the ruthless murderers.
At last there was a cessation of hor-
rors. Not a murder had been committed
for nearly year, and belated travellers
began to breathe more freely if the twi-
light fell before the bridge was crossed.
About six miles apart, with the fatal
bridge between, dwelt two families of
planters, bound together by such ties as
similar pursuits and grown-up children
of both sexes, on either side, will always
cement. The young people had always
kept up constant intercourse with each
other but on account of the terrible rep
utation of the bridge at night, the visits
had been of three or four days duration,
and the travel backward and forward had
been done in the day time. For many
months now the visits had been all on one
side, owing to the i'll health of the moth
er of the young people living nearest the
dreaded spot, the distance being scarcely
] udll q EllIt
AT last George and Matte, the eldest
son and daughter, determined TO make
/ their friends a visit, Intending to return
before nightfall, and accordingly they
made an early start in light barouche
! driving a gentle but very fast-trotting
/ horse
The day at the house of their friends
was spent as all days must be where
youth and light hearts combine TO chase
time away and in this instance they did
it SO efiectually that night was darkenine
the earth before the young people thought
of returning home. Putting aside all So
lcitations to remain over night, they pre-
pared to depart. Relying on the trottipg
qualities of their horse, they hoped tC
reach home before their mother should
grow uneasy at their absence. 1t was
near 9 o'clock before they finally got off
but once started, they rolled easily and
swiftly along, until the brow of the hill
overlooking the ravine was reached -
Here the horse suddenly stood still, and
no amount of encouragement would in
duce him to so down the bill.
George was brave youth, and Matte