The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1871-01-25
THE GAME FOR LIFE.


THE GAME FOR LIFE.
AN ADVENTURE IN THE FAR WEST.
It was terrible stormy night; dark
as pitch. and blowing hurricane. My
osercoat was wet through. and my jack
boot. completely filed with water. The
lightning kept up one constant success
sion of vivid flashes, and the deep
thunde, rolled in every direction. Un-
der the most favorable circumstances
such night would not be considered
pleasant but when you are alone in a
country you don't know, have lost your
way, aud cant see foot beyond your
horses nose. l don't think any one can
imagine anything more unpleasant
This, however. was my case. | was In
the far. far West, in fact, at q greater
distance from the Atlantic seaboard
than had ever attained before. Busi.
ness had called me there, aud for Ger
tain reasons had had to travel toward
the backwoods, taking with me con-
siderable sum of money, which it Was of
the utmost n.portance should deliver
safely at its destination as soon as pos
sible.
In my anxiety to perform my mis-
sion well had foolishly passed the
place where ought 70 have rested for
the night, foudly hoping to reach anoth-
er station before the close Of evening (;
but tie storm coming on, I lost my way,
and there 1 was, stumbling about over
siumps OF trees, my horse knee deep in
the mud, aud l without the slightest
idea which way to turn.
Down came the rain in torrents, beat
ing the muddy earth as if it wished to
wash it clean I was wet through to
the skin. aud my horse at every step
seemed sinking deeper and deeper into
the mud, till at last he refused to move
step further. In vain l plunged my
spurs into his sides, and used ny whip,
not auothel DOT would he move, but
stood with trembling tanks and extend
ed nosrrils, the picture Of agonized fear !;
50 was forced 10 diemouut and leao
him. But you may judge my surprise
when reached his head to 6nd that he
was nearly touching wall. stretched
forth my hani, and, to my delight, it
was log hat.
Here is shelter. at all events"
said Ito myself, "thoush l scarcely de-
serve it for my ftolhardiness in riding
past the station. Well, I suppose |
shall have to go supperless to sleep,
and heaven knows that is bad enough
in my present condition"
Drawing the bride over my arm, l
led my horse round the building, feel
ing carefully so as not to miss the door
way. passed down one side and turn:
ed the corner, when, to my delight, I
perceived q light shining through some
ehinks in the logs. Without pausing
moment to consider what guests might
be assembled inside ! FASTENED to the
door and beafiue lordly upon il, de
manded admittaSce 1 had not long to
a-s;. THE door oneped sleyly. and a
IL, H." sh;5 man | stood bssore Sc.
'A' fhs rS fellow sI was s. roughly % dressed, and
x,rs = jsrss broad brimmed hat shrovp
....iosaIu m m h. head a cloak much
the tsssus Sayss f sar r wear. hang from his
sboniJers. and nearly reached the
S,ound. b;s 6onre vas snare. but very
ssUu sSsrsrtul win his left hand he held
IL door 80 s.to. be read,..so close it in.
an instant. and 10 his rieita Colts rs
aI ag .as.A1' Voans : nsr;ss Z s1nstSnt com
ve.ie.-1' ;sn '"1
pa11ou; mo ,;,,n..d : ia; to;I.t. ;Li turned
nas.og ..ps;s. s,sasIS = S;s : sses and must
say I,...s s,.sEss.ss .s's .Ss sss ''Sss Sss
veiy .sliss, high shasl bones sharp,
hal, hal Ios. :: rsssdiSa fSfehsad, eanda a
20 - ~ 1890. lS.:6i>,s t,,sEs