Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1871-02-02
THE G. AME FOR LIFE.

, II was n terribly stormy night: dark as
pitch, and blowing a hurricane Nv over
coat was wet through. and my isckboots
completely filled with water The light
ning kept up one constant succession of
vivid flashes. and the deep thuudcr rolled
in every direction Under the most ia
vorahle circumstances such night would
not be considered pleasant; but wheE
YOU arc alone IN country Won don {
know. have lost your way. and cant't see
a foot beyond your horses nose. | don't
think any one can imagine anything
more unpleasant This however. was
my case. was in the far. far West,
in fact. n greater distance from the Allan
tic scaboarl than | had ever attained be-
fore. Business had called me there. and
for certain reasons had to travel towards
the back woods. taking with me consid-
cradle sum of money which it was of tho
utmost Importance | should deliver safe
ly at its destination as soon as possible.
In my anxiety to perform NV mission
we'll had foolishly passed the place
where ought to have rested for the night.
before the close of evening but the storm
coming on. lost nv way. and there
was, stumbling about over stumrs of
trees. my horse knce-dccp in the mud
aud without the slightest idea which way
to turn.
/ Down came the rain in torrents. beat
inc the muddy earth as if it wished to
wash i, clean. | was wet through to the
skin. and my horse at every stcn seemed
sinking deeper aud deeper into the mud i.
till at last he refused tn move step furth-
or. In vain plunged nv spurs into his
sides. and used my whip. not another foot
woald he move, bu, stood with troubling
TANKS and extended nostrils. the picture
of agonized fear; so | was forced to dis
mount and lead him. But you may Judge
my surprise when | reached his head TO
find that he was nearly touching wall
| stretched forth my hand. aud to my de-
light. found it was log hut.
. .'l;erc is a shelter. at all events" said
to myself. though | scarcely deserve
il for my foolhardiness in riding past the
station. Well. | suppose shall have to
20 suppcrlcss to sleep. aud heaven knows
that is bad enough in my present condi-
ton"
Drawing the bride over my arm. led
my horse round the building. feeling care
fully 81 as not to miss the doorway. |
passed down one side aud turned the cor
ner, when, to my delight. | perceived n
lish; shining through some chiuks in the
logs. Without pausing n moment to con-
slider what guests might BE- assembled in
side. hastened to the door. and beating
loudly upon it. demanded admittance.
had not long to wait. The door opened
slowly. and a tall, thin man stood before
me.
The fellow was roughly dressed. and
wore large broad -brimmed hat thrown
carelessly on his head, cloak much the
worse for wear. hung from his shoulders.
aud nearly reached the ground his fg-
ure was spare, but very, powerful With
his left hand be held the uoor, So as a.
be ready to close it in an instant, and in
his right Colts revolver-Young Amer
iea's constant companion.
| Having glanced at his toilet. I turned
my attention to his face. and must say.
a more disagreeable one | never witnes-
SD. Il was long and thin. but very sal
low. high cheek bones. sharp, cvil-look-
ing eyes. nose like an eagles beak. low
reeeding forehead. and huge mouth FL
led with horrible tusks A long ,uft oi
hair hung from his chin. and his upper
lip aud checks had not felt the toach of a
razor for some days.
| Having ixed his evil little eyes on me,
and taken goei inventory Of my person
al appearance and effects. he pcckescd hi.
pistol, and drawled out:
/ '.Wal, what's .i.e matter
Matter" exclaimed: matter enough
should think. have lost my way, ant
am wet TO the skin"
Wal. | can't help that" he replied
and drew back - ii 10 shat the door.