Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1871-02-01
TEE GAME FOR LIFE.


Il was terrible stormy night; dari, as
pitch, and blowing u hurricane. Ny over
coat was wet through, and my jack-bOOts
completely filled with water. The lightning 9
kept up one constant succession Of vivid
flashes, and the deep thunder rolled in eve
~ direction. Under the most favorable cir
cumstances such night would not be con
sidered pleasant; but when you are alone in
country you don t know, have lost your
way, aud can't see a foot beyond your hOr
Sc nose, | don't think any one can imagine
anything more unpleasant. This, however,
was my case. was in the far, far West, in
fact, at a greater distance from the Atlantic
saaboard than had ever attained before.
Business had called me there, and for certain
reasons had to travel toward the backWoods
taking with me a considerable sum Of mon
Cy, which ii was of the utmost importance
| should deliver safely at its destination as
soon as possible.
Ia my anxiety to perform NY mission we'll
had foolisbly passed the place where |
ought to have rested for the night, tondy
hoping to reach another station before the
close Of the evening; but the storln coming
on, lost my way, and there l was, stumb-
ling about over stumps OF trees, my horse
knee deep in the mud, and | without the
Down came the rain IN torrents, beating
the muddy earth as it it wished to wash it
clean. | was wet through to the skin, and
my horse at every step seemed sinking deep
er and deeper into the mud, till at last he
refused to move Il step further. In vain |
plunged my spurs into his sides, and used
my whip, not another foot would he move,
but stood with trem bling IiaHks and extent
ed uostrils, the picture OF agouized fear; so
I IN L trFaF y,ti aarlh
YOU may Judge my surprise when reached
his head TO find that he was nearly touching
wall | stretched forth my hand, and, TO
my delight, found it was log hut.
Here is shelter at all events, said |,
10 myself, though 1 scarcely deserve it for
my foolhardiness in riding past the station
Well, | suppose | shall have to go supper
less to sleep, and heaven knows that is bad
enough 10 my present condition.
Drawing the bride over my arm, [ lei my
horse round the building, feeling carefully
so as not to miss the doorway. l passed
down one side aud turned the corner, when,
To my delight, | perceived a light shining
through some chinks in the logs. Without
pausiu- moment u consider what guests
might be assembled inside, I fastened to
the door, and beating loudly upon II, de-
mandad admittance. had not long to wait
Tie door opened slowly, aud n tall thin man
stood before me-
The fellow was roughly dressed, and wore
large broad brimmed hat thrown carelessly
on his head Z cloak much the worse Tor
wear, hung from his shoulders and nearly
reached the ground his figure was spare,
but very powerful. With his left hand he
held the door, so as to be ready to close II
in an instant, and in his right a Colts re
vl.ver-A Dung America 5 constant compan'
Ion
Having glanced at his toilet. turned my
attention TO his face, and ] must say, a more
Gsagreeable one | never witnessed. lt was
long and thin, but very sa!iow, high cheek
bones sharp, evillooking eyes, a nose like
an eagle 5 beak, low, receding forehead, and
huge mouth filed with horrible tusks. =
long tuft of hair hung from his chin, and
his upper lip and cheek had not felt the
touch OF a razor for some days.
Having fixed his evil eyes on me, and ia
ken good inventory Of my personal appear,
ance and effects, he pocketed bis plstoi'and
crawlld out:
Wal what's the matter?''
Matter" 7 exclaimed; matter enough;
! should think. have lost my way, and
am wet TO the skin.
Wal, I can help that, F" he replied, and
drew back as If to shut the door.
"BI. need SHELTER [ cried; my good
fellow | am nearly drowned.
'You IL, look as if you'd been making
wat goods of yourself, he drawled, open.
ing his mouth, aud showing his irighltul
tu-ks
Don't keep me here, nv good fellow,
exclaimed looking anxiously at the hre /;
i only want q feed for my horse and shell
Ter tJr myself; for both Of which you shall
be We'll paid.
There's barn at the end of the hut for
the oss, said he jerking his head IN the
direction. You had better go and put hun
np, stranger, and then come here
y / saw there was no help Tor 1t, L led
ms horse 10 the barn, made him as comfort
able As | could, aud then taking my saddle
bags over my arm, entered the hut.
1t was a wretched hovel, composed o.
rough hewn logs, rudely put together, anG
plastered with mud, great masses OF Whlcf
had fallen away, leaving the logs exposed I!
view, and the sharp wind whistled throgsi
the chinks in a miserable manner. Ih'
hearth was composed of stones beaten mt
the earth, and upon it blazed a large tIe
which, although it filed the room witt
smoke, was, in my condition, most accep
table
Mynewly made acquaintance appeared t
have fallen fast asleep before the ire; s
giving one look at his disagreeable counte
nance, | took off my coat and waistcOat, lar
them out to dry, and placing the saddle bag
Tor pillow, prepared to go to sleep.
Wal, stranger" said my host startlp.
Up with a snarl, Il du think you might b