The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1872-08-09
EBENsBURG, PA, FRIDAY, AUGUST 9, 1s72.

/ stranger told me hisnane was Adams, and
his father lived in Columbus. He was now
out on a hunting and prospecting expedi-
tion with some companions who had gone
on to Logansport by horse, and he had got
separated from them in the night, and lost
his horse into the bargain. He said he
had sum of money about his person, and
that was one reason why he disliked to
travel in the forest. -,
Thus he opened his affairs to me, and I
was fool enough to be equally frank. lad
mltted that l had some money, and [ told
my business; and by quiet and most un-
presuming course of remarks he drew from
me the fact that had money enough to
purchase forty full lots.
Finally the conversation Jagged, and 1
began to give my companion a closer scru-
tiny. l sat in the stern of the canoe, and
he was about amidships, and facing me.
He was not large man, nor was he tall.
His hair was of light flaxen hue, and hung
in long curls about his neck his features
were regular and handsome, and his COM
plexion very light. But the color of his
face was not what one could call fair. 1t
was a cold -bloodless color, like pale marble.
And for the first time, too, l looked partic-
ularly at hiseyes. They were grey in color,
and had the brilliancy of glaring ice.-
Their light was intense, but cold and gilt
tering like snakes. When thought of
his age l set him down as not much over
thirty.
Suddenly a sharp cold shudder ran thro'
my frame, and my heart leaped with a wild
thrill As sure as fate-I knew it-there
could be no doubt-I-had taken into my
confidence Gustus Karl, the Wabash rob-
Der! feared my emotions would betray
me-. l looked carefully over his person
again, and 1 knew | was not mistaken. 1
could look back nov and see how cunning
ly he had led me on to a confession of my
circumstances-how he had made me tell
my affairs, reveal the state of nay finances.
What a fool | had been! But it was too
late to think Of the past. | had enough to
look out for what was evidently to come.
l at length managed to overcome all my
outward emotions, and then | began to
watch my companion more sharply and
closely My pistols were both handy, and
l knew they were in order, for l had exam
ined them in the afternoon when thought
of firing at some game.
They were in the breast pocket of my
coat, which pocket had been made on pur-
pose for them, and could reach them at
any instant. Another hour passed away,
and by that time had become assured that
the robber would make no attempt upon
me until after nightfall. He said that it
would be convenient that we were together,
for we could run all night, as one could
steer while the other slept.
"Aye," l added with a smile 'that is
good for me, for every hour is valuable. l
would not miss meeting my friend for the
world.''
60! you'll meet him, never fear" said
my companion.
Ah-he spoke that with too much mean
ing. I understood it well. l knew what
the sly tone and that strange cleaning of
the eye meant. He meant he would put
me on the road to meet poor Knapp in the
other world. only wonder now that had
Il
him, for the expression of his face was Sc
heartless, so icy-and his eyes had such a
wicked look-that the. most unpracticed
physiognomist could not have failed to de
tect the villain at once.
During the rest of the afternoon we con
versed some, but not so freely as before. /
could see that the Villains eyes were not sc
frankly bent on me as he spoke, and that
he seemed inclined to avoid my direct
! glances. The movements on his part were
not studied, or even intentional, but they
were instructive, as though his very nature
led thus. At length night came on. We
ate our supper and then smoked our pipes,
and finally my companion proposed that
should sleep before he did. At first | tho t
of objecting; but a few moments reflection
| told me that had better behave as though
he were an honest man; so l agreed to his
| proposition. He took my seat at the stern
and l moved further forward, and having
removed the thwart upon which my com
panion had been sitting, | spread my cloak
in the bottom of the boat, and then, having
placed my valise for a pillow, laid down
| AS soon as possible drew ouC Oho VI NY
pistols and beneath the cover of a cough
cooked it. Then moved my body so tha
my arm could be at liberty, and graspme
my weapon firmly, with my finger on the
guard, drew up my mantle, slouchlng m!
hat, and then settled down for my watch.
Fortunately for me, the moon was up
and though the forest threw a shadow upol
me, yet the beams fell upon Karl, and
could see his every movement. We wer
well into the Wabash, having entered
about three o'clock.
'"You will call me at midnight, said
drowsily.
''Yes,'' he returned.
.'Good night p
'Good highland pleasant dreams. L
have you further on your way than yo