The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1872-08-09

| iloC d DlG over IVe IeeU, WlUn nSnJ, curly
hair, smooth white face, and not very
stout. But, love ye, he is as quick as light
ming, and his eyes have fire in them. He
dresses in all shades, but generally like a
common hunter. Oh, he is the very devil,
l do believe ~
After the tubful of whisl<ey and water
which the landlord had provided was all
drank, the crowd began to disperse, and
| shortly afterwards went up again to bed,
and this time slept on uninterrupted till
morning.
L had just eaten my breakfast, and had
gone to the front door, when a horseman
came dashing up to the place, himself and
animal covered with mud. 1t had been
raining all night. The first thing the new
conner did was to inquire for me. an
swered at once to the name. He then in
formed me that Lyman Knapp could not
live, and he wished to see me as soon as
possible.
The doctor says he must die said the
messenger, ''and the poor fellow now only
seeks for life long enough to see you.''
''Poor Lyman - I murmered to myself
$50 young, SO hopeful, with so many
friends and relatives in his far-off home
and taken down to die in a strange land
l told the man would set out on my re-
turn as soon as possible. He ate some
| breakfast, and then resumed his journey,
| boing bound as far as the Pottawatomie
border.
l settled my bin, and then sent for my
horse but bitter disappointment awaited
me. found the foot swollen very badly,
ard it panied him so that he could hardly
step on it. Had the road been good l
should have been tempted to try him; but
| knew that in some places the mud would
| he deep. | went to the host and asked
him if he could lend me or sell nle a horse
Ee could do neither. His only spare horse
had been shot the night before by the Wa
bash rObber. There was not horse in the
place to be obtained for any amount of
money l returned to the stable and led
my horse out, but he could not even walk
with any degree of ease. l could not use
him. l was in despair.
Loo here" said mine host, as l began
to despond, cant you manage a canoe ?''
YES very wel,'' I told him.
''Then that is your best way. The cur
rent is strong this morning, and without
stroke ofthe paddle it would take you along
mud. You shall have one Of my canoes
for just what it is worth, and you can sell
it at Logansport for as much"
l caught atthe proposition instantly, for
l saw that it was good one.
''If you darn't shoot the rapids,' added
the landlord, you can easily shoulder the
canoe, and back it round. 'Tisn't far
l found the boat to be well fashioned
''dug-out," large enough to bear four men
with ease, and [ at once paid the owner his
price-ten dollars-and then had my lug
gage brought down. 1 gave directions
about the care Of my horse, and then put
off. The current was quite rapid, say four
or five miles an hour, but not turbulent,
and l soon made up my mind that it was
far better than riding on horseback. The
banks of the river were thicI1ly covered
with large trees and l saw plenty of game.
and more than once l was tempted to fire
the contents of my pistols at some of the
boldest ''vaunints,'' but 1 had no time to
waste, so l keptop. But one thing seemed
wanting, and that was a companion, but
was destined to find one soon enough.
1t was shortly after noon, and had just
, eaten my dinner of bread and cold meat,
when | came to a place where the river
; made an abrupt bend to the right, and a
little further ON 1 came to an abrupt basin
where the currents formed perfect whirl-
Il - 49,
into it, and 1 found myself going round in
stead of going ahead. l piled my wood
paddle with al my power, and soon sue
, ceeded in shooting out from the current ;
but IN doing so ran upon low sandy shore.
The effort had fatigued me not little, and
as l found myself thus suddenly moored l
| resolved to rest few minutes.
had been in this position some ten min
? utes when l was startled by hearing foot
; step close by me, and on looking up saw
a man at the side of the boat. He was a
young looking person, not over two-and-
thirty, and seemed to be a hunter. He
wore wolf-skin, leggings of red leather,
: and a cap of bear-skin.
(Which way are you bound, stranger?'
t he asked in pleasing tone.
'Down the river to Logansport," 1 re
? piled.
THAT'S fortunate wish to go there
s myself the stranger resumed. ''Wha
a say you to my taking your second paddle
t and keeping you company
e 81 should like it, l told him frankly
GIVE been wanting company"
4 $50 have T. added the hunter. '.An'
n I've been wanting some better mode o
/ conveyance than these worn-out legs thro
the deep forest"
,, esCome on,'' said 1, and as I spoke h
leaped into the canoe, and having deposite'
), his rifle in the bow, he took one of the pad
q dies, and told me he was ready when l was