The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1872-09-05

Royalton's, and asked for Belle. She
was at home and 1 think trembled
little, while the servant was calling he1,
for I never had spoken with her except
in the presence of others, much less Wis
tied her in her own home. 1 was even
more agitated when she entered the
room, and the touch of her hand thrill
ed me through and through. It was
only by mighty effort that controll-
ed my feelings. All, how lovely she
was
I dared not dwell upon such thoughts,
so stammered out the business that
brought me there. She smiled when
I. told her-a mischievous smile, 1
thought.
"Thank you, very much, Mr.. jackson,
but have no word to send to Mr.. Rich
ards that know Of"
was surprised, and she saw it.
"You have been led into an error"
she said, more seriously, "but / thank
you all the same. hope you will see
no trouble on the journey. You must
| be very careful, however, for fires are
burning through all that region"
You don't know how these words
CuStlto lucs my Gill
barrassing position, could not feel sor-
ry that I went; and apologizisg for my
mistake, took my leave, very much
happier, yet, withal, feeling sort of
pity for John.
the first part of my journey was per-
formed without serious trouble. 1t is
true, I had some narrow escapes from
the fires which found everywhere, thus
proving my mothers fears not without
foundation. But, on Saturday night
the night for camping out met with
the first Of series of mishaps that
promised very unfortunate ending to
my trip.
The camping out, however, was not
so disagreeable as I anticipated; for
our men on the way up, had erected a
cabin for themselves, and a sort of sta
BILE for the horses. In the latter tied
Jim, finding hay and grain enough for
feed, and then betook myself to the
other cabin, where made preparations
for passing a comfortable night But
could not sleep at first. Ten thousand
dollars in ones pocket is not remark
able narcotic, especially when one is in
a lonely cedar swamp, with fires light
ing the heavens above, the suffocating
smoke retarding respiration, and you
don't know how many desperate men
prowling around for prey. But sleep
came to me after while, and money,
fire, smoke and robbers were forgot
| ten.
do not know how long slept, but 1
do knew that I was awakened very sud-
denly. sprang from the heap of straw,
which had been my bed, and, by the
| light of the fires which had burned near
er, 1 saw man standing in the door.
His face was toward me--a black face it
was, too, but whether artifcially color
ed or natural, could not say.
| eff you don't want to get burned up,
grufily. "Ten minutes more, and the
hut will be ablaze.'
1 needed no second bidding. l found
that his words were true-his warning
timely. On three sides of the cabin the
hungry flames were greedily licking up
everything combustible, and, at one
point, were only a few rods from where
/ stood.
The smoke was sitting, the heat was
scorching. 1 had no time to waste. The
stranger was already on the move, as I
knew by the sound of his horses foot
falls was not far behind, 1 assure
you, for my faithful horse seemed to
realize that we were in peril.
The smoke was so dense that could
not see a rod ahead, but struck out
boldly, and ride of half an hour took
me out of immediate danger. Then, for
the first time since my awakening, 1
thought of the money. l quickly clap
ped my hand to my breast-pocket. 1t
aoas empty.
Can yeu guess my first wish? 1t was
that 1 had been left to my fate in that
rude hut, for death seemed preferable to
dishonor. These thoughts did not re-
main with me any length of time, how
ever, for, somewhere in advance of me,
fleeing from his victem, and from the
devouring element, was the robber. My
only desire, then, was, to overtake him
and wreak out my vengeance on his
worthless carcass.
Putting the whip to my horse, I dash
ed on, making but little progress, how
ever, for the way had never been travelled
before, unless by some footman. Toward
daylight the way improved, and soon
after sunrise 1 struck a road. 1 now
moved on more rapidly. By frequent
inquiries 1 learned that was on the
track of the villain, but some hours be-
hind him. was gaining on him, how
ever. AS the day waned heard of him
nearer and nearer. hoped to overtake
him before dark, but failed.
did not despair. l kept on; and
somewhere between eight and nine
o'clock, reached a village situated on
the border of bay, or. the lake itself
I could not tell which. 1 rode down to
the bay to give my thirsty horse drink
but he had only touched his lips to the
water, when he lifted up his head, turn
ed square round, and, with dilated eyes
swelling nostrils, and elevated ears
gazed toward the woods which nearly
surrounded the village. And I, too
turned in the same direction, for a low
rumbling sound, inexplicable TO me
broke the Sabbath stiffness. Louder
and louder it grew as we gazed, until il
was like the noise of mighty, irresisti-
BILE waters, sweeping toward us. The
inhabitants of the village were aroused
Though conscious of some terrible dan
ger, they were yet ignorant of their aw
| full doom. Even the domestic animals
took the alarm, and fed, helter- skelter
trampling many poor unfortunate un-
der foot in their mad flight.
But the worst was yet to come.
Dumb with awe rather than fear,
| stood facing the mysterious roar-stooC