The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1873-01-23

knew it-there could be no doubt had
taken into my confidence Gustns Karl,
the Wabash robbert For moments
feared my emotions would betray me.
l looked carefully over his person again,
aud | knew was not mistaken. |
could look back now and see how cum
ningly he had led me on to the confess
ion of my circumstances-how he had
made me tell Of my affairs, and reveal
the state of my finances. What fool 1
have beenl But it was too late to think
Of the past. I had enough to look out
for what was evidently to come.
l at length managed to overcome ali
my outwasd emotions, and then l began
to watch my companion more sharply
and closely. My pistols were both
ham, 2, and | knew they were in order,
for had examined them in the after.
noon when I thought of firing 1T some
game
They were In the breast pocket of my
coat, which pocket ha6 been made on
purpose for them, and l could reach
them at any moment. Another hour
passed awap. and by that time | had be-
come assured that the robber would
make no attempt on me until after night
fall He said that it would be conven-
lent for us both to be together. for we
could run all night, as one could steer
while the other slept
AYE" added, with smile; that
is good for me, for every hour is valua-
ble ! would not miss meeting my
friend for the world
20! you'll meet him. never fear, I"
said my companion.
Ah-he spoke with too much mean
ing | understood it well. l knew
what that sly tone and that strange
! cleaning of the eye meant. lie meant
he would put me on the road to meet
poor Knapp in the other world. l only
wonder that | had not detscted the rob-
Der when | FIRST saw him, for the ex
preston Of his face was so heartless, Sc
icy-and his eyes had such a wicked
look-that the most unpractised physi.
ognomist could not have failed to de.
tect the villain at once.
During the rest of the afternoon We
eonversed some, but not as treeley as be.
fore. could see that the villain eye.
were not so frankly bent on me as be
spoke, and that he seemed inclined te
avoid my direct glances. The move
ments on his part were not studied, OF
even intentional. but they were instinct
i've, as though his very nature led thus
At length night came on. We ate oul
supper and then smoked our pipes, anG
fually my companion proposed that
should sleep before he did,. A
first, [ thought of Directing, but few
moments reflection told me that / hac
better behave as though he was an hon
est man so [ agreed to his proposition
He took my seat at the stern, and
moved further forward. and having re
moved the thwart upon which my com
panion had been sitting. spread m!
cloak in the bottom of the canoe, anG
then having placed my valise for Pill
low, laid down. As soon as possible
| drew out one Of my pistols, and be
meath the cover of cough I cooked
it. Then Imeved my body so that my
i arm could be at liberty. and graspins
my weapon firmly, with my finger upor
the guard, l drew up my mantle. SLOUGH
ed my hat, and then settled down fol
my watch.
Fortunately for ice the moon was up
and though the forest threw a shadow
upon me, yet the beams fell upon Karl
and [ could see his every movement. VS.
were well into the Wabash, having en-.
! tered it about three O clock.
You will call me at midnight"
said. drowsiy.
yes" he returned.
Goodnight.
"Good-night-and pleasant dreams.
III have you further on your way than
you think ere you wake up again"
Perhaps SO, l thought to myself, as
L lowered my head, and pretended to
compose myself to sleep.
For halt an hour my companion steer.
cd the canoe we're well, and seemed to
take no notice of me; but at the end of
that time 1 could see ha became moro
uneasy. l commenced to snore with
long and rsxular-drawa breath, aad On
the instant the villain started as starts
tho hunter when he hears the tread of
game in the woods.
But bark Aha-there was before
one lingering fear in my mind tina. |
might shoot the wrong man, but it was
gone now. As the fellow stopped the
motion of the paddle, l distinctly heard
him mutter:
20 ho my dear sheep-you little
dreamed that Gus Karl was your com.
panion. Blu. he'll do you a good turn.
If your friend is dead you shall follow
him, and I'll take your traps TO pay for
your passage to heaven !"
l think these were the very words.
At any rate they were their drift. Az
he thus spoke he noiselessly drew in the
paddle and then rose to his feet. Isaw
him reach over his left shoulder, and
when be brought back his hand he had |
large bowie-knife in it. l could see the |
blade CLEAN in the pale moonlight, and |
say Karl run his thumb along the edge, |
and then feel the point My heart
beat fearfully, and my breathing was
hard. 1t was with the utmost exertion |
could continue snoring. but l managed |
to 60 it without interruption. Slowly |
and noiselessly the foil wretch approach
ed Inc. o his step would not have |
awakened hound-and his long, CLEAN
inc knifs was half raised-I could hear |
his breathing plsinly, and I hear the
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