The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1874-11-04
SOMERSET. Pa, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4. 1874

would be an additional feather in his
cap, if be could succeed without aid
from his band.
Our traveller staid at a tavern in
the valley east Of Stoystowh and in
the morning carefully examined his
arms, found they had not been tam
pered with, and placed them ready to
lie instantly used. His horse was in
good condition aud travelled freely in
the early morning With every seuse
alert our traveller proceeded, and as
be approached the place where he ex-
pected to be interviewed be kept
the middle of the road, and cast q
wary eye on either side, not to be un-
prepared aud taken with one of
Lewis's tremendous leaps, Of which
be had often heard and was ready
for. His precautions were as yet
entirely useless, nothing dangerous
or even suspicious had been seen.
But one person had been in sight and
his motions indicated that be wished
he wasn't. He seemed in haste and
anxious to avoid being overtaken, or
spoken to. As the horseman gradG-
ally oyerhauled him, reason for not
desiring to extend the circle of his
acquaintance was apparent. The
man was evidently very drunk and
was hurrying home to sleep of the
effects of night Of dissipation. Soon
another and a greater reason was
seen; he had been fighting and it re-
quired no second look TO one long
used to frontier life and rough and
tumble fighting to tell that he had
been worsted. His bruised and
bloody head, and soiled clothing,
somethiAs Of weakness in the gait
and general lassitude was evidence
of great physical exhaustion and suf-
fering. In apparent desperation at
the imminence of being oVertaken,
spoken to, questioned about the
fight and perhaps made fan Of for his
want of pluck, be pushed forward as
rapidly as possible, in sporting
language he spirited but the effort
as was soon apparent had been too
much for him. He staggered, rallied
a little, struggled on for short dis
tance and then with despairing
groan fell, limp, helpless and almost
lifeless in the road. Our traveller
was a humane man, Of generous im-
pulses and q ready sympathy, espec-
ially for fighting men, as was common
at that day. He had been in many
a fight himself, be had readily divin-
ed the state of mind of the man be-
fore him and heartily compassionate
ing the condition ofthe sorely stricken
one hurried to his relief, hastily dis
mounted from his well trained horse
and was about to raise him and place
him in a more comfortable position
wbeu-Boom-whish he fell stunned
and nearly senseless in the ditch,
and could barely hear aud understand
the taunting laugh and shout OF the
treacnerOuS FOODeE dS hO SSiNSu h"'
well-flled saddle-bags. and in two
or three buck-like leaps disappeared
down the side of the mountain. The
taunting shout told him he was a
victim TO the wiles of Lewis the Ban
dit Chief and that added an additional
sting to his overwhelming misery. The
robber soon found his gang and made
them laugh heartily at bis racy recital
of the mornings adventure. But the
victim +? That mornings work had
ruined and made him desperate. He
was defraaded Of his sympathy and
rob'd of his money. There in solitude
and sorrow he made VOW to deeply
avenge his own and Others wrongs
He was the man to keep that vow to
the bitter end. liz our next we will
tell of bis visit to the Robbers Den
and subsequent adventures.
Globe Continued)