The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1874-03-04
"Yes, wake up, Andy !" echoed the
outlaws loudly and dersiyely.

outlaws loudly and dersively.
Aroused at last my conrad
sprang to bis feet, and at the mex
moment was standing by my side.
Instantly q dozen or more rife
were leveled at us with deadly ain
Yer amt goin' to show fight, ar
ye?" demanded one of the outlaws,
brutal looking wretch, and the leade
of the band, as it afterwards appear
ed.
That depends on circumstances.
responded Andy, unhesitatingly
We're two good men, afraid o
neither man or beast-and if your in
tentions are hostile, as they appea
to be, you may take my word for j
that we'll give YOU all the trouble W
can"
you won't now, will yer ?" "rejoin
ed the desperate, tauntingly. Cues
yell have your hands full eff yer tr,
that sort NV a game"
We'll. what do you want here
any how" | demanded boldly, full,
satisfied in my own mind that if W,
got out of the present scrape We hat
to fight it out
What do we want har?" was tn,
rapid reply. II guess the forests a
free to US as it is to any one else
Don't karkulate that you're boss
here, stranger, do yery"
Nor" was Andy's quick reply
and took the words out Of my mouth
NOR are you. But that's not tb,
point ~ he added what do yor
want with us!n
Yer money an Yer traps! Under
stand that sort o. talk, don't yer p
Yes, we understand that your a
gang of thieves and cut tbrOats ?
responded Andy fercely "but if you
get anything from US you've got tc
fight for it, though We are but two
against a dozen. Give 'em a shot.
comrade !" added the fiery fellow
addressing himself to me. I'VE cant
make the matter worse ?"
II thought SO too, and raising nv
rife, Andy and myself fired simulta,
neously.
Immediately two of the outlaws
fell dead to the ground, and the rest
uttered concerted yell, that sound
ed more fearful than the howl of the
wolf had so recently driven away.
Now give 'em the pistols." shout
ed Andy, his whole soul in the dead
ly conflict.
Each of US carried brace of doub-
lie barreled pistols, which gave Us
eight shots between US, and gniek as
Lighting We were discharging the
loads in the faces of the outlaws.
Six more of the brigands fell before
our aim, while We remained uniDjur-
ed, Notwithstanding a number of
shots whistled around our
ears and over our heads.
Now charge upon the thieves p
yelled Andy, in stentorian tones
II followed my comrades lead,
and together We charged upon the
FIVE outlaws, for that num-
Der was left.-A fierce aud bloody
fight ensued. Andy performed mir
ncies, and did double duty; but as
fate would have it, we were both
rendered hOrs du combat, nv COM
radc by a pistol wound in his side,
and | by bowie cut in the shoulder.
Il knew nothing more after that,
for the next moment | became un-
When | came to mvself,
| found | was in a cave, and it was not
ong before | discovered that the cave
was the haunt of robbers. This
much | learned by listening. for /
could see nothing, the bright light of
lay seemed never to penetrate that
dismal cavern. 1t was the gloom
est, chiliest, place | was ever in, and
rom the bottom of my heart | wish
ed myself well out of it.
81 thought of Andy, You may be
sure, but could see no way of finding
1ut what had become Of him.
After a while, however, an old
and outrageously ugly Indian Squaw
made her appearance She brought
ne food and medicine, and Temporal
Y light. My wounds had already
been dressed. or course, | was ca
yer to question her.
MY good woman" said j very
pleasantly, II should like to know
where / am-will YOU tell me ?"
"She shook her head negatively.
md to all ] could say or do 1 got no
,ther answer. | inquired about An
ly, and other matters, but received
10 satisfaction Finally l gave up
n dispair, and let the old hag go.
"A week passed, and ! was COM
well About the expira-
ion of that time, the old squaw came
o me one day and beckoned me 20
ollow her. Having no reason to re-
use obedience, ! complied with her
and after traversing q
lnmber Of dark passages found N.Y.
elf in the open air 1t was q bright
md sunny morning, and despite my
ituation, | inhaled the pure atmOs-
'here with delight.
Assembled on the spot / beheld a
rang of score or more Of the worst
ooking men | had ever encountered,
md in the midst my friend and COM
ade Andrew HUFF Andy looked
pale and emaciated, and
ppesred TO have suffered much more
han myself We had barely time TO
rect each other, and say, God bless
'ou, comrade :" when we were sud-
enly and roughly seized and gag
ed. AT the same time one of the
utlaws. whom | ct once recognised
$ the leader of the party we had
rst encountered, stepped forward
nd addressed US.
Now, cuss ~ he cried passion
tely, well make you pay for your
ard work t'otber night Strip 'em,"
In few moments we were strip
ed to the skin, and We had neither
be power to resist or expostulate.
we were separately led to the
rink of a chasm near, and made to
Dok down into the almost unfathom-
bic depths. A stream of water
ashed along over the rocks at the
ottOm. 1t made me dizzy to look
own. We were then stationed a