Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1874-10-22

us the well where you get this water
near at hand?n said the young lacy;
'.for if you will take the trouble to
bring me some from it, as this is rather
tepid, it shall be considered in the reck-
oning."
1T is a good bit off" ssid the woman;
"but cannot refuse to fetch some for
such a civil, discreet lad, and will be as
quick as / can. But, for any sake, take
care and don't meddle with these pistols"
she continued, pointing TO pair of
pistols on the table, q for they are load
ed. and am always terrified for them"
Saving this, she disappeared; and
Miss Cochrane, vino would have con-
trived some other errand for her had the
well been near, no sooner saw the door
shut than she passed, with trembling
eagerness, and cautious but rapid
step, across the floor to the place where
the man lay soundly sleeping, in one of
those close wooden bedsteads common in
the homes of the poor, the door of which
was left half-open to admit the air, and
which she opened still wider, in the hope
of seeing the mailbag, and being able to
seize upon it. But what was her dismay
when she beheld only part of the in
tegument which contained what she
would have sacrificed her life a
thousand times to obtain just peerlng out
from below the shaggy head and brawny
shoulders of its keeper, who lay in such
position upon it as to give not the
smallest hope of its extraction without
being aroused from his nap! A few bit
ter moments of observation served to
convince her that if she obtained posses
sion of this treasure it must be in some
other way; and again closing the door OF
the bed she approached the pistols, and
having taken them one by one from the
hostlers she as quietly as possible drew
out their loading, which having Sc
creted, she returned them to their cases,
and resumed her seat at the foot of the
table Here she had barely time to re-
cover from the agitation into which the
fear of the mans awaking during her
recent occupation had thrown her, when
the old woman returned with the water;
and having taken a draught, of which
she stood much in need, she settled her
account, much to her landlady's content,
by paving for the water the price of
pot of beer. Having then carelessly
asked and ascertained how much longer
the other guest was likely to continue his
sleep, she left the house, and mounting
her horse she set off at a trot in differ
ent direction from that in which she had
arrived.
Making circuit of two or three miles
she once more fell into the high-road be-
tween Bedford and Berwick, where she
walked her horse gently on, awaiting the
coming up of the postman. Though all
her faculties were now absorbed in one
aim and the thought of her fathers de-
lIverance still reigned supreme in her
mind, she could not help occasionally
figuring to herself the possibility of her
tampering with the pistols being discov-
ered and their loading replaced, in which
case it was more than likely that her life
would be the forfeit of the act she med
itated When she at length saw and
heard the postman advancing behind her,
the strong necessity Of the case gave her
renewed courage; and it was with per-
feet GOODNESS that, on his coming up, she
civilly saluted him, put her horse into
the same pace with his, and rode on for
some way in his company. He was a
strong, thick-set fellow, with a good
humored countenance, which did not
seem to Miss Cochrane, as she looked
anxiously upon it, to SAVIOR much of hardy
daring. He rode with the mail bags
strapped firmly to his saddle in front,
close to the holsters flor there were two),
one containing the letters direct from
London, and the other those taken up at
the different postoffices on the road.
After riding short distance to-
gether Miss Cochrane deemed it time, as
they were nearly halfway between Bel
ford and Berwick, to commence her opera
tons She therefore rode close to her
companion, and said in tone of determi-
nation, " Friend, have taken fancy for
mail-bags of yours, and l must have
them; therefore, take my advice and de-
liver them up quietly, for | am provided
for all hazards. / am mounted, as you
see, on a fleet steed; | carry fire. arms,
and, moreover, am allied with those who
are stronger though not holder than my.
self. You see yonder wood" she contin-
ued, pointing to one at the distance OF
about mile, with an accent and air
meant to carry intimidation. Again,
say, take my advice, give me the bags
and speed back the road you came for
the present nor dare to approach that
wood for at least two or three hours to
come"
There was in such language from
stripping something so surprising that
the man looked on Miss Cochrane for an
instant in silent and unfeigned amaze
ment "lf," said he, as soon as he found
his tongue, "you mean, my young mas
ter, TO make yourself merry at my ex-
pense, you are welcome. / am no sour
churl to take offense at the idle words of
foolish boy. But it," hes said, taking
one of his pistols from the holster and
turning its muzzle toward her, you are
mad enough to harbor one serious
thought of such matter / am ready for
you. But methinks, my lad, you seem at
an age when robbing garden or an old
woman's fruit stall would befit you bet
ter, if you must turn thief, than taking
His Majesty's mails from stout man
such as | am upon his highway. BE
thankful, however, that you have met 4.
with one who will not shed blood If he
can help it, and sheer off before you pro-
woke me to fire
may" said his young antagonist, ="
am not fonder of bloodshed than you
are; but if you win not be persuaded,
what can / do? For ] have told you
truth - Hsnt mail I must and nil hare. So
now choose" she continued, as she drew
one of the small pistols from under her