The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1874-08-15
was one of those men who knew would
use it well when the time came.

was one OF EnOSe men VINO knew would
use it well when the time came.
Ny suspicious of our host grew at last
to such pitch that 1 determined to
communicate them to Dick. Nothing
would be easier than for this villianous
half-breed-for l felt convinced he
had Indian blood in him nothing
would be easier than, with the aid of
an accomplice, to cut our throats or
shoot us while we were asleep, and so
get our guns, watches, and whatever
money we ca rried. Who, in these
lonely woods, would hear the shot, or
hear our cries for help? What ennis
sary of the law, however sharp, could
point out our graves in those wild woods,
or bring the murder home to those who
committed it? Linton at first laughed;
then grew serious; and gradually be-
came convert to my apprehensions.
We hurrie,1ly agreed that, while one
slept, the other should watch, and so
take it in turns through the night.
Joel had surrendered to us his couch
of deer-skin and his blanket; he him.
self said he could sleep quite as well on
the floor, near the fire. AS Dick and i
were both very tired, we were anxious
to get our rest as soon as possible. So
after hearty meal of deer-steak and
tough cakes, washed down BY good
draught from our brandy flask, l, being
the youngest, got the first hours sleep,
and flung myself on the couch of skins.
as my eyes gradually closed, saw a
dim picture of Dick seated sternly
watch ing by the fire, and the long shape
of the half-breed stretching out like a
huge shadow upon the floor.
After what l could have sworn to be
only three minute doze, Dick woke
me, and informed me that my hour was
out; and turning me out of my warm
nest, lay down without any ceremony,
and in few seconds was heavily snor-
ing. l rubbed my eyes, elt for my re-
volyer, and seating myself on one of the
pine>stumps, commenced my watch
The half-breed appeared to be buried in
a profound slumber, and in the half
weird light cast by the wood embers,
his enormous figure seemed almost Ii
tantic in its proportions. / confess 1
felt that in struggle for life he was
more than match for myself and Dick.
then looked at the fire, and then began
favOrite amusement of mine--shaping
forms in the embers. All sorts of fig
ures defined themselves before me. Bat
ties, lempests at sea, familiar faces,
and above all shone, ever returning,
the dear features of Bertha Linton, my
afiiauced bride. She seemed to me to
smile at me through burning haze,
and could almost fancy l heard her
say, "While you are watching in the
lonely forest I am thinking of you, and
praying for your safety"
A slight movement on the part of the
slumbering half-breed here recalled me
from til ose sweet dreams. He turned
on his side, lifted himself slowly on his
elbow, and gazed attentively at me. /
did not stir, Still retaining my stoop-
ing attitude, half closed my eyes, and
remained motionless. Doubtless he
thought was asleep, for in moment
or two he rose noislessly, and creeping
with stealthy step across the floor,
passed out of the hut. lstened-Oh,
how eagerly 1t seemed to me that,
through the imperfectly-jolned crevices
of the lOg-walls, could plainly hear
voices whispering. would have CIV
EN- worlds to have crept nearer to listen,
but l was fearful of disturbing the fan
cied security of our host, who l now
felt certain had sinister designs upon us.
So l remained perfectly still. The
whispering suddenly ceased. The half
breed re-entered the hut in the same
stealthy way in which he had quilted it,
and after giving scrutiuizing glance
at me, once morestretched himself upon
the floor and affected to sleep. In few
moments pretended to awake-yawn-
ed, looked at my watch, and finding
that my hour had more than expired,
proceeded to wake Dick. AS turned
him out of bed l whispered in his ear,
Don't take your eyes of that fellow,
Dick. He has accomplices outside; be
CAREFUL" Dick gave meaning glance,
carelessly touched his revolver, as much
as to say, Here's something to inter-
feTe with his little arrangements, and
took his seat on the pine-stump,in in such
a position as to command a view of the
sleeping half breed and the doorway at
the same time.
This time, though horribly tired, /
could not sleep. A horrible load SEEM
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