The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-03-12
"WALKING THE PLANK"

The history or the west is one long
record of bloody and atrocious deeds.
Not the least in the dark and intermi-
nable catalogue is the little event We
are now about to lay before our kind
readers. We heard the story from the
lips of one who professed-and we had
no reason to doubt his word-to have
played prominent part in the occur
renee, and we give it to the reader just
as we heard it.
Some years ago, said the narrator,
a friend and myself agreed to take a
tramp, hunter fashion, through the
great wilderness of the Northwest.
Having provided ourselves with what
things we thought actually necessary,
and nothing mere, we started upon our
perilous journey; for that it was per-
ilous We were fully aware, and every
reader will admit.
After encountering innumerable
hardships and many dangers, we found
ourselves in the widest kind of re-
gion, many miles distant from the
haunts of civilization. Already we had
passed through enough to have dis
cOuraged most of men, but we were
young and full of blood, and not easily
put out or frightened. This was par
ticularly the case with my companion,
whose name was Andrew Huff.
Both of us were perfectly healthy, as
strong as iron, and considerably ex-
perienced in the use of such articles as
rifles, pistols and bowie knives. In all
these respects we could hold our own
with the best; had it been otherwise,
we should never have lived to reach
the point at which we finally arrived.
Just about dark one evening in the
latter part Of July, after hard days
tramp, we halted for the night. A
darker, deeper, lonelier solitude thar
that which surrounded us, it would be
hard to imagine. Silently we built 6
little fire and supper; silently we ate it.
Worn out, and for the time being slight
ly dispirited, we were in no humor fol-
conversation.
For sometime we sat by our camp
fire without uttering q single word, and
almost without moving. [ was thinking
of home and absent friends, and it is
only reasonable to suppose that Huf
was similarly occupied.
After the elapse of some time, oul
fire burnt low, and I arose to replenisl
it. The bark of a wolf startled me, and
involuntarily addressed my compan
ion.
Huff did not answer me, however, bu
without noticing the circumstance,
threw a quantity of faggotss.on the fire
and addressed him.
"Take few hours rest, Andy, an6
I'll keep watch, said I, "and after tha
you can do the same by me-"
Still got no answer, and then be
gan to notice my companions unusua
taciturnity.
Anything the matter, Andy?" sait
], regarding him closely.
No answer again.
That's little strange" muttered
moving over toward my companion.
Huff was sitting facing the fire, will
his head bent upon his knees. I shool
him without arousing him. Finally
[ raised his head, and at once became
conscious that he was soundly, deeply
asleep.
Laughing off the fears which had fol-
few moments oppressed me, L lef
Huff to enjoy his nap, and settled my
self down as comfortably as the circum
stances would permit.
l was dreadful drowsy, and despite
our perilous situation, despite every
effort made to the contrary, I could
not entirely resist the overpowering in
fuence of sleep. Occasionally started
mp suddenly, and found that 1 haG
been doing. The last time I was
aroused, was awoke by the bark of {
wolf. Jumping to my feet, beheld the
fierce animal not dozen PAGES distant
his ravenous eyes glaring upon me
from the darkness. Selling up a brand
/ flung it at the rapacious monster will
all my strength. 1t struck him full il
the face, and with terrible howl ht
darted off into the forest. Huff did no
awake, did not even stir, SO sound was
his repose.
After that 1 did not feel much in
clined to sleep, though nothing more
was TO be seen or heard. I examined
my rifle and pistols, piled more faggots
on the fire, and kept on the move, my
eyes and ears open for any more noe.
turnal visitors.
Some time passed quietly, and 1 be.
gan to grow insufferably weary. Every
muscle relaxed, and a drewsy torpol
gradually stole over me. My eyes closed
unconseiously-my knees bent beneath
me, and L was about dropping to the
ground, when L was suddenly aroused
by the sound of mans voice:
Hello, fellers, how dyer dol' wer'
the words which fell upon my ears. ant
aroused me to consciousness.
looked around in bewilderment
Our little camnipo o. ground was enoirolef