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

surprise, ana on tne spur OF tne moment
1 yelled aloud:
candy, Andy, wake up p
Eyes, wake up, Andy ~ echoed the
outlaws derisively.
Aroused at last, my comrade sprang
to his feet, and the next moment was
standing by my side.
Instantly dozen rifles were leveled
at us with deadly aim.
eyer amt goin' to show fight. are
ye ?" demanded one of the outlaws,
brutal looking wretch, and the leader
of the band.
"That depends on circumstances p
responded Andy, unhesitatingly.
"We're two good men, afraid of neither
man or beast-and if your intentions
are hostile, as they appear to be, you
may take my word for it that we'll give
you all the trouble we cam
You won't now, will yer?" re-
joined the desperate, tauntingly.
"Guess yell have yer hands full eff yer
try that sort NV game"
T" Well, what do you want here, any
how ?" l demanded boldly, fully salts
fled in my own mind that if we got out
of our present scrape we had to fight it
out.
What do we want har ?" was the
rapid reply. "I guess the forests as
free to us as it is to any one else.
Don't kalkelate that you're boss here,
stranger, do yer?'
"No," was Andy's quick reply, and
he took the words out of my mouth,
"nor are you |" But that's not to the
point" he added, what do you want
with us?"
eyer money an yer traps Under
stand that sort O talk, don't yer ?"
/" Yes, we understand that you're a
gang of thieves and cut throats," re-
sponded Andy, fielcely; "but if you
get anything from us you've got to fight
for it, though we are but two against
dozen. Give em shot, comrade !"
added the fiery fellow, addressing him
self to me. "We can't make the mat
ter worse"
I thought SO too, and raising my
rife, Andy and myself fired simultane-
ously.
Immediately two of the outlaws fell
dead to the ground, and the rest uttered
concerted yell, that sounded more
fearfully than the howl of the wolf I
had SO recently driven away.
"Now, give 'em the pistols ' shouted
Andy, his whole soul in the deadly
conflict.
Each of us carried brace of double
barreled pistols, which gave us eight
shots between us, and quick as light
ming we were discharging the loads in
the faces of the outlaws. Six more Of
the brigands fell before our aim, while
we remained uninjured, nothwithstand.
ing a number of scattering shots
whistled around our ears and over our
heads.
"Now charge upon the thieves!'
yelled Andy, in stentorian tones.
l followed my comrades lead, and
together we charged upon the remain
ing five outlaws, for that number were
left. A fierce and bloody fight ensued
Andy performed miracles, and I did
double duty but as fate would have it
we were both rendered hOrs du combat,
my comrade by pistol wound in his
side, and I by bowie cut in the right
shoulder.
I knew nothing more after that, for
the next moment became unconscious.
When L came to myself, found L was
discovered that the cave was the haunt
| Vi tlo TOUUoIS. Ills luuCu lCdlllcu
by listening, for 1 could see nothing,
the bright light of day seemed never to
penetrate that dismal cavern. 1t was
the gloomiest, chilliest place I was ever
in, and from the bottom of my heart
wished myself well out of it.
1 thought of Andy, you may be sure,
but could see no way of finding out
what had become of him.
After a while, however, an old and
outrageously ugly Indian squaw made
her appearance. She brought me food
and medicine, and temporary light.
My wounds had already been dressed.
OF course was eager to question her.
"My good woman," said I, very pleas
antly, "I should like to know where ]
anvil you tell me?'
She shook her head negatively, and
to all could say or do 1 got no other
answer. L inquired about Andy, and
other matters, but received no satisfac-
tion. Finally, I gave up in despair, and
let the old hag go.
A week passed, and 1 was compare,
lively well. About the expiration OF
that time, the old squaw came to me
one day and beckoned me to follow her.
Having no reason to refuse obedience, !
complied with her directions, and after
traversing a number of dark passages
found myself in the open air. 1t was q
bright, sunny morning, and despite my
situation inhaled the pure atmosphere
With delight.
Assembled on the spot I beheld 6
gang of score or more of the worst
looking men 1 had ever encountered,
and in the midst my friend and com
rade, Andrew Huff. Andy looked fright.
fully pale and emaciated, and appeared
to have suffered much more than myself.
We had barely time to greet each other,
and say, 4" God bless you, comrade r'
when we were suddenly and roughly
seized and gagged. At the same time
one of the outlaws, whom l at once
recognized as the leader of the party
which we had first encountered, stepped
forward and addressed u.s.
Now, cuss yer !" cried he, passion
ately, "we'll make you pay for youl
handywork t'other night. Strip 'em !"
In few moments we were stripped
to the skin, and we had neither the
power to resist or expostulate.
We were separately led to the brink
of chasm near, and made to look dowr
into the almost unfathomable depths
A stream of water dashed over the
rocks at the bottom. 1t made me dizzy
to look down. We were then stationed
few feet from the brink, with guard
over us. 1 began to comprehend that
some frightful death awaited us, and
my feelings were dreadful.