The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1879-07-31
A Midnight Struggle.

. 20
In the early autumn of the year 1849,
about half an hour of sunset, | drew
rein in front of II large double log house,
on the very summit of the Blue Ridge
mountains of Eastern Kentucky.
The place was evidently kept as a
tavern, at least so sign proclaimed,
and here | determined to demand ac-
commodation for myself and servant
Bose, Il dark-skinned body-guard. Bose
and had been playmates in child and
boyhood, and | need hardly say that
the faithful fellow was attached to me
as | was to him, and on more than one
occasion he had shown his devotion.
There had been shooting match y
at the Mountain House that day, and,
as l dismounted, l saw through the
open window of the barroom a noisy.
drunken, and evidently II quarrelsome
set of backwoodsmen, each of whom
was swearing by all possible and i'm
possible oaths that he was not only the
best shot, but that he could Outright
Out-jump, out-wrestle, run faster, jump
higher, dive deeper and come up dryer
than any other man ION the noun
tains."
a. say Mars Ralph" said Bose, in Il
L
rein, 81 don't like the looks of dem dar
Spose we goes on to the next house :;
faint fur"
90 Nonsense, Bose" l replied; "these
fellows are only on Il little spree over
their shooting. We have nothing to do
with them nor they with us. Take the
horses round to the stables and see to
them yourself. You know they've had
a/llard day of it,"
And throwing my saddle-bags .ovcr
my Shoulders, | walked up the narrow
path to the house,
found. aS have intimated, the bar
room li!lct with II noisy, turbulent
crowd. WHO one and all stared mt me
without speaking rs | went up to the
bar and inquired if I and my servant
could nave accommodation for the night.
Receiving an affirmative reply from
the landlord, IL little, red-headpd.
'cadaverous-looking man. desired to be
ut once shown to my room, whittier |
went, but not until had been compelled
to decline score of requests to take Il
drink" much to the disgust of the Stall
wart bacchanalians.
The room to which | was shown was
ut the far end of II long two story stluc-
ture, evidently but recently added on TO
the main building, which it intersecied
at right angles. A gallery extended
along the front, BY means of which tie
rooms We're reached.
| found my apartment to be large and
comparatively well furnished. there
being, besides the bed, comfortable
cot, half II dozen "splint bottompdn
chairs, IL heavy clothes press, and
bureau with glass.
There We're two windows, one along
side the door, and the other in the oppo-
site end of the room.
The first mentioned door was heavily
barred with stout oa X strips, a protec-
ton, presumed, against intrusion from
the porch, while across the latter door
was drawn a heavy woolen curtain.
In the course of half an hour Bose
entered and announced that the horses
had been properly attended to- and few
minutes later a bright-faced mulatto
girl summoned us to supper.
Supper over. ! returned to my room,
first requesting to be reused for an early
breakfast, as | desired to be on the road
by sunrise.
Thoroughly wearied with my DAYS
ride, at once began preparations for re-
tiring, and had drawn off one boot, when
Bose came in rather hastily, looking
furtively over his shoulder, and then
cautiously closing and locking the door.
iNtiPIs ttiS SWlHt W nc
trouble in dis house afore morning." he
said.
And | saw in a moment that some
thing had occurred to upset the faithful
fellows equilibrium.
"Why, Bose, what is it? What do
you mcan?" l asked, barely restraining a
smile.
81 tole you, Mars Ralph. we'd better
trabbel turder.n was the rather mysteri-
Gus reply. You see dat gal dere tole
me dar would be IL muss if we stayed in
this old house all night"
BY close questioning | elected the fact
that the girl had really warned him that
four men whom | had noticed together
were desperate set of villains, and
probably had designs upon our property,
if mot our lives.
The girl had seen two Of them at the
stable while l was at supper, and by
cautiously creeping into stall, next the
one in which they stood, had heard
enough to convince her that they meant
mischief. Subsequently to this she also
saw the landlord in close confab with
the entire party, and from his actions
judged that he was urging the men to
their nefarious work.
g tell you, Mars Ralph, dem people
amt arter no good-now you heard me,
persisted E&Se.
] had begm to think so myself: but
what was to be done. The situation
was full of embarrassment, and / felt that
nothing could be done save to wait and
watch, and, by being on the alelt, defeat
their plans by determined resistance.
found that from the barred window.
in which there was broken pane of
glass, a good view of the stables could
be lad.
Then for the other window.
| crossed the room, drew aside the
heavy, curtain, and, raising the sash,
looked out
A single glance was sufficient to cause
me thrill of surprise, and l gave low
exclamation that instantly brought Bose
to my side,
Far below could see the faint salim-
mer OF water, the low murmur of which
came indistinctly up from the depths.
while on level with what should have
been the ground, dimly saw the waving