The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1880-04-10
"These men," said !, found their comrade
dead and were 80 alarmed to know that their

| "Thesc men," said !, "found their cOmrade
dead and we're ~ alarmed to know that theii
haunt was discovered that they quickly gath
cred up their traps and fled, not wishing to
take time 10 rob or murder me-" l arose to
sitting posture, but felt sore and weak. had
some crackers with he; | ate two or three
then wound my watch and lay down again
but soon n burning thirst took possession OF
me. | knew that there was no water near the
entrance of the cave, but AZ length reflected
"PerEaps there may hr n hidden spring some
where inside the cave
| Iexamined my wound, and found 1t dong
we'll then arose, and passing by the cold
! form of my late enemy | soon discovered the
door-a broad rock hung upon a pivot-and a
slight push caused il to revolve, and admitted
me to the inner ccll-"the holy Of holics," or
rather the damned Of the damned. found
II spacious chamber with hunks hewn out IN
| the rock, and leaves and one or two blankets
| left IN them. found cooking utensils, but no
food or water. | was about to leave this I'M
inviting place, when heard the faint wall OF
IL young infant. Turning quickly | found
still another chamber, and being directed by
the voice of the infant, CROPPED my way for
ward. At length reached another bunk hewn
in the wall, and was soon leaning over the lit,
lie walf, that found was resting upon the boz
som of u female, whom | supposed was the
mother The woman spoke up
"Henry, is that you? Where have you been
so long,"
| whispered in her ear softly "Ycs; keep
still, and let me see the baby; we have visi.
tors"
Yes" she whispered in return, 81 will. But
it is a boy, Henry, and | have named it for
you"
pressed my hand softly upon her brow, and
catching up the baby walked with it to the
mouth of the cave. 1t was II new.b born infant,
with deep blue eyes and sweet features. gaz-
ed upon 1t long time, thinking, AYE, little
one, you have sad beginning in life. Your
father lies dead not twenty feet from you, and
your mother lies sick in her cell or bunk, de-
serted by his companions, without food, and
left to die perhaps. | felt very weak few
moments since, but now am strong with the
desire to save Il human being, unfortunate
alike with myself
took the little fellow back to his mother.
She whispered:
Have the visitors gone, Peyton,"
knew /. was useless to keep up the decep.
ton farther, so spoke up softly: Mrs Ran
dolph, am your doctor, sent here to see you.
YoHr husband is away, and his companions
have gone off for game, What can do for
you"
she seemed 10 reject u IlOUlcUl
will you give me your name"
"Dr. Hunt, of O., Ill., late Of Leadvillc
Colorado"
Did you ever live in the East'"
YES"
"What state county and town."
Virginia, Loudon county Waterford"
"Did you know my-my husband, John
Henry Randolph9"
"Very well, indeed"
And did you know his--hls first wife? ?"
Laura Edwardson?"
ayes; and did you know little girl named
Alice GrOveland"
~ went to school with her to Sally Brown
son-she was much younger than l."
well, Doctor, | can trust you-Alice Grove
land lies before youw
at cannot be possible"
at is even so-or rather Alice Randolph
now. have heard my husband speak Of you
he did not like you. How came you here? ~
ut was by accident. was hunting upon
the mountain side; your husband met and de
tanned me, and God Almighty sent me to YOU"
lis my husband safe :"
II hope So"
"Why do you answer IN that way"
"Your husband leads II wild lite,-their
haunt is discovered, and he is fled"
She gave "A long, low wall. Then | am lost.
He will be afraid to return for me; Will take
another wife, and am deserted foreverr
ale will not be likely to take another wife
soon, think and | will try and attend to your
wants"
"Then your people have possession of our
homer"
Eyes, think SO; but my companions may
not be back for two or three days, and have
only a few crackers with me-"
I'VE always keep a supply of food can
direct you TO our cellar
please, Mrs. Randolph, can you direct me
to some water; | am very thirsty"
"Certainly; we have spring, but 1t a long
way OIL. This cave extends entirely through
the mountainIand on the opposite side gurges
u clear, abundant stream of water"
please give me the direction"
She did SO, and set out mad long Jour
ney, but at length was rewarded by a glimpse
of daylight. Mrs. r. had given me a lantern,
and deposltlng 1t in a safe place, | sought the
spring, and obtained the sweetest draught of
water that had drank IN my entire lifetime.
Filling my pail, | took a glance at the wild
scenery, lit up by the evening sun, and then
picking up my light, made my way slowly
back to the couch OF the sick woman; but on
arriving there, babe and mother were gone |
proceeded to the door leading to the front en-
trance, and there ! heheld terrible sight.
Two immense bears were busy tearing to irag.
mcnts the body of poor Randolph. 1t was
disembowled, and the head torn from the body.
Ny gun stood near; grasped it, and in mo-
ment one of the brutes lay dead. The other,
catching up the headless trunk III his mouth,
disappeared down the mountain side before |
could reload. | looked at the dead mans face
1t was torn beyond all possibility of recog-
milton. | turned, and beheld Mrs Randolph