The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1882-03-15

his hand on a pistol, ready to assist his
brother.
The one on the boat approached tho
wagon and was about to raise the sheet,
when Ernest, with his eyes cleaning
dangerously, spoke to him:
"This wagon is in the employ of the
United States government, and no one
but regularly authorized official can
search il"
The fellow, however, still persisted;
but as he laid his hand on the sheet a
well-directed blow from Ernest hoored
him.
The one on the bank started to draw
his revolver, but before he could do so
| l had him covered. One learns to be
quick with the pistol on the frontier,
where mans life may depend on his
"getting the drop" on some ruffian.
The ferryman, terrified at the scene
before him, had remained quiet, but
now, at sign from Ernest, pushed
the boat from the bank.
Ernest, keeping the PROSTATE man
covered with his pistol, spoke to the
one left behind.
Il shall take your companion with
us as hostage for your good conduct.
If you shoot after us, he suffers. Re-
member p
We crossed the river without acci-
dent, the baffled ruffian on the bank
making the air resound with curses.
When we reached the Texas side, Ernest
turned to me:
"Frank, drive my wagon up the bank
to where yours is, while I see this fell
low back across the river. Beecher,
take your skiff and row him over; he
will hardly hurt you. If he tries, [
will put bullet through him."
After seeing his captive into the skiff,
first discharging all his weapons, he
spoke to the now cowed man:
| When you get to the other side.
stand on the bank until the boat re-
turns. If you attempt to go into the
bushes, or try any other treachery,I 1 will
shoot you"
The ferryman put him across the
river and returned, and Ernest came
up the bank to where the wagons were.
Meanwhile had driven up the hill and
relieved the occupants of the wagon
from their uncomfortable covering.
They were nearly smothered, but had
made no movement until all was safe.
The young man jumped to the ground,
and, with simple grasp of the hand,
and the earnest words, thank you
BOTH" assisted his companion out.
Ernest now came up, and to him the
stranger turned
"I owe you my life, and if ever can
in some measure pay so great debt,
trust me shall not be wanting"
81 am glad to have been Uf service to
you," said Ernest, simply. 81 think
you are safe for the night. There is no
other ferry within about twenty miles,
and they will not cross any one after
night. Red river is too high to swim
over. If you remain with us tonight
we can make the lady bed in the
wagon, and the rest of us must take the
ground. You can tell us then how you
managed to get into this scrape."
After some further discussion it was
arranged, and we went into camp. Sup
per over and the horses staked of, the
young lady retired to one of the wagons.
while the rest of us, at some little dis
tance, reclined on the blankets and
saddles, guarded by our faithful dog.
Nothing could come within hundred
yards of the camp without his giving us
warning.
Then the stranger, whose name was
Herndon, gave us an account of how he
happened to come to the river in such
a plight.
"Some months since I was in the
Chickasaw nation buying up cattle,
when became acquainted with Mr..
Williams, who had married and settled
among the Indians.
81 found it convenient to go very
often to his house about, cattle per-
suaded myself at first, but / soon had
to acknowledge that the attraction was
his daughter Lily, the young lady who
is with me.
"She is only an eighth Indian, well
educated, and as to her beauty you can
see for yourselves. She soon began to
look with favor on me, and asked hen
of her father. He was willing, and we
were engaged.
"But there were three sons of the old
man, by former marriage with white
woman, who hated me from the start.
think they had hoped to get possession
of Lily's property, but knew, if / married
her, there would be but little chance OF
that Matters went on, however. L was
too happy to care much for them, al
though they became more unbearable
from day to day. They bore no good
reputation in the county, and 1 was
) warned against them more than once.
"Three days ago the explosion came
( 1 was walking with Lily, when the
youngest of the three met us, and, after
few insulting words, accused me oi
dishonorable conduct.
, Z" 1t was more than could stand,
and l sprang toward him to strike him
He attempted to draw pistol, but
closed with him and attempted TO take
it away. In the struggle the pisto
went of, and he was shot dead.