The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1883-12-01

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the coffin business, bnt it is such grim
trade that cannot half enjoy any finan-
cial benefit that we derive from it. Say.
you're hunting for the wild cats, amt
you?"
Hush, don't talk so loud"
Nobody can hear US, but you ale,
amt your"
Suppose [ were, do you think I
would tell any ybody?"
heard you tell father, but it's all
right. / won't say anything about it.
| haven't any friends among the wild
cats, and for my part wouldn't care if
they were all in prison"
Il remained several days longer, and
then decided to return to the city, report
nnfavorably, adopt other measures, and
again take up the enterprise. Anderson
advised me to sell the horse and go down
with fiat boat load of coffins. I did
not like the idea. but rejecting that it
would be safer, I disposed of my horse,
and was soon ready for the voyage.
l bade my friends an affectionate fare
well, and stood on coffin big enough
for the Cardiff giant, and waved my
handkerchief at Sophia Anderson as the
boat rounded the bend. We had started
early, and by the time the shadows be-
| gan to lengthen, we were long distance
from Dripping Spring. 1t seemed to
| me that the men on the boat watched
me curiously, for every time I walked
around it appeared that one of them toll
lowed me. My suspicious increased as
evening came on, and when I saw the
| men engaged in whispered converse
tion, l was convinced that violence was
meditated. Happening to notice cof-
| Tin On which several others were piled
l saw something dripping from it. Just
then looked up and saw gun leveled
at me. In another instant bullet
whizzed close to my head, so close that
fell backward into the water. / did
not lose my presence OF mind and kept
myself under water as long as possible
| When l arose to the surface, several
| other shots were fred, and sinking again
remained under water until I reached
the shore, which fortunately was not far
away, when arose under thick clump
of willows. Through the gathering dark
ness [ could dimly see the men, and
coul1 hear the splashing of an oar which
[ knew was manipulated to keep the
boat from floating down.
II reckin he's all right" said one of
the men.
81 know he is" gruff voice replied,
fer l drawed bead on his head, an q
man what kin hit haffer dollar sixty
yards amt no slouch of a shooter, lemme
tell yer. Bet he's got bullet through
his brain, eff he's got any BRAIN"
I'd ruther bet on the bullet than the
brain, the first speaker rejoined.
We've got to be certain about these
things" said a man who seemed to be in
authority. "You know what Anderson's
orders is. Git a boat thar, Jack, an you
an Tom paddle out thar awhile. Go
out thar to them willows"
The boat was lowered aud the splash
ing Of Tire oars came nearer and nearer.
My heart beat violently. Great God,
the moon came out and shone full on my
face. l eased myself down until only
the tip of my nose was above the sur
face. 'Thank heaven" breathed as a
cloud obscured the moon just as the
boat brushed the willows. They struck
under with the oars, actually struck me
once, and just as was about to seize
the boat and take my chances of turning
it over and escaping, one of them said
Hes all right, / tell you. Think /
CAh AA1o @ i1ihh AC1d. ROHON6 uGE OH.
and l breathed prayer as the tip of the
oars grew fainter.
I remained in that uncomfortable DO
sition about q half hour longer, then
drew myself out and was soon travelling
through the woods. After terrible
journey of hunger and fatigue 7 reached
Little Rock and made my report.
Several days afterward [ was again en-
nrfTa Al
with a strong posse of men. Touching
White river near the place where I had
fallen overheard, we dismounted to rest.
We had not been there very long until
we saw the coffin boat returning. Sc
creted myself and ordered my men to
compel the boat to land and to bring the
men to our resting place, instructing
them as to form of inte rogation.
When hailed they readily complied |
and approached the bank. They did not
seem to like so much attention, for they |
did not move up the bank with any great |
degree of alacrity.
DO you know" said one of the men.
"what became of an United States Of !
hclal named Grlddlewood, who came up
here some time ago?"
No. sir" replied the captain of the |
coffin boat; but heard he had bought
A piece o. land over the mountains an
has opened farm"
Did you ever meet him?"
Believe / did meet him once at Mr..
Anderson's house. 'Peered to me like |
le was sorter in love with the Anderson
gall
Don't suppose that could find him,
10 you?"
"Mout find him if you wuster go over
he hills
That's unnecessary" I remarked,
stepping from behind tree and con-
ronting the villains. They threw up
heir hands and prayed that their lives
night be spared. We did not intend to I
give them the least chance of escape and
securely pinioning their hands, we took
hem down to the boat, where, after gain
ng all possible information, left them
lnder strong guard. We were not
ong in gaining the neighborhood of An
lerson' s residence. 1t was a late hour
It night, and we surrounded the house
without alarming anyone. l instructed |
3ne of my officers to call An erson, and
again secreted myself.
"Halloa!'
''All right came from within the
louse, and pretty soon Anderson ap
Deared.
Mr.. Anderson, believe" said. the