The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1883-09-27
daughter. She was not devoid Of charms.

SO ligh ght-hearted, I think I should go that
way too"
"Do you evor see any of the illicit dis
tillers ?" I asked.
"I expect see them, but I don't
know them, of course. They are terri.
bic when they get mad, but as long rs
they are not disturbed you wouldn't
know that they were in the neighbor-
hood. When we moved here they re-
garded pa with lingering suspicion, but
finally, satisfied that he was in no way
connected with the government, they
dismissed their apprehensions and have
ever since treated him with the utmost
courtesy. Pa is making money out OF
the coffin business, but it is such grim
trade that cannot half enjoy any finan.
cial benefit that we derive from it. Saw
you're hunting for the wild cats ainnt
you?"
"Hush, don't talk 80 loud"
Nobody can hear lib, but you are,
aint you?"
Suppose I were, do you think I
would tell any oneP"
IT heard you tell father, but it's all
right I won't say anything about it.
I haven't any friends among the wild
cats, and for my part wouldn't care if
they werc all in prison."
'I remained several days longer, and
then decided to return to the city, report
unfavorably, adopt other measures, and
again take up the enterprise. Anderson
advised me to sell the horse and go down
with flat boat load of collins. I did
not like the idea, but rejecting that it
would be safer, disposed of my horse,
and was soon ready for the voyage.
/ bade my friends an affectionate fare
well, and stood on a 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 lcngthcn, we were a long distance
from Dripping Spring. 1t seemed to
me that the men on tie boat watched
me curiOusly, for every time I walked
around it appeared that one of them fol-
lowed me. My suspicious increased rs
evening came on and vixen ] saw the
mcn engaged in a whispered conversa-
ton, I was convinced that violence was
m"ditatcd. Happening to notice cof-
lin on which several others wero piled,
| saw something dripping from it, Just
then looked up and saw n gun levelcd
ut me. In another instant bullet
wEizzcd close to my head, 80 close that
! fell backward into the water. / did
not lose my presence of mind and kept
myself under water as long as posSihL.
When | arose to the surface, several
other shots We're fired, and sinking again
| remained under water until reached
the shore, which fortunately was not far
away. when / arose under thick clump
of willows. Through the gathering dark
ness I could dimly see the men, and
could hear the splashing Of an oar which
| knew was manipulated to keep the
boat from floating down.
81 rcclin' he's all right" said one of
| the men.
81 know he is" q gruT voice replied,
'Ter drnwed bead on his head, an n
man what kin hit haffer dollar sixty
yards amt no slouch of n shooter lcmmc
i tell yer. Bet he's got bullet through
his brain, eff he's got any BRAIN
'pd rlther bet on the bullet than the
brain" the first speaker rcjoined.
| "We've got to he certain about these
things" said man who seemed to be in
authority. "You know what Andcrson's
orders is. Git n boat thar, Jack, an you
an Tom paddle out thar awhile. Go
out thar to them willows"
Tho boat was lowered and tie splash
| 'ng of the oars came nearer aud nearer.
My heart boat violently. Great God,
| the moon came out and Shone full on nv
face. / Aased myself down until only
the tip of my nose was above the surface.
'"Thank heaven" [ brcathed rs a cloud
obscmcd tho moon just as the boat
| brushed the willows. They struck under
with their oars, actually struck me once,
and just as L was about to seize the boat
and take my chances of turning it over
and escaping, one of them said
| "He's all right, I tell you. Think
can't hit mans head? Shove her off, ="
and L broathed n prayer as tho dip of the
oars grew fainter.
| remained in this uncomfortable posi-
ton about n half hour longer, then
drew myself out and was soon travelling
through the woods. After a terrible
| Journey of hunger and fatigue I reached
Little Rock and made my report.
| Several days afterward / was again
ell route for Dripping Spring, this time
with strong posse of men. Touching
White river near the place where | had
fallen overheard, we dismounted to rest
We had not been there very long until VIC
saw the coffin boat returning. / secretcd
myself and ordered my men to compel
the boat to land and to bring the men tc
our resting place, instructing them as tt
form of Interrogation.
When hailed they readily complied
and approached the bank. They die
not seem to like so much attention, fo
thoy did not move up tho bank with an,
great degree of alacrity.
"po you know" said ono of my mon
"What became of a United States officin
named Griddlcwood, who came up her,
some time aGo?"
ono, sir" replied the captain of tn
coffin boat, "but I heard that he ha,
bought piece O land over the noun
tains an haS opened farm"
"Did you ever meet him ?"
"Bclieve I did meet him once at Mr.
Anderson's house. 'Peered to me lik
, he was sortcr in love with the Andersen
GAL"
, Don't suppose that [ could find him
, DO your"
"Mout find him il you wuster go owe
the hills"
, ''That's unnecessary" remarked
stepping from bohind tree and con