The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1884-08-23

alter Une UrSU impressions, ne IL Vi IIlcuu-
ship, indifference or dislike.
During the general conversation, l
learned that my fellOw-traveler was a
Mr.. Jacob Lagrew, from an ad joining
county, who was then out from home
for the purpose of buying cattle, in
which he largely dealt. As my host
was also more interested and better in
formed on that subject than on most
others, the talk naturally drifted in the
direction of cattle traffic and matters
pertaining thereto, while |, being little
acquainted with this especial topic,
listened and interogated as occasion de-
manded.
After an early supper, during which
the thrifty housewife gave us plain but
well-prepared food, we talked on gen
eral questions for an hour or so, when
our host signifed his readiness to show
us to our sleeping apartment, prefiXing
his motion for adjournment thus soon
with an apology for the necessary early
habits he had formed in his role Of
farmer, while we both assured him that
after our respective long rides the prop
position met with our entire approval,
and that we were quite ready to act
upon it.
As our hosts accommodations were
limited, my latcly-made acquaintance
and | became not only room-mates but
bed-fellows, and shortly after our host
had hidden us goodnight, my COM
panion' nasal organ proclaimed that
he slumbered | had inadvertently
taken a cup of strong coffee for supper,
and now remembered, although too
late for practical benefit, that it invari-
ably excited my brain and nerves
to an unpleasant degree where
sleep was coveted. SO | lay
restlessly awake for several hours,
striving to wear off the effects of this
light stimulant sufficiently to close my
eyes in restful slumber. At last there
came n semi-obliviousness.
Whether it might be correctly called
q sleep | cannot say, even at this late
day. | seemed to be quite conscious
at first of my whereabouts. and of the
various circumstances that had given
me my present quarters and roommate
who still slept at my side, yet gradually
out of the darkness of the room a
| saw a mountainous stretch of
country; great boulders hurled about
by superhuman strength. strewed the
foreground In the middle distance
arose a wall of rugged, time-worn
rocks, while far above this Jagged line
a long range of snow-capped peaks
lowered heavenward. Descending q
rocky defile, and in the shadow of the
high-towering wall, were to be seen
two travellers, mounted on low but
muscular and sure-footed donkeys.
much used in such localities. Beyond
these four living objects, no other signs
Of life were visible. 1t was & spot of
great loneliness and solitude.
The travellers were habited in the
rude, coarse costumes suited to life
amid these wild scenes, while the great,
wide brimmed hats they wore con
cealed their features from my scrutiny.
When they had advanced still nearer,
one of the riders paused, and pointed
forward.
followed with my eye the direction
he indicated, and saw where small
stream spouted from the creyice Of an
adjacent cliff, forming q little pool OF
sparkling beautW st its base, then
wound in and out, like a sheeny ribbon,
among the loose stones, until finally
lost to view. The two travellers rode
to where the spring gushed forth, and
both dismounted.
While one busted himself about the
saddle of his trusty animal, the other
came to the spring and laid aside his
sheltering hat. 1t was then [ saw his
features for the first time. His face was
a pleasant one, not handsome, but agree
able to the eye. for genial, kind nature
was discoverable in its lineaments
His complexion seemed much en-
Drowned by Out-of-dOor life and ex-
posture to wind and sun A large mole
just to the right of his nose, a little
above the heavy mustache, gave pc.
culiar emphasis to his features, and
| impressed still more distinctly on my
| mind his countenance, which was that
Of an entire stranger. Carelessly run.
ming his hand through his matted black
hair, and tossing it back from his
heated brow, he knelt and began to
drink from the crystal pool at his feet
| BY this time his companion had reached
his side, and as the one stopped tC
quench his thirst the other gave swift
searching glance around, then quickly
drew from its leather casing CLEAN
ing pistol and placed it at the bendet
head of the unsuspecting victim.
AS the murderous intent of the vii
| lain flashed across my brain | instantly
sought to cry out in warning tones tC
his helpless and innocent companion
but a strange numbness seemed tC
oyerpower me, and seal my lips.
could make no sound.
stroye to close my eyes, and shu
out the fearful sight, so soon to be en-
acted, yet the same strange power
seeming to hold my will in allegiance
kept them Enclosed. There was flash
curl of smoke, and with shudder o.
horror | saw the helpless prey fall for.
ward into the clear pool, which grew
crimson with the life blood dyeing it,
purity.
After another searching glance, the
author of this foul deed of blaskneSs
gathered up the still warm body of MS
victim, and carrying it to a crevice, OF
natural niche in the cliff not far away,
| thrush in, and rolled some heavy stone,
to close the aperture and HIDE his
murderous work from human ken; then