The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-07-12
THE CAPTAINS ADVENTURE.

If there be any thing that will cause a non-communicative man to talk, it is the inherited love of relating his own advent ures. For instance, there is Captain Goblet. Ordinarily be will sit all day without opening his mouth, unless it be to yawn, take chew of tobacco or to re- ceive his daily bread. He has been known to quietly sit in disregard of ques- tions addressed to him, and no, to say anything when any of the boys asked him to have drink-though he always drank-but let anyone begin to relate a story of adventure, and the captain, sud- denly shaking of his apparent lassitude, will listen intently, and then at the close of the narration, say that it put him in mind of his own experience. Nearly every one has heard his " experience" but through probability that some may have escaped, VIC will give, in the cap tain's own words, an account of his ad- venture
 All of you who are acquainted with me know that am not easily frightened. My nerve has been tested several times, once when shot old-bu, that makes no difference. Quite number of years ago, when 1 was rather more adventurous than am at present, set out on horse back to explore silver mining interest which l had purchased from my uncle. The claim lay in the Ozark mountains. had never seen it, but was assured by my uncle that it contained wagon loads of silver in state so pure that some of it was ready to be coined. l had implicit faith in the old gentleman. although at one time he had cheated me Tn horse trade. In exchange for the claim, of which the county newspaper contained glowing description, gave him farm which my father had willed me. My hopes were at high tide when set out and l experienced no loneliness when lett behind me the scattering tracks of civilization and boldly plunged into forest almost impenetrable. One eve ming, Jus. after the sun had gone to bed in his crimson damask and drawn around his couch a mosquito bar of twilight glory, l reached log house, so lonely and so far from any other habitation that it seemed rude nose on a broad face of solitude. The house was not surrounded by fence, and, riding close up to the door, called
 Anybody at home 7"
 Reckin thar mout be-" replied an old man, who, followed by five or six boys, emerged from the house.
 '' How far is it from here to the Ozark mountains p
 |" We're 'mong 'em now"
 "I am glad to know it." l replied, for it gave me pleasure to know tha, was drawing near the scene of my wealth. |" Do you know how far ii is to the Cob lett silver mines p
 Noch, never heard O 'em.'
 "That's strange. How far am from the Eagle Peak ?"
 "'Dout eight miles,"
 Well, the silver mines lie about there in every direction"
 reckon, mister, that the teller what told yer about the silver mines, lies about thar"
 "What, do you mean that there is no silver up there P
 "Oh, no, fur know that thar is silver up thar summers"
 And they tell me-" cried with that some of it IS bright and polished"
 "All the silver that know Q being thar, is bright an polished
 You have seen it thens
 "Yas, fur lost it offen the han'le O my bowie knife. That's all the metal thar is in that section, an Tow that it 1 will be putty hard ter ind"
 Look here, old man, you are making game of mel"
 I've done more than natur' mas then, far she never made yer game.'
 Hooked at him intently as he leaned against the corner of the house. The 1 boys grinned, and one of them, a tow headed rascal, took out a shackly old l knife, and began to cut a piece of loose 1 skin from his heel.
 @No," continued the old man, natur' didn't make yer over smart, nuther. What right have yer got ter come pokin' 'roun' here: This country longs ter me"
 "You make very poor use of it," said 1 !, not knowing what ether reply to make. i
 @Go on, young eller."
 "But which way must go"
 Tue way yer come.'