The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1886-09-02


Ia ko the greatest pleasure in giving
minute details of the different outrageS
rs they had occurred, and always spoke
us II he had been nn eyewitness. But
SO thorough was my brothers belief in
hl# now friend that even this did not
shake his faith.
" hen within few days Of the jour
ncy'S end, the stranger suddenly and
quite unexpectedly declared his intcn-
ton OF parting company. He offered no
explanation as to his reason for doing so,
though all through he had seemed anxi-
Gus to impress IL on them that he in
tended to go the entire way to the dig
8lnG$ with them. No questions were
asked.
After u general and hearty leave
taking, which, however, did not inspire
much confidence, as they were still within
range Of @ possible attack. He asked my
brother to take last walk with him, and
iCu The way into the bush further than
he had ever brought him before, and u
long distance from the beaten track.
The first words tho stranger said were:
Mate, don't you carry rcvolver?"
Ihc answer was: eyes, and q first
class one. Not such as arc got out here
L brought it from home"
'0how 1t to me, said tho stranger, sI
love Il real good wcupon;" and Without
TN" slightest hesitation my brother hand
eel INN the revolver, which he examined
carefully, and saw that the chambers
were lOndCd. He remarked that il was
the ''prcttiest weapon" he had handled
for lolg time.
lie walked few steps in advance
and, turning round suddenly, he Dro.
scntcd the revolver at my brothers head,
calling out in commanding tone:
"Stand!' his countenancc SO changed as
scarcely to be recognized.
At lust my brother felt that he stood
face to face with the terrible bushrangcr,
but did not lose his presence Of mind.
For Il moment there was Il profound
silence, first broken by tho stranger say
ing: els there anything Oh earth to pre-
vent my blowing out your brains with
your own weapon, placed in my hands
Of your own free will? The wild bush
round It's, | know its every twist and
turn. The man is not living who could
track my footsteps through its depths,
where / alone am lord and mastcr.
! Speak, man! What is there to prevent
me?"
With throbbing heart and n quick
cncd pulse my brother answered: "Noth-
| ing but your sense of honor"
The mans face frightened, and his
voice resumed its friendly tone, and
handing back the revolver, he said: owe
stand now on M equal footing. You
hold my life III your hands, as [ held
yours moment ago. Yes, boy, and
your own fortune too, but L trust you,
as you trusted me- l would not hurt a
| mi Of I
others for your sake. How, you will
never know; but they Owe you deep
debt of gratitude. You are Il noble
hearted fellow; and through the rest of
my stormy life / will look back with
pleasure on the time we have passed to-
gcthcr. But mate, you are the greatest
fool ever met. l brought you here
to-day to give you lesson which hope
you will bear III mind. You arc going
amongst Il rough, lawlcss crew; never, as
long us you live, trust any man rs you
have trusted me to-day. Where you arc
bound for, your revolver will be your
only true friend; never let it out of your
own keeping to friend or foe You arc
far too trusting. There was not IL man
but yourself among those from whom |
have JuSt parted who did not believe
from the moment L joined them that |
was Jack, the bushrangcr. We'll, mate,
| an not going to tell you who or what
| am, or how or why L came among you
but of this rest assured, that you have
no trucr friend. You will never know
what have done for your sake. Now,
mate, goodbye forever. We will nevcl
meet again i'll this world, and it is best
for you it should be So" Then LEADING
him back to the track by which he could
rcjoin his party, he wrllng my brothers
hand, turned and walked quickly into
the bush, leaving no doubt upon my
brothers. mind that the friend he had sc
loved and trusted was indeed the dreaded
bushrangcr.
They never did meet again. My
brother came homo to die; and unless
my memory dcccivcs me, Jack was shot
dead III skimish with the military.