The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1886-09-01

tAno the greatest pleasure in giving
min;;tc "details Of the different outragcs
&S they lEtd occurred, and always spoke
rs ii he had been an eyewitness. But
SO thorough WAS my brothers belief in
his new friend that even this did not
shake his ruith.
When within few days Of tho jour
ncy'a cMd, the stranger suddenly and
quite unexpectedly declared his intcn-
ton Of parting company. He offered no
explanation rs to his reason for doing so,
though I'LL through he had seemed anxi-
ouS to Impress it on them that he in
tended to so the entire way to the Dig
&inGs with thcm. No questions were
asked.
.ijtlr 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
lcd the way into the bush further than
l!0 had over brought him before, and II
long distance from the beaten track
The first words tho stranger said were:
"Matc, don't you carry a revolvor?"
The answer was: eyes, and Il first.
class one. Not such us arc got out here.
/ brought it from home"
"i5how it to me-, said the stranger, 81
love II real good wcapon;" and without
the slightest hesitation my brother hand
cd him the revolver, which hc examined
carefully, and saw that the chambers
were loaded. He remarked that it was
the 'prctticst weapon" he had handled
for long time.
He walked few steps in advance,
and, turning round suddenly, he pre-
scntcd tho revolver Mt my brothers. head,
calling out i'll commanding tone:
"Stand" his countenance SO changed as
scarcely to be recognized.
-At last my brother felt that he stood
face to face with the terrible bushrangcr,
but did not lose his presence of mind.
For moment there was profound
silence, first broken by the stranger say
ing: "Is there anything on 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 us, l know its every twist and
turn. The man is not living who could
track my footsteps through it's depths,
where alonc am lord and master.
Speak, man! What is there to prevent
mC?"
With Il throbbing heart and 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 an equal footing. You
hold M life in your hands, as L held
yours Il moment ago. Yes, boy, and
your own fortune too, but | trust you,
as you trusted me. | would not hurt II
lnir of your head, sld l have spared
others for your sake. How, you will
never know; but they owe You II deep
debt of gratitude. You are n 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. | brought you here
to-day to give you lesson which 1 hope
you will bear i'll mind. You are going
amongst Il rough, lawlcSs crew; never, us
long rs you live, trust amy man rs you
haYc trusted me to-day. Where you are
bound for, your revolver will be your
only true friend; never let it out of your
own keeping to friend or foe. You are
far too trusting. There was not man
but yourself among those from whom l
have just parted who did not believe
ii'iil tic iioIlclJ J. JolllCu iIclIl luaU l.
was Jack, the bushranger. Well, mate,
1 am 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 never
meet again III this world, and it is best
for you it should be So" Then leading
him back to the track by which he could
rcioin his party, he wrung my brothers
hand, turned and walked quickly into
tho bush, leaving no doubt upon my
brothers mind that the friend he had so
loved and trusted was indeed the dreaded
bushrnngcr.
They never did meet again. My
brother came homo to die; and unless
my memory decciyes me, Jack was shot
dead in skirmish with the military.