Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1890-06-19

- ern states.
Since morning had not seen more
thana halfdozen human habtations,
and they were of the poorest and |
rudest description, hardly tit for the
abode of n wild animal.
Since the middle OF the afternoon,
the forest had been unbroken on Ell
Their side, so thickly matted with trees
and vines that the eye could not
penetrate u dozen feet into the
gloomy shadows.
All there was to show that hui /
man being had ever been that way be-
fore was the apology for II road that
! was pursuing. lfthere ever had been
any travel upon it, there was little
sign now that such had been the case.
Bushes had grown up where the ruts
might have been, and in many places
the stout vines had crept around,
so that one had to keep constant
lookout to prevent himself from be-
ing tripped up by them.
Now and then. in the thickest pOr-
ton of the forest, it was almost i'm
possible to keep what, in fact, was
hardly more than a trail. Here it
would seem to branch either to the
right or left, but up to nightlnll l
flattered myself that l had not gone
astray. But now / had grave reason
to be worried.
At tie cabin where had passed
the previous night, had been told
that | should come to another by
the middle of the afternoon, or lit
tie later, providing l made good
time. But now night was close npon
me, and the habitation had been
looking tor at every turn had failed
to materialize.
The prospect of night n lone in
the dismal forest wasnot pleasant to
contemplate. / knew that in the dis
NAL depths about me, outlaws,
moonshiners and cut-thrOats had
their refuge, and did not relish the
idea of meeting them at any time,
much less of encountering them in
the darkness.
1t had begun to grow dark about
me, when l came to n point in the
way which puzzled me. The road
forked again, and tor the life OF me !
could not determine which one to
take, the right or the left.
As many had done before. me, let
chance decide the matter. Setting n
stick upright, removed my hand,
and let it fall into the direction it
would. 1t fell to the left and SO
took TINT way.
hurried onward now rs fast as
could. WANTED to make use what
daylight still remained, and get to
the cabin where | was to pass the
night, before it became SO dark that
travelling would he impossible. But
my haste amounted to nothing. A
darkness which could be almost felt
= closed about me, and l felt certain
\ tv that must he lost. The cabin
expected to find had not appeared
and Of it's existence had no reason
to doubt, The people where hat
passed the previous night could no
have had no motive in deceiving me
Stumbling along in the darkness
trying to make up my mind to fac
the invitable, that of passing tn
night quito doors, Isuddenly trippe'
over something which lay across tn
path, and went headlong over it t.
the ground. Mingled with the shoe
of striking the earth was a thrill
fear, coupled with astonishment.
did not get upon my feet at onc'
n but sitting up, l reached out towar
the obstruction over which l ha
tripped. A thrill OF horror ra
through my frame as my han
II touched it. 1t was the body OF
- man.
Isprang to my feet. while coul
"A. feel the hair rising upon my heal
Had the body been stiff and cold, m
fright would not have been SO ba'
J, By chance had placed my hand NJ
81 on it's face, and l felt there was tt
b warmth of life still in it. This WI
~ not all. 1t was wet, and the mois
~ ure stuck to my hands. Althoug
- could not see. felt sure thatit ",
4 blood that was sticking to them. A
= accident had occurred or q murd'
i. had been committed. within a fe
z minutes of my coming.
~ With trembling hands sought Il
- q match, and when | found one:
struck it and glanced down ut Il
I'd object before me. 1t was the boz
saa OF a man, it's f,lce SO covered vii
=. blood that its FIXTURES were not d!
~ cernible. The match went ont and
Il was alone again in the darknes
:: with the body of the murdered ms
lying at my feet.