Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-02-17
A TRAP FOR A WITNESS.

Many years ago took q trip through
what WAS then called the Far West. "
Ny course, for the most part, lay through
an unbroken forest. Though a settlers
cabin here and there broke the wild
monotony, many . day was passed with
out the sight Of Q habitation or meeting
human being.
One day came up with two men who
had dismounted at the wayside, and were
seated on q log chatting, while their
horses browsed sociably At = little dis
lance. One Of the two, like myself, wa
evidently a traveller, while the tow cloth
hunting shirt and coonskin cap Of the
other-to say nothing Of his long rife
and weather beaten face-betokened the
genuine backwoodsman.
For some time had been waiting an
opportunity Of inquiring the way to q
distant settlement, at which proposed
making a temporary stop, and here,
ouotless, was the very man TO supply
the information.
Jest light an rest your critter a min
It," said the woodsman, when l had put
my question; men this gen leman II be
through presently"
Accepting the invitation l soon dis.
covered that the business I had inter.
rupted was a horse trade, which, OF
course, took precedence of every other
matter.
The swap" which had already made
substantial progress. vas speedily con.
Guided. The traveller. whose animal wa
somewhat jaded-his reason probably
for seeking the exchange-gavet the from.
tiersman SEQ boot" and, mounting his
new hackney, took hasty leave, appar-
emily DESTROYS not to give the other party
time to rue"
repeated my inquiry. and was told
there was no road, not even a bride
path. within many miles Of where we
were, leading to the place ] wished to
reach. Ioifered to pay the man literally
to guide me to some point whence could
find my way alone. A bargain was at
once concluded, and in less than half an
hour we were jogging along like old
acquaintance.
That night we camped out, supping OF
some jerked venison my guide had in hit
pouch, and lettering our horses in the
edge Of small prairie which afforded
good grazing: and the next afternoon
but one we struck . travelled track,
which, my companion assured me, had
only to follow straight ahead to reach
my destination.
Here we shook hands and parted; and
it WAS q month afterwards at my own
home that rly western journey was viv.
idly called to mind by the following
paragraph:
"A Traveller Murdered. By our last
advices from - we learned that an I'm.
known traveller was found murdered or
the LIST Of June last. The act was at first
attributed to some m2rauding bands Of
Indians who have lately shown them,
selves troublesome. But later develop,
ments fasten the crime on John Slower
q white man. found in possession Of the
dead mans horse and some money iden.
titled by tavern keeper who had changed
note for the traveller the day before his
body was discovered The latter was
last seen alive in Stover's company, the
two having ridden away together from
the strangers last stopping place. The
criminal barely escaped lynching and
will have little to expect from . jury Of
the viCinage."
John Stover!" l exclaimed. Why,
that's the name Of my late guider'
Tho recollection ~ hA Il.
came back like fash. 1t had taken
place on the last day OF May. and from
that till the Cd of June Slower never left
my company. 1t was impossible he
could have committed the crime 70,
which his life stood in peril The swap"
explained his possession Of the horse,
and the boot money that VI the bills
found upon him.
There was no time to lose, II an limo
cent man was to be saved from the gal.
lows. The mails were too tedious and
roundabout to be trusted, and the tele
graph was yet uninvented. There wa.
nothing for it but to stage 1t a. far q.
practicable, and make the rest Of the
way on horseback. At any cost I felt
bound to prevent the wrongful taking OF
fellow creatures life.
1t was nearly dark when reached .
settlement twenty miles from where the
trial was to come of. 1t was set down
learned. for the following day. and to
be in time must proceed that night,
The road is hard enough to find by
day Wight" eaid the host of the little inn
at which had ordered supper and a bait
for my horse. Besides, there are In
dams proving about, and they're ugly
customers to meet with Of night"
Il have no choice" replied. "A man
is to be tried for his life tomorrow.
whose innocence can prove; for he was
in my company, miles from the scene Of
the crime he is charged with at the time
Of its commission.
But il you miss your way" returned
the other. you will loss instead of gain
time
Perhaps one of these gentlemen
said, turning to group Of three who had
been listening attentively. will agree to
guide me. am willing to paw literally
for the service"
The three conferred apart briefly
I'm summoned a. . witness myself"
said one, but hadn't intended startin'
just yet. However. if you're in hurry,
l don't mind keepin' you company"
thanked him for his friendly o6sr,
and we we're soon in our saddles.
"Theresa shorter cut than guin' BY the
road" said my companion, when We were
clear Of the settlement
1gAve myself to his guidance, and be
led the way into the woods. which were
open enough to be ridden through with
out difficulty.
We had gone but mile or two, when,
"Hush!" the man whispered.
A sound Of galioping behind was plain
y audible.
"Indiansl We mus ride for our ivssf
nd my comrads. in the anne low whis-
pr. Put your horse to his best, and
keep straight ahead, while l bring up
the rear and look out for the rascals."
Chipping spurs to my horse, on Who's
gpeed and spirit I knew I could safely |
count, l was soon considerably in I'D
vance Of my companion. There vas - |
nooo. but the stariisht snabied me- 70 |
Avoid the trees, and needles II The |
sreaschss from the thick und9xrv~tA I |
dnahed On.
Suddenly, with frightened snort, ~
Asrss reared TIL BE- stssd alnose upsiehk