The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1891-01-28

Men came rushing from their rooms, each
one crying aloud as to the cause of the
shooting.
When day gave us light, spots of blood
were visible upon the hall floor and on
the stairs, but a search for some distance
along the road revealed nothing of the
robbers, so it was evident that my shot
had not beer a serious one.
Trusting that had seen the last of my
assailants, mounted my horse after
breakfast and pursued my journey. My
route lay for some miles through most
picturesque and scenic region. Volcanic
rocks rose abruptly from the hilsides,
assuming the forms of temples and
towers.
Absorbed in detecting these fancied
resemblances to the most noted creations
of man, had ridden for mile or more
without seeing or hearing anything to
break the silence of my lonely ride, when
loud report rang out, my horse plunged
violently, and a second later fell to the
ground, carrying me with him.
l lay upon my side with my right leg
under the animal. The two men, each
with gun in his hand, ran toward me
from behind ncighboring rock. /
was pinned to the earth aud unable to
move. Luckily my hands were free
and / could reach one of the pistols in
my holsters. 1 ierlSed the revolver loose,
raised myself slightly, and fred at the
robber nearest to me.
The ball struck him in the hand and
caused him to drop the gun. With an
oath he sprang back, and the two
sought shelter behind a rock.
/ was still in imminent danger, for
they could make detour and approach
me in such manner that | should be at
their mercy. Their advance and my
shot took but fraction of a moment, so
that both were over ere the death strug-
giles of my animal ended. In these he
partially raised himself from my leg,
and as his body was between me and the
two assassins, crawled on my hands
and knees to u low rock within few
feet of me.
The rock behind which l had sought
shelter extended several rods, rising in
places ten or twelve feet above the
ground. climbed up few feet, and
through narrow crcvice examined the
situation.
saw the glimmer of gun barrel be-
hind low rock, and was thus enabled
to locate at least one of my enemies.
STOPPING down, rau to the further end
of the ledge, hoping to get shot at
him. was disappointed, for he was
still hidden from sight. saw that by
crawling up the hill a short distance
could gain the protection of u second
rock. This instantly did, yet every
moment fearing they would make dash
for the gold, which was still upon my
horse.
They evidently did not realize that 1
had moved from the rock near the dead
animal, end were afraid to venture.
Reaching the second ledge, l found to
my annoyance that could not yet see
the hidden robbers; but by pulling my
self along behind fallen tree | was at
last within sight of them. They were
crouching on the ground behind a low
ledge, each peering around the end of it,
intently watching the spot where they
had seen me disappear.
l now raised my pistol, took careful
aim and fired. The ball struck the man
who was holding the gun, killing him
instantly. The other, with cry of
rage, seized the rifle aud fred three shots
at me in quick succession.
The tree in falling had struck an old
log upon the ground and broken in two.
Where the two crossed each other was a
space under the broken tree through
which could see my adversary.
Irapidly cleared the earth away till 1
could get shot at him. He had run up
some rods nearer, and now stood par
TALLY behind small rock intently
watching the point where he had last
seen me. Just as l reached the pistol
beneath the log he moved quickly, but
| fired, and knocked the gun from his
hands,
l instantly sprang up, crying, "An-
other move and will kill you"
He turned aud attempted to gain the
protection of the nearest ledge; as he
whirlsd around, l fired again and he
fell. l rushed upon him, but he was on
his feet at once and caught the rifle. /
fired once more, breaking his wounded
arm and causing him to let fall the gun.
exclaimed, "Stop, before l kill you"
Instead of complying he answered
iiercely, ~ will cut your heart out" and
spraug toward me with bowie knife in
his right hand. BY this time he was
within reach and made savage thrust
at me with the knife.
l spraug aside in time to avoid the
blow, and once more pulled the trigger
No shot replied-the pistol was empty.
My only chance was at close quarters,
and catching my revolver by the muzzle
l struck him blow on the head, at tpe
same time receiving a slight cut in the
shoulder. lie fell at my feet, and before
he could move l sprang upon him,
kicked the knife from his hand auda
caught up the rifle he had dropped in the
fight.
He cried, "Hold-1 give up; don't
murder me"
"Lie still, then," I said, "and don't
move"
now ran to ray dead animal, pulled
the holsters from the saddle, pushed the
empty revolver into them and took out
the loaded one. Then | said, sect up
now"
He was pitiable looking object, and
weak from the loss of blood. He had
been twice wounded, once in the hand
and again in the arm, while my blow
on his head had cut an u0lv cash frOn