Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1891-01-30
A CLOSE CALL


partner bought large quantities of wool.
usually made the purchases, and at
times was obliged to travel far into the
Sierra Nevadas, taking with me several
thousand dollars upon each trip. To
carry this sum used pair of saddle
holsters with a receptacle for the money
and place for pair of pistols. The
latter were necessary; for much of my
way lay amid the wild and rugged
mountains far from the main highways.
When halted at the wayside hotels
was obliged to carry the money to the
table with me and keep it in my room at
night; for few of the stopping places
had any secure safes or vaults. Paper
money was not generally accepted by the
owners of wool, so the greater part of the
money was in gold. Two attempts had
been made to rob me, and I had become
wary and suspicious; yet the profits we
made were so good that l was unwilling
to give up the trips.
Ones day we received telegram that
read; ''Secure all the wool you can; it
is sure to advance in price
hC ICACucu us dI ID III IQo
afternoon. At the next morning was
on the road and had nearly four thousand
dollars in gold coin.
For the first three days l gradually
ascended the mountains, and by midday
of the fourth had reached the summit.
Twas desirous of reaching one man, who
kept his sheep during the summer upon
high and rugged range some miles from
my usual route. halted for dinner at a
small public house lately built to
accommodate teamsters engaged in haul
ing lumber from new w-mill. While
a half-brecd Indian was caring for nv
horse l inquired of the landlord if he
could direct me to Fuckers sheep camp.
"Yes," " was the reply, "but it's hard
place to find, at the same time giving
me the directions as nearly as possible.
shook my head as he ended, saying !:
~ could never find the place in years
time. Is there no one here acquainted
with the route who can go with me2"
He hesitated moment and then said:
"There's Bill, the half-breed; he knows
the trail as well as old Rucker himself.
I reckon you can get Bill to CO."
Bill was promptly interviewed. "You
pay me So and take my horse and go,
was the brief but satisfactory reply.
The required sum was promised, and
he at once prepared to accompany me.
The moment dinner was eaten we set off.
Instead of being sullen and morose like
most half-breeds, my guide was talka-
tive and intelligent fellow, and gave me
much information about the surrounding
region.
Upon reaching Fuckers camp we
found the owner absent, and it took us
an hour or more to find him and the band
of sheep he was herding. He detained
us longer to tell about the bears and
panthers that annoyed his sheep than the
time consumed in bargaining for his
wool and making the necessary arrange
ments for shipping it to us. When we
got back to the public house it was toe
late to go further that night, unless
travelled after dark, and to this I object.
ed on account of the gold.
The landlord said he could give me a
straw-bed, adding: "You see, the place
is new, aud we have nothing better iol
ourselves"
was willing to take the bed, and SC
turned my horse over to the half breed
to take care of for the night.
just before supper two more travellers
rode up and desired to stop. They were
rather talkative, and l overheard them
ask the landlord my name and business
My suspicious were easily aroused, and
noticed that they seemed interested in
me and the holsters Iguarded so closely.
Determined to be on the safe side,
pulled my bed against the door when
retired for the night, and securely fas
tened the only window.
l slept soundly till past midnight
when was awakened by movement Of
the bed. 1t appeared as though some
enc was slowly opening the door ant
causing the bed to move across the floor
reached dnder the pillow, tirml.
Rrasped one of my pistols, ana awaited