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

The firm of which | was the Junior
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 a 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 had become
wary aud suspicious; yet the profits we
made were SO good that | was unwilling
to give up the trips.
e One day we received a telegram that
read: "Secure all the wool you can; it
is sure TO advance IN price.
The telegram reached us at in the
afternoon. At . the next morning was
on the road aud had nearly four thousand
dollars in gold coin.
For the first three davs I 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 aud 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 anew saw-mill. While
a halfbreed Indian was caring for nv
horse l inquired of the landlord if he
could direct me to Rucker's sheep camp.
"Yes, was the reply, "but it's hard
place to find, - at the same time giving
ne the directions as nearly as possible
shook my head as he ended, saying.
al could never find the place in a years
time. Is there no one here acquainted
with the route who can go with me2"
He hesitated II moment and then said ::
"There's Bill, the half-broed; he knows
the trail as well as old RuclIer himself.
j reckon you can get Bill TO CO."
Bill was promptly interviewed. "You
pay me 50 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 a 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 too
late to go further that night, unless
travelled after dark, and to this object
cd on account of the gold.
The landlord said he could give me
straw-bed, adding: "You see, the place
is new, aud we have nothing better for
ourselves"
was willingto take the bed, and so
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 guarded so closely
Determined to be on the safe side, l
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 l was awakened by a movement of
the bed. 1t appeared as though some
one was slowly opening the door and
causing the bed to move across the floor.
i reached under the pillow, firmly
grasped one of my pistols, aud awaited
developments. Inch by inch could
feel the bed move slowly over the floor.
The door was not sufficiently open to adj
NIT the thief. 1t was too dark TO dis
tinguish his form, but l could tell ms
position from his deep breathing as he
slowly and cautiously approached the
head of the bed At that instant
raised my pistol and cried; "stop, or
will fre"
Quick as a fash he sprang for the door
and | fired at the same instant. He gave
cry of pain, but continued his flight. |