Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1891-01-23


feel the bed move slowly over the floor.
NIT the thief. It was too dark to dis
tinguish his form, but I could tell his
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 I
will fre,''
Quick as fash he sprang for the door
and l fired at the same instant. He gave
cry of pain, but continued his Eight.
jumped from my bed, rushed to the door
and shot again at the retreatlng figure.
The ball evidently missed him, for it did
not stop his mad race, and the next mo-
ment we heard the swift galIoping of
couple of horses.
The house was in an instant uproar.
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 search for some distance
along the road revealed nothing of the
robbers, so it was evident that my shot
had not been 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 a most
picturesque and scenic region. Volcanic
rocks rose abruptly from the hillsides,
assuming the forms of temples and
towers.
Absorbed in detecting these fancied
resemblances to the most noted creations
of man, had ridden for a mile or more
without seeing or hearing anything to
break the silence of my lonely ride, when
a loud report rang out, my horse plunged
violently, and a second later fell to the
ground, carrying me with him.
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 neighboring rock. 1
was pinned to the earth and unable to
move. Luckily my hands were free
and I could reach one of the pistols in
my holsters. I jerked the revolver loose,
raised myself slightly, and fired 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.
l 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 a 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 a low rock within few
feet of me.
The rock behind which 1 had sought
shelter extended several rods, rising in
places ten or twelve feet above the
ground. I climbed up few feet, and
through a narrow creyice examined the
situation.
I saw the glimmer Of gun barrel be-
hind low rock, and was thus enabled
to locate at least one of my enemies.
STOPPING down, I ran to the further end
of the ledge, hoping to get a shot at
him. I was disappointed, for he was
still hidden from sight. saw that by
crawling up the hill short distance 1
could gain the protection of a second
rock. This I 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 I
had moved from the rock near the dead
animal, end were afraid to venture.
Reaching the second ledge, found to
my annoyance that could not yet see
the hidden robbers; but by pulling my
self along behind a fallen tree I was at
last within sight of them. They were
crouchiDg on he ground behind low
ledge, each pearing around the end of it,
intently watching the spot where they
had seen me disappear.
1 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 and fired 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
space under the broken tree through
which I could see my adversary.
rapidly cleared the earth away till [
could get shot at him. He had run up
some rods nearer, and now stood par
TALLY behind a small rock intently
watching the point where he had asst
seen me. Justsas l reached the pistol
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