The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1892-07-08

~ rFf Y morn / can tell, :"
ne replied. "He' reckless, good for
nothin' kind OF chap, with two harum
scarcum sons as big as he is, an there
are some as say he wouldn't stop at no
crime ter git what he wanted. Bout
ten years ago be served term for high
way robbery, an since that he's been
livin' away back at Redfeld's Clearin',
among the mountains. How he lives,
don't know, but this time Of the year hc
generally comes down to the river an
camps fur month or so IN a shantv ut
tho mouth Of Mont ongo Creek. ITo
down at Laccyvllc. don't s'pose he'll
molest you, though. Coin, are ye2
Waal, good by. Stop next year if you
come this way"
We sprang into our canoes, waved
farewell to the friendly farmer on whose
land we had campcd the previous night,
and padded swiftly down the river in
the bracing air of the beautiful July
morning.
With my companions, Mark Mayns
and jim Dale, | was making canoe
cruise down the Susquchanna We were
approaching the border of Bradford
County, after two weeks Of intermittent
padding from Olscgo Lake, and this
was the first warning we had received OF
peril ahead.
We puddlcd along several hours aud
then the river narrowed, and we could
hear some distance below us the roa-
the rapids AS we came nr"~" nit"
that the channel ran clos~ 'io sno,e'
Th. river ,oode =, and rocky
nromontorv iutted- into the water.
P~HG sWSl",t; ;r. The rapids, Mark taking
the lead, and plunged through the foam
ing spray and the half concealed knobs
OF stone. We passed in safety through
the worst part, and as we rounded the
point OF rocks at II terrific speed, aud
glidcd swiftly into the smoother reach OF
water beyond, we saw before us, sub
merged to his waist in the very centre of
the chauncl, II man intently engaged in
fishing.
We shouted with all our might, but
tn" roar of the rapids drowned our
voices, and the man continued to toss
his lines, unconscious of his peril. Mark
made desperate effort TO turn aside, but
the fierce current batfltd his attempt,
and he struck the unfortunate fisherman
broadSidc, and before he could find time
to cry out the latter went head foremost
into the river, while Mark gldcd grace
fully over him.
l uttered Il cry of horror, and then, To
make matters worse, Just IA the poor
fellow struggled to the surface and got
his head aud shoulders out Of water,
banged into him sideways aud down hc
went again, vainly trying to obtain n
foothold on the slippery stones.
Dale followed close behind, and lust
as VIC all tloatcd into the still deep water
below, the man came to the surface and
waded ttindly to the shore, choking aud
splitting up the water that hc had swal-
lowed.
Hc reached the bank and danced about
for an instant, shaking his dripping
clothes and gasping for breath. He was
big, burly looking fellow, with
heavy black beard. We hcsitatcd for q
moment, not knowing what to do, for
the man was certainly mad, very mad
Then Mark called out:
~ beg your pardon; we really could
not help it, you know. II was an acci.
dent"
But the man still continued his wild
dance; AMI then, recovering all at once
the use Of his voice, he began to swear
feariully:
'You young wretches!" he cried.
"Ill skin you alive. I'll break every
bone in your bodies. III learn you"
Just here fit of coughing shut him
off, and, seiziDg couple Of big stones,
he made for us on run.
We grabbed our paddles and struck
out for the middle Of tho river.
As soon as the man saw that we were
out OF reach he changed his tactics and
ran back up stream. We could not lm.
agine what he was about at first, and
then the startling truth flashed upon us.
"That's Lutte Carson" said Dale.
"and there is the shauty he lives in, ,"
and he pointed to rude cabin that was
built close under the clif, aud had en-.
tlrcly escaped our notice
"And down here is the mouth Of
Montongo Creek, added Mark.
My gracious, look what he's doingi"
RED Dale, suddenly.
We now observed for the first time
''at turned bottom up on the shore.
Carson, for it was undoubtedly he, had
'r!Aed the chain, an was dragging it
iDward the water. 1t resisted his efforts.
ana, letting go OF it, h. gave coupl,
# loud shouts.
81 think it is time to leave" sug
sested Mark, he is evidently callin5 his
sons
Dale was II ready some var is ahead,
ard, without losing any time, we
padded swiftly down steam.
Carson still continued to shout, and
We fancied we could hear faint reply.
nen, as he saw us moving swiftly cut
,, reach, he ran into the hut, and before
sc could see what he was about, he