Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1895-05-17


TO regret it, although it made sure his
own chances Of success, and too honor
able to mention it in his own letters
home. But must be brief.
The two years were coming to a
close, and Collins, with handsome
sum of money, and a spotless charac-
ter, was preparing to return. He
wrote to Pritchard, who was then at
Coloma, informing him of the fact,
and inquiring whether it was his in
tention to accompany him. Pritchard
replied that it was, although he with
drew all pretensions to the haud of
Mary, and requested Collins to meet
him at Coloma in three days, when
they would proceed together for Sac
rarnento. Two days after, Collins
started for Coloma by trail winding
along the American river, and when
midway between that place and Placer
Vile, was knocked down from behind
by man in disguise, and robbed of
every dollar he possessed in the
world. The robber left his victim
for dead in the trail. Towards
night he was discovered by packer
and conveyed to Coloma. His skull
was fractured, but he at length re-
covered, to learn that Pritchard had
started for the East the same day on
which he was robbed. The conviction
flashed upon him that Pritchard had
robbed him, and he Immediately wrote
to Mary's father, informing him of his
suspicious; but it was too late; Mary
became the wife of Pritchard before
the letter reached him.
The day on which Collins received
this intelligence, he took solemn oath
to have the blood of the man who had
so foully wronged him. For months
he toiled with the energy Of despair
for the means to return to the East,
and was on the point of setting out,
when he learned that Pritchard was
preparing to start overland for Cali
fornia in the spring, accompanied by
his wife. His resolution was taken.
He would meet him on the road and
shoot him down as he would wolf.
He ascertained the route Pritchard
would take in crossing the mountains,
and stationed himself in waiting in
the cave described as the "Devils
Backbone"
AT the time of his introduction to
the readers he had been solitary res
ident of that wild spot for two months; !;
but his hour of revenge was near at
hand, for the night before a train OF
six wagons had encamped two miles
back, and Pritchard was one of the
party! Before entering upon this
explanation, we left Collins secreted,
rifle in hand, in q thick clump OF
chapparel, awaiting the approach of
the wagons. His heart still throbbed,
but his eye was clear and his nerve as
firm as the iron purpose Of his soul.
At times, as he thought of Mary, his
heart would misgive the deed be was
about committing, but at the recol-
lection of his wrongs he thanked
Heaven that the day of retribution had
dawned.
He had remained in his place of con-
cealment perhaps three.quarters OF an
hour, when the train drew in sight.
He cautiously recrossed the road and
entered the path then wiping the
perspiration from his brow, he care
fully examined the priming of his rifle,
and cooking it placed it across bis arm.
He had scarcely done so before the
first wagon commenced descending the
gentle slope leading to the "Back-
BONE" 1t was Pritchard's, and he
was walking beside it, and Mary was
not five PAGES behind. One moment,
and the sharp crack of a rifle echoed
through The hills, and Henry Pritchard
fell dead at the feet of his wife. She
looked and saw the murderer, and
with piercing scream dropped faint
ing upon the lifeless form of her hus-
band. Collins sprang along the mar
now path in the direction of the cave,
but never reached it. His foot slipped,
and he fell headlong over the precl-
piece. His body was never recovered.