Year: 1860

stay all nlSnt. TIC was WdihihS' "ith a pair of saddle-bags on his arm.- He was invited in, refreshed with rool water, and accommodated to seat.

 His countenance gave unmistak able indications of his intelIigence.- His conversation was easy and quite interesting. He had travelled much, and had stored his mind with useful facts and deductions. There was something attractive about the man, and one would eagerly desire to know something of his past history.

 Alter supper, the landlord asked the traveller why he was aioot. ihisNas a question We desired to have ah- swercd. There was something myste- rous about the map, which we wan ted him to solve. This question would probably furnish key to un- lock the secret.

 Looking the landlord in the face, he said. :. Your question may involve more than you imagine" The land lord, being a timid and cautious man, thought that he had probably trans gressed the bounds of propriety and respectful hospitality, and had suffered curiosity to infringe somewhat upon the nice feelings of traveller. He begged pardon, and asked the privil- ege to retract the expression if not agreeable.

 The traveller very quickly read his agitation, and smlingly remarked, that he had no objection to the ques- ton, but simply wished to say, that the answer involved most interest ing part of the history of his life, which he could never relate without a shud- der. and which he was always care ful not to rehearse voluntarily to any stranger, lest he should not be credit ed.

 This expression awakened in the landlord stili stronger desire to hear this remarkable incident in his life, and he very respectfully repeated hls question and pledged himself to be- lieve his narrative.

 We were now all ears to hear the story The traveller laid aside his ci- gar, and taking an easy position be- fore the family, gave the following narrow escape:

 some four weeks since l started to my home in South Carolina from long Western tour; had been absent some five months, and visited all the most interesting places in the West. 1 rode as noble a steed as ever-trod the Western lands. l owned him from a colt, and he had carried me over thousands of miles. He was my only companion in my wanderings. 1t may be waste of affections, yet cannot deny that loved the horse.

 reached the Mississippi Swamp, and entered upon that long and lone ly pass. well knew that a passage through this wilderness was not with out danger. had heard much of Aiurrel and his clan. and as the sun began to set and the evening shades 10 draw darkly over my path, ] could not but feel unnamed an unneryed.

 

 where along my road. Each crack ing stick and rustling leaf would star tie me. l was unacquainted with the way, and knew not how far l might be compelled to travel before l could rest for the night. earnestly desired, and might say prayed, to see some house that might shelter me. had determined to stop at the first house. had made up my mind to take no denial. To travel in the dark, and in constant dread of robbers, Was more than 1 could endure. l would sleep in any kind of cabin, or ill the open air, if could get something for my horse 10 eat.

 Ipushed my steed onward, though ] had already made a good days jour ney. My mind was in agony, and fer once thought l understood that my fife was suspended on a brittle thread.

 tried to peer through the darkness, and discover some abode of man. l watched each side of the road lest, in my hurry, might pass some resting place. could almost see house in every tree in the distance, but when neared it, the outlines of the house would vanish. Even an open space in the dense forest would deceive me, and 1 would soon make out all the parts of splendid man sion.

 was thus tantalized with mental creations, until at last the road ap- Deared to widen, and a considerable opening was seen some distance ahead of me. lcould but press my horse onward Soon saw light, and my feelings greatly revived when felt was once more near the habta ton of man. l hurried my faithful but wearied steed, when suddenly the idea fitted through my brain, that this might be a clan of murderers. could but tremble at the thought My mind revolved the subject rapidly, whilst 1 moved on to what saw was a neat mansion. l rode up to the gate and called. Quite gentleman lv old man came out and bid me light. By the lamp he held in his hand, I thought l could discover a most honest and pleasing face.

 felt very thankful that had reached his house in safety. l went into the house and found every thing in good style. was greatly pleased. The old gentleman ordered supper, and went himself to see my horse cared for. sat down in an easy chair, and rested myself comiorta- ply.

 It was not long before the man re- turned, and invited me out to supper. As we walked towards the dining, roorn, he remarked thathis lady was not at home, and l must expect some what rough fare, as he knew very lit tie about domestic matters. l told him no apologies were necessary. as was glad enough to stop even without