Year: 1860




pale awhile ago whom. Jack told us that h,
had seen grave, and asked whose it was.


bah, boys turn pale, did II Their,
are circumstances in the lives of most mer
who live on the frontier, which, to have
them recalled, will make them turn pale
And mentioning that grave, and asking
whose it was, recalled a fearful event iu
my experience. But as the night is young
yet | will tel! you about it; and perhaps
1T will be warning to you never to trus,
too much to stranger, or throw tempta
ton in his way


Thus spoke your humble servant some
months ago, to party of prospectors, OF
whom he was one. The following is the
story to which alluded above:


Several years ago, I was out with a
party prospecting for silver, high up the
ella river. We had been for some time
without meeting with any success, and
were returning to Fort Yuma. disgusted
with the country. We had left the Pimos
village days journey behiad us, when
we fell in with man travelling the same
way that We were. He was without grub
or blankets, and said he was going to Cal.
|
told him that if he could ride a pack sad
die, he could 90 as far as Fort Yuma
None of US liked the looks of the fellow.
He had such thoroughly villainous ex-
preston. But as he seemed 80 badly used
up, we took pity on him, and made hiir
the offer that we die! He accepted with
out any hesitation. We found him taci-
turn, never speaking unless he was spoken
! 10. When we camped, he would take the
saddle off his mule, and 60 off by himself,
never helping to get the grub ready. but
pitch in with the rest of US. However,
though We did not like him or his actions,
We said nothing, thinking he might have
some secret sorrow that we had no right
to pry into. We had travled two days,
when what am about to relate occurred.
We had camped at noon, and as the wea-
ther was very warm, some one proposed
that We should all take bath. All had
,elt that it would be dclcious!y cool
amusement, bathingin the shade of the cot.
tonwood trees which hung over the banks
of the river. We stripped instaEter, and
were soon enjoying ourselves gloriously.





ties in it, aud took it off to give me free
play in the waterr laid it down on my
clothes carelessly, never thinking Of hid
ngit from any of the com pany, as they all
knew had the money. | had no idea
that the stranger would be tempted to take
it. As | came out of the water, | noticed
the stranger looking very longingly at my
belt, but thought no more about il. That
night, ircnl some caua". ! could not sleep
well, and when | would fall into a state
of unronsciousness | was troubled with
such wid.IiEe dreams, that / would rath-
er had remained broad awake. At last
about midnight, went to sleep soundIy;
how long lay do not know, but awak-
ened suddenly to find some one kneelng
over me aud very carefully cutting my
shirt open. Now | have always had the
power call it presence Of mind or anything
else, of comprchendinc in an instant ali
that is going Oh around me, no matter
from how sound sleep | may be walked
1t is anything bu, pleasant to wake and
find oneself in the power Of desperate
who vii! have no hesitation in plunging a
knife in your heart. | felt myself in any,
thing but an euviable situation, knowing
that the slightest ind cation on my part OF
being awake, would cause the villain to
give me between the ribs the length of his
bowie, or the contents Of his pistol For,
although | could not see his pistol, felt
sure that he had it handy. To secure MY
pistol without letting him know that | was
awake, was very delicate operation. and
| attempted to accomplish it IN the follow
ing manner: My pistol and bowie knife
we're both under my salaler, which used
for pillow. | threw my right arm up
over my head, taking care not to touch
the robber and yawned, as il [ was half
awake but ready with my left hand to catch
his arm in the event Of bis attempting to
stab me. had my eyes partly shut, so
that he could not easily see them glisten,
but sufficiently open to see every move,
which could easily do, as it was clear
star light night. On the instant that |
moved, he raised his hand to strike, and
l was nearly betraying to him my being
awakd by throwing no my left hand, but
some strong impulse prevented me from
doing it, and he held ibis knife suspended
to give the blow had | made another move.
When I threw my hand over my head,
with the same movement placed it under
tie saddle and on the butt of my pistol,
which was cooked ready for use. lay in
that position for about half minute, but
it seemed like an hour. BY that time,
had power over my breathing, which on
first waking came very quick. AS soon
as he thought was sound asleep again,
he lowered his hand and commenced op.
Grating On my shirt clearing it away from
the belt. Then though my opportunity
had come, ard tried to jerk my six shoot
er, but it was some way, and it would not
come. thought my time had arrived, for
as quick as thought, be drew and struck
with his knife. He struck at my throat
Ny eyes were broad open then, and | saw
where the knife was coming. BY q quick
involuntary movement, threw myself
aside, and he must bave oyer-reached him
self, for the knife stuck into the saddle,
and so tight, that he could not get it out.
In trying to get my pistol my hand touch
ed the cold silver hilt of my bowie. In.
stinctively took hold of it, abandoning
the pistol and was nsrying my hand for
the blow, when | felt the cold muzzle of
his pistol against my forehead. struck
ont blindly, and as did SO, there was the
stunning report Of his pistol. How | es-
capped | do not know; my face was black
encd with the powder, and my whiskers
nearly burned off, but that was all the
damage done to me. My blow, though
struck at random. had proved severe
one. Ny knife had gone toto the left side
Of his neck, inside of the collar bone
The knife must have reached his heart,
for as drew out to strike again, he fell
on me with his whole weight, and his
blood spirited over my face He gave one