Year: 1864

quent questions as before, while he carried
out plan known only to himself


| made no objections 10 his talking, and
determined that if he had any designs upon
me, ] would catch him without his knowl-
edge and doubl le upon him at an unexpec-
tea moment. when ] should be satisfied of
any, such design on his part.
we penetrated the wood at slow and
cautious pace, the road being narrow and
uneven, ana IN many places full of ruts. -
II was 80 dark that could with difficulty sec
my horses head 1t was literally pitch
dark. In this gloom of a place n gloom
sotted on my mind. | was unarmed: a care
lessness which / blamed myself for then.
though without much reason, for had
never heard Of robbery being committed
IN that part Of the country IF the stran-
ger at my side did mediate robbery. I was
quite certain he would not stop short of
murder, as ! had several 800 dollar notes
notes in my pocket, beside some specie in n
bag. and this man. if villain. had found
4 his own means of discovering the fact. at
/ the town from whence | had lust came. in
time to get ahead by cross-paths, and wait for


me at the grove where had taken him up


l was more aud more convinced at the OBJ
ject had seen him drop back into his breast
was the butt of pistol, though the motion
was 50 quick in the dim light, / could not
have sworn to it.


Ny mind turned over its plans with great
papidity, for the effect in this gloom was to
increase the action of the brain hundred
fold. | kept a close eye on tie stranger
while he talked and ] responded


1T cold said he, after had answered
an almless question. How chilly 'tis here
in this wood" and he thrust his right hand
into his left breast as if to keep it warm.
/ Il don't feel cold, | returned carelessly,


keeping my eye on the wrist of the hidden


hand. Perhaps your wound may effect
I you.


Very likely" he replied and then he


began to whistle. 50 shril that it rang


among the trees again and again.
!. Up to this moment we had progressed


about an eighth Of a mile since entering the
wood, and there was fully halfmile fur


ther 10 90 before we should come out on


the open plain. | shrank from the trial


which | must undergo while passing over


this long half mile, even if my companion


made no actual attack upon me; for | must
/ be in continual suspense, and keep an un-
ceasing watch upon him.


l had not long to wait or watch. When
the last vibrations Of the penetrating notes
produced by this man died away, an answer
ing whistle broke forth in the darkness at
the left hand side of the road; and / heard
the cracking of dead leaves as footsteps ap-
preached in that direction.


Take that - cried the lame man, sud
denly drawing out his hidden hand, and pro-
ducing a revolver.


1t was leveled upon me before the two
words were ont of his mouth: but nv right
hand was more speedily on the barrel, and
when, the fire burst out, the ball whizzed
harmlessly past my head. | then gave the
pistol wrench, at the same instant drop


ping the reins, and dealing with my left


hand a violent blow on the assassin's face.
! The effect was as instantaneous as the move


ment; for he let go the pistol and tumbled
, over from the seat to the ground
l thought the struggle was over; but here
| was mistaken; for while | still grasped the


revolver by the barrel, my horse gave loud
snort. and reared into the air. My attention


was thus Withdrawn from the fallen robber
to ascertain the cause Of this behaviour on
: the part of the beast | was soon made


aware of the fact that a new actor was on
the stage, in the form of shadowy figure
the left arm of which was jerking at nv


horses bride, the right was extended to-


wards me with an oiect in its hand which
gllstened in the darkness. | had Just time


to drop down in my cart, as sharp report
broke on the air, and ball whistled past
my ear.


Here was a second assassin to deal with
and the first was already on his feet again.
My thoughts was quick and nv actions
prompt. When the last ball whistled by
me, sprang TO my feet; and as my horse
sill plunged and reared, levelled the cap
tured revolver upon the obscure figure, and
trusting somewhat to fortune for the result,
pressed my finger against the trigger


There was mingled with the report long
yell Of agony; and when the white smoke
had cleared away, | could see no man BIZ
the head of the horse, but the animal him |
self was plunging his fore feet into the
ground with fury which had never before
seen exhibited except in mad bull. 1t i
was with feeling of mercy that drew up
the reins, and pulling to the right, comman- !
ded him in stern voice to be quiet and go
on. At the same time | turned my head !
over the left shoulder, and cried out to the |
lame man who was, as far as | could make |
out in the dark, preparing to spring upon
me. See to your comrade there; the horse
is beating him to jelly


None of your tricks" he returned; and
at the same time he made tremendous
spring into the front part of the vehicle,
and clinging with his left hand, stretched
out the right to seize me.


With all the strength which increased .
wrath could give, dealt him blow on the |
head with the butt of the revolver, and
knocked him instantly over the side of the
chaise- cart,


Ny horse, which had for the moment
partially obeyed my order, now recon-
menced his savage demonstrations; but I
pulled the rein with firm hand, while l
glanced about me with my pistol ready for
action, and commanded him again to go on.
At first he appeared not to mind me, but
by still more determined pull on the reins
and a second aud sterner command, | drew
his attention from the object of his fury,
and succeeded in urging him to the right, =
Here he stopped and rearing oncemor with
a loud snort, plunged ahead at speed
which threatened every instant the vehicle
and myself. He at last grew moro calm and l
nowise desirous of turning back continued
at a safe pace through the wood, and rode
on till | came to q small farm house. Here
| stopped and told the inmates what had
and with the farmer and his two
sons, went back to the scene of the strug-
gle.


The two highwaymen had disappeared,
and the lantern showed us the track where
a body had been dragged from portion of
the highway (which had been ploughed UP
by my horses hoofs) across the road into the
depths of the woods.


1t was too dark to give chase that night
the next morning, however, search was
al III - IL ~ h.. / ,