Year: 1871

main until morning, but as wished to
get through as soon as possible, and there
being good moon, I declined to remain.


"As over the lonely road cantered, l
could not keep my mind from dwelling
on the face of the man who had entered
the shanty while I was counting out the
three thousand dollars. 1 remembered
how eagerly he eyed the roll of bills, and
felt sure he was even then meditating
upon some plan to convey them to his
own pocket. While such thoughts as
these thronged my brain, rode into a
dense underground that rendered the
road very dark and gloomy. I now al
lowed my horse to sober down to walk.
Although the moon was shining brightly
it was quite dark in this spot, and my
thoughts of danger were increased by the
gloomy appearance Of the wood.


"Just ahead, the moon shone out
clear and bright. Twas anxious to reach
this point, and was about to touch the
horse with my spurred heel, when the
animal stopped suddenly and reared
backward with snort of fear.


II gazed ahead in the gloom. Some
thing aark-darker than the gloomy
shadows-obstructed the way mans
hand was clutching at the bride rein.


"a cold chill ran through my frame.
do not think I am coward, yet on
this occasion my heart stood still for the
moment. Instinctively I plunged my
hand into my bosom. Horrors my re-
volver was gone heard the click Of a
pistol-hammer, and saw the gleam OF
the barrel in the gloom.


"Hand over that money you have
about you," said o voice.


'It sounded strangely familiar. I had
ten thousand dollars intrusted to my
care. If was robbed of the same my
employers would be heavy losers and
perhaps I should lose my situation, as
my story might not be believed.


with prayer to Heaven, I planted
the spurs in the sides of my horse.
With snort Of pain he leaped forward,
knocking the man down. Away we flew
down the forest road, like the wind.


81 heard the report of revolver fired
rapidly, some of the bullets whistling in
close proximity to my head.


II knew the man who had fallen could
not have fired SO quickly he must ne
cessarily have companion, whom the
darkness of the forest had concealed
from my view.


Il rode on and reached the next shanty
in safety. I mentioned my adventure to
no one but the foreman, and bade him
keep silent until morning.


"As was too much in hurry for the
the robbers, or would-be robbers then, !
continued my journey, and reached my
destination without any further adven-
ture.


"When I returned there was a bit Of
news for my ear. Two men where mis-
sing from the lower shanty. They were
none other than Nicholson, and Noe
Bray. They had fed with the three thou
sand dollars, after first attempting to rot
me on the highway.


Nothing was known further until
J wear later, when Nicholson was appre'
|hended for murder in the Southern par
J of the State. Having some curiosity,
went to see him in prison. He acknowl
edged that he had made the attempt te
rob me the year before. The entrance
J of Bray while was counting the money
was planned between them, and while
/ nv attention was turned toward him, TIN
l foreman extracted the revolver from m.
breast pocket.


Nicholson had been in the employ O
. Horton, Karnes & Co. for many years
and he had robbed them at every pay
ment. He missed his mark the last time
l and finally ended his life on the gallows
r 81 never heard of Noel Bray after
ward"