Year: 1871

Toward the close of sultry day in
August | found myself in the southern
part of the State of Missouri was
engaged in buying up land for a com
pany Of land spectators in New York
| had some distance to 60 before COM
ing to the tract. | was desirous of
purchasing, and should be obliged to
travel through one of the most gloomy
and dismal places in that part of the
State. The land was broken and noun
famous, and cut up with deep ravines
and gulleys. In times of heavy rains
numerous streams ran down the rocky
declivities, but now, owing 10 severe
drought, they were all dry. Habitation
was exceedingly scarce just in that par
ticular locality, so scarce in fact that |
had hardly seen honse for more than a
dozen miles; and to add to this these
mountains were said to be infested
by band of desperadoes, horse thieves
and common cutthroats. They were too
far removed from the mighty arm of the
law to care how atrocious their deeds
might be, and could plunder the sur
rounding country with impunity They
would steal horses, send them to the
East and sell them, and defy the law to
reach them in their operations.


Although this was a rather dangerous
locality, did not mind it so much as I
was young then and rather relished ahe
idea of little danger, and 1 was wei
armed. I had pair of Colts repeaters,
which were scarce there at that time.
1t was growing late, in fact it lacked
but little while OF night, and my horse
was nearly tired out. | had ridden him
nearly forty miles that day, and the road
or path was exceedingly rough, and for
some time had not seen house where
l could put up for rest and get some
supper. | was getting to be nearly
hungry enough to eat almost anything
edible that might happen to come in my
way. l took out my map of the section,
and after careful survey concluded
that | could not be very far from
house; but l knew the map was so inac-
curate that but little reliance could be
placed upon it. The sky, which had
been clear all day, now began to assume
a dull leaden color. The haze was run
ming up from the west, and soon l could
see dense black clouds rolling up from
that quarter. A storm was evidently
coming up. | did not exactly like the
idea of being out in one of those severe
storms that frequently visit the Western
States. They are said to be terrible,
and l was willing 10 take it for granted
that they were so without a personal
experience but it looked as though l
was in for it and no mistake. My horse,
too, seemed to be aware of the appro ,ch-
ing war of the elements, for he qu;ckened
his pace and seemed anxious to reach his
stopping place. He was a noble animal
and feet of foot, but few horses could
hold their own with him in race. I
rode along musing upon my object in
coming to this wild place and, perhaps,
thinking of friends at home, when sud
denly l thought saw a horseman on
ahead of me. "Company," l exclaimed
to myself, 1 am really glad to see that
for it is getting to be very lonesome
business travelling so far without seeing
single person. l can put up with al
most any one for the sake of company.
Then all at once it disappeared as sud
denly as it had come. Was it imagina-
ton or some optical illusion? hardly
knew. | wa, pretty sure that had
seen some one on ahead of me but a
very few minutes ago. But now there
appeared to be no one in sight, nor yet
any place where a mao, and much less a
man and a horse, could conceal them.
selves so quickly. I rode on for some
time in silence.