A CANADIAN STORY.

Cromwell Argus, Volume I, Issue 48, 12 October 1870, Page 7

A CANADIAN STORY.

Years ago, when Western Canada was Covered with wild and unbroken forests, and inhabited by very few white settlers, I was travelling through the interior, engaged in the then popular calling of a pedlar. Towards the close of a cold October day, I entered a dark forest which lined the road on both sides, and extended as far as the eye could reach. A storm was evidently coming np, and I pursued my way with energy, hoping soon to roach ions hospitable roof, where I might find rest and shelter through the night. But the golden-coloured sun slowly sank behind the tall tree-tops, and darkness was soon upon me without any cheering sign of a habitation to gladden my sight. The rain now poured down in torrents, and vivid flashes of lightning occasionally illuminate 1 ra • pathway. This, added to the scone of loneliness around me, made my situation anything but a pleasant one. But with an indo nitabale will, and my clothes thoroughly drenched, I hastened onward, and soon observed the faint glimmer of a light shining out through the distance. With renewed energy I quickened my pace ; and ere long I stood before the low door of a roughly constructed log-house. Applying rnv stout oaken cane to the door, I gave several loud knocks. A low growl, followed by the rough commands of a man, was heard ; and then the door was thrown open, and I was invited to enter. 1 hesitated not in doing so, and was soon seated before a glowing Are, which blazed and sparkled on the hearth right merrily. The only occupants of the room, beside myself, were the man who rose and admitted me, and a large Newfoundland dog, which rose as T entered, and slunk away into an obscure corner of the room. “ A bad night, this,” said the host, and he drew his chair close up before the fire. “ Yes, it is indeed,” I replied; “and but for the shelter of your friendly roof I must have passed the night without shelter, and exposed to the fury of this fearful storm.” “Would you not like some suppert” asked the man, after a pause of several minutes. “ T would indeed, if not too much trouble to vou,” t replied, quickly, for I was nearly famishing. “Tho trouble is nothing,”he said, rising and setting about preparing me a comfortable meal. Ere loner, he announced mv supper as readv ; and, with an appetite sharpened hr mv ionrnev. I drew near to the table and did ample lustice to the plain fare set before me. This done, I asked to be shown to bed. Mv companion took a small lamp, and having li'jbted it. led tho wav upstairs. “ Shall T bring vour trunk T’ ho asked, as h* nut the light down. “ If vou please,” I replied. Ho hastened down the stairs, and soon reappeared, bringing with him the trunk in which I carried mv (roods. w hen he again disappeared, I hurriedly undressed mvself; and, blowing out the light, T punned into bed, and was soon in the arms of Morpheus. How tong T slept, I know not ; but. on wakening, T heard a confused murmuring, as of two persons in close conversation in an adjoining room, I listened attentively for several minutes, and succeeded in gathering enough from the broken sentences which reached mv cars to assure me that they were a counle of coiners and villains of the deepest dvo. Even now they were plotting mv murder, in the hope of securing mv goods ; and the accomplishment of the foul deed onlv awaited the decision of tho two villains as to who should perform it. As I lay upon my bed listening to the two desperadoes, the many stories of dark crimes which I had often read came floating through mv memory ; and then, as a picture of my family, whom I had left far away, vividly presented itself to mv view, I determined to thwart mv would be murderers, and, if possible, deliver them up to justice. To think with me was to act ; and, rising from ray bed, I took a portion of my clothing and shaped it into a form closely resembling a man, and then placed it where I had lain. This done, I crept under the bed and waited the coming of the assassin, 1 had not long to wait; for soon they came to a conclusion, and I heard one of them rise and leave the room. Next I hoard a soft, cat-like tread out-side my chamber ; and in a moment more my chamber door was cautiously opened, and a dark form glided in. Oh, the agony of that moment can never be told ; and, as T attentively listened, I heard a sharp click, folllowod instantly by the report of a pistol, and than the vidian, satisfied that ho had faithfully performed his inismon, hasteuedTrom the room, A moment

liter I heard him in the adjoining apartment, and in conversation with bis confederate. “ Have you killed him?' I heard asked in a rough voice. “ Yes, he's as dead as a hammer," said the other ; “ never groaned.” “ Well, let’s to bed,” said the first speaker; we can dispose of the body in the morning.” This was followed by a noise as of persons undressing, and a few minutes later all was still. I waited silently for about an bonr, and then feeling that all was secure, I cautiously left my room, and groping my way through the darkness, I was soon down the stairs and in the open air. The rain had ceased to fall, and the stars wore now shining brightly. A short distance from the house I observed a small building ; and, hastening to it, I found it to be a stable, containing two horses. To saddle and bridle one of these was but the work ot a moment; and, springing lightly upon his back, and giving the noble animal a free rein, wo were soon far from pursuit. After about an hour’s hard travelling, I came to a sma’l village. Here I obtained a couple of o(Seers, and together we rode back to. the house which I had so lately left. The two villains were easilv secured ; and then a search of tho premises being instituted, resulted in the finding of several dead bodies, carefnllv concealed. We rode back to the little village ; and a few days later the two murderers were tried for their crimes, and received their just deserts.