CHAPTER II 



CROSSING THE CUMBERLAND MOUNTAINS 



I HAD climbed but a short distance when 

 I was overtaken by a young man on horse- 

 back, who soon showed that he intended to 

 rob me if he should find the job worth while. 

 After he had inquired where I came from, and 

 where I was going, he offered to carry my bag. 

 I told him that it was so light that I did not 

 feel it at all a burden ; but he insisted and coaxed 

 until I allowed him to carry it. As soon as he 

 had gained possession I noticed that he gradu- 

 ally increased his speed, evidently trying to get 

 far enough ahead of me to examine the con- 

 tents without being observed. But I was too 

 good a walker and runner for him to get far. 

 At a turn of the road, after trotting his horse 

 for about half an hour, and when he thought he 

 was out of sight, I caught him rummaging my 

 poor bag. Finding there only a comb, brush, 

 towel, soap, a change of underclothing, a copy 

 [ 17] 



