Bumgarner- Pg 2
There was an iron shovel, a rough iron handled and heavy affair, standing by the fire place. I took this, got back of Bumgarner, drew back the shovel, and aimed a blow at him. The woman looked on with wide open and horrified eyes, but did not utter a shriek. Somehow, I couldn't strike, the shovel trembled in my hands awhile, and I laid it down without even waking Bumgarner. And well I did, for just then six bushwhackers appeared at the door. Had I struck him, I would have been a dead soldier a minute after. But it was not yet safe, in my own mind. I was afraid the woman would tell on me; but she didn't. She kept the affair closely to herself. The bushwhackers wakened Bumgarner, and made great sport of him, telling him how busy it would have been for his prisoner to have killed him."
"After while, Walker returned and we moved to another house where there was an old woman and her two daughters. There were about 150 bushwhackers at the house and on the premises. Here, while being left in the house alone with the women for awhile, the old women frightened me no little by informing me that I was in the hands of a dangerous man -- that "Bumgarner had actually murdered four men."
"Stopping here but a while, we went further down the mountain to another house, where an old man and his wife lived alone. Here Bumgarner left and Walker staid to guard me. After being here a short time, we went to a flax house, near by, where we laid down and went to sleep. Walker had his rifle by his side. I wakened up first, slipped over to Walker, took his gun, but just as I raised up, I saw 25 bushwhackers approaching through the woods. I quickly laid down the gun and woke up Walker. The company of bushwhackers passed on, and directly Walker and I went up to the house, where Bumgarner soon joined us. After supper, Bumgarner again left, saying as he departed, if I gave Walker no more trouble than I did last night, he would release me when he came back. He made me feel a little more uncomfortable by that remark, than if he hadn't said it. Anyhow, I determined if possible to liberate myself that night, for only at night was it safe to attempt to escape."
After supper, Bumgarner again left, saying as he departed, if I gave Walker no more trouble than I did last night, he would release me when he came back. He made me feel a little more uncomfortable by that remark, than if he hadn't said it. Anyhow, I determined if possible to liberate myself that night, for only at night was it safe to attempt to escape."
"After supper, we all sat in front of the fire, for it was a little cool that evening. The old man and had his gun in his hand and close to him was a bed. I had resolved to make a strike for freedom before 8 o'clock, if the slightest opportunity arrived.