In his story, "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge", Ambrose Bierce showed his readers a type of cycle level of life. He expresses an unmasked fear that Peyton Farqhuar seems to have of death and how death eluded Farqhuar at numerous intervals and was able to make his way back home. Yet, death did not escape Farqhuar at all. The setting of the story is in a southern Alabama town. Peyton Farqhuar was a well to do planter and from a highly respected family. He owned a plantation, land, and slaves. He also had a beautiful wife. He seemed to have everything a man could want. Yet, he always felt something was missing from his life. But the one thing he wanted most, he could not have or be. That was to be a soldier in the Confederate Army! This of course, was due to circumstances beyond his control. Thus, Peyton Farqhuar did whatever he could to help out the soldiers of the Confederacy. Regardless how daunting or trivial the task, nothing was too humble for Farqhuar to do in order to help out the soldiers he so proudly felt he was one of in his own heart. Sadly, however, it was that eagerness and humbleness that blinded Farqhaur, as that became his own demise.
             Farqhuar had gotten caught helping out the soldiers and was ordered hanged. Captured on a bridge, the guardsmen dragged him atop a railroad bridge and bound his hands behind his back. A hemp rope was placed loosely around his neck in the shape of a noose. The guardsmen allowed Farqhaur to hang at the end of the bridge over a 20ft drop which bottomed out in the midst of swift rapid waters. They taunted him back and forth with his feet on the very edge. Soon, they placed a black sack cloth over his head to cover his eyes and tightened the rope still around his neck. They gave a quick shove and off the edge of the bridge Farqhuar went. He landed in the rivers swell, as the rope must have broken. He was surrounded by total darkness, as the sack cloth still lain on his head ...