Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-05-04

ont of ear.shot Of the earnest and hurried oia-
lopue, that instantly commenced oe.wesS "s
two he had left, the old man again pSuseu' anu
natiently awaited The moment when NC "'is"'
renew his conversation with beings III W"v .,
he felt a growing interest, no less rom 'ne
mysterious char acter Of their intercourse 'na"
from natural sympathy in the we''a arr. VI e.
pair so young, and who, as in the sim piieny -
his heart he was fan to believe, were a'eo %
deserving. He was accompanied oy ms ~ ~.
lent but attached dog who once mort "'ae
bed at the feet Of his master, and soon iay su"'-
boring as usual, with his Lead nearly oui''" ~
the dense fog Of the prairie grass -. 10.
II was so unusual spectacle 10 see VI. ~,
man form amid the solitude in whicnh u"oi.'
that the lrapper bent his eyes on 'ne o',:
CURES Of his new acquaintance VIII" IT,
10 which he had long been strange. 80
presence awakened recolleetions ana e"'o',v"''
TO which his study but honest nature "au ,'.
terly paid but little homage, ana MS ''ous'
began TO wander over the var,ed scenes VI
lie Of hardships, that had been strahSe.y o''"u
ed with scenes Of wild and peculiar enjoy'ne",''
The train taken by his Thoughts nau a".au
conducted him, in Imagination, lar '',o a, ,, ~
world, when he was once more caiied suuue".!
TO the reality Of his situation, by the movements
Of his faithful hound.
The dog who, in submission to his years and
in6rmi,ies, had manifested such decided pro-
,ensi,y-.o sleep, now rose, and stalked from out
the shadow cast by the tall person OF MS mas
Ter, and looked abroad into The prairie, as though
his instinct apprised him Of the presence Of sun
another visitor. Then, seemingly content WIN
his examination, he returned TO his comfortable
most. and disposed of his weary limbs with the
deIiberalion and care of one who was no novice
in the art Of sell preservation,
"Wha:, again, Hec,or!'' said the trapper IN
soothing voice, which he had the caution, how.
ever, to utter in an under tone; "what is't dog!
tell his master, pup; what is't!"
Hector answered with another growl, but was
content TO continue in his lair. hese were
evidences of intelligence and dis!rust, to which
one as practice as the trapper could not turn
an nat:eutiye ear He again spoke TO the dog
encouraging him TO wachiulness by low
guarded whistle The animal, however, as II
conscious Of having already discharged his du-
ty, obstinately refused 10 raise his head from
the grass
GA hint from such friend is far better than
mans advice!" mullered the lrapper, as ne
slowly moved towards the couple, who were
yet TOO earnestly and abs,ractedly engaged in
their own discourse to notice his approach;
"and none but concerted settler would hear il
and not respect it, as he ought. Children, he
added, when near enough TO address his com
panions, "we ale not alone IN these dreary
fields there. are Others stirring, and, therefore,
to the shame Of our kind be it said, danger is
nigh"
"If one OF them lazy sons of skir,ing Ishmael
&c lin, IF n,
young bee hunter, with great vvaclly, and In
tones that might easily have been excited to
menace, che may have an end put to his Jour
ney, sooner either than he or his father has cal
culated!"
"my life on it, ;hey are all with the teams"
hurriedly answered the girl. III saw the whole
Of them asleep myself, except the two on watch;
and their natures have greatly changed IL they,
too, are not both dreaming Of turkey hunt, or
a courthouse fight at this very moment"
"Some beast, with strong scent. has passed
between the wind and the hound, father, and 1t
makes him uneasy; oGperhaps, he 100 is dream
ing. l had pup Of my own III Kentucky, that
would start upon long chase from deep
sleep; and all upon tht fancy Of some dream -
Go to him and pinch his ear, that the beast may
feel the life within him."
"Not so-not 50" -returned the trapper, shak-
ing his head as one who better understood The
qualities Of his dog Youth sleeps, ay, and
dreams too; but age is awake and watchtul-
The pup is never false with his nose, and long
experience tells me 10 heed his warnings"
"Did you ever run him upon the trail OF car
iion?"
"Why must say that the ravenous beasts
have sometimes tempted me TO let him loose,
for they are greedy as men alter the venlson,
in its season; bu, then knew The reason OF the
dog would leil him the object-No--no, Hector
is an animal known in the ways oil man, and
will never strike alse trail when true one is
10 be folowed!'' /
GAY. ay, the secret is out! you have run the
hound on the track Of wolf, and his nose has
better memory than his mas,cr!" SAID the bee
hunter, laughing.
81 have seen the creatur sleep for hours, with
pack upon pack in open view. VOL might
eat out OF his tray without snarl, unless there
was scarcity; then, indeed, Hector would be
apt 10 claim his own"
There are panthers down from the noun
tains; saw one make leap at sick deer, as
the sun was setting. Go; 60 you back to the
dog, and tell him the truth, father; in minute
L"
He was interrupted by long, loud, and pl,e-
M he, III n mi the