Virginia statesman. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1828-1829, 1829-06-10

la watchful, sagaclous, selfpOssesslon--
so often observable in the physlognomy o
those, who are in the habit of expecting
meeting or overcoming peril. His heavy
Ieve-brows had once been black; but time
had touchedthem with his pencil.-He was
dressed in a coarse, grey hunting shirt
girded round the waist with broad leath.
Iern belt, tightly drawn, in which rested a
long knife, a weapon common to the wes-
tern hunter. Upon the whole, there was
about this man an expression of grim and
gloomy sternness, fxedDess of purpose, 81
intense, but smothered passion, which
stamped him as of no common mould;
vet there were indications openness and
honesty, which forbade distrust. His was
not the unbIushing front of hardy guilt
nor the lurking glance Of undermined
viliany. A stranger would not have hes
tated to confide in his faith or courage, but
would have rembled at the idea Of proyok-
ing his hostility.
had barely time TO make these obser
vations, when several Indians, who had
stroled into the village, entered the store.
The effect oftheir presence upon the back
woodsman, whom | have described, was
instantaneous aud violent. His eyes roll
led wildly, as he had been suddenly stung.
TO madness, cleaning with strange
tierceness, supernatural lustre, like that
which flashes from the eye-balls of the
panther, when crouched ia dark covert,
and ready to dart upon his prey. HIS hol-
low cheek was flushed-the muscles, that
but moment before seemed so rigid, be-
came flexible, and moved convulslvely.-
His hand sliding quietly to the hllt of his
largo knife, as ifby instinct, grasped 1t
firmly; and it was easy to perceive that u
single breath would be sufficient 10 blow up
the smothe, ed fire. But except these IN,
dlcatons he renamed motIonless as a
statue, gazing with look OF intense fero-
city at the lutruderS. The Indians halted
when their eyes met his, and exchanged
gIances of intelligence with each other--
Whether it was from instinct or that they
knew the man, or whether that sagacitY,
which is natural to their race, led them to
read danger IN his scowling visage, they
seemed willing to avoid him, and retired.
The backwoodsman made a motion as If
TO follow; but several of the persons pre-
sent, who had watched this silent scene
with interest gently withheld him, and
after converslng with him few moments
in an earnest ont under tono, led him off
one direction, while the Indians rode away
In another.
Havirg understood from the farmer, with
whom | had been talking, that he was about
to return home, and that my route led thro'
his neighborhood, IcheerfulIy accepted the
offer his company, and we set out toge-
Their. Our discourse very naturally fell
upon the scene we had witnessed, and |
expressed a curiosity 10 learn something Of
the history and character of the man, whose
image had impressed itselfso forc!blyupon
my mind.
He is n strange mysterious looking
being" said /, "and should think he
must be better or worse, than other men,"
"SAMuEL MoNsoN is u very good neigh.
bor," replied the farmer, cautiously
.You say that in a tone" rejoined /,
(which seems to imply, that in some other
respects he may not be good"
"Woll, as to that cannot of my own
knowledge, that | know any harm Of the
man"
"And what do other people say ofhim!"
The farmer hesitated, and then with d
caution very common among people ofthis
description, replied:--
People often say more than they can
prove. It's not good to be talking abont
ones neighbors. And Nlonson, as said
before, is a good neighbor."
"But bad man, as understand you"
"No-flr from 1.-THE mans well e
nough--except--" and here he lowered
his tone, and looked cautiously around
"The folks do say BIO is rather too keen
with his rifle"
"How so;--does he shoot his neghbors
cattle!"
mo sir-SumueI Monson is as much
above mean action, as any other man"
"What tlen:--is he quarelsomeW
"Oh, bless you, no!-There's not q
peaceabler man 10 the settlement; but he
used to be a great Indian fighter IN the last
war, g. he got sort o'haunted 10 the woods;
and folks do say, that he Is still rather too
keen on the track Of a moccasin."
Il do not exactly comprehend you, my
dear sir. TIE Indians are, believe, now
quiet, and at peace with US"
"Why, yes, they are very peaceable.--
They never come near us except now and
tbep a little Marty cornos 10 .r.da ,,