The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1836-06-01
A NIGHT IN THE WOODS.
BY VIM. J. SMELLING.

BY VIM. J. SMELLING.
| was once so unfortunate as to be be-
nighted while hunting the buffalo. | star
ted early in the morning, though it was so
cold that each particular hair of my wbis-
kers accreted n portion of my vital mois-
surc in the form Of an icicle, and stranger
might have taken me for the Genius of
Winter direct from the North Pole on a
visit. Nevertheless, | kept on the even ten
or of my way, though the temperature was
lower than human charity, confding in my
Indian mittcns and hunting shirt.
l wandered far into the bare prairie
which was spread around me like an ocean
OF snow, the gentle undulations here and
there having no small resemblance to the
ground swell. When the sun took of his
night cap of mist, (for The morning was
cloudy the gale of the landscape, or ra,b-
er snowscape, was absolutely painful to
my eyes but n small veil of green Grape
obvated that difficulty. Towards noon l
was aware Of buffalo at long distance,
turning up the snow with his nose and feet,
and cropping the withcred grass beneath.
always thought it IA deed of mercy to slay
such an old fellow, he looks so discomfort
ed with himself As to the individual in
question, determined to put an end to his
long turbulent and evil life.
70 this effect | approached him us a
Chinese maletnctor approaches n madarne
that is to say, prone, like serpent. But
the parity only existed with respect to the
posture, for the aforesaid malefactor expects
to receive pain, whereas intended to in.
flict 1t. lie was grim looking barbarian,
and 1t beard be a mark of wisdom, Peter
the Hermit was fool to him. So when
had attained suitable proximity appeal
cd to his feelings with bullet. He ran
and ran and had the best reason to run
Tor he ran after me, and thought that a
PAIR OF horns might. destroy my usual
eqnanimity and equilibrium. In truth !
did not fly any too fast, for the old bashaw
was close behind me, and could hear him
breathe. | threw away my gun, and, ;,-
there was no tree at hand, gained the cen
tire of IA pond few yards area, such as ar,
tonnd all over the praries in February
Here | w2S secure, as though in a magi,
circle, well knowing that neither pigs no
buiialoes can walk upon ice. My pursuel
was advised of this fact also, and did no
venture TO trust himself on so slippery ,
footing. Yet it seemed that he was no zen
teman at least he did not practise for
giveness of iniurcs.-IIe perambulatcd tn
periphery of the pond till was nearly a
cold as the ice under me. 1t was wors
than the stone jug or the black hole of Cal
cu:ta.-Ah thought ], if l had only m
gun, would soon relieve you from you
post. But discomfort was in vain. Thu
1 remained, and thus he remained, for n
least four hours. In the meanwhile though
of the land of fsteady habits of baked bean
and pumpkin, and Goldfish on Saturday
There, said i to myself, my neighbor's pro
ceedings would be rcckoned unlawful,
guess for no one can hold in custody with
out warrant and sufficient reason. Ifeve
] get back, l wont be caught in such
scrape again.
Grief does not last forever, neither doe
anger-and my janiior, either forgetting
his resentment, which, to say the truth, wa
not altogether groundless, or thinking it wa
useless, or tired of his seliimposed duty, o
other, bid me farewell with loud below
aud walked away to "A little oasis, that wa
Just in sight, aud left rnc to my meditations
picked up my gun and foIlowed he Ell
tered the wood, and so did I, just in tim
IN see him fall and expire.
The sun was setting, aud the weathe
was getting colder aud colder. could hea
the ground crack and the trees split wit
its intensity. ! was at least twenty mile
from home and il beloved me, il 1 did no
wish to wake in the morning and find my
self dead, to make fire as speedily US pos
sible. now first perceived that, in m.
very natural hurry to escape from my shay
gy foe, had lost the martin skin wherein
carried my cmt, steel and tinder. Thi
was of little consequence l had often mad
fire by the aid OF my gun before, and
drew my knife, aud began to pick the flint