The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1838-03-21

0 that did not like. He gave on, that he
VAS looking for place in which to settle,
, and my father, with his usual hospitality,
invited him to make our house his home,
for the short time which he was going to
r spend in his search; and expressed the hope
that his choice of situation would be such
{ as 10 make them nenr neighbors.
Ne had been witbus about n week bot did
J not sppear TO meet with any success in his
! professed object. lie had been absen ent twice,
: going out in the morning, and not return
I ing until past midnight. Although there
was nothing in this so particular as to ex-
cite suspicious, yet could no, help dis
/ trusting him, and ] determined to watch
him closely, us he had become very tssid-
uous in his attentions TO Constance. NV
intention was 10 follow hin in his next
.rsmblc in the woods, aud ascertain whether
his professed object was bis real one.
thought this would be easy from his appa-
rent ignorance of woodcrafi. Three days
afterwards he starred, saying that he might
J not return before the following morning.
He entered the woods, aud taking a deer
path walked swiftly forward. followed,
eoncealing my yself US wclas lcould. When
we had got about a nile into the woods he
stopped, and looked carefully around then
entered small cluster Of thick bushes,
drew out large jug aud basket, and again
set forward. followed linn 4" through bush
and brake" for about an hour, until We
came TO lnrge tree, which had often no
, tieed in my rambIes, for its immense size.
, Here he again stopped, aud after looking
! carefully round, ho gave a loud call, by
putting his fingers between his lips and
wbisiling in a peculiar manner. The call
t was answered Immediately, aud two men
l approached him. To my surprise, instead
j Of rifles they were armed with pistols, and
h each Of them carried a cutlnss. They paus-
1t ed and conyersed in n low tore for shor
time. could only cn,ch n few words oDe,
ia while; such as--it IL dcter,Dined--to-
, nieht--tweive. They then moved on fur
ther into the forest, the new coners taking
/ the basket and jug. They had gone but a
| few s'eps when one Of them stopped, snd
drew out three rines, which had been con-
f concealed ia the bushes, aud thus armed
they pushed on and soon we're hid in the
deep shades of the forest. Being unpre-
4 pared for long iaunt could follow Them
; no further, hut had seen enough to confirm
e my suspicious Of his deceptive character.
r King, for lint was the nn.ne Of our guest,
Is returned about twelve, on the following
y day. lie appeared to hive travelled much
r aud slept but iule, and seemed discom-
= posed. In reply Ia The inquiries of my
~ father, he stated That he Ind gone further
into The woods than he had intended, and
= had got bewidercd, and finally lost, and
n that he had accidentally discovered the cab
= in Of a hunter, where he had remained all
night. To my father, who had no cause
=, for suspicion, this seemed plausible enough ;
,s with INC, it wns different, ond when he
O turned and caught my eye, q, the end Of
IL uis tnicp Hc 'oib' "pp'"'ch w
;. tukc 90 notice, ard shortly afterwards left
n them. When | returned 10 the house,
q found King and my sister together She
i had to all appearances been weeping. lie
n appeared to be much ngiioted, mud in a
4. hurried manner, announced his Intention
/. Of leaving US on the following day. was
4 exceedingly surprised at this, as be bud
y never hnled at leaving us under a month.
s Nevertheless, my pleasure was greater than
g my surprise, Mt thus geiii1g rid Of one,
: whom I considered very dangerous
+. guest Tho next day, accordingly. he
: announced to my father his intention Of
=, leaying us; stating as his reasons, that be
-. did no, think he could suit himself with
9 situation in our neighborhood. IL WIS with
y feelings Of the greatest pleasure that ! saw
j.. him depart, for his presence among US
4 seemed to cast "a shadow Of gloom and evil
n over my mind. His connection with tho
!, strangers in the woods was mysterious, as
their dress and arms showed they were nei-
D.. ,bcr settlers nor hunters. Besides, he had
b. stated when be first came among us, that
i, he was a perfec, stranger in the country,
and had no ocquaiuiances there. l was
pleased, too, on my sisters account, as she
seemed very uneasy in his presence. ] dis
covered after his departure, that he felt, OF
pretended to feel, the mos, passionate lore
for her. Nor had he been backward IN
. telling his love, and, on her refusal Of his
g addresses. s,ating that she was ens"ged and
was shortly to be united to ono who had
!. llonr possessed her affections, he had burst