Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1840-04-14
mo. Is.

were small aud regular and it, voice, though
IT conveyed in It's deliberate accents an ndeh-
nable resolution, was almost fcmiuincly soft
and winning
THAT stranger yondcr has got job for you,"
said the landlord as lac gave him back tho keg
and received the money
Turning quickly upon me, he detected me in
a very eager scrutiny oihimscI, and for a mo-
men, was thrown too much OH my guard to
address him.
as it you, sirl" he asked, after waiting
moment
" Yes--l have some work to be done here.
abouis, bnt--you seemina hurry. Could YOU
caii here 10 morrowf"
81 may lao, be hero again Ia a week"
do you live far from hcrcl" lilo smiled.
81 scarce know where live, but ! am bur
ming peicc Of wood mile or two up tho run,
and il you would like warmer bed than tho
landlord will give you"
That parsonage decided the question for mo
by telling me IN so many words that had bot
ter go. His beds were all taken up, and nv
horses should be taken care of ill my return
lsaw that my presence had interrupted some
thing, probnhly the formation Of Shoe" and
more willingly than | would have believed
possible an hour fore, | resumed my fnrs n nd
wrappers, and declared that | was ready.
The Picker and Per had inspired me, and
knew not why, with an involuntary respect and
/ liking
81, is a rough NIGHT, sir" said he, as no
shouldcrod rifle he had LETT outside, aud slung
the key by a leather strapoycr the neck of his
horsel " but will soon show you better CHI
mate. Come, sir, jump on"
"And youl" | said inquisiiively, rs he held
/ his horse by the name for me to mount. II was
Canadian pony, scarce larger than a New
! loundand dog
| am mara usoJ IN tho ro AL Ell and mill
| walk. Come"
II was no time 10 stand upon etiquette, even
/ if it had been possible TO resist the strange
! tone of authority with which he spoke. So,
without more ado, sprang upon the animals
back, and holding on by the long tuh upon his
withers, suffered him passively TO plunge
through the drift after his master.
Wondering at the readiness with which
had entered upon this equivocal adventure,
but never for an instant losing confidence in
my guide, | shut my eyes to the building cold,
and accommodating my limbs rs well as |
could to the bare back and scrambling PAGES
of the Canadian. The Picker an Pier strobe
Z on before, the pony following lika """"iaI
/ wrT,cn' fidu merely observed mat we wcro
rounding the base Of considerable hill, wo
turned short TO the right, and were met by a
column of smoke, which lifting, the moment
after, disclosed the two slopes Of a consider
able valley envelopcd in one sea of fire. A
red, lurid cloud ovcrhung il at the tops OF tho
tallcst trees, and far and wide, above that,
spread a covering of black smoke. heaving up
ward in vas, and billowy masses, and rolling
away on every side into the darkness.
We approached a pine Of gigantic height,
on fire TO the very peak, not branch left on
the trunk, and its ptchy knots distributed like
the eyes of the lamprey, burning pure and
steady amid the irregular flame. had once
or twice, with an instructive wish 10 draw rein,
pulled hard upon the tangled tult in my hand,
but master and horse kept on. This burning
tree, however, was the first Of a thousand and
as the pony turned bis eyes away from the in
tense heat to pass between it and a bare rock,
glanced into the glowing labyrinth beyond,
and my faith gave way. jumped from his
back and hailed the Picker and Pier, with
halloo scarcely audible amid The tumult Of tho
cracking branches. My voice did not evil
dontly reach his ear, but the pony, relieved
from my weight gailoped to his side and rub
> bed his muzzle against the unoccupicdh and Of
his master.
| lie turned back Immediately. 81 beg par
g dom" he said" have that 10 think Of just now
. which makes me forgctful. ! am not surpris-
1 ed at your hesitation, but mount again and
/ trust the pony"
G The animal turned rather unwingly at his
4 masters bi ldl8g, and . little ashamed Of hay-
G jumped again on his back
: =" ii you find the heat ncoByeDient, cover
. Your face" And with tiis ldconic advice
T the Picker and Pier turned on his heel, aud
. once more strobe away before us.
! Sheliorng the sides Of my face by holding
!, up the corners Of my wrapper with both hands,
s | abandoned myself TO tie horse. lie over
d took his master with a shulillng caBicr, and
Z. putting his nose as lose 10 the ground as he
:, could carry II without stumbling, follow ed
n closely al his heels. observed, 10y the green
Is logs lying Immediately along our path, that
We we've following ayeaue Of PROSTATE tim
G Der which had been fclled before the wood was
g hrci. but, descending presently 10 the left, wa
u struck at once into deep bed OF brook, and
= by tho lifted head and slower gait Of the pony,
r as well az my own easier respiration, found
y that the hollow trough which il ran continued
y a body OF pare air uDreached by tho swaying
% curtains Of smoke, or the excessive heat OF
D; the fiery currents above Tho peAy now
4, picked his way leisurely along ihe bFoOkSde
N and while my lungs expanded with the relief
70 Of breathing more temperate atmosphere
raised myself rom ny STOPPING posture IN a
pfoiuse prfspirdiion, and one by one discm-
n barassed myself from ny Proleciiyos against
al the cold.
had lost sight for several minutes Of tho
n Picker and Pier, and presumed By the pony
ie desuliory movements that he was near ihe end
"A Of his journey, when, rounding shelly pOinl
r. Of rock, We stood suddenly upon the brink Oi
ID a slight waterfall. where the brook leaped foot
v or f,e feet intn a shruhkcn deli, and after q.
Q q O.. roe u g..