The Illinois free trader. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1840-1841, 1841-04-30

lean, maze Ill inc illool piiHiu'S S'yi ,
whilst from his shoulders fell long
Gurnsey frock, gathered closely round
the waist by broad deer-skin belt. In
this belt was thrust long hunting knife,
which, with his rifle constituted his only
weapons of defence. The two individu-
ais, before alluded to, seemed wrapt up in
their own feelings; at last, the old man,
as if to interrupt the current of some UNI
pleasant reflections, broke the silence Of
the meeting, although he rather appeared
to speak to himself than 10 his COM
panion.
"And so, boy, you go home to-mor-
row ?"
81 cousin Mary, gets her baggage
packed up, and the weather suits, replied
the youth.
II don't think, Willie, you'll make
your Journey tomorrow; | don't like the
looks of them lnjun trails at the creek, "
said his companion.
"What Indian trails ! was at the
creek this morning, and saw none,
Philip"
" 'Tisn't likely, boy,-'tisn't likely,
you, who've been brought up in the towns
of the East, should know an lnjun trail !;
they don't leave a trail like your volunteer
companies. No, no, boy; they have
more wit, their step is as noisclcss as the
ripples Of the brook
but even if there are Indians about
there has been no wars with them this
year past; and there is no danger of a
war party coming on the settlements
now" said Willie.
"They are deceilful creatures at the
best of times" replied the old man, whom
his companion had addressed as Philip.
"And although there has been no wars of
late, yet there is no faith to be put in their
friendship, or their treaties when | was
a young man, well remember, while
sleeping at a settlement, the numbering
creatures broke in, at the dead of night,
and scalped every soul but myself and
two others; and then set fire to the cabins.
1t was but the day before, they had con-
cluded treaty of peace, and smoked their
pipe of peace, and buried the Ratchet"
While the old man had been reciting
this scene of his early life, deeper shade
of thought settled on his weathcr-worn
features. He whistled, and one of the
hounds tondled at his feet. Making a
gesture TO his companion, he threw his
rifle over his shoulder, and taking hold of
the hind quarters of the stag, the youth
followed his example, and swinging it
between them, they descended the knoll
toward the outlet of the village. They
proceeded onward till they came to Ca
bin of somewhat larger dimensions, and
seemingly of better accommodation than
the rest. Here they stopped, and, giving
the venison to a colorcd man lounging at
the door, they entered the house.
The occupants Of the room, were a
matronly dame, and ayoung girl who had
evidently attained her sixteenth spring /;
her fair face lighted up with an expression
of pleasure as the young man saluted her
modestly blushing cheek, and addressed
her by the familiar cpithct Of "Coz."
Soon the evening repast was placed upon
the humble board, and after fervent
blessing over the frugal meal, in silence
they sat down to its discussion, with such
appetites as health and the pure air of the
country seldom fail to give TO their pos
SCISSORS and enjoyers.
Sand now, Mary" said the youth, as
they rose from the table, chow do you
progress in your preparations for our
homeward journey ~
"Why, Cousin Willie, have made up
all my baggage, and am ready to go in
the morning, if the weather is fair,--and
Aunt will allow me- she added play.
fully.
NAY, children" int,rposcd the dame
thus alluded to, "you know | would no
say word about your going, were it no.
such distance and travelling SO unsafe
that fear It vi! he i;ia;:y q lay ere YOU
come 10 see us again"
81 know you would not" cried Mary
the warm tear filling her hazel eye. 81
know you would not,--but father will be
anxious to see US, and if we are not home
on the day we promised, he will lea
some misfortune has happened"
"You are right, girl said Philip
land the sooner such as you get home tc
the shelter of the bricks and stones Of tn,
cities, the better, for | fear me, there
going to be trouble on the frontier"
As the old man closed his observation
ha took nm his rifle and whistlin1 10 hi