The Illinois free trader. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1840-1841, 1841-05-28

youth, and lowered his gun TO his feet.
! al am going TO Short creek with Miss
Mason" said Elliott. 81 shall take my
gun along, and if | can only get glance
| at a bucks tail, I'll bring it home as a
( trophy of my skill in rifle shooting"
"lf you see deer, Ellt," said the
scout, laughing, you'll be sure to git the
buck fever"
"Neyer learr replied the youth.
"Snh things always happen TO green
hands, said Wc,zel; "but You'll git over
the fever by-and-byc. That rifle of
yourn aint exactly 10 my liking he con
tinued and here he took the richly
mounted rifle of the young man and de-
libcraicly examined it in all its parts.-
"li's too light, intirely; and as for these
silver fiXins', they Amt Of any manner
of use"
"They will not prevent it from shoot
ing WELL" said Elliott.
mo norncithcr they won't" rcioin-
cd Wetzel ''but I'll be skinned ifI'd have
'om Gil gun of mine. Now, here's my
old woman, Ellit," added the hunter, as
he raised his weather beaten rifle from
the ground can uglicr old rip you never
laid your eyes on; but, then, and there's
no mistake in her. She always tells
Many's the rcd skin she's sent to his
long home"
at is a valuable piece without doubt"
said The youth.
1.-The red dogs think so, any how"
returned Wcizcl.
81 suppose you arc almost out of prac-
lice in killing them"
"Well, l may say you arc about half
right, Ellit; haint had a glimpse of one
since last fall. I've got strong notion
to put off down 10 Kcntuck with vou.-
They say they are not scarce therea-
bouts; but ! can't agree 10 leave these
settlements until finish that cursed ras
cal, Old Cross-Firc. The scamp has
baked me SO often that | have sworn
vengeance on him. | know he's still
sncaking about these quarters, because
come across some sign of him every
now and then. was out all last night
and the nigh alore, in sarch of the old
dog"
f"You do not imagine asked Elliott,
"that he is lurking about here now, do
you Z"
/ "That's exactly what Think ans
Ncrcd Wctzcl.
Gle will not dare modest us, Lewis y
81 wouldn't trust him"
"Lewis, how far is it to Short creek p
\ sit might be twelve miles by the way
kou'n have to go. Can you keep the
y Nck, think your
y Miss Mason knows tie course; she
| willEayc to pilot us along
y evil, she won't lose the lpth, YOU
may dcpcrd; she's an uncommo' nice
1young woman, Ellit; and she rides era
C 10 a trooper, in the bargain. But yondc
d comessyUw uriV'vrss''---
In another moment the horses wer
r brought to the door. Rose made h,
ID appearance, and was assisted into ht
saddle by Elliott; whilst Wotzel hcl
i the plump white pony by the bride.
1f at really does me good, child, to Sc
- you look so WE'LL" said the scout TO Ros
&c "Now, be careful" he cnjoincd, :"
riding along the steep ridges, child. |
- be right down uneasy until | hear you
to got save to your journeys end"
III "Thank you, Lewis" said Rose; 'v
will try and not fall Off our horses"
Elliott was now mounted, bearing i
;" rifle in his left hand.
be "rll help you, Ellit, TO bring yo
,r- buck in" said Wetzcl, with signliica
smile-"onIy take care of the buck ievc
lhJ,Good bye"
Elliott and Rose moved of brisk
N. along the bride path, up the hill. j
rr- narrowness Of the road compelled th'
st, to ride singly; Rose taking the lead.
ne After passing some distance along
ril top of the ridge, the path descended
uf- opposite side, and led 10 a large run,
he the bed of which they now Were obl2
,hc to ride. The run was very rough, q
ing had, for the most part, ledge OF ro'
ly, for its bed. The hools Of the hor
striking against the rocks, and reckl
spashing of the water, occasloned III
FL noise than was desirable,
he 81 fear, Rose" said Elliott, "that
css is dangerous road for lady to trayt
9TH =. IL am not afraid said she 81 h
nav been over it several times,
t "li is miserable poor one, Kos
must say despiso a road chat ma
the me ride behind you pcrpcuaIly q
lind here am, splashing you ourageousl,,
that, ave will soon leave the run, and
up another ridge. The road will be
tie ter, then, ! hope"
fore "hnd so DO !, with all my soul
e. most wish ! had not brought my
hin along, as / find more difficulty mcalg,
rear over this awlif road than | expected.
"Do sou tiaA you could shoot a ,