Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1842-01-04

the vapor of tar, which the sheep cons
stantly inhale. Why then, under these
circumstances, we ask again, would not
wool. growing, in eastern Mississippi be
profitable husinessl
At Winchester,we parted with our trav-
cling companions who had appointments
more to the north: left town in the alter
noon. crossed the river to the house ofour
friend Strickland, late Sheriff of the coun-
~. who kindly entertained US, and IN the
morning started on our solitary homewaro
Journey; the day was dark and lowering;
for weeks nor rain nor gentle dews had
refreshed the parched earth; thunder
cloud hung over US and its pent.uP fury
burst upon the heavy forest. Inc Jew
birds that tenant these woods OF long-leaf
pine flew screaming to their eyrles; some
cattle dashed madly across the mis- Tor
shelter, and taking the admonitIon' we gar
loped TO the left TO spot where hre or
some long.past hurricane had destroyed
all the large timber. Well was It that
such a chance offered. The whole forest
was in motion. The tall pines were bow.
ing their lofty heads. A few old ones fell
thundermg down casting their dotted frag-
ments around us, and then the gale rush
ed madly on, p'ucking up the largest trees
and hurting them, like javelins, through
the air. The sky was covered up as with
a pail, and long, lurid flashes, like sepnl-
chral lights, streamed and blazed athwart
it. The earthquake voice Of Nature trem.
bIed along the ground, and ere its running
echoes had died away, came again, crash
after crash, laundering forth. But at last
il paused; the clouds scudded along like gI-
ant phanton.s in conflict with each other,
and then, as if by magic, as we gazedi
transformed themselves into castellated
towers and frownng batteries. The wind
died off, but the scene around was aPpal..
ling. Hundreds of trees lay scattered
over the ground, while, here and there,oth-
ers stood splintered by the bolt of heaven
and smoking with its fires. God preserve
us from another ride through the spectral
pines, in such storm.
The day was now d rawing TO close,
and still gloomy and lowering; the road
had become gradually more obscure; we
had seen no sign of human habliation since
we started in the morning; no finger board
to direct our way; drlzzling rain set In;
we forced our weary horse along some
times swimming, the angry and swollen
streams that rushed down from the hills,
when on the summit Of ridge which divl-
ded itself into different directions, the
road branched off in trails or cow~paths.
We acknowledged yourselves lost in the
depths of that lonely forest; 1t was now
night-fal. We remained undecided, as
those who are bewildered in the woods al
ways do, riding up one path and down an
other, until suddenly we heard rustling in
the thicket below, and the next moment a
noble buck bounded up the hollow on our
left, leaped convulsively back, and fell ex.
hausted almost at our feet. He had been
wounded, for the blood oozed slowly out
of his flank. Soon was heard the tram
ping of feet upon his track. The pursu.
els came plunging on through brake and
glenan we already heard, in fancy, the
, hearty cheers of the huntsmen.-On, on
lcame the hungry pack upon the scent Of
blood. he reeds In the raylne below
CTdCh6u uUUGT iU0lI Itch W. ldlSCu our.
selves on our stlrrups TO give the death
, halIOo, when, at the instant. dozen fierce
/ forms leaped, with savage yell. upon the
expiring animal. One glance sufficed.
They were not hounds, bur g1aat and "a.
Venous UolUes. eyes blood-shot and gIar-
/ ing, and their tongues hanging down from
their voracious jaws. We had no dispo.
sition to remain In the neighborhood and
our frightened horse dashed forward, like
a flying dragon, snorting with terror. Il
was vain TO try to check him. Away we
: flew. He had taken stoney path lead.
: ing down long descent; his iron hoofs
/, fell fast and sharp and left train of fire
] behind US. For half an hour he continu
3 ed his flight, bearing hard upon the bit
bounding forwardElike deer, and culver.
I ing with alarm at the fire that bnrst oul
3 from beneath his feet.
E Atlength, the gentle tinkle Of a bel
was heard: light fash thro' the woods
and then on an abrupt turn of the path, .
: solitary farmhouse stood before US.