The Illinois free trader and LaSalle County commercial advertiser. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1841-1843, 1842-04-08

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chase {; for which purpose he wou!t'n'e o
sent himself for weeks at timc-roP- D
amid the green forest, and conforming u
his mode Of life more to that of the saw
age than his civilized brethren. Joe
was not always Il follower of the deer
and bear, for in the frequent disturbances
of the whites by the red man, he was
employed as scout to the expeditions
sent out to punish and drive off the willy
foe. Well versed in the cunning so
characteristic of the Indian, and capable
of enduring equal exposure and fatigue,
the savage found in him an inveteratc en-
envy. His prowess was so well known
his name had become terror to them.
"The varmints know me too well to
modest me, so long as | have this trusty
friend by my sidc," SAID he, Shaping the
brtch Of his trusty rife, which had sent
death TO the heart of many a wild denizen
of the woods.
This was no vain boast, for he was IA
nous far and wide for the accuracy of his
shot. Nothing could escape his practiscd
eye. The bird on the wing and the fleet
deer alike fell beneath his sure aim. His
skill was so great, and his fondncss for
sport so well known, that in time he was
only known as the huncr--or Hunting
Joc--a sobriquet with which he was evil
IDENTIFY not little pleased.
Hunting Joe or the Scout, as we shall
hereafter for brcvty's sake style him
for by either name he was equally well
known--had not been long established in
ms new abode when the Fifth French
War broke out, in the year 'l5-the lon
gest and most ruthless Of those desola-
ting wars. Time and again the savage
hordes swept through the infant settle
ments with blood and flame, sparing
neither age nor sex. The tender infant
and the grey-halred sire, alike shared the
same terrible fate. Wha, the tomahawk
and scalpng knife left undonc the brand
contaminated. No one felt safe for a
moment. In the felds-n the house Of
God, and by their bedsidcs, the gun was
always at hand, ready at moments
warning. Men who lived apart lorsook
their dwellings and congrcgated in block
houses for mutual defence and security
and when they ventured abroad they stole
out Notwithstanding each thlcket as an
ambush, and fearful that each tree con-
cealed foe.
CHAPTER II.
In the summer Of as news was bro't
to Falmouth that band of savages had
suddenly appeared at New Marblehead,
as the town of Windham was then cal
led-a pleasant viI:ge about eight or ten
miles from Portland. The report stated
that they had attacked the dwelling of a
Mr.. Hanson and butchered all of the
family save one female. The survivor
they had taken into captivity. Early in
the morning the distressing intelligence
reached Falmouth, and the Scout who
happened to be there was the first TO hear
it. About an hour afterwards he might
he seen leaving the Causeway, and plum
gcd into the woods, with his long rifle at
the trail, proceeding with hasty stride
towards the scene Of murder. There was
an unusual fire burning in his eye-a
dark red spot glowed on each cheek, and
his whole countenance bore the express
sion of cha(ed and angry spirit.
He was evidently on no common cr-
rand, for he strobe the thick forest
right on through thicket and brake
crushing the dead limbs beneath his
heavy tread, and dashing aside the dense
bushes that beset his way, with rest
lessness and haste which betrayed the
agitated state of his mind. The startled
deer broke from its covert Immediately
within his range, but he needed it not;
the shaggy bear muttered an angry
growl as he reused it from its lair, but it
served not to attract his attention the
stately catamount raised its terrific, half
human cry, but his ear heard not the
warning. lie still pressed on-thought-
less of danger, needless of his boosted
skill, and regardless of fatigue, with his
head slightly bent and his body leaning
forward. 10 have seen him one would
have thought that lie was wandering at
random through the may woods. There
was no defined path for him to follow
wild, trackless region Of towering trees
and heavy underbrush spread out on
either hand, presenting at every step the
same unbroken, unvarying scene: yet
the Scout hesitated not moment on his
way. Now and then, perhaps, he would
raise his head, and throwing hasty
glance around him-gazjng for an instant
through the opening branches cA the sky
he would resume his former position
continuing his route in the same rapi(
manner.
Mile after mile was traversed in thi.