The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1843-10-04

J woods as IN the world =
So saying the scout moved off in a contra
irafy direction, leaving a well defined lrai
behind him.
CHAPTER II.
# was fortunate for the young men thai
they had been overtaken by the scout, for
as we have said, their search in discovering
the direct route of the savages had been il
vain. As it happened, however, they hac
not deviated far from the course the en-
envy had taken. Before meeting with the
scout, they had been consulting about Civ
ing up The pursuit ard returning home, but
his presence gave them fresh ardor, and they
now avowed their determination TO contin-
ue en- until they had rescued the captives,
or wreaked their vengeance on the cap.
tors.
Following the directions given, they pro-
ceeded on their way, passing silently and
cautousl y along, keeping The sun on their
right cheek until it had disappeared from
sight, and the woods began TO grow dim in
the coming shadows Of night, when they
came to halt. anxiouslv awaited the reap
pearance of their sagacious leader. The
wary movements Of The scout had Impress
ed them murs thoroughly with the danger
that surrounded them, and rendered them
doubly watchful. Keeping their weapons
IN readiness for immediate use, they scru>
tinizrd every thicket and rising knoll, fear
tul that they might conceal foe, while ev-
cry sound was listened TO with GREATNESS al
tenlion, as giving warning Of the approach
ing savage.
There was no lack of courage betrayed
BY either Of the young men they we're nat
urally brave and resoluie, and would have
met an open foe without shrinking. Ii was
the sense Of hidden, unknown danger
impending, which aroused their apprehen-
sion. The fast increasing darkness, the
gathering gloom Of The forest. heightened by
the low, melancholy moan of Tie pines, with
the occasional crashing of the fallen branch
es, caused probably BY The passage of some
denizen of ,he wilderness, frequently thrilled
their hearts with vague sense of fear, and
made them long for the presence of one,
whose sagacity and exre fence was to them
an insurance Of safety.
As the dusk Of twilight depended into
the darkness of night, and objects at little
distance one after another disappeared from
sight, they began 10 fear that the scout would
he unable to find them 10 the labyrinth OF
the forest. This conviction growing every
minute stronger, they thought it time 10
make some disposition for passing the night
in comfort and safety. As they were mov-
ing about for this purpose, they were alarm.
ed by the sudden appearance of man in
their vicinity, whose noiseless approach
coming ghost.like from the obscurity of the
wilderness--inducedt them 10 spring simul-
taneousy to where they had deposited their
arms, in the expectation of having to Crap
pie with deadly enemy. The long rifle
and guunt figure, which second glance
enabled them 10 recognize, as quickly un-
deceived them. and hearty was the welcome
with which they greeted their ally.
I'VE were afraid you had missed u.s. said
one of the young men, and we were about
preparing place TO rest.'
Whist! whist! speak low said the scout
in a subdued voice, "tis an hour when sound
travels fast and far, and there may be those
within ear-shot-Ha look TO your arms
youngsters = he exclaimed in a more euer.
getic lone. without raising his voice, at the
same lime kneeling behind the trunk Of a
fallen Tree.
The cause of alarm was sudden rust
ling and cracking of dry leaves in the dis
lance, as by the approach Of some ONE
The young men followed the example Of
their leader. crouching beside him for ready
action. The noise grew louder as the dis
turber drew near, who apparently broke
through the bushes and underbrush violent-
ly, and with no attempt at concealment.
IT'S some pesky varmin,,' whispered the
old man, the red skins are too cunning 10
make such rumpus as this. I've seen 'em
at all times he continued, suffering his IL
f1e 10 rest carelessly OH the tree, as If salts
fled that no danger was TO be apprehended
-'l've been with 'em in peace and iG war
when their blood was up and when cool
and they're always the same desateful,
sarpent like motion. They're wary critIurs
and dreadful loathe 10 leave trial even for
friends to follow. Hist there it comes
IT'S she painter-about the wickedest
thing to be found in the woods, of the four
footed kind
As the scout spoke one of those formida-
be aninals--a huge panther, with eyes