Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1845-03-13

missed the boy, charging him to be
sure to meet him there at shutdown, to
take charge Of his gun and game. 1t
was the beginning Of autumn, and the
scene was lovely to behold-the leaves
had not yet began to fall, but the chill
night-winds had dehcately tinged the
foliage with every variety of hue, which
were soon to deepen into those bright
colors which gave such variegated and
mannificent beauty to the southernland-
scape. =.
As we have said, il was alovely eve
ning-no cloud obscured the sky-a
gentle breeze played through the bran
ches of the trees, and the songs of the
birds mingledwith the faint tones of
the distant church-bell. Even Mr..
Eugenius Augustus Van Scoik could
not but feel the calm influence of such a
scene, and he felt i'll at ease when he
remembered the fourth commandment
endorsed as it was by doting moth
er's parting admonition, and reflected
that he was in the very act of violating
that sacred mandate. But he endea-
vored to silence the chidlngs ofan AVA
kened conscience, as he charged his
piece, and meditated death to all the
wild fowl that might chance to come
within gun shotof him-especially rob-
ms.
He had proceeded but short dis.
lance when he espied mocking-bird
perched upon the branch of a tree, pour-
ing forth its song in the widest strain
of native melody. "Stop!" whispered
Mr.. Van Scoik to himself-"there's a
shot, Creeping up to convenient
distance, he ruised his gun and fred
away flew thebird, exceedinglyterri6e
but unframed. "That's curious, "said
he to himself,-"Ih had frst-rate aim. y
Having reloaded, he looked around for
an object at which to shoot. A robin
next attracted his attenricn-his heart
beat double-quick, and his breath was
suspended whilehe crept cautiously up
he was about to pull the trigger, when
away flew the robin! He clenched his
teeth hard together. but said nothing,
as he brought his gun down from his
face. He saw the bird light at a short
distance, and fastened in pursuit.
His second attempt, however, proved
as unsuccessful as the frst-he snapped
two or three times, and when<his gun
did 60 off, the robin went off too.-
"Darnationp' petulantly exclaimed Mr..
Van Scoik, quitting the emphasis on
atom as he reloaded his gun-"that's
tew bad!" Once more he cast his eyes
about him in search of game, but his
firing had disturbed the Sabbath quiet
of the place, and the alarmed inhabi-
tants had fed. SI5y saa
Mr.. Eugenius Augustus directed his
steps into the open woods that lay be-
fore him. As he approached a small
clump of chinkapln bushes, he heard a
slight rustling among the leaves. He
advanced cautiously, peered into the
thicket, walked round to the other side
and looked closer. lie was about to
abandon the search, when out flew a
large red headed woodcock, and before
he could raise his gun to his face, the
saucy bird was far away, chuckling at
tremendous rate, as if in derision Of
his pursuer. The circumstance was
exceedingly aggravating to our sports
man. and he resolved to be more eau
tious in future.
He had not proceeded but, a short
distance, when in another cluster of
bushes, he heard something. "I'llnot
be bamboozled this time" whispered
Mr.. Van Scoik, as he brought up his
gun and advanced cautiously at 'spre.
sent arms" He had passed half round
the thicket, and with his finger on the
trigger, was squatting low, that he
might the batter see in, when suddenly
large bear sprang from the bushes di-
rectly towards him! The gun dropped
from his hands-there was a loud
scream of terror, and the next moment
Mr.. Eugenius Augustus Van Scoik and
the bear were testing their speed in a
foot-race through the woods. He had
never dreamed of starting such game
so near town; and the, sudden surprise
Ihaying siezed upon his legs, they bore
him off at their utmost speed. Brim-
ming full of horror, he rememberedthe
fable in the spelling-book, but he had
no faith in "actlDg 'possum'-he cast
one look behind-his grim pursuer was
close upon him-the next moment he
had grasped the trunk Of sapling and
was Ginning fordear life. 2 49,
He did not dare to look below until
hebsd ss5e6ded some fifteen ortwenty
feet. he then ventured to recOnnOltre