The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1845-03-21
From the democratic Review.
THE SHOT IN TIE EYE.
4 Story Of Ieras Border Life.

By c. WILKINS EIMI.

TAXI II.
About four months after this affair, in
company with an adventurous friend,
was traversing Western Texas. Our OBJ
Jects were TO see the country, and amuse
ourselves in hunting for time over any
district we found well adapted for par
'icuar sport-as for bear hunting, deer
hunting. buffalo hunting. &c. Either of
these animals are to be found in great
abundance, and of course pursued at great
er advantage in peculiar regions; and as
we were anxious 10 make ourselves ia
milar with all the modes Of life in the
country. we made it a point in passing
through to stop wherever the promise of
anything specially interesting offered it.
sell. Pralries, timber and water, were
better distributed in Shelby than any coun-
ty we had passed through--the timber
predomlnating over the prairie, though
interlaid by il in every direction. This
diversity of surface attracted greater va
rlesy and quantity OF game, as well as ar
forded more perfect facilities 10 the sports
man. Indeed, il struck US as a perfect
Hunters Paradise, and my friend happen
ing to remember man of some wealth,
who had removed from his native county,
and settled as he had understood in Shell
by, we inquired for him, and very readily
found him.
Whatever else may be said or though,
OF the Texans, they are unquestionabIy
most generously hospitable. We were
frankly and kindly received, and horses,
servants, guns, dogs, and whatever else
was necessary to ensure our enjoyment
OF The sports of the country, as well as
the time Of our host himself, were forth
with at our disposal, and we were soon,
to our hearts content, engaged in every
character Of exciting chase.
One day we had all turned out for
deer-drive. This hunt, in which dogs
are used for driving the game out Of the
timber, scatcrs the hunters very much
they are stationed at the different stands
which are sometimes miles apart, TO watch
for the deer passing out; and for this rea-
son the party seldom gets together again
until night. We divided in the morning,
and skirted up opposite sides of wide
belt OF bottom timber, while the drivers
and dogs penetrated ii, to rouse the deer,
which ran out on either side by the stands,
which were known 10 the hunters. We
were unusually successful, and returned
to late dinner at our hosts, the plan.
ter's house. By dusk all had come in,
except my friend, whose name was Hen
ry, and man named Stoner. one of the
neighbors, who had joined our hunt.
Dinner was ready, and we sat down to il,
supposing they would be in, in few mo.
meats. The meal was nearly over, when
Henry, who was gay, voluble fellow,
came busting into the room, and, with
slightly Hurried manner, addressed our
host esquire this is strange country
of yours Do you let crazy people range
it with guns in their hands 2
'Not when we know it. Why? what
about crazy people! You look excited
We'll, think I've had enough to make
ibO iCSi u ttSiC CuElUuS.
What is il! What is it!' exclaimed
every body eagerly.
why, have met with either the Old
Harry himself, ghost, or mailman;
and which it is, | am confoundedly puz-
zled to tell =
'Where How ?
He threw himself into chair, wiped
the Precipitation from his forehead, and
continued:
You know, Stoner and myself, when
we parted from you all this morning, took
up the right.hund side of the bottom Tim
Der. Well, Stoner accompanied me to
my stand where we parted he to go on
to his and have seen nothing Of him
since. Soon after he left me, deer
passed out shot it-wounGed it-and
jumped on my horse to pursue it. The
deer had staggered at my fire, but was
not so badly wounded as supposed, and
led me off until it suddenly occurred to
me that might get lost, and ! reigned
up; but soon found that this sober Sc
cond though. had come too late, and that
was already out Of my latitude. wan
dcred about nearly all day, though taking
care not to 60 very far in one direction,
before | came across anything which
promised to set me RICH, again. | at last
came upon a wagon trail. and felt reliev-
ed, for knew it must take me TO some
point where could get information. The
trail was narrow, leading through scrubby
,hicke,s; and was riding along slowly,
looking down, in the hope Of detecting
the tracks Of some Of your horses, when
ALIa .ialaxa4 Il. e ..a..e,l