The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-01-10
Conversations with Powers,
IN HIS STUDIO AT FLORENCE.

! | didn't know exactly what to do, as you
may well imagine. But Ididnt hesitate long
neck or nothing, thought |; and so | replied
We company shortens the road: We'll &c
on together" The truth of the latter scnti-
mcnt ! felt the force of; for whether we Went
in company or not that time depended upon
the walkers and not upon the rider But
there was no backing out; so off we started
one of the said gentleman with u shout
dered rifle walking on either side.
"Now," thinks | to myself sis my princi-
pal chance. Go it, Rosinante!" But neither
jerk, whip nor spur could urge her into an
inconvenient gait for my companions. 1t was
new road, through what was called the
Beech-flats, where the soil being thin and
resting upon hard clay pan the roots form
ed kind ofweb-work Just beneath the sur
face, which the travelling had laid bare, and
rendered dangerous for rapid movement
Finally they left income to the right and the
other to the left, assuring each other as they
did so that they would rendezvous at 'lIog
Hollow" which was not put down in the Ge-
ography | had studied. "Bandit Hollow
says TO myself ''you'd better call it," | now
piled the implements of war upon my steed
with increased activity, hoping might gain
upon the fellows, and defeat their internal
plot, which this rltSe de guelre, or ms we say
evident. But | found the roots thicker and
the mud deeper ofcourse, just in proportion
as my eXigencies increased, and on the whole,
all my twitcling and squirting and beating on
~ acted upon my beast, like so much friction
in machinery to diminish the motion.
The only living objects | saw for the next
mile or two were large flock of wild tur-
keys standing on log with the gohler strut
ting before them; a moment after, slight
noise in the woods to my right, gave me an
involuntary start. The bushes moved and
the sticks cracked-Rosinante stopped short
and began to prick up her ears, and for the
first time in many years, perhaps, assumed n
spirited attitude. looked steadi-
ly, and saw a cap moving slowly from behind
a tree, at less than a rifle shot. 1t was fol-
lowed by just enough of mans face to give
me glimpse ofh eye. / felt my hair lift
my hat from my head. Suddenly the cap
lodged behind the large tree. | knew es-
cape was impossible, and it being more hon
orable to receive a bullet before than behind,
to await the result where | was.
In moment or two the cap and face appear
ed again with the end of the rifle pointed
nretty nearly in my direction. "Flre away,
my boy!" thought i, "you must be great shot
fyou miss" The cold sweat ran down my
breast, and even Rosinante trembled. l look
ed as steadily, however, towards the man as
though my life depended on lodging his bull
let. He beckoned to me with his hand to go
on; but l shook my head with a sort of an ex-
preston which intended should say, "Blaze
AWAY where / AMI for a few PAGES to the
north or south make very little difference to
ne in the place L fall" The man repeated
he gesture with dreadful l might say, an
Internal expression on his face, and then
pointed with his finger to some object on the
,ther side of the road. | looted slowly round
expecting to receive ball from him or one
rom his nurderous companion opposite to
lin; butyou may Judge of my surprise when
saw instead, sic fine deer nearly IN line 10Th
ne and the man skulting behind the tree. saw
Trough the plot of the hunters in flash
W." says ], as am involuntary blush burned
IN my cheek, ''aint it strange | should make
UGH an extraordinary ass ofmyself?' put
purs to Rosinante, and had hardly got clear
f the shot of the hunter before | heard a
ifle-ball whistle by me, which struck fine
uck Just about the instant heard the report.
The deer made single leap and fell dead. u