Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1846-02-26

hXed, as he gazed Tor some moments al the gigantic
tree. Then darling away he disappeared among
the trees whence he had fetched his rifle, and pre-
seniy emerged again. leading ready saddled horse
with him. He called to me to mount mine, but
seeing tina, unable even to rise from the
ground he stepped up to me, and with the greatest
ease lifted me into the saddle with one hand, so
light had become during my long fast. Then
taking the end OF my lasso, he got upon his own
horse and set of, leading my mustang after him
We rode on for time without exchanging
word. My guide kept up a sort Of muttered solo-
guy but as was full ten PAGES in his rear, could
distinguish nothing Of what he said. At times he
would raise his rifle to his shoulder then lower
again, and speak to IT, sometimes caressingly some
times IN anger More than once he turned his
head, and cast keen searching glances at me, as
though to see whether were watching him or
not.
We had ridden more than an hour, and the
strength which the whisky had given me was fast
falling. so that expected each moment TO fall from
my horse, when suddenly caught sight Of kind
Of rude hedge and almost Immediately afterwards
the wall Of small block house became visible
faint cry Of Joy escaped me- and endeavored, but
IN vain to give my horse the spur. My guide turn
ed round, fixed his wild eyes upon me, and spoke
IN threatening tone.
You are impatient, man impatient, see You
Il am dying. was all could utter Ia fact my
senses were leaving me from exhaustion, and
really thought my last hour come
Pooh dyin' One don't die so easy. And yet
it might be true
lie sprsng of his horse, and was Just in time to
catch me in his arms as fell from the saddle
few drops of whisky, however, restored me to
consciousness. Ny guide replaced me upon my
mustang, and after passing through potato ground,
a field of Indian corn, and small grove OF peach
trees VIC found ourselves a; the door OF the block
house.
| was so utterly helpless, that my strange COM
pan on was obliged to lift me of my horse and
carry me into the dwelling lie sat me down upon
bench pass We and powerless as an infant Strange
to say however, was never better able 10 observe
all that pissed around the, than during the few
hours Of bodily debility that succeeded my INNER
sion in the Jacinto blow with a reed would
have knocked me of my seat, but my mental IA
cul,ies instead Of participating in this weakness
seemed sharpeued to unusual degree of acute
ness.
The bockhouse in which we now were. was OF
the poorest possible description a mere log hut,
consisting Of one room, that served as kitchen
sittIng-room. and bed-chamber. The door ofrough
planks swung heavily upon two hooks that fitted
into iron rings, and formed clumsy substitute for
hinges wooden latch and heavy bar served 10
secure il windows, properly speaking there were
none, but in their stead a few holes covered with
dirty oiled paper the floor was of clay, stamped
hard and dry 10 the middle of the hut, but out Of
which, at the side OF the room crop Of rank grass
was growing, foot or more high In one corner
stood a clumsy bedstead, in another sort Of table
or counter, on which were half dozen drinking
glasses Of various sizes and patterns. The table
consisted Of four thick posts, firmly planted in the
ground, and on which were nailed three boards
tina, had apparently belonged to some chest or
case. for they were painted, and there was date,
and the three first letters Of word upon one of
them A shelf fixed against the side Of the hut
supported M earlhen pot tw o and three or four
bottles, uneorked and apparently empty and from
some wooden pegs wedged in between the logs,
hung suspended few articles Of wearing apparel
of no very cleanly aspect
Pacing up and down the hut with a kind OF
stealihy cat-like pace, was an individual, whose
unprepossessing exterior was in good keeping with
the rest Of this rexian shebeen house. He was
large understood, STOPPING figure, red-hared large
moulhed and possessed of small, reddish pig
eyes, which he seemed totally unable to raise from
the ground, aud the sering, hang-dog expression
of which. correspondent fully with the treacherous
pan,her-Iike sealthiness Of his step aud movements
Without greeting either by word or look, this
parsonage Owed into dark corner OF his tenement
hIoHHt Out uotlic, anu II on lhDle
beside the glasses. resumed the monolonous sort Of
exercise in which he had beea INDUCING on OUT
enterance
Ny guide and deliVerer said nothing while the
tayeFn-keeper getting out the bottle, although
he seemed TO watch all his movements with keen
and suspicious eye. lie now filled a large glass Of
spirits, and tossed it off at single draught When
he had done this, he spoke for the first time
Johnny Johnny made no answer.
This gentleman has eaten nothing for foui
days
Indeed replied Johnny, without looking up
or intermiltng his sneaking restless walk from one
corner Of the room to the other
Il said four days, dye hear -Four days. Bring
him tea Immediately, strong tea, and then make
some good beef soup. The tea must be ready
directly the soup IN an hour at fsrhercst. dye I'M
derstandl And then ! want some whisky for my,
self, and beefseak and potatoes Now, tell al
that to your Sambo
Johnny did not seem 10 hear, but continued hi:
walk, creeping along with noiseless step, aud eacI
time that he turned, giving a sort OF spring like
cat OF panther.
| I've money, Johnny said my guide Money
man, dye hear z Aud So saying, he produced I
toleraby full purse
For the first time Johnny raised his head gave
All lndehnabe sort of glance at the purse, and theT
springng forward, fixed his small cunning eye
upon those ofmy guide, while a smile of strange
meaning spread over his repulsye features.
The two men stood for the space of minute
staring at each other, without uttering word
An internal grin distended Johnny's mouth from
ear 10 ear. My guide seemed TO gasp for breath
I've money, cried he at last, striking the but
of his rifle violently on the ground Dye under
stand, Johnnyl Money and rifle too, if need
be-
lie stepped to the table and filled another glas
of raw spirits, which disappeared like the preceding
ona Whila he d.anL Iohnn, .,olo -. - a.