Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-01-22


es. l'ir BE- right uneasy until hear you've got
safe 10 your journeys end"
"Thank YOU, Lewis" said Rose, 'we will try
and not fall Of our horses"
'l'Il help you, Ellit, to bring your buck in, y
said Wetzsl, with q significant smile, ''only take
care Of the buck fever! Good bye"
Elliot aud Rose moved of briskly, along the
bride path up the hill. The narrowness Of the
path compelled them to ride singly; Rose taking
the lead. Aftcr passing some distance along The
top Of the ridge the path descended the opposite
side, and led to a run in the bed Of which they
were obliged 10 ride. The run was very rough,
and bad for the most part, ledge Of rocks forts
bed. The hoofs Of the horses striking against
the rocks, and reckless slashing Of the water oc-
casioned more noise than was desirable.
IL fear, Rose" said Eliot, "that this is dan
gerous road for lady 10 travel"
81 am not afraid" said she, 81 have seen over
il several times"
"ltis miserable poor one, Rose, must say,
| despse a road that makes me ride behind you
perpetualy; and here am splashingyou conIin-
ually."
"We will soon leave the run, and 90 up anoth.
er ridge. The road will be better then, hope"
"And 50 do |, with all my soul! | almostwish
| had not brought my gun along, as fad ii more
difficult in carrying il over this road than | ex
pected."
"Do you think you coulds deer, Elliott"
81 do most assuredly, Rose; and hopeto con.
vince you that | can before we reach our jour-
ney's end"
"ls your gun loaded7"
"Loaded!" reiterated Elliot "the inquiry was
well timed, for really forgot TO charge my gun
before starting. Now, if we were to see deer,
| should be vexed almost to death"
"Thero is our turning-of place" said Rose, as
they reached the point at which the path diverged
from the run, and they both rode out ofthe wafer
81 must dismount here!' exclaimed Elliot, 'to
load my rifle. 1t will never do 10 ride through
the woods with an empty riheinone's hand, when
he has powder and balls in abundance with him. -
The young man dism ounted his steed, and fas-
tened the bride to a sapling near by, after which
he commenced loqding his rife.
"Make haste, Elliott" exclaimed Rose who still
atupon her saddle. 81 seeadeerupin the run. :"
"lndeed!" said the youth, as he hurriedIy re-
turned his ramrod and quickly elevating his fire.
lock as high as his breast, he cast his eyes in the
direction designated by Roses hand.
81 see him!' he calculated hastily. The ami
NAL was fine buck. which was probably hun
dred yards up the run, standing apparent motion
less, and looking directly towards the way-farers,
81 will give him piece of cold lead" he added
''if he will stand long enough. Rose, will your
pony lrghten when shoot!"
"Not in the least" she replied. "Try your
skill, but be sure to hit him."
"Trust me for that, Rose, rejoincd the youth.
He cautioned Rose TO hold a tight rein, and be
upon her guard, whenho should fire. Carefully
descending a small circuit along the adjacent hill
side, the noviciate hunter at last succeeded in
gaining favorable position from which to fire
at the noble animal, which was still gazing at the
horses. Elliot supported his piece against the
side Of a tree, and taking deliberate aim, fred
The buck fell upon his fore knees. Satisfied that
his shot had been successful, his first object was to
glance towards Rose to see whether the horses
had remained steady. Both animals were stand
ing where he had left them, and Rose waved her
handkerchief in compliment of the young hun
ter's skill Trailing his rife at arms length, he
bounded towards his expected victim with Joy
full counenance. The deer, however, suddenly
recovered itself, and rercated, limpng up the ra-
vine. Elliot started in pursuit of the fugitive
hoping at every step to see him fall from loss of
blood which was, at every leap the animal made,
staining the leaves, and clearly marking out his
course. But the wounded buck continued on at
agaitwhich slightly outstrippedthetoilsome march
Of his pursuer, until, at length he fell from eX-
haustion of his vital powers. In few minutes
more the triumphant young hunter to secure his
prize from the beasts of prey until he could have
him brought into the fort had the lleless buck
swung high in the air on the top of a sapling.
Elliot was full of peasantexctemcnt. He had
now killed his first deer, and he could not help
smiling at the idea of telling Lewis Wetzel that
his predictions about the "buck fever" had prov
ed by the event erroneous. He lost no time in
retracing his steps towards the place at which he
left Rose; and he derived renewed pleasure
from the reflection that he had borne out her own
last Injunction.
He had performed but a short distance of his
retrogade march, when he discovered his horse
galloping towards him, with nostrils distended,
and the rens of his bride broken and Tapping
against his breast. A familiar word spoken to
the afrighted steed caused him to stop, and his
master secured him. Tying together the broken
reins as well as he could, hevaultedupon the sad
die and dashed off down the ravine al full speed.
The horse frequently started at some object on
the wayside and the free use of the spur became
necessary to urge him rapidly forward. When
he reached the point at which he expected to find
his fair charge, she was gone!
The feelings of the youth at this juncture were
peculiarly painful. The smile of delight, which
had but a ewminutes reilluminated his coun-
tenance, was now exchanged for an expression
of mingled melancholy, modification and an
gush. 1t was impossible for him to conjecture
what had become of Rose; but he had too much
evidence before him to doubt that some serious
event had transpired during the time that he was
absent. He shouted aloud, but no response was
made. to his call. The more he reflected the
deeper appeared the mystery; and it was difficult
to determine what course he should adopt. He