Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-10-19
"They had reached the water," said

"No," rejoined Lincoln, stopping mo-
ment to listen, s'they'er chewin' them
bones." ....' ....i...,.,. r.., |
"rhere, again." cried one, as their deep
voices rang down the glen, in the chorus OF
the whole pack. The next minute, the
dogs were mute second time, speaking at
intervals, in fierce growl, that told us
they were at fault. Beyond an occasional
bark, we heard nothing of the bloodhoundS,
until we had gained, at least, two miles
down the stream. We began to think we
had baffled them in earnest, when Lincoln,
who had kept in the rear, was seen to throw
himself fiat upon the grass. We all stop
ped, looking at him with breathless anxiety.
1t was but minute. Rising up with a
reckless air, he struck his rifle fiercely upon
the ground, eSclaiming a. .II
''Swamp them hounds, they'er ater us
again % ...... o..s
By one impulse, we all rushed back to
the creek and scrambing on the rocks,
plunged into the water, and commenced
wading down. A sudden exclamation from
Raoul, in the advance. We soon learnt the
cause, and to our dismay-we had struck
the water at point where the stream
canoned! On each side rose frowning
precipice, straight as wall. Between
these, the black torrent rushed through
channel only few feet in width, so swiftly
that, had we attempted to descend by swim
ming we should have been dashed to death
against the rocks below. To reach the
stream farther down, il would be necessary
to make circuit of miles; and the hounds
would be on our heels before we could gain
three hundred yards. We all looked at
each other, and at Lincoln--all painting
and pale.
"Stumpt at last !" cried the hunter, grit
ting his teeth with fury. r'ls
"No," shouted, thought at that mo-
ment flashing upon me. "Follow me COM
rades. We'll fight the bloodhounds upon
the Cliff" .. g..- .
81 pointed upward. A yell from Lin
coin announced his approval. ..
"Hoorey!" he cried, leaping on the
bank :" that idee's just like yer, Captain.
Hoorey! Now, boys, for the bluff"
Next moment, we were straining up the
gorge that led to the precipice. And the
next, we had reached the highest point,
where the cliff, by bold projection, but
ted over the stream. There was level
platform, covered with tufted grass, and
upon this we took our stand. We stood,
for some moments, gathering breath and
nerving ourselves for the desperate strug-
gle.
I could not help looking over the preci-
pice. 1t was fearful sight. Below-the
stream, rushing through the canon, broke
upon bed of sharp. jagged rocks, and then
glded on, in seething, snow-white foam.-
There was no object between the eye and
water; no iutting ledge-not even tree,
to break the fall--nothing but the spikey
boulders below, and the foaming torrent
that washed them Ii was some minutes
, before our unnatural enemies made their
appearance, but every howl sounded nearer
5 and nearer. Our trail was warm, and we
; knew they were scenting it on run. AT
: length, the bushes cracked, and we could
, see their white breasts cleaning through
= the leaves. A few more springs, and the
foremost bloodhound bounded out upon the
bank, and, throwing up bis broad jaws, Ut
l tered hdeous ssgrowl" He was at fault
: where he had entered the water. His COM
rades now dashed out of the thicket, and
+ joining in the chorus of disappointment
= scattered among the stones An old dog
: SCARED and cunning-kept along the bank
= until he reached the top of the Canon.-
It This was where we had made our crossing
!, Here the hound entered the channel, ant
/, springing from rock TO rock, reached th
!, point where we had dragged ourselves on
O Of the water. A short yelp announced t
It his comrades that he had lifted the scent
n and they all threw up their noses, an
a came gallopping down. There was swii
e current, between the two boulders of basal'
d We had leaped this The old dog reache
& it, and stood straining upon the sprus
e when Lincoln fired, and the hound, wit
l. one short ''wough," dropped upon his heac
S, and was carried off like flash. .,.
& "Counts one less to pitch over," said th
e hunter, hastily reloading his rife. ...
II Without appearing to notice the Strang
NJ conduct of their leader, the others crosse
in a string, and striking the warm trai
. came yelling up the pass. 1t was grass
/ slope-such as is often seen between tU
tables of clif-and, as the dogs straint
- upward, we could see their white fang
=, and the red blood that had baited them Gle
he m ted along their jaws. Another crack fro
" Lincoln's rifle, and the foremost houl
;, tumbled back down the gorge. aat
he "Two rubbed out" cried the hunter, al
m, at the same moment l saw him fling
,or rifle upon the ground.
The hounds kept the trail no longer
to Their quarry was before them their how
he ing ended, and they sprang upon us wi
gh the silence of the assassin. The next m
we ment we were mingled together, dogs a
ain men, in the fearful struggle of life a
till death | know not how long this stran
ash encounter lasted. fell myself grappli
da- with the tawny monsters, and hurling th'
irst over the cliff. They sprang at my thro
the and threw out my arms, thrusting th,
bod fearlessly between the shining rows off tee
stall Then was free again, and seizing leg