The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-11-26

get about him.
Elliot promised to keep silent. The
two hunters now quickened their pace,
though care was taken TO bring their feet
to the ground as lightly as possible Wet
eel, who walked before his youthful com.
panion, continually glanced his well prac-
tised eyes around him, penetrating the
mazes of the forest on every side. lie
moved with surprising stiffness. and never
uttered a syllable unless it might have been
to. check his comrade for making some
unnecessary noise.
When the hunters reached the mouth
Of Short Creek. the sun was nearly ready
tosdisappear behind the bold heights on the
opposite shore Of the Ohio. The banks
of the creek, at its confluence with the
river, were abrupt though not high, and
covered. even their extreme borders, with
q luxuriant growth of pawpaws. The
outer edge Of either stream was dry and
sandy, but a wide strip of wet and unc.
tious earth. next the waters edge, had
been exposed to view by the recen, subsi-
dence OF a freshet.
this is the end Of our tramp whisper
cd Welzel to his companion. They were
then standing al the lower angle of the
junction of the streams-screened, how
ever, from observation by the thick paw.
paw grove which extended to the verge OF
the precipice.
whats 10 be done. now?' asked the
youth in a low whisper.
III see,' said Wetzel. You stay where
you are, and do not bulge a peg. nor
make a bit of noise, while | look round a
litte.'
He cautiously drew the branches aside,
and glided through the bushes with a quiz
etness peculiar TO the skiltul Indian hun
ter. After an absence Of several minutes
he returned, and made 4 signal 10 Elliot
to follow him. The latter stepped forward
as cautiously as he could, and accompa-
MED Lewis a few rods up the creek bank,
when the elder hunter called the attention
OF his companion to the stumps Of two
bushes, on which the recent marks of the
Ratchet were visible.
This one,' whispered Wetzel, STOPPING
down to the nearer stump, was cut by
Old Cross.Fire himself
'How do you know that!' %enquired Ell.
liot.
Cant you see that it was cut by a left
handed man? The highest point Of the
stump is always where the heel of the
Ratchet cuts it; and on the left side
Il understand you,' SAID the youth
'Your reasoning is conclusive that the
bush was cut by a lef-handed man.
Now look at the other stump resumed
Wetzel, 'and give your idea about that
Elliot carefully examined the second
stump, and ventured his opinion promptly.
This one,' said he, was cut by a right
handed man, because the highest point oil
the stump is on the right side
That's right, Ellit. ! have larnt you that
much, and it's worth mindin too
why is the information so valuableY
Sits valuable on this account. Ellit; i,
shows us that there have been at least two
red. skins here-one lef-handcd and one
right. handed. The eft.handed one is Old
Cross-Fire, because he's the only left
handed man | know of in these parts
the other, | judge, is one OF his hang
ers-on.'
'But there might have been more than
two, Lewis?' ,
so there might, but we CAM tell sale
Wetzel as he moved near the bank, ant
cast his keen eyes upon the water. There's
another discovery I've made he added.
DO you see that little green twig in tht
creek there?'
Elliot glanced his eyes in the direction
denoted by his comrades finger, and an
swered in the affirmative.
SWELL, Ellit, that twig is fast to Old Cross
FIRES canoe, which is there sunk in thf
water; and arger that these bushes were
cut to make forks to iasten it 10 the bottom.
very likely said Elliot.
'And | now arger that there might havt
been one or more Indians taking care o
the canoe, while the old dog and his inn
came ashore to cut the forks
.sYou reason like a philosopher, Lewis
I shall soon become an expert hunter, un
der your tutorage.'
Now Ellit,' said the scout, "you &C
back TO your old place and keep quiet
and have a bright lookout, while | sllI
around the pint of that hill and see wha
is going on. Only be quiet and do as
tell you. Ill be back before you get un
easy
The two hunters separated; Elliot te
seek his original cover, and the other tc
obtain some information Of his expected
enemy. The former examined the prlm
ing Of his gun, and satisfied himself tina
everything was in proper order for service
He seated himself upon the ground ant
kept remarkably quiet-busying his mind
most of the time, in fancying the situation
OF Rose. Sometimes he was ready t'
conclude that she had fallen a victim t.
savage cruelty, but he endeavored to dis
pei such gloomy ideas from bis mind, AM
contemplate the brighter side OF the pic
ture.