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

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rife in his left hand. J..
"I'i help you, Elliot, to bring your bucl
in" said Wetzel, with significant smile
"only take care of the buck fever. Goot
bye!"
Elliot and Rose moved off briskly, along
the bride path up the hill. The narrow
ness Of the road compelled them to ride
singly, Rose taking the lead. After pass
ing some distance along the top Of the
ridge, the path descended to the opposite
side, and led to large run, in the bed O.
which they were now obliged to ride. The
run was very rough, and had, for the mos
part, ledge Of rocks for its bed. The
hoofs Of the horses striking against the
rocks, and the reckless splashing OF the
water, occasioned more noise than was
desirable
81 fear, Rose said Elliot, "that this i,
dangerous road for lady to travel
81 am not afraid said she; 81 have
been over it several times
"It is miserably poor one, Rose, | must
say; ! despise road that makes me ride
behind you perpetually; and here, am
splashing you outrageously'
"We will soon leave this run and go up
another ridge. The road will be better
then. | hope.
"And so do |, with all my soul. l al.
most wish | had not brought my gun along,
as find more difficulty in carrying it over
this awful road than expected.
"Do you think you could shoot deer,
Elliott
81 do most assuredly, Rose. and hope
to convince you that ! can before we reach
our journeys end
"ls your gun loaded?'
"Loaded!' reiterated Elliot; "the inqu-
ry is wel.,imed, for really forgot to load
my gun before starting. Now, FIVE were
10 see deer, should be vexed almost TO
death
"Thers is our turning off place. said
Rose, as they reached the point at which
the path diverged from the run, and they
rode out of the water.
81 must dismount here replied Elliot,
''to load my rife. 1t will never do TO ride
through the woods with an empty rifle in
ones hand, when he has powder and balls
in abundance with him
The young man dsmoun,ed his steed,
and fastened the bride to sapling near
by. after which he commenced loading his
rifle.
"Make haste, Elliot exclaimed Rose,
who still sat upon her saddle" see deer
up the rum
"Indeed!' said the youth, as he hurried
ly returned his ramrod; and quickly ele.
vating his firelock as high as his breast, he
cast his eyes in the direction designated
by Roses hand.
81 see him. he calculated hastily. The
animal, which was fine buck, was prob
ably hundred yards up the run, stand
ing apparent y motionless, and looking d-
rectly towards the wayfarers. 81 will give
him piece of cold lead, he added, ''if he
will stand long enough. Rose, will your
poney frighten when shoot?
"Not in the least she replied. "Try
your skill but be sure to hit him.
"Trust me that far, Rose,' rejoined the
youth.
He cautioned Rose to hold a tight rein.
and be upon her guard when he should
fire. Carefully descending small circuit
along the adjacent hillside, the noviciate
hunter at last succeeded in gaining ia.
vorable position from which 10 fire at the
noble animal which was still gazing at the
horses. Elliot supported his piece against
the side of tree, and taking deliberate
aim, fred. The buck fell upon his fore
knees. ....
Satisfied that his first shot had been sue.
cessful, his first object was to glance to-
wards Rose, to see whether the horses had
remained steady. Both animals were
standing where he had lett them, and Rose
waved her handkerchief in compliment 10
the young hunters skill. Trailing his rifle
at arms length, he bounded towards his
expected victim with joyful countenance.
The deer. however, suddenly recovered
itself, and retreated impngly up the raw
inc. Elliot started in pursuit of the fugi-
tive, expecting at every step to see him fall
from loss of blood, which was at every |
step the animal made, staining the leaves.
and clearly marking Out his course. But
the wounded buck continued at a gait
which slightly outstripped the toilsome
march of his pursuer, until at length he
fell from exhaustion 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 lifeless buck
swung high in the air on the top OF a hick-
Dry saping. |
Elliot was full of pleasant excitement.
He had now killed his first deer, and could |
not help smiling at the idea Of telling Lew
is Wetzel that his predictions about the
.buck fever" had proved by the event, er-
roneous. He lost no time in retracing his
steps towards the place at which he had |
left Rose; and he derived renewed pleas
ure from the reflection that he had borne