The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-04-09
WOODSFIELD. OHIO, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 1851.

De!ween mere anu The ROCKY Mountains,
: replied Nick.
, 81 care nothing about that; rifle bal
) will settle his account, and send him on {
, longer trail than ever he went on yet"
"Then there's his vile, a regular French
: woman; she'll stir up all the Indians OF
the prairies 10 hunt you up"
, "Let her do it; III settle her account.
J also. All want is the girl; Icare nothing
for having lather-in-law, or mother-in
law; want wife, or whatever you please
10 call her. Don't you see what Pm drv
ing att"
"Yes, | see plain enough. and it's my
opinion precious wife you'll have. VIII
she care anything about you! No. Viii
she rear your lodge when you move from
place to place! No! Will she gather
sticks TO make the fire? Mo- Will she
cook flesh for you 10 eat! No! But III
tell you what she'll do; the gal will 81,
down and cry, till she pines herselfto death
That will be the sum Of the whole affair."
"Well, let it be so. What care /! She
will please me for a time, then can leave
her as have others"
"No need that you should leave her;
she'll be off fast enough, give her chance.
Such delicate birds don't like to mate with
such rough chaps as we are. But have
your own way, and live the longer
There'lt be some fine sport, no doubt, and
Pm your man. lend hand at the busi-
ness, and when it comes right you shall
do the fair thing by me-"
"Good we shall get on very we'll TO-
gether. Now for this mighty fine gentle
man! Let US 60 ashore, and dispose OF
him. We will build fire, and leave him
TO tend it, while we 60 away on pretence
of shooting deer for dinner. When a
short distance from him we will turn about,
and you know the rest; the fire will
fix him."
TO all this, of course, was an interest.
ed listener. As it was really time to land
and cook dinner, could make no reason.
able objections without exciting suspicion;
SO gently submitted.
The "birch" was hauled up, and the
fire built, as agreed upon.
During this time, busted myself in put.
ting my revolvers and rifle in first rate or
der. ..-a..-...
When the fire sent out cheerful blaze,
Vanburton turned to me and said in Eng
lish:
"Nick and are going out TO bring in
deer; you arc tired, and can stay here and
take some rest"
There was a diabolical lear upon his
face while he spoke, and Nick affected TO
comply with some reluctance.
| summed up all my resolution, and
said, in as calm and Indifferent tone as
possible.
eyes, | am tired; but am tired only OF
sitting in the birch | need exercise. |
will 20 forth and hunt with you, and Nick
may remain behind. Come am all rea.
dy. Nick, keep the fire bright and blazing
till we get back. Vanburton youmay lead
the way"
shouldered my rifle with all the nom
chalance | could muster, and stood pre-.
pared 10 90.
The countenances of the two scoundrels
fell. Their disappointment was but too
evident to me, but there was no attempt at
Vanburton moved slowly
away, and followed, leaving Nick stand.
ng by the blazing logs.
81 think we had better SEPARATE said
Vanburton. after we had walked some dis.
ance in silence.
81 think it will be best" replied "You
ire better hunter than |, and my pres
'nce will but irighten the game. You may
20 that way, and will 60 This"
Again he looked disappointed. "Let's
zee you start" he said, with an attempt TO
;mile.
knew we'll why he wished to .'see me
start" and resolved not TO turn my back
lpon him at all, for reasons which the
eader may readily understand
"You seem TO make all the delay possi-
'le," | said. sternly. ave shall never
each Council Bluffs, if you 60 on at this
ate. Come! be off, and do not heed me,
md will reward you well for your alacri-
y"
The ruffian smiled grimly, moved away,
nd was soon out OF sight. {
What was now to do! Should re-.
urn TO the "birch," drag it into the water,
ross the river, and then destroy it! or
hould make the best Of my way towards
;ouncil Bluffs, or the nearest tribe OF Indi.
ms, without any delay?
After some hesitation decided on the
ormer course, and hurried towards the I
iver as fast as was able. l soon reach. ,
d the spot where the canoe was hauled up {
nd drew it solently into the water. I
My feelings during the period that was +
,ithin rifle distance Of the shore, will not I
tempt to describe, but leave the subject
together to the Imagination of the sens
lie reader. 9
The perspiration rolled from my fore. |
cad in great drops. and | reopired like a
erson who had been running violently, S
hen ! stepped upon the opposite bank \
Taking from the "birch" what articles | q
hould need and could conveniently carry, I