Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1852-01-21

yards, I came opposite small clump of
wormwood bushes, growing out of the
bank. :" may be far enough" thought
| l, "these will serve for cover" aa-..
raised my body gradually, until l
could see through the leaves. 1 was in
the right spot
brought my rifle to level; sighted
for the heart of the buck and fred. The
antelope leaped from the ground and fell
back lifeless,
was about to rush forward aud secure
my prize, when l observed the doe-in-
stead of running off as l had expected
so up to her fallen partner, and press
her tapering nose to his body.
She was not more than twenty yards
from me, and l could plainly see that her
look was one of inquiry and bewilder-
ment. All at once she seemed to COM
prehend the fatal truth and threw back
her head, commenced uttering the most
piteous cries-at the same time running
in circles around the body.
stood wavering between two minds.
My first impulse had been to reload and
kill the doe but her plaintive voice en-
tered my heart; disarming me of all my
hostile intentions. Had | dreamed of
witnessing this painful spectacle, l should
not have left the trail; but the mischief
was now done.
al have worse than killed her." thought
l, " it will be much better to dispatch her
at once"
Actuated by these principles of COM
mon, but to her fatal humanity, rested
the butt of my rifle and reloaded. With
faltering hand, again levellcd the piece
and fired.
My nerves were steady enough to do
the work. When the smoke Aoated aside,
l could see the little creature bleeding on
the grass, her head resting against the
body of her murdered mate.
shouldcred my rifle. and was about
to move forward, when to my astonish-
ment, | found that | was caught by the
feet 1 was held firmly, rs If my legs
had been screwed in vice.
l made an effort to cxtricate myself
another more violent and equally unsue-
cossful-and with a third, lost my bal
ancc and fell back upon the water.
Half suffocated, | regained my up
right position but only to discover that
| was as fast as ever.
Again l struggled to free my limbs
could neither move backward or forward
to the right or to the Left and be-
came sensible that was gradually going
down. Then the fearful truth flashed up
OH me- w0S sinking in tile qutchsand!
A feeling Of horror came over me.
renewed my efforts with the energy OF
desperation. l leaned to one side and
then to the other, almost wrcnching my
knees from their sockets. My feet re-
mained as fast as ever, could not move
them aninch.
The soft clingy sand already overtoppcd
my horse skinned boots, wedging them
around my ancles, so that Twas still sink
ing slowly but surely, as though some
subtcrraueau monster was leisurely draw
ing me down. The very thought caused
me n fresh thrill Of horror, and l called
aloud for help. To whom?
There was no one within miles of me
no living thing. Yes, the neigh of my
horse answered me from the hill mocking
my despair
/ bent forward as we'll as my constrain-
cd position would permit, and with fren-
zicd fingers commenced tearing up the
sand. i could barely reach the surface
and the little hollow was able to make
filled up almost as soon as it had been
formed.
A thought occurred to me. My rifle
might support me placed horizontally.
looked around for it, 1t was not to be
seen. 1t had sunk in the sand.
Could throw my body fiat and pre-
vent myself from sinking deeper No
The water was two feet in depth
should drown at once.
This last hope left me as soon as form
ed. l could think of no plan to save my
self l could make no further effort. a
strange stupor seized upon me. Myver.
thoug hts become paralyzed, l knew
was going mad. For moment ara
mad
After an interval my senses returned
l made an effort to rouse my mind from
its paralysis, in order that might nee
death-which now believed to be Ger
tain--as man should.
l stood erect. My eyes had sunk t
the prairie level, and rested upon the still
bleeding victims of my cruelty. My hear
smote me at the sight. Was l suffering
the retribution of God?
With humble and penitent thoughts
turned my face to heaven, almost dread
ing that some sign of omnipotcnt ange
would scowl upon me from above. Blu
no. The sun was shining as bright a
ever, and the blue canopy of the worl'
was without cloud
gazed upward and prayed with al
earnestness known only to the hearts o
men in positions of peril like mine.
As L continued to look up, an oblec
attracted my attention. Against the SKI
distinguished the outlines of large darl