The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-12-01
CHAPTER III.

The hut was Of the rudcst and simplest
construction, and almost hidden by the
thick growth Of young trees, wild vines
and bushes which the hunter had left un-
disturbed. In front Of it stretched the
green sward for a few yards, and then the
l.ii Ill. -,.rt'y down, forming an al
most perpendicular precipice, nj The loot
of which it sloped off again to the rivers
bank, which was thus a considerable dis
tance from the hut.
As the two hunters gazed around from
this lofty eminence, the scene spread out
below and around them was one of almost
indescribable beauty. Far as tho eye could
reach, stretched u Sea Of hills, more or
less abrupt, and covered from base to sum-
NIT with mantle of foliage rich with all
the varied hues Of autumn. Westward
lay level eNpanse Of forest, over whose
tops arose the curling smoke Of the dis
tant station, the only visible sign Of hu-
man existence. At their very feet, APP
parently, flowed the broad Ohio, rolling
on in sluggish majesty, undisturbed, as
yet, by the heel of the steamboat or the
snort and whistle Of the engine. And
now, the setting sun, in his dying glories,
poured rich flood Of light over the whole
scene, making the ripples Of "La Belle
Riviere" seem flood OF molten gold.
The prospect was indeed glorious, but
the young hunter in vain endeavored up
on that evening to make his friend partici-
pate in his feelings Of delight and admir-
alton. During the whole day he had
seemed unusually gloomy and taciturn,
and as evening advanced, a deeper mel.
ancholy settled upon his brow. Now he
sat upon the green grass, with his face
buried in his hands, and returning brief,
often incoherent answers, to the words of
his companion. At length, as il endeavor-
ing to relieve himself from his own medi-
tations, he raised his head and said, with
an evident effort to be cheerful.
"And so, my boy, you are going to get
married soon, they tell mel Well. well,
you needn't blush so-Molly'sa good girl,
and will make hunter like you, first.
rate wife. But these are troublous times
to be marrying and giving in marriage" !"
An! remember"
He paused, and his mind seemed alb
sorbed in painful recollections.
"What is it that depresseS your said
the youth coming nearer, and laying his
hand gently upon the old mans shoulder.
"Boy," he answered, at length, "this is
the fifth anniversary Of my sorrow; that
which made me the outcast, wandering
hunter that you see me now. Never be-
fore have sought for human sympathy.
But i love you as son, and something
seems forcing me TO speak. Five sum-
mers ago, this very hour, that same sun
looked down upon happy home in West
Virginia. II was an humble log-house, il
is true, situated in lonely spot, amid hills
and woods, but it was full Of comfort and
happiness. That home was mine. For
years, all went well with me. My crops,
my cattle were unsurpassed. But, above
all, had wife who was an angel upon
earth, and two babes. . boy and q girl,
who would have made desert happy
with their sweet laughter and their child
ish sporta.
Though remote from any human hab-
iistion, and though the Indians were
occasionally seen and heard Of in the
neighborhood Of my dwelling, yet feli
no fear. had never wronged them, bni
on the contrary, had often fed and clothed
haIfstarved stragglers from the tribe, who
would wander TO my door, and blindly