Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-08-24
CHAPTER XIII.

CHAPTER XIII.
The next day. after night of faithful
watching with Mike the Old warrior told
them his history, already known to the
reader. The old warriors open, manly coun-
tenance proved to the dweIlers in the Hut
all he had tod them was true, and that they
would have faithful friend, and one the
more valuable, be being cognisant of Indian
schemes modes of warfare, &c. Therefore
Delampon, (of whom the reader has read
in the second chapter) was received into the
family, and by none more cordially than
Fannuil himself.
At the suggestion Of their new friend,
in whom even now they placed the greatest
confidence, the inmates of the Hut remained
indoors all that day and on the qui viue.
No savages appeared, however.
Things went on smoothly for some months,
during all Of which time, no Indians had
been seen, and the usual caution had grown
lax about the Hut, and was nearly neglec-
ted. Murdant and Deampon (the latter
especially however, were ever ready, and
on the look out for the enemy. They hunt
ed, but in circumscribed limits, and many
nice deer, and Buffalo, and all species of
wild fowl were secured to be served at the
table of the Fannuils. Yet both never left
the Hut at the same time One of them
dIWays remained. Mike too would some
times engage in this manly sport, but he
could not handle his gun like he could his
shilIaly, and consequently did not bring in
much game.
Fannuil had not as yet cleared any land
or made any preparation for tilling the
earth, although urged by Murdant to do
so, or return to the States. He would al
ways say that he intended to commence
soon, but by continually putting it off, the
season passed, and cold winter came around
in annual rotation. The owner Of the Hut
was now nothing like his former self
Nearly every day he was intoxicated and
utterly helpless. The old warrior even
, would warn him against the evils and wiles
Of the fire water but twas Of no avail
| the disgusting habit had grown on him toe
: long to b3 now checked.
Things as we have said before, went or
smoothly for some months, if we except the
: disgusting and brute-like habits of Fannuil
f and Murdant, Mike and Delampon had Sc
h about clearing up Twas on one cold anC
bracing afternoon, that our young Escula
o Plus, to relieve the dull tedum Of the Hut
7 had slung his rifle across his shoulder anC
d set out on a tramp. The weather was un
e usually fair and fine; there was nothing ther
e scarcely to be done at the Hut, and Mix
also fixing up his shooting tackle, and sling
n ing his inseparabIe shillaIy' over his shoul
= der, set outin different direction. He ha,
@ gone some three miles from the Hut, with
d out seeing any game. That was unusual
but Mike being in such a mood, thinking Q
h, his darling Biddv, might have passed b
o. much game on the way; be that as it may
if when he reached the termination Of sal
n. distance, Mike came to the conclusion, tha
10 as no game was to be seen he would Ii
ut down and take snooze. Fixing his gur
n, and laying his shillaly by his side, he lai
3e himself down, and was soon lost in sleep
st. When Murdant first entered the wood, h
is was in buoyant spirits comparatively, an
ne every thing seemed smiling and happy H
sr had not gone far however, when his ste
10 became slow, and he fell into a meditati1
he mood He thought over and over agai
m and reasoned with himself, was it really po
y. sible that be, an accomplished man, ma
n. Of science too, had left the circle of polisht
to society, and city of great opulcnce, h
no natal city. and come to dwell in the westeI
~ wilds Of North America! Was it true that
10 had passed six months in those dreary wil(
n where nought in animated nature, exec
Mt prowling savages and wild beasts ofere
al themselves (and in the former case entire
vn too often) to the view? Why was it 2
,ly Cupid enabled him to answer the questio
ite But, could he lower himself so much as
marry the daughter of drunken sot,
Of one who had scarcely any thing Of world
xe, goods +? Love again answered for him. pc
f a erty had no power and opposed no barrie
to restrain that all po,OerfuI passion. TT
the love regards not worldly estate, it does I
worship mammon, but looks into the hea
the into the innermost recess of the soul, a
De- where a kindred passion is found to thr
the in IN spite of poverty they will beat as one.
not Thus he argued and thus continued to ru
S in mate Tor some time utterly regardless of
expedition and Of his way, when he was
Sew reused from his rovery by rushing nc
lead borne upon the breeze. lie leapcd 6ehir
any large tree, and awaited in suspense the c