The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-12-07
From the Columbian and Great West.
THE HUNTERS REVENGE.
CHAPTER I.
81 Peters he'll.
A WESTERN LEGEND.

few wears since while wandering IN
some ofour Kentucky counties which Dor
der upon the Ohio river, chance caused me
70 pass the night IN the house of one of the
eldest surviving pioneers of ''the dark
and bloody ground" The sight Of such
4nsn-reIicts of departed age. and me-
morials Of that state OF infancy from whicl,
our country has grown into its now glori
GUS manhood-always possesses for me-
the highest interest. listen TO their words
with reverence ard delight. never tire
Of their simple loqnacity, for | feel that it
is from their stores OF traditionary lore
sshat we can become fully aware Of all the
peculiar and distinguishing features Of the
spirit stirring times in which they bore a
part.
-sslIIe,sto whom have alluded. was a fine
specimen Of his class. Though his once
stalwart form was somewhat bent. and his
white locks hung thin upon his temples.
yet his body and mind were still active
and vigorous. His cheerful laugh, the
ruddy glow upon his cheek. and the quiet
cleaning -ei his clear blue eye. told the
rood effects oi AN early life of temperance
innd active manly toll. In the opposite
chimney y-corner sat the gray haired matron
whose love had cheered him through the
tolls Of youth and manhood, and who now
shared the peace and contentment Of his
age.
.tas I soon found. to my pleasures, that the
nd man both remembered well and loved
to speak of the scenes OF his early days;
and never had story-teller, old or young
4 more pleased and attentive listener. 1t
was a cold stormy, clustering. winter night.
The wind howlsd around the old farm
house and driffed tie snow wreaths against
,ihe window panes with q fury that made
,the greatsire Of logs, that was throwing its
cheerful. Pickering blaze over the room.
doubly welcome. gs,e6ls
As The night grew colder, we drew our
chairs closer around the inspitable hearth.
aafd while the young foINs were enjoying
the winter store Of apples and nuts, and
-fise old Indy quietly knitting and the house
dog slumbering on the floor, and the win
dow panes rattling with fury, my venera-
-bls bacl-woodsm detailed many thrill
ing anecdote Of the pleasures and the per-
lis Of the past; oi the daring Of the hunter,
and the vengeance of the red'man.
Al length at the earnest request Of the
young folks, he told us a story that will
sendeavor to repeat accurately. though
without hoping to convey the charm i'm.
parted to il by the simple words and man.
ner Of its narrator.
Without further preface than a prelimi-
nary punch at the great backlog which
sspt cloud of sparks up the huge chin
psy, yawning like the mouth OF cavern.
and roaring as if in defiance of the storm
without. the old man proceeded somewhat
as follows:
"For, several years after the interior o.
ahe State had began to settle up and was
becoming quiet. this part Of the country
reinained continually liable to incursions
by the wild rowing tribes Of Ohio. Com
panies of Indians, sometimes consistin.
of,fhirty or forty, sometimes Of only three
or four, were constantly crossing over ir
oanoessat night, and setting fire to barns
aud fields Of grain, stealing horses ant
somenmes carrying off women and chill
dren. True there was one petty .'station'
not far from where we now are, but tn,
scaht, though valiant garrison could d.
but little for the defence Of the frontier be
yond protecting the families within o
around thes walls, and by chasing retreat
ing parties TO the river. 1t was about tn
yeaf II that the Indians, taking advan
isee of this defenceless state Of the Dor
der. increased their depredations to al
alafming extent. And twas in the sprin
Of that year there appeared at the statio1
/ have mentioned, . man whose charac
esrand actions seemed fora while to infus
new spirit into the Responding frontier
80 t..-rs .s
Inen.
Who he was. or whence he came, n
ono knew. though his singular habits an
. appearances called forth many inquiries
IAN. sinewy and rawboned, with sunbu
cousifenG Gnce, scanned across the forehea
~iih deep scar, deep sunken eyes. whic
"a moments 81 excitement cleaned with
strange lnrid Gre, and dressed in the wile
hall IpdiaE costume of the times, he pre-
ssutsd rather remarkable figure. |
spite, however, Of his looks, his dress an