The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-12-07

his conversation and manners that showed
that he possessed an intelligence and a
breeding above the rude unlettered men
among whom he had moved.
The most prominent feature of his char
acter. the one thought Of his soul, seemed
to be deadly, uncompromising hostility to
the whole Indian race. In his ordinary
intercourse with men he was shy. taci,urn
and retiring. But in moments OF the chase
and the conflict. he seemed changed, trans
formed. and filled with mysterious fire
which rendered him an object of wonder
even to the bravest OF the old hunters who
looked upon his reckless daring.
Thus uniting to superior intelligence,
undaunted courage and fierce energy OF
purpose. he acquired at once, and without
appearing to seek it, that ascendency over
the minds of the simple backwoodsman.
which such qualities must ever gain in any
community. Yet he seemed as much as
possible to avoid mingling with his fellows.
He refused to live in the stockade fort, but
built himself little hut on the summit OF
a hill about three miles distant, where he
passed most of his time, with no society
save that Of his dog.
But whenever the alarm was given thai
the foe had crossed the river. he was seen
at the station, commanding. organizing
and planning. self-appointed dictator. to
whom all yielded implicit obedience. In
the pursuit and conflict he was ever tore
most. He sought to make no prisoners:
de ath to the enemy, was his watchword and
his only object. When the fight was over
he was heard claiming no booty. disput-
ing with no man about his share IN the con
fict; but silently and unnoticed he stole
back 10 his mountain hut. to resume his
solitary mode Of life. Thus the woods
men came to regard him with awe and
with almost superstitious reverence. and
the inquiries concerning his past life, check
ed by his stern and austere manner. grad
ually died away.
There was but one living being beside
his dog, for whom he seemed to entertain
any feeling Of interest or affection. This
was young hunter living at the station
and who had once, in an. Indian battle
saved the old mans life at the risk OF his
awn. This boy he sometimes suffered to
join him in his hunting expeditions. and to
share his frugal meals. But even to him
he never spoke OF his past history, and
the boy was too discreet to allude TO it.
CHAPTER II.
Months had passed since the stranger
made his first appearance at the tort.
Spring and summer had come and gone.
and autumn had thrown his rich mantle
of bright and mellow hues the landscape
over, when one evening. few hours ere
set of sun. the hunter and his young CON
pauion might have been seen ascending
and descending the long green hills (which
skirt the shores OF the Ohio, on their re-
turn from one Of their long and lonely
wanderings among the recesses of the
mountains. Descending the slope OF a
thickly wooded hill, they came to the bank
of the river, where a sudden bend in the
stream formed little cove, known as the
Horse Shoe. As they were about 10 cross
the little pebbly beach in order to reach
the hill which arose in front Of them, the
hunters attention was attracted by the
unusual and uneasy motion OF the dog
running hhher aud thither, snuffing the
air. and pushing through the bushes which
ShiItOd tuC ouuh VIII q ShotP HhiSh vol
"Ha! old Snarl has snuffed something
in the wind. That dogs never wrong
Here Snarl down. down, old fellow. be-
fore the red skins hear vou."
The dog come back and crouched a
his masters feet. while he stepped cauti
ously forward looking carefully about fol
tracks, :" and peering anxiously into every
thicket he saw.coifs.E
"There ii is. at last" said he sudden.
ly pointing to the ground and turning q
significant look towards his companion
Sure enough there were two footprints in
the sand. They were half effaced, bu
the keen eye of the hunter could detect a
once that they were quite recent, and hae
been made by a moccasin. After few
moments search they found, snuggly hid
den beneath the thick underground tha
skirted the immediate bank OF the river
an Indian canoe. containing bag 0
parched corn. a little venison and some
powder. -
"Well," said the old hunter after few
moments reflection, '.f'll trap the rec
scoundrels this time"
"How so?" asked his young friend.
"Why, you see the canoe is so small
that no more than two or three can be ir
the party. They must intend to return
soon. or they would have brought NOR
provisions and hidden them in bette
place. So judge they intend to commi
their ideviltry Tonight, and be off befor
day. Therefore Ill just come down a
soon as the moon rises, lay and wait unit
they get here. and then think that Blac
Bess and myself will answer for two o
three scalps to hang up in the cabin. Il
the meantime want you to go TO the fol
and put the boys on their guard. or som
of them may be picked off before the
know what hurts 'em.
"Well," said the youth, "l'm willing I
go to the fort and warn them, but yo
must let me return and stand guard wit
you here. There may be more Indian
than you expect, and two rifles are bette
than one. anyhow"
! mo. no. boy; just do as | tell yo,
There is no chance whatever of their be
ing any more Of 'em; and if thele was
why nv old scalp is worth nothing at an