Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-11-22

We were seated in the cabin Of river steam
boat. There was large number Of passen.
gers, who seemed DESTROYS of beguiling away
| the tedium of the trip by contributing some
thing to the general amusement.
| Among the passengers was one long, lank
specimen whom no one could fail TO recognize
as Yankee. He sat apart from the rest, not
withstanding, while the singularity of his ap-
pearance did not fail to draw many curious
| eyes towards him.
At length, when all the resources Of the com.
pany seemed exhausted, one Of them turned
obviously to our Yankee, and politely requested
him to favor the company with song.
A song r. echoed he, looking up.
Yes, sir, you sing, do you not 2"
II did once" replied he; and may add, it
saved my lfe.n
"Saved your life r.
All were eager to hear how this could be,
and after some little urging, the stranger con-
scented to CRAFTY them.
You must know said he, g that was one
of the first to 90 to California when the report
| first reached us at home of its stores of gold.
1t was nothing then to what it is nova per-
feet waste in fact, with hardly mark of civil
ization, where now you can sec fourishing
towns numbering their thousands Of inhabi-
tants.n
Being fond of adventure, ! separated from
my company, and determined to find my way
to the diggings myself One night found my
self lying on the grass, with my pack for my
pillow, Just on the edge of large forest 1t
did not enter my head to be afraid until it be-
came somewhat dark, and / heard with fearful
distinctness the cry of the prairie wolf list
tened again, and was alarmed to find the cry
coming nearer. Evidently they scented me-"
AT length whole pack Of blood-thirsty
rascals came bounding on till they came within
a hundred yards of me, and then stood stock
still, and began to draw nearer
My hair rose on end. was terribly
alarmed; endeavored to think of some pos
sible way of soaring them. Having heard
that they were terrified by fire, lighted a
match. They drew off little, but immedi-
ately retraced their steps. This movement was
repeated on both sides. / found this would
never do; must think of something more
decisive. But what?
"I recoIlected having in my youth attended
a singing school for the space Of two evenings,
during which received some indistinct mo-
tons of the manner Of singing sold Hun
dredn That recollection saved me.
"Without more ado, / began, and did as
well as / could. BY the time had got through
the first line, observed the wolves began to
look little wild and uneasy, and-will you be-
| lieve it, gentlemen" said the narrator earn
estly-a before finished, every idividual wolf,
putting his fore paws up to his ears, scampered
away as if old Jack was after him ? M
A shout of laughter both loud and long,
followed this narrative, at the end of which the
speaker, who had not stirred muscle, gravely
continued:
You see, gentlemen, have been frank
with you; did not wish to take advantage of
your very kind and complimentary invitation
without forewarning you of the consequence.
IT, after what have told you, you are still desi-
rous ofhearing me, Twill endeavor to give you
aOld Hundred which is the only song know,
and to which, for reasons already given, feel
uncommonly attached"
After that story, he was unanimously ex
cused.