Washington telegraph., 1854-08-09


slopes At distance there was known to
be settlement where provisions might be
obtained. Smith. with small party. went
in advance to bring back provisions for the
rest. He was six days away. The remain
der had promised to await his return in a
sequestered little valley To that he came
with his companions. There were traces of
the camp and marks of conflict, but no
living being stirred there-no voice could
be heard. no welcome of the dear ones he
had left. confused and broken trail
showed that The migrants were in full re.
treat for the Clinch river to regain the more
popnlous district they had Quilted. Smith
hurried after them. "Wherefis my wife
where are my children ?" shA asked of the
first straggler he came up to- You will
find them where you left them. Ask the
Shawnees; they can tell you the rest"
You have neglected your trust-they
are murdered" said Smith, in a stern and
deliberate, yet trembling voice. And yet
you are retreating you cowards.'' he added
and struck the man to the ground Then
turned back, rode alone to the abandoned
camp in the valley. and there in the even
tide he was found, looking with fearless
eyes. but countenance more mournful than
weeping could make it. on the lost and the
loved-Mattie and her children.
Smith with his own hands dug ther graves
with his own hands he laid them side by
side: his frst-born on the mothers right
hand, his youngest on her. hosom where it
had nestled so long. And then he stood for
a few moments looking upon this last couch
made for their earthly rest, and filled the
| grave and piled stones to mark the spot and
hade adieu for ever to love in which his
heart had made his home. His comrades
were standiug around in silence They ex-
pccted that when he had finished he would
follow them. But he walked about the site
of the camp, and found where the Indians
had come and gone. Then he shouldercd
his rife, waved his hand sulemnly, and
speaking no farewell, disappeared or the
trail of the Shawnees.
From that hour strange mystery sprang
among those mountains. There was known
to dwell on them lonely hunter-a white
man-who WAS seen occasionally by the In
dians. or some solitary trappers. always with
a rife in his hand, hut perpetually silent.
never speaking one word to any. If he
was addressed he turned and retreated into
the woods. Gradually he was lost sight of
altogether, except to Daniel Boone, tha. far
famed hunter, whose name is familiar all
over the continent of America Daniel
Boone was believed to have frequent inter
views with him. and to supply him with
powder and ball, but he never Sp' Ike of him
and only replied to questions by shaking
his head and touching his brow with his
finger
This went on for two years and men had
almost forgotten Bill Smith. But at the
end Of that time Shawnee Indian was ta-
ken prisoner by the people of Boones fort.
and he once more revived the excitement as
to the mystery of the Silent Hunter. He
said that terrible spirit had for two years
haunted the war-path of the Shawnees-an
evil demon. whose sight was appalling to
their nation. More than thirty of their
best braves had already fallen under his
hand This fearful Medicine Man was sent,
they believed to punish them for some por-
tentious SIM So dreadful had he become,
that the tribe had met and were nearly de-
termined TO quit for ever their ancient hunt
ing grounds in Kentucky. When asked
whether they had ever seen the demon, they
said they had never seen it distinctly. and
always came back with one. at least. of their
number missing. At length none dared to
follow the terrible apparition.
After this story was rumored abroad men
began again to speak of Bill Smith. They
spoke of him. however. with an unaccounia.
bic dread. always in low voice. The
Shawnees had been formerly one of the
most formidable and best organized Of the
red nations. They now became timid, and
carried on the most desultory warfare -
They were beaten by every hostile tribe,
for whenever battle took place. the Silent
Hunter made his appearance suddenly. fight
ing with their enemies. If they attacked a
fort he was always among the defenders; if
they defended a stronghold. he was never
away, but regularly headed the assailants
But he came and went without speaking
He never greeted any man. and no man
ever said farewell to him. The border peo.
pie looked on with respect and fear: the In
dams >huddered at his name. and the Shaw
nees especially. as a curse sent from the
Great Spirit to exterminate their race.
At last they became so terrified by this
phantom of the Silent Hunter perperually
haunting their paths, that they all collected
and fed across the great stream of Ken.
lucky. But be followed them over, and was
ever on their hunting grounds. So they
fed again and passed over the Green river
He passed it. too. and never crossed it again.
Still the Indians were appalled, by hearing
of the braves slain in the forest and at their
camp fires. by an arm which they now fully
believed to be the arm of some avenging