Plymouth banner. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1852-1855, 1854-03-30

ed by the trees. along whose crests at
spots exposed to the west. burned a glo-
ry borro sed from the clouds, and through
whose dim. tortuous aisles stray sun
beams here and there glistened.
The strong limbs of the hunters weary.
and as the shades of night began to gath
er, they looked out for place where they
might senture to pass the night. A ra-
vine, whose deep sides were densely shell
tered by trees. matted over with vines.
was reached opporiunely. and the party
seeking its most deeply hidden nook.
halted. A fire was kindled, as its light
could penetrate but short distance; and
the hunters, after partaking of food which
they carried ready prepared. sP:ead their
blankets on the leaves. and rested.
There were five men in the company,
two of them, the oldest and most expe-
rienced hunters had performed severe du
ty during the expedition. while the 9th
ers, owing to the circumstance of their
inferior Efficiency, had been less taxed in
muscle and brain. and it fell to them 10
watch. as it was deemed imperative that
one should keep keen look out all the
time. The mos, inexperienced o. the
three had the last watch. and was called
some hours after midnight. He called
! himself Richard Carroll, AMI he had not
long been among the pioneers. but
commanded their respect by his energy.
courage, and his excellence as marks
man. He was active, shrewd and daring
and poised his rifle with steady nerves,
but yet was unskilled in the wiles of In
dian warfare. and but a student 20 the
I hunters love. He loved the solema will
derness, and was Intoxicated by its per-
lis and mystery. and for no apparent. ac
knowledged, essential reason. had resolv-
ed TO live and die in its depths.
When called to watch, the fire was
feeble. casting about narrow circle an
uncertain light. AS it flickered II an
occasional stir OF the air. the shadows of
, the near trees. huge and dark. wavered
uneasily. The mist from the neighbor.
ing river had crept up the ravinc, and
seemed to bring nearer the mournful voice
of the waters. He took his post by a
leaning tree with his rifle leaning on his
arm. The stiffness wos dreadfully deep,
and the chsunt Of the river, which fancy
construed into ghosLly murmuring breath
ed from the vastly deep of space, only
made it more impressive. Beyond the
scope Of the sinking fire, the darkness was
as invunerable as the sides Of the grave.
The light did not pierce at any moment
the over-reaching and matted boughs Of
the trees. so that there wac no SHY in
which to seek relief.
One inducement which he had had in
seeking the forest, was to be away from
thought-to wipe oai CHASTITY memory.
Bnt now, the spirit Of his brain was &C
live as lightning, and all the past forci
bly, obtruded itself, while one object
stood central. meek but grand, fair in
outline yet hideous. He closed his eyes
TO escape the contempla tion. and there
swan before him queer hemisphere of
mingled blinking lights and fimsy shad-
ows, IN which reposed an eternal pool of
blood. luriG and glit.ering with inherent
light.
His revcrie. which was half dream.
mastered him like nightmare. lettering
hiIa as BY ponderous chains.
The fire flashed red and angry. and gave
out showers of sparks. and looking with
stony eyes, ard sensation Of freezing in
all HE joints. he saw tall slender fe-
male form, In savage garments. with long.
tangled, black hair, and great. glowing
eyes. casting wood upon the embers. and
L
accused incantations of a witch. His
muscles refused the authority of his will,
and he watched the movements of the
figure in stupid, half-conscious amaze
ment and horror His icy limbs quaked
when. as the fire frightened, he saw the
terrible eyes of this creature fastened up,
on him, and beheld in it the moving in
carnation of his goading, relentless mem
DRY. and the one grim figure :hat ruled
his dreams, each linesment impressed
with piercing woe, and all most retched
and terrific.
This witch, woman or devil, took
burning stick from the flames; and with
bound reached his side; and he was con-
scious of receiving blow. and then was
plunged into perfect darkness and ST.
lence.
On recovering, he was lying across his
rifle. chilled to the marrow of his bones.
1t took some moments to recall memory
even imperfectly. AT first he thought
that he had had miserable dream, hav-
ing slept on his post. His comrades
were sleeping. the fire was low, the mist
white about the trees where the light |
shone. the river moaning down the ra
vine. Remembering the blow received,
he put his hand to his head. and felt
dampness in his hair; and on holding the
hand near the fire. he saw that IL was
covered with blood. Then he surely had
not slept. Near where he had fallen Law
the brand with which the blow was dealt.
A multitude of conjectures. in which he
found no hint Of probability, rushed
across his mind, and SO inexplicabIe did
the matter appear. that he resolved to
keep ii secret, or hide it behind dream
story.
In the ravine were some pools Of wa
ter, one of which. after cropping awhile
among the stones and bushes, he found.
and managed to cleanse the blood feom
his wound, which was more formidable
as a bruise than cut. AS soon az day.