Plymouth banner. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1852-1855, 1854-04-13

walked round and round tho tree al night
miserabiy weary rs he was. 1t would
not do Cor all 10 sleep. for the woods was
/ full OF ferociou7 animals. and the great
hollow tree, it was reasonable to suppose,
was q haunt for some of them. The storm
which had favored his flight was over
hours ngone. The rain had beaten down
the leayes, so that his footsteps were noise
less. The moon was contending with
shattered cloud fleets for the mastery OF
the skies, and when lis full splendor was
poured over the forest, the young leaves
were visible shining timidly in the soft
light.
Nothing occurred during the nigh: to
starile him or that called tor warllke nc.
,on. La tho morning. he built large
fire and cooked venison for breaklas!.-
Patsy was the first 10 wake, and rising
from her rude couch. came to him, where
he was attending 10 the culinary business
and with smile that was fair as the morn
ing, asked if he had rested well. He had
an answering smile for her, and knew
enough 10 say that he rested excelienly
in seeing that her slumbers were not dis
turbed. She could not comprehend at
first thai he had not slept, but presently
understood it, and her thanks and sympa-
thy were sweet and grateful; as the caress-
es from arms plhed for, but that arc new
er 10 surround US, which come in dreams.
The fa: venIson was roosting by The fire
and its sasory steam and the smoke CT the
rich, dripping gravy, which trickled like
the tears OF desparng love into the ashes.
blended, no, altogether inharmoniously.
with the odor of buds and the balm from
the dew On new leaves.
With his tomahawk Richard mado n
nice plate from bark which he tore off u
hickory tree; and from wood OF tho same
kind speedily, with the aid of his hunting
! knife, he manufactured pass iblo and un-
der the circumstances convenient subsii
tute for fork. Taking then liberal
slice of the stake, now done to turn, he
presented it to Sallie on the bark plate.
together with his hunting knife and the
hickory fork He was too hungry him
self to observe closely The progress made
by Patsy in attending to the venison, and
taking liberal chunk between his fin
gers, devoured it eagerly, and was no,
much alarmed or cha grined al the fact that,
in his haste. a small quantity of the aro-
matte gravy escaped u. each corner Of
his mouth.
While thus engaged. in better business
perhaps than udnrng the beauties of ma
ture, for the time, the others of the party
awoke, and assisted in their appropriate
and righteous occupation of masticaiine
venlson-lhe nea: of meats.
Having d ispa,ched his generous repas,,
Richard sought that rest he so much need
ed Leaning his rifle inside the tree
where it would be within reach and ready
! for instant service. nnd directing his COM
parions to remain near and be wa!chful.
he laid down and was soon asleep.
The valley in which the great hollow
elm stood. contained about two square
miles Of levol land. and was shut ill on
three sides by sturdy hills crowned with
oaks 1t was open TO the south, and the
small stream which carried of its SUPER
huous waters had but short journey be-
fore il fell into fine river which rolled
away to the south west, broad silvery
tide that after some thirty miles winding.
was swallowed in The broader Ohio
This valley was shaded by heavy grnwlh
of walnut, burr oak. hickory. and maple
trees, whose aspiring tops and porily
trunks gave evidence Of tho richness Of
! the soil in which they were rooted
Around the edge Of the hill at shcrt in
tervals, brigh, springs gushed forth and
joining their tiny tributes of overilowing
waters, made gladstone gli,tering stream
whose course was marked by the white
! limbs OF tall fair svcamores.
The hollow elm stood near the eastern
edge of the valley, and but few rods
from its roots spring threw lis crystal
treasures sparkling into the light from
beneath the brow of moss spanged rock.
AS Patsy and Mary s,rolled about during
the day, they found in many spots clusters
of wild spring flowers, whose pensive and
delicate beauty, seemed remarkable from
their rough surroundings.
The woods were full of life. The lrol-
icsome squirrels were chotierlng from the
long ,opling limbs where they sought buds
10 exercise their sharp teeth, and were IN
dulging in various antic pranks, such rs
were warrantable only to their springy
muscles and. .gddy dispositions. The birds
were merry, and their happy little bo-
SONS overfowed with song, while the Y
fitted about the green branches busy and
bright rs butterflies.
As the sun shone straight down through
the tree tops, Sallio was seated with Mary
on fallen trunk, while Patsy, was few
PAGES aside. and enquired, ss moved by
quick, uncomfortable impulse. DO you
know meT
Mary did not. or pretended not TO un
dersland the allusion. and replied simply
yes
aye said Sallie, you know what ]
am now, but do you know what | have
beenf'
Mary had often had glmmcring
thought tina, the White Hag of the woods
could be none other than her long LOST sis
ter, but was silent at this question and
turned upon the inquirer troubled nnx-
ious look.
You have heard Of one who was miss
ing from our family-one who brought