Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-12-21

how. One don I see such kOmpllcated ma
chine as that often. 1t looks like Stockton :,
peace-maker, draw'd out mile.'
And fitted into stump fence for stock,
said one of the men.
Hold it down to the yearth, said a tall
red-headed wretch and kiver it up, stranger.
for it's ugly enough to skeer off the wust
charge Of powder that ever was wadded.
And if one mount presume to ak, kurnil,
resumed Blake, 'wot sort Of business draw'd
you into these parts! There hain't hoss
hereabouts that can be spared.
It's not horses want, returned the old
trapper, coolly; I'm arter hides and furs.
There's tolerable chance for smart busi-
ness in these parts, SO I took possession of the
cabin up there on the creek
The cabin on the creek!' cried Blake,
with affected surprise. 'And who the devil
gave you liberty to make free with ny prop
erty! | reckon, ole chap, you hain't seen
much of civilized life or ye'd know the laws a
little better
Much or little, naber,' returned the hunt
or, drily, Il can't cackerlate on addin' to that
knowledge hereabouts Howsomever, John
French owed me money; and I'm torrably
sartain I've the best right to his clearin', con-
siderin'
Now look here y roared Blake, giving full
scope to his wrath. Look at me well That
lands mine, and either you she'll out fifty
sinners or walk Spanish There, now
bought that land
Yes, said the hunter, as he strobe to the
door. Il know well how ye bought it.
sD-n ye? yelled Blake, foaming with
rage, 'if you don't send in the money within
twenty-four hours, and are found in these parts
after Tomorrow, we'll string you up to the
nearest tree
I've seen too much danger in my time, ma
ber, said the other, as he departed, 'to be
skeert at the cry of loon. Good day t'ye.'
Had not Blake anticipated the pleasure. of
eventually stringing up the old man, it is
probable that he would have sent bullet after
his retreating form. AS it was, he vented his
wrath in horrid curses and threats Of ven
geance, in which he was joined by the rest of
the gang, who during the latter part of the
colloquy, however, had looked on with sort
of wol6sh admiration for the old fellows cool
ness.
On the eve of the third day succeeding the
events just recorded, Blake and his gang,
numbering some ten stalwart villains, closed
silently up around the old trapper's door
Finding this unfastened, they entered without
ceremony. A few half-burned brands, blazing
in the rude stone fireplace, cast ftful light
around the room, disclosing few uncouth ar
ticles of furniture. a large bundle of furs and
a number of curious contrivances for taking
game.
'H-ll and furies = cried Blake, after a
hasty survey of the interior, 'he's off Say
you, Jack Welch, how's this You said he
was here.'
Id took my bible oath on it I growled a
tall red-headed fellow, staring stupidity around
the room. 1--we had my peppers glued to
that there door ever since seen him come in
half an hour ago. He must broke cover by
some other trail.'
The captain seized brand from the hearth
and carefully examined the wall There
haint hole big enough for a weasel to go
through said he at length. well, now,
what the old Scratch is this 2
1t was broad piece of birch bark fastened
to the wall and bearing upon its face, boldly
but neatly drawn in profile, the bust of a hu-
man figure. Beneath were the words-'No-
tice to Meddlers.' In the end of the nose there
was small round notch, from which seemed
to drop gouts of blood ; and this popularity
appeared to be pointed out by a hand drawn
opposite, as the key to the meaning Of the
words below
What does it all mean, anyhow q ,growled
one.
Don't you see q cried Jack Welch, 'the
old fox is poking fun at US. There's Cap'n's
nose all holler-leastway all but the pint, or
never seen it!'
Fact, by i cried another, 'and if that
amt the quirl Of Jim's mustache, there never
was kink in pigs tail 7
And there's Sorreltop'S chin with the scar
slashed across it, said another.
That's my old hat, by the powers I'd
know it mile, and the speaker took off his
hat and compared it as he spoke.
Holbrook bit that junk out o. Sans ear
down to Hennesay's Landin'. There il is
plain as yer nose, Sammy said Welch.
And there's Ben's Adams apple-as like
as two peas-turn round. Ben.'
Well, growled the individual addressed,
passing his hand over huge protuberance in
his throat, jnst let me get an eye peeled on
the old cock, and maybe III show him joke
worth two O. that =
It's that internal horsethief, / tell .ye,
Blake broke in. He could draw, too. The
night afore he broke prison, he drawed on the
wall gallows with broken halter hangin'
to it. He's gin US the slip this time, but lei
him venter inIo these parts agin, that's all
Well, them furs is worth something, and these
here traps
The captain incautiously placed his hand on
nj al