The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1855-08-11


being made, they together Oscended "smo-
ky HHl Fork" to trap that stream and its
tributaries. Every step of the way was
full Of deep interest to-Kq,am, and often as
they laid down upon the banks Of the stream,
gazing into its ripping waters, or stood up
ou, the edge Of a prairie bordered.by the dis
tant gigantic hills, where the perfume Of
wild flowers filled the. air, and the rich fol-
iage Of the west futtered in the sunbeam,
The heart Of the young half-breed wOuld.ex-
pand with delight. Here were no trammels
of society 70 curb the free breathings of his
soul, or force the. movements of his body
into tn, cold and, formal proprety of con.
ventional forms; yet even here he soon
discovered he was not free. If it was nee.
essary in the haunts of civilization to watch
the tongue that it did not offend, SO it was
prudent to guard it in the wild, that il
might not invite the encounter of savage
foe. Thus, when he would feel prompted
to shout, that echo. might answer back the
glad note of his freedom, seIEpreservation
counselled him to silence, and caution
whispered TO him the dread of a lurking
foe. How true it is in life, that when we
fly from one evil we often rush upon an
other. ..-
While thus progressing, at times drink
ing in the delights Of nature, and again en-
during the most trying hardships an Incl
dent occurred which tried the nerve of the
yCung trapper. He was lesurely leading
his mule along the verge of perpendicu-
liar Bluff, when the animal ran against the
projecting branch of dead tree, and was
precipitated into the stream. The occur
renee was so sudden that the beast dragged
Ka!am in with him. He no sooner rose to
the surface than, with bridle IN hand, he
swan for shelving part of the shore, and
led bis mule. out. Here he unstrapped his
skins, and had commenced spreading them
out to dry, when he deserted Harmersde.
scending the bank to his assistance. The
old trupper aseertaining that he was uni
jured, INDUCED in hearty laugh at his pu.
pill.
1'll swar, Ka-am," said he, 81 thort you
Wur tryin' to give me the slip, SO you might
commence trappin' on your own hook
When you try that ar feat agin, boy, jest
don't larn it to that mule, for he's tricky
enough already, cuss him."
For the first time since his departure from
st. Louis, Ka-am indulged in a laugh, and
Hurmer hailed with gladness the passing
away Of the cloud which hung upon his
brow
81 will wager YOU the first beaver / trap.
father, r,"--he still called him by that tender
name-"that you and the old black mule
cannet perform the feat half so gracefully
"Now you stump me-" says he; 81 gin in
and promise to stand the liquor at the fust
stoppin' place"
"And where is that!" inquired Ka-am
with eagerness.
"Harmer burst into u laugh at the man
ner in which the question was put, aud re
Piled:
otis at the Fork, whar, six months a'tel
this period, we'll take the drink-long trus
fur treat, amt it, Kaam!"
81 thought by the manner in which yol
spoke, that you were nearing some post
said the latter.
81 speculate it's an Ingin one, then, re
piled Harmer, "and it aint often they he,
anythin stronger than water up this high
While they were thus conversing, Harry
mule, which had been left on the top Of the
hill, made q dash down the bunk of the riv
er. He was trembling and wild with fear.
"Inginsl by all that's savage!" exclaim
ed Harry, "and all our shootin' irons, 'cep
this ar pistol, ar at the top of the bank. :
4 bari By thunder!" he again shouted In tht
same breath, as grizzly monster came lop
ing down the hill. Instantly the affighte,
mules kicked:up their heels and fed alon!
the bank.
"Mount that tree" said Harry to Ka-am
at the same time starting himself for an
other! - 1,' 's 'F T., N-
The bear came down to where they were
aid sitting down upon his launches, locke
up at Them and whined as il in pain.
"How cussed sorry he isl shouted Har
ry, because one Of US didn't stay down an
be chawed up easy" ~.
After waiting for half an hour in hope
the bear would depart, Harry grew impa
tient, ana drawing his pistols heSired, hi
ting him on one of his fore paws. Instea
Of driving him away, the wound made hr
furious. anc seizipg their furs he tore an
scattered them in every direction; thel
taking post under the tree in which Harns
had sought refuge, he deliberately CONNER
ced licking his paws. as if he had made. i
his mind to have satisfaction for the injur.
.'He has concluded TO stay and make OF
acquaintance" said Harry, "ands I aint g
another speck Of powder here. What's
be, done!" 1872 IS" T.
J ''Draw his attention to yourself, said K
am. awhile slide down and ASCEND IL
bank for our rifles"
Harmer did 50 BY breaking off braneh'
and throwing them at him, but before n
am reachedsthe bank above the stream Il
4 animal d;senyered him. and stated furious