Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-05-19
THE HUNrERs.-PooR TOMS FATE

TIE HUNrERs.-Po0R TOMS FATE.
At the foot of the Ozark Mountains,
where the rocky slopes extended far into
the cultivated settlements, and at no
great distance from the bank of the Null
berry, which foamed and reared against
the sharp ridges Of ice with which the
extraordinary severe winter threatened
to imprisoned it, two white hunters
walked wrapped in their blankets, along
the stream, and seemed to be looking for
place where they could cross to the
other side.
They were two powerful looking fel.
lows, as they walked on with their rifles
on their shoulders, and the elegant
frlnged legSns, the closely-ft and
carefully soled moccasins showed that
they had assumed the habits of the
woods and not of those Gland hunters"
who, especially at that day, had begun
traverslng the western part of the State
in order TO find out the most favorably
situated districts, and purchase, or at
least lay claim to them.
Bill, one Of them at last said, as he
stopped, our searching is of no use
you see L was right; the stream here is
too wide for us to find a tree LAWN
across 1t, and if | really went to work
with my little tomahawk, and felled one
OF the nearest plane trees, it would not
be long enough. Besides heavy storm
is gathering behind US, and | think we
should not do wrong were we to make
arrangements for passing the night bet
ter than the last; it will be bitter cold"
Its very annoying, though, Bill"
answered his brother Grossly, that we
| should not reach the ravine over there
tonight, for in the first place We should
lind famous quarters in one of the num-
erous caves, and then, besides, should
have liked to look for bears there are
sure to be some there. The waters too
cold for us to swim across, and the storm
will not be trihing one 90 then, to
work; here are old trees enough living
about, and bark roof can be easily
| made"
| There are almost too many trees "
ing about" Tom replied, look all around
him, " and those still standing seem rot
ten and ready to fall. l do not much
like the thought Of coming here, for you
know the story father told once about
such place."
Nonsense!" Bill said laughingly.
Can We find a better camping place 2
The little stream runs along at our feet,
there's plenty of wood close at hand, the
young trees will furnish famous poles,
and the bark there is first rate for a
roof"
Tom made no further objection; the
spot looked too inviting, and they were
booth soon engaged raising a rough shell
ter that night at least, which could afford
them refuge against the collecting storm.
Under such good hands the work was
easily accomplished, and the next half
hour found both under their quickly
erected roof, watching the pieces of meat
brolling in the fire.
''lt's strange how cold it has suddenly
turned, Tom at length broke the silence,
''only look, the water in the tin pan is
frozen quite hard, and the wind has
chopped round to the north east; it blows
contoundedly sharp, too"
Let it blow" Bill yawned, as he
wrapped himself closely in the folds of
bis blanket; 81 am tired and want to
sleep, Tom, lay couple of boughs on the
fire before you turn in, and the one first
awake tomorrow must arouse the other"
Midnight was past, and the fire had
nearly expired, but the two brothers slept
firmly, and the icy north wind that
howled over the snow-clad hills into the
valley, could not disturb their slumber.
Heavy masses of clouds had, however,
collected together from various quarters;
darkly threatening they brooded over the
rustiing forest, and the stately trees
shook and bowed their leafess branches
as if in timid forebodings of the ap-
preaching storm. A bright flash of
lightning suddenly burst from the black
heavens, anda a terrific peal Of thunder al
most. inStantaneouSly followed the mes
senger OF destruction. One If the terrible
winter storms was impending, and the
unclaimed hurricane howled and tore
through the narrow mountain ravines.
"Blll ~ cried Tom, springing up in
horror, "Bill, get up; We dare not lie
down; see how the old trees quiver; and
you hear, there's one of them crack.
ingn 90. ~. ,.. ...
""Hallo" Bill replied, as he quickly
threw of his blanket, "has it caught US :
Hi Tom, lay hold of the roof; I'm bless
ed if the confounded no. thwester won't
take it. along with it" a. a. -rs ...
His fear was not entirely unfounded,
for at the same instant such q furious
blast burst from the opposite valley that
1T half uncovered their resting place in q
second, and burning ashes and sparks