Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-02-28

that were in ambush on each side, rushed
out upon him; several held the end OF th'
strong lasso of raw hide, which they hat
thrown over hin,
Jack Immediately collected all bis mar
vellous strength in convulsive effort t
recover his liberty and such was his pow
er that he would have succeeded, if tht
lasso had not have been thrown in such /;
manner as to bind down his arms. In the
mean time his herculean strength excited
by despair was still sufficient to draw after
HIM the six robust individuals who cluns
to the lasso At that moment he heard the
voice of Hinch exclain: "Tbrow him
down, throw him down !"
AT the sound of this odious voice, Jack
felt animated with supernatural vigour, and
wrestling himself free with bound which
scattered those who surrounded him, he
had reached his door, when heavy blow
from behind feIled him to background. 1.-The
last objects which met his eyes, at the mo-
ment he fell unconsciously, were the heart
broken faces of his wife and children, stu
pifed witnesses of the scene.
When he recovered his senses it was to
find himself tied, almost naked, to the trunk
of the oak whose branches extended over
his dwelling. Hinch, whose eyes were
sparkling with internal delight was standing
before him; Molle was clasping the knees
of the monster, and filling the air with pit
liable cries; the children hiding .heir faces
in their mothers dress, and screaming with
fright; whilst outside this group, standing
in a circle were eight or nine men armed
with guns.
1t was a terrible awakening for Jack
Long, but it was an awakening TO new
life his eye in an instant took in all the
details of the scene; his enemy was look
Ing at him with smile like triumphant
hyena, holding in his hand the scourge OF
raw hide whose lashes were garnished with
knots. He saw the brute repulse his sup
plant wife with violent thrust of his foot
which sent her rolling into the midst ofthe
other wretches; and he heard the Wallets Of
the monster answer to her fall by roaring
bursts Of laughter.
A sharp pang, electric as the quivering
of the oak that is parted, passed through all
his nerves, and left him rigid as marble
statue; and when the blows from the horri-
BILE demon struck his pale flesh, forming
purple swellings from which the black blood
irickled, he felt them no more than if they
had been inflicted upon the Intel of his
door; and the agony of his poor wife whose
rendng cry accompanied each stroke oftbe
lash. appeared to have no more effect upon
his hearing than upon the oak whose green
leaves moved, as they did the evening be-.
fore, in peaceful cadence to the breath OF
the breeze.
His eyes were wide open, calmly soru-
tinizing the faces Of the men who surround
ed him. Their features should never be
forgotten for, whilst Hinch laid on the
lash with all his might, accompanying each
stroke with blasphemy. this look was
fastened upon each countenance with a
piercing and rigid ixedness, as if he mark
ed them for future recognizance. Oh
Jack was terrible to see so concentrated in
himself, so quiet, so patent he said not a
word, uttered no groan, he did not even
frown; but his eyes the wretches could
no longer bear their flashes they began to
change their places, and hide themselves
behind each other. 1t was too late already !;
Jack had marked, and counted them; there
was ten of them; all registered in his mem
Org
We let the veil fall over this scene
Suffice it to say that Jack was believed 10
be dead. He lay extended in his blood,
his wife fainting on the ground, and his
children weeping by her side. The sun
which rose smilngly on the peaceful hap
piness of that innocent family, went down
witness Of its desolation; silence and
darkness were heavy upon it.
Nothing more is seen or heard of Jack
Long. His cabin was deserted, his family
had disappeared; no one knew what had
become of il, and no one gave himself any
uneasiness on the subject. Different ru-
mors about them were in circulation at first,
but the affair was soon forgotten, among
frequent repetitions Of similar scenes.
CHAPTER II.
1t was about three months after these e.
vents had taken place that passed through
the western part of Texas in company with
friend. Our object was to see that part
of the country, and to amuse ourselves by
hunting bears and bufaloes, when we met
with fair opportunity of doing so. Pral-
ries, forests and streams Of water were bet
ter distributed in Shelby county than in any
other district of the West that we had seen.
There was more forest than prairie; but
the praries divided the forest into bodies.
This diversity attracted greater variety oil
game, and offered, at the same time, great
er facilities to the hunter; so the country
seemed to us veritable paradise.
My friend recolecting man Of fortune
who had left his native State to settle in
Shelby county, we inquired for and found
him without difficulty.
He gave us very hospitable reception,
and placed horses. dogs, servants and guns
at our disposal and everything that was
necessary to enable US to enjoy the pleas
ures of the country. He himself devoted
his time to us, ard TO our great satisfaction
we were soon engaged in all sorts OF anu
sing hunts.
One day, several neighbours were invi-
ted to Join US, and we united all our forces
for grand deer hunt, The arrangements
were according to the following order:-
One whom shall call the hnnisman, en-
tered the woods with some of the dogs to
start out the deer, whose habit is, when
passing from one wood to another, always
to take the same route. The hunters know
their passages either from experience, or
particular examination of the ground, post
ing themselves at these places with loaded
guns in hand, they waited the appearance
Of the deer who were killed as they came
out. Arrived on the ground, we separated
into two companies, and were stationed
long the opposite borders of wood more