Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-02-28
MISC ELLA Y.
Jack Long, the Phantom Hunter.
BY C. w. WEBER.
Tanslated for the "Spectator'' from the Courier des
Etats Unis.
(CONTINUED.)

(CONTINUED.J
A few days after, horse was stolen from
rich and powerful planter who resided in
the vicinity Of the county town. 1t was q
superb animal, and the planter was greatly
provoked at the loss; for he was one oi
those who paid tribute to the Regulators in
order TO be saved from their depredations.
He demanded of them to pursue the thief,
as their contract obliged them to do. and
bring back his horse.
Hlnch collected bis band with great bus
tie, and set out upon the track that they
perceived near the planters house.
He returned very late in the evening
and declared that after having followed, not
without trouble, the tracks of the horse
through numerous windings evidently made
to defeat pursuit, it finally led him directly
to the neighborhood of Jack Longs cabin.
This news excited great surprise, for no
one had suspected Jack. But Hinch and
his wretches noised abroad every circum-
stance that tended to criminate him. AT
ter doing all that was possible to give pub
licity to these things, H,nch spared no
pains to draw the public curiosity to f.
nal search into the matter, which he a.
vowed would leave no doubt in the mind of
any respecting the culpablity Of the hunt
er. And the horse was found tied TO a tree
in dark ravine near Jacks cabin. His
guilt appeared incontestable, and from all
parts arose unanimous cry OF reprobation.
For, though those most enraged against
him were themselves, horse-thieves, or, at
least the greater part of them; yet in virtue
of the axiom: Evolves never eat each
other" there could not be a greater, or more
objectionable enormity than to steal from
thieves.
ale must be summoned to quit the coun-
ty." This sentiment was in all mouths
The consequence was that Jack received a
summons TO that effect. But, with the
greatest simplicity he gave the Regulators
10 understand that he was not ready to 60.
and that even when he was ready, he
should not hurry himself; that. if they did
not like bis neighborhood they might go
elsewhere.
This reply left no alternative but vio
lence; yet no one felt disposed to enter IN
to personal struggle with SO formidable a
champion. Hinch, even, eager as he was,
could not find any circumstance sufficient
y serious to justify the extremities to which
he wished TO push his vengeance.
The region around then began TO be the
theatre of singular instances of the most
cowardly and odious hatred. At short IN
tervals, mules and horses Of value were
found dead near the dwellings Of the plan
ters, without the slightest apparent provo
cation to excuse such unheard of cruelties.
The rumor soon became current that those
animals all belonged TO those persons who
had displayed the greatest zeal IN de-
nouncing Jack Long. 1t was remarked al
so. the curious circumstance that they were
all wounded in the eye, which immediate
ly recalled the memorable observation -oi
Jack, and he was generally designated as
the guilty person. Then, each day brought
the discovery of some new victim sacrificed
in similar manner, and indignation burst
forth on all sides.
The whole country was in commoiion,
and the excitement became extreme, and
general In the mind of each was the
thought Of hanging, quartering. burning
lashing, in word the most cruel punish
ment was considered too mild for such a
monster. Hinch and his rfyimidons, chief
ly fomented these feelings. until things had
reached the wished-for point. Finally a
county meeting was assembled and pIesi-
ded over by one of the planters, and there
they adopted the resolution 10 punish Jack
with the lash, and expel him Immediately
from the district. Hlnch very naturally
dictated the resolution which he was TO
have the pleasure of executing.
One evening Jack returned to his cabin
loaded with spoils as usual.
1t was pretty little cabin in the midst
Of the desert, that cabin of Jacks. 1t was
reared in the shade of an isolated grove, on
the slope of hill, overlooking thicket
which formed the border of brook. Sill
very moss hung in long fringes, of marvel
lous tissue, from the top OF the great
branches OF the old oak which shaded the
cottage. That sweet, but penetrating odour
that the breeze knows how to steal from
the breath of the leaves, from the springing
grass, and from the sighs Of the most deli
cate flowers, filled all the surrounding at
moSphere. There was much there, in the
fragrant odours around, and in the land
scape that the taste of the hardy hunter re-
CURED; a taste at once modest, yet de-
manding much. The freshness of nature
and her sweet breath like that of infancy,
could alone satisfy the heart and the mind
of being IN love with the liberty of the
desert.
The good aud happy face Of his wife. as
she stood upon the threshold, smiled to
greet him when he drew near the door /;
whilst his two little children, a boy and
Girl with sweet brown hair and rosy COM
plexions, ran over the thick grass striving
which could reach him fist, then hanging
upon his hands, they hurried to announce
his arrival to their mother.
Jack having entered, carefully adjusted
has precious carbine on the horns Of stag
that were nailed to the wall. The smoking
repast, prepared by MolIie's care. was soon
finished; then came the recital of the ad-
ventures of The days hunt.
After THE, Jack extended his full length
upon buffalo skin that was spread on the
floor, that he might rest himself and play
with the children. Whilst they were climb
ing over him and he was giving himself up
to the noisy delight, his wife wanted some
water. 1t was hard for the children that
their play should be interrupted, but de-
sire from Mollie had the force Of law with
jack. He Immediately rose up, took a
wooden bucket aud directed his steps to-
wards the brook.
The little ones followed him with their
looks. pouting and impatient for his return.
Jack made it part of hls religion never
to go out without his ca:bine; bat this time
Mollie was in hurry for the water, and