Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-11-21
CHAPTER TT.

Norwood Woodham, the younger hunter,
a participator in the scenes described in the |
foregoing Chapter, was an orphan. He was
born and grew to manhood in the western
part of Virginia. Among the hardy inhab-
itants of that region, and in the wild, grand
scenery of that lovely country, he increased
into fearless adventurous youth, we'll prac
tised in all the sports of food, fire and field.
His family was among the first He was
reared in af1uenee and educated regardless
ofcost. Sudden calamity came on like an aven-
ging angel, and deprived him Of his parents,
at the age of seventeen. The immense es-
tate to which he was the only heir, was sto-
len from him by conniving kinsmen. Young
Norwood had intended graduating at the old
renowned institution William and Mary,
when the death Of his parents, and the con-
sequent disposition of his property, preven-
ted him from so doing. An opportunity
afterwards presented itself to him, for
prosecuting his studies. When only lad,
young Woodham had been inspired with a
love deep and earnest, for the daughter of a
neighbor, friend to his father. When it
was known that Norwood inherited nothing,
this friend became cold, sent his daughter far
away to finish her education, and forbade his
doors to the son of his deceased friend
This was terrible blow to the young man,
vet confident in the love of his own Adelaide,
his stout heart failed him not. The death
of a maiden aunt left him an inheritance
quite considerable as it was unexpected
1t was indeed a downfall. In himself he
was still the same-money to him was nought
But the frozen feelings of his fathers friend
were melted by the magic change. He was
no longer the proud superior-but was a
gain the young mans we'll wisher his doors
no longer were barred upon the orphan. Ill
longed to be his father-in law. This feelin;
was strengthened by sudden calamity
which left the base man without penny
The reader, however, is acquainted with al
of the circumstances, and with what follow
ed. He has gained these facts already from
! the young mans almost incoherent narrative
i x x x
Wild and dark was the forrest. Naugh
save the struggling leaves of the moon, G
the Pickering glimmer of the fire fly illumir
ed its vast depths. Silence, save the mourn
ful echo of the owlet's hoot, reigned suprenl
: monarch undisputed.'
, On the banks of slowly purling strean
an Indian campfire burned dimly in til
gloom. A dusky sentinel stealthly glide
to and fro before a score of reclining form
Just to one,side, his arms and feet bound
stake was the young hunter-the red man
9 captive-Norwood Woodham. His feature
r were pale and haggard. His long black ha
fell in matted masses over his forehead fro
y which he was unable to move it. His DIRE
was tattered and toll stained-his feet al
hands were bleeding from the scratches I
: $ ceived from the thorns and brambles thr
d which he had been hurried. The EXPIRE;
t. ion of his mouth was still scornful and
= fant, and his eye blazed as brightly as eve
it Hope was written on his countenance-it h
+ its rise and stay in Raj ph, the veteran hu
- ter Tomorrow laid him dead man, {
. the sun peeped over the hills, if he chang
not his tone and promised not to become
4 warrior among the wild children of the f
* est. He had nothing IN common with the
of he could not assimilate with them. Sool
rel die!
fGOncZ,Lsion merit aCeeE