Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1856-10-02

joints oily as a piston-shaft.
We soon arrived at what in the dus
seemed to be clearing of about five acre
but it may have been larger, for the Ia
forest rising up around it must have dimir
ished its apparent size, giving il :he apper
ance of a square pit rather than farm
Toward one corner of the clearing we dis
cerned the dusky outline of log-hut,throug
whose single end window faint light wa
streaming. With a sigh of relief we hast
ened to the door and knocked. Ii was opene,
Immediately, and a man appeared on tn
threshold. We explained our condition, INT
were instantly invited to walk in and MAKE
ourselves OF home. All our host said h'
could offer us were some cold Indian corI
cakes, and a slice of dried deer's-1esh, t.
all of which we were heartily welcome
These viands in Dur starving condition weti
luxuries to US, and we literally reveled N
anticipation of full meal.
The hut into which we had so uncere'
moniously entered was of the most poverty
stricken order. 1t consisted of bu. one
room, with rude brick fireplace at one
end. Some deer-skins and old blankets
stretched out by way o. bed at the other
extremity of the apartment, and the only
seats visible were two sections of large
pine trunk that stood close to the fire place.
There was no vestige of a table, and the
rest of the furniture was embedded in long
Tennessee rifle that hung close to the rough
wall.
If the hut was remarkable, its proprietor
was still more so. He was, | think, the
most villainous looking man ] ever beheld.
About six feet two inches in height, proper
tionateIy broad across the shoulders. an !
with hand large enough to pick up fifty
six pound shot, he seemed to be combina-
tion of extraordinary strength and agility
His head was narrow, and oblong in shape.
His straight Indan-lke hair fell smoothly
over his low forehead as if it had been plas-
cred with soap. And his black, bead-like
eyes were set obliquely. and slanted down.
ward toward his nose, giving Kim mingled
expression of ferocity and cunning. AS
examined his features atteniively, in which
[ thought could trace almost every bad
passion, confess experienced certain
feeling OF apprehension and distrust that |
could not shake off.
While he was getting us the promised
food, we tried. by questioning hin, to draw
him into conversation. He seemed very
taciturn and reserved. He said he lived
ent rely alone, and had cleared the spot he
occupied with his own hands. He said his
name was Joel; but when I'VE limited that
he must have some other name, he pretend
ed not to hear us, though | saw his brows
knit, and his small black eyes flash angrily.
Nv suspicious of this man were further a.
roufcd by observing pair of shoes lying in
a corner of the hut. These shoes were at
least three sizes smaller than those that our
gigantic host wore, and yet he had said he
was alone. Ii those shoes were not his, whose
we're theyl The more | reflected on this
circumstance the more unei isy felt,and ap
prehensions were still further aroused, when
Joel. as he called himself, took both our
fowling-p pieces, and, in order to have them
out of the way, as he said, hung them on
crooks from the wall, at height that Meth.
er Dick or | could reach without getting on
stool. | smiled inwardly, however, as
felt the smooth barrel OF my revolver that
was slung in the hollow of my back, BY its
leathern belt, and thought to myself, if this
fellow has any bad designs, the more un-
protected he thinks US the more incautious
he will be, SO made no effort to retain our
guns Dick also had revolver, and was
one of those men who knew would use it
well " hen the time came.
My susprcions of onr host grew at last to
such pitch that determined to communi-
cate them to Dick. Nothing would be
easier than for this villainous half-breed-
for felt convinced he had Indian blood in
hm-nothing would be easier than, with
the aid of an accomplice, to cut our throats
or shoot US while we were asleep, and SO
get our guns, watches, and whatever mon
ey we carried. Who. in these lonely WOODS,
would hear the shot, or hear our cries for
help! What emissary Of the law, however
sharp, could point out our graves in those
wild woods, or bring the murder home to
those who committed it! Linton at first
laughed; then grew serious; ;and gradually be-
came convert to my apprehensions. We
hurriedly agreed that, while one slept, the
other should watch, and so take it in turns
through the night.
Joel had surrendered to US his couch of
deerskin and his blanket; he himself said he
could sleep quite as well on the floor, near
the fire. AS Dick and | were both very
| tired, we were anxious to get our rest as
soon as possible. So after hearty meal of
deer-steak and tough cakes, washed down
by good drsught from our brandy flask, !,
being the youngest, got the first hours
sleep, and flung myself on the couch of
skins. As my eyes gradually closed. saw
a dim picture OF Dick seated sternlv watch
ing by the fire, and the long shape of the
half-breed stretching out like huge shadow
upon the floor.
| After what could have sworn to be only
a three minute doze, Dick woke me, and in
formed me that my hour was out; and turn.
ing me out OF my warm nest, lay down with
out any ceremony, and in a few seconds
was heavily snoring. ! rubbed my eyes
felt for my revolver, and seating myself on
one of the pine-stumps, commenced my
watch. The half f-breed appeared 10 be
buried in profound slumber, and in the
hs H-wierd light cast by the wood embers
ri his enormous figure seemed almost Titanic
g in its proportions. confess | felt that IN
: struggle for life he was more than match
for Dick and myself then looked at the
r.. fire, and began favorite amusement Of mine
4 shaping forms in the embers. All sorts o
figures defined themselves before me. Bat
ties, tempests at sea, familiar faces, ant
. above all shone, ever returning, the dea
features of Bertha Linton, my alliance,
bride. She seemed to me to smile through
burning haze, and could Amos: fancy
heard her say, "While yoL are watching il
the lonely forest, am thinking of you, an
q praying for your safety"
IS A slight movement OIL the part of til
s. slumbering half-bree3 here recalled me fror