Litchfield enquirer., 1856-05-15
Jack Longs;
OR, LYNcH-LAw AND VENGEANCE.
Concluded.

Concluded.
Nothing more was seen or heard of Jack
I.opg. His hut was deserted, and his family
had become Of them. For little while there
were various rumors, but the whole affair was
soon forgotten amidst the frequent recurrence
OF similar scenes
1t was about four months after these occur
rcnces that with friend was traversing West
ern Texas We were both anxious to familiar
izc ourselves with the topography of the coun-
try and combine, as much as possible, amuse-
ment with our researches into its natural hsto-
~. About equally Jealous for science and the
"sports," we made it point, on reaching any
district which promised much for either to make
some excuse for stopping The modes of chase,
and the animals principally Astounding in the
different counties, varied greatly and were de-
tcrmined by the characteristics of the surface,
the predominate of prairie or timber with the
scarcity or abundance of water or else, as we
found to be the case in Shelby, the equal distri-
button of all. Islands of Timber, {" Motts,")
with long belts of forests frnging the streams,
were dotted and stretched ia most delightful
variety over the broad groundwork of now ull-
dulating, now level prairie Here was diversity
the denizcns, whether of water, wood, or plain;
and accordingly, inpcnetrating a short distance
we observed such numbers aud SO many differ
ent species of game, that the country seemed to
he o true paradise of hunters. The prospect Of
rare sport, in all its phases, proved too attrac-
tive for our philosophy, and stay Of n week or
two in Shelby county was promptly determined
upon between us. My friend happened TO re-
Al. h,j from,
native county in Virginia to Texas, and taken
with him some wealth in property, had finally
settled in Shelby county. Inquired for him
at the first house and readily found his where
abouts. lie was n large Planter, aud received
us with great frankncss and cordiality. What
ever else may be said of the Texans, they are
unquestonably most generously hospitable. Our
Host forthwith placed at onr disposal, not only
his own time, but horses, dogs negroes, guns,
and all the a cctera for insuring our enjoyment
to the fullest extent of every amusement the
country offered We were soon actively and
entirely absorbed in dali round of exciting
chascs One day several of the ncighbors were
invited to join us, and all our forces were mus
tered for grand Deer Drive. In this sport
dogs are used, aud Under the charge of the
Driver, as he is called, they are taken to the
woods for the purpose of rousing and driving
out the deer, who have habit of always pass
ing out from one line of timber to another at or
near the same spot, and these places are either
known to the hunters from experience or ohscr-
walton of the nature of the ground. AT these
crossing places the ISLANDERS are stationed with
their rifles to watch for the coming out of the
deer, who are shot as they go by. On getting
to the ground we divided into two parties, each
nanking up the opposite edge of line of tim
Der, over mile in width, while the Driver pen.
etrated It with the dogs. On our side, the sport
was unusually good, till, wearied with slaugh-
ter, we returned in the afternoon toward the
Planters house, to partake of late dinner Of
game with him before the party should separate
II was near shutdown when We dismounted-
Soon after we were seated. it was announced
that dinner was ready. We now discovered
the absence of my friend, Henry, and one Of the
neighbors, whose name was Stoncr But every
one thought they would be there directly, aud
our appctites limited pretty strongly, that !.
would be vastly uncourteous Of us to leave the
dinner Of our hostess to spoil by waiting We
ant down, and were doing undoubted justice to
the fare--there is no appetizer like the head
long excitement of the chase, out where the
wildernass-winds blow upon you--when Henry
who was On impulsiye, yolable soul, came bust
ling into the room with something of unusua
furry In his manner. beginning to talk by the
time he got his head into the door
81 soy, Squire what sort Of a country i
this Of yourss Catamounts, Buffalo, Horned
Frogs. Ccntipedcs, one would think were strang'
creatures enough for single county but, b.
George met with something to-day which
lays them oil in the shade"
"What was it What was 1t like 7"
Without noticing these questions, he contin
ued addressing our Host in the same cxcitet
tone" Have You no cages for madmen ! d.
you let them run wild through De woods witt
rife in hand? or does your confonnded Texa
breed ghosts amongst other curious creatures 2
Not that know Of" said the Squire, sinil
ingiy inferposing, as the fellow stopped to catcl
his breath, but yon look furricd enough to hav
seen ghost What's happened :" Yes