The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1856-10-29

pretended not to hear, though l saw his
brows knit, and his small black eyes fash
angrily. Ny suspicious of this man were
further aroused by observing a pair of
shoes lying in the corner of the hut.
These shoes were at least three sizes small
er than those thai our gigantic host wore,
and yet he had distinctly replied that he
lived entirely alone. II those shoes were
not his, whose were they? The more
! reflected on this circumstance the more
uneasy | felt, and app-ehensions were still
! further aroused, when Joel as he called
himself, took both our fowling- pieces, and
in order to have them out OF the way, as
he said, hang them on crooks from the
wall, at height that neither Dick or
could reach without getting on stool
| smiled, inwarlly, however, as felt the
smooth barrel Of my revolver that was
slumg in the hollow Of my back, by its
.eafhcrn belt and thought to myself if this
fellow has any bad designs, the more
unprotected he thinks us the more incau-
lions he will be, so made no effort to re-
tain our guns Dick also had a revolver,
and was one of those men who | knew
would use it well when the time came.
My suspicious of our host grew at last
to such pitch that determined TO COM
municate them TO Dick. Nothing would
be easier than for this villainous haf-hreed
for | felt convinced he had Indian
blood in him--no,hing would be easier
than, with the aid of an accomplice, to
cut our throaIS or shoot us while we were
asleep, aud so get our guns, watches, and
whatever money We carried. who, III
those lonely woods, would hear the Shot,
or hear our cries for help? What ennis
sary of the law, however sharp could
point out our graves in those wild woods,
or bring the murder home TO those who
committed ii? Linton at first laughed;
then g;eH serious; and gradually became
more convert to my aprrehensions.
We hurricdly agreed that, while one slepl
the other should wa ch, and SO take it in
turns through the night. .a..
Joel h,A surrendered to US his couch
of d e9-S%in and his tlunket; h., himself,
said he c0uId Sleep quite rs we'll on the
door, near the ire AS Dick anl | were
b. h very tircl, we were anxious to get
oar Test 3as soon as possible So. after Il
hearty mead Of deetsteak and tough
cakes, washed down by goud draugh,
from our brandy flask, l, being the young
est, got the first hours sleep, and flung
myself OH the couch of skins. AS my
eyes gradually closed saw Il dim picture
of D.ck seated sternly watching hy the
ire and the long shape Of the hafbreed
stretching out like huge shadow upon
the floor.
After what I could have sworn to be
only a three minute doze, Dick woke me,
and informed me that my hour was out;
and turning me out of nay warm nest, lay
down without any ceremony, and i'll few
seconds was heavily snoring. l rubbed
my eyes, felt for my revolver, and seating
myself on one of the pinestumps, COM
menced my watch. The half-hreed APP
peared to be buried in a profound slum-
bcr and in the half-weird light cast 10y the
wood embers, his enormous figure seemed
almost Titanic in its proportions. l con-
fess felt that in struggle for life he was
more than match for Dick and myself
| | then looked at the fire, aud began a fa-
yorite amusement Of mine shaping forms
in the embers. All sorts of figures de-
| fined themselves before me. Battles, tenn
pests at sea, familiar faces, and above all
shome, ever returning, the dear features
of Bertha Linton, my atlianced bride
1 She seemed TO me TO smile at me through
j IA burning haze, and | could almost fancy
! heard her say, "Whle you are Watching
in the lonely forest l am thinking of you,
and praying for your safety
A slight movement on the part of the
slumbering half-breed here recalled me
from those sweet dreams. He turned on
his side lifted himself slowly on his elbow,
and gazed at,entiyely at me. / did not
stir. Still retaining my STOPPING atti-
tude, l half closed my eyes, and remained
m6tionless. Doubtless he thought | was
asleep, for in moment or two he rose
noiselessly, and creeping with steathy
step across the foor passed out of the hut.
, | listened-Oh, how eagerly! 1t seemed
to me that, through the imperleclly joined
crevices of the log walls, could plainly
hear voices whispering. / would have
r giyen worlds to have crept nearer to listen
out was fearful of disturbing the fancec
2 security of our most, who HOW felt Ger
4 tain had sinister designs upon us. So
: remained perfectly still. The whispering
: suddenly ceased The half-Lreed re-en
: tered the hut i'll the same stealthy way il
t which he had quilted it, and after giving
IA scrutinizing glance at me, once more
q stretched himself upon the floor and af
S fected to sleep In Il few moments pre-
j tended 10 u AXE yawned, looked at N.
: watch, and iiud!ng that my hour had mor'
| than expired proceeded TO wake Dick
b Al | turned him out of bed whspere,
d III his ear, Don't take your eyes off llia
I fellow, Dick. He has aecomplices out
1 side; be CAREFUL Dick gave meaning
glance, carelessly touched his revolver, a
d much as to say, Heres something 10 i'll