Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1856-09-24
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THE
BLIND SQUATTER.

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Nearly four hundred miles up the Trim
ity river, Texas. at the extreme point to
which the fat bottom steamboats, run up
in search of cotton and other productions
lis Robbins Ferry. Below the river is
narrow. with high steep banks, within the
deep shadows of which the waters roll
noiselessly and swiftly towards the ocean;
while groves of somewhat stunted trees,
run down to the very edge of the cliffs,
here however, the stream expands into a
broad and shallow lake, the shores of
which are low, and even unsightly as is
generally the case in Texas,
We arrived at landing place three
miles below the junction Of the lake and
river late one night, and early the follow
ing morning, / was padding up against
the stream in a light bark canoe, which
having but slight hold in the water,
served better to stem the current than
one of larger dimensions. For some time
I continued within the shadows of the
cliffs in comparative gloom; bat after a
somewhat fatiguing hour, my eyes first
caught glimpse OF the shadow lake
where hoped to find sufficient abundance
of wild fowl to glat my most murder
Gus appetite as specimen. The dawn
had long since passed, but nature appear
ed vet asleep, so calm, so still was that
almost untrodden spot. Gliding swiftly
out of the influence of the current, | al
lowed my canoe to stand motionless,
while [ gazed around. Far as the eye
could reach, spread perfect wilderness,
of water. forward to the right and to the
left, perfectly unruf1ed, for not so much
as blade Of grass or leaf was stirring
on shore. Here and there stood large
trunks of trees, borne from above by the
almost PERIODICAL foundations, and
which. reaching some shallow part, be-
came stationary, until time and decay re.
moved them by degrees from their resting
place. Snags were visible all around,
while low bushy island lay about a
quarter of mile to the southwark. The
waters sparkled in the sun, revealing at
some distance the presence of hundred oil
ducks, geese and swans floating upon the
surface. For some time they remained
UNDECIDED so charmed was | by the quiet
beauty of the landscape; but at length
the prospect of a late breakfast awoke my
killing propensities. and raising my pad
die, l gave true Indian sweep and gil
ded noiselessly towards the little island.
above alluded to.
Ny progress was rapid, but not sound
could have been detected by any save an
aboriginal. The bevy of ducks which
had drawn me in that direction was sail
ing towards the island, and | was within
gun shot before | was perceived, as the
better to DECEIVE them, 1 lay almost on my
face at last, and padded with my hands.
At length | allowed the canoe to drift
with whatever impulse it had previously
received, and cautiously clutching my
double.barrelled apology for a Joe Mat
ton, rose In the boat. Ere. however, l
could gain my feet, crack crack went
the two barrels of a fowling piece, a
whistling was heard close to my ears,
and the ducks, save and except few VIC
Tins, flew away with loud rustling of
wings, was astonished. My first impulse
was to return the FIRE at random, as the
idea Of Indians crossed my brain. I could
however, plainly detect the presence of a
fowling piece by the peculiar report,
while it was clear the ducks had been the
object aimed at. Still the proximity of
the lead to my ears was far from pleasant
and | FASTENED to prevent recurrence of
so dangerous experiment.
"Hollol FRIEND cried | in lond and
somewhat angry voice, are you duck
shooting or man shooting, because l
should like to know?"
A man rose instantly above the bushes.
Mercifal Heaven" cried he, have
wounded you, sir Come in, I will ex-
plain this accident
readily complied, and Few minutes
placed me beside the sportsmen. l at
once saw that he was blind. Nearly six
feet high, thin, even gaunt, he presented
a most remarkable appearance. Clothed
in the ordinary garb of back woodsman
there was yet an intellectually, and even
nobility of character in his features,
which struck me forcibly, while the sight
less orbs at once revealed the cause of
what had nearly proved fatal accident.
gu are not alone Z" said L, glancing
cnriously around the bushes.
/" ! am said he, with a smile, "quite
alone. But let me most sincerely beg
your pardon for having endangered your
life"
No excuses said 1, depositing the
victim of his volly at his feet; but If you
would explain to me how you are here
alone, and how being here, you are thus
employed, you will assuage very strong
feeling of curiosity"
F" With pleasure" he replied, II owe
/ you an explanation; and besides" he con-
tinued, II owe you an explanation; and
from your conversation, ! believe we are