The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1856-05-21

TO this meal as served up in that rude
dilapidated and out eof-the-way place
It was excellent, prepared with cleanli
ness and care, and consisted of sue.
substantial dishes as might well sta,
theappetite sharpened by cold air ant
long ride, aud I, with the other trav
elers, paid ample tribute to it. Having
dispatched this important affair, I re.
turned to the bar-room, and found a cir.
Gle formed around the fire, with Uncle
Natty in the, center, relating some oi
his many adventures in hnnting. Room
being made for me-for stranger is al
ways cordially received on such occasions
Il Joined the company and listened
to the narrative, which, from the man.
ner Of the Darrafor, and afterward from
the assurances Of the landlord, who was
very intelligent man, and was well ac-
quainted with Uncle Natty, as also with
the wilds of the country, L believe to be
true. Ihaveseen it's substance recorded
somewhere or other, but in this version
the very words of the hero of the sketch
are reported as Literally as possible.
About twenty five years ago, said Un-
Gle Marty, I moved into this country
which was then much more of wilder
ness than it is at present, although there
is not much 80 be said of its civilization
even now. Then no settlements had
been made, excepting just where this
cabin now stands, and in n few places on
the borders of the lake. I arrived in
the spring of the year, and commenced
clearing on the farm now occupy. BY
fall I had built tolerably good log
house, and temporary stables for my cat
tie; had put into the ground ten aires
of wheat, and locked forward to the en-
suirg year for the reward of my labors.
NV wife and ,child-for I &as married
we're alfmy family. Neighbors there
were none within five OF six miles, so
that visiting or amusements-were almost
entirely out of the question. You may
therefore, suppose that, on the approach
of a long northwestern winter, I had
ample time to crafty my love of huut-
ing, for which l have always had-a great
fondness Winter had set in early, and
all my cares were confined to keeping a
sufficient stock of wood on hand for fuel,
which you may imagine was not difficult,
when tie trees stood at my door, and
taking care of the few cattle l was then
owner of. 1t was one day, think in
the forepart of Decent Der, when, having
finished my mornings work, 1 took down
my gun-.he same that now stands in
the bar-and told my wife that I would,
on my return, please her eyes with the
sight of fat deer. Deer are even now
plenty in this part of the country, but
then they were more so, SO that there
was little merit or difficulty in achieving
what had promised.
1 took my departure about a north
west course from my cabin, which led
mo direct into the forest TIE snow
was about foot deep, and, the wind
blowing hard from the north, it drifted
much in the openings; yet this, 1 thought
was in my favor, as the noise made by
the wind among the trees, prevented the
game from hearing my approach in "still
bunting" But I was mistaken in my
calculations, for I had Travelled five or
six miles from home, and had not got
shot at single deer, though had seen
numbers of them; but they we're always
on the run, and at too great distance,
and all the tracks 1 saw, showed that
they had scarcely walked during that
day. I was then young hunter, but ]
have since learned that this animal is al
ways on the move, and generally runs
through windy days, probably throug b
the apprehension of wolves, which follow
is scent through the snow.
At length arrived at large cedar
swamp, on the edge of which I was struck
with the singular appearance of large
stub twenty-five or thirty feet high, with
its bark off. From its scratched surface,
had no doubt it was climbed by rae
coons or martens, which probably, had
a den in it, as, from its appearance, 1
Judged it was hollow. The stub, at its
base, might have been seven or eight
feet through, but eight or ten feet high or
up its size was much diminished, so that
1 could grasp sufficiently to ascend it
aud ascertain what was within. My gun
and grea.. coat were deposited 10 Sc
cure place, and, being an expert climber,
I soon gained the top. As anticipa-
ted Z found the stub was hollow, the ap-
nertare Asaing about two and half feet
in diameter. IT, IT, day. viii observe,
vas dark and cloudy, ana, cooking down
the hollow, I fancied I could see the
bottom at no great distance, but having
nothing to put in to ascertain its depth
concluded I would try to touch the
bottom with my feet. I, therefore
placed myself in the hole, and lowered
myself gradually, expecting. every mo
mept, that my foot would come IN con