The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1857-12-03
Hi6rellnueous.
["Clippings from Thompson's Gaut Gurlcy"l
THE Old HUNTER, $ STORY.


TIE OLD HUNTERS STORY.
Il never but once, commenced the
hunter, who had announced himself ready
with the last story, then called on for thai
purpose by his comrades, after they had
commented to their liking on the trap
per's strange adventure, II never bu
once, in my whole life, became afraid
of encountering wild beast, or was toe
much unnerved in the presence of one tC
fire my rifle with certainty and effect
But that, in one event, | waS in such
sorry condition for hunter, freely con
fess. And, as you called for our mos
remarkable adventures, and as the oc
currence | allude to was certainly the
most remarkable one l ever met with il
my hunting experience, l will relate it fol
the story you assign me.
1T was about a dozen years ago, and
on the borders Of lake Parmagena, q
squarish-shaped body of water, four Of
FIVE miles in extent, lying twenty-five
miles or so over these mountains to the
northwest of us, and making up the chieI
head water of the river Magallowsy. My
camp was at the mouth Of the principle
inlet, and my most frequenled hunting
route up along its. bank On my excur-
sions up that river, l had often noticed a
deeplywoodsd, rough, and singularly.
shaped mountain, which, at the distance
Of four or five miles from the nearest point
of the stream, westward. reared its shag-
gy sides over the surrounding wilderness,
and which l thought must make one oI
the best haunts for bear and moose that
| had seen in that region. So, once hav.
inga leisure day, and My provisions be.
ing low, concluded would take iaunt
up to this mountain thinking that !
should stand good chance to fnd some
thing there, or on the way, to replenish
my larder. And accordingly | rugged
up, after breakfast, aud. setting my
course in what l judged would prove a
bee-lne for the place, in order to save
distance over the river route, took up
my march through the woods, without
path, trail, or marked trees to guide me
After rough and toilsome walk of a.
bout three hours, | reached the foot oi
the mountain of which ] was in search
and seated myself on fallen tree, to resi-
and look about me. The side of the EN-.
inence next 10 me was made up of sue
cession of rocky, heavily timbered sleeps
and shelves, that rose like battlcmonts be.
fore me, while, about midway, it was
| pierced ornotched down by a dark. wild
Ethicket-tangled gorge, which extended
long back up the mountain, as far as the
| eye could penetrate beneath, or overlook
above the tops Of the overhanging trees
To think of trying to acend such sleeps
was utof the question; and | was deba,
ting in my mind whether ! would attempt
to 60 up through that forbiddng and po,
kerish-looking gorge, or, giving up the
Job altogether, strike off in the direction
yer, and so 60 home that way,
ideous yell, which brought me
to my feet, rose from an upper
the ravine, apparently about a
FhuhdIed rods distant. | at once knew il
came from q painter, or evil devil as
the Indians justly call that scourge and
terror of the woods; and, from the
strength and volume of his voice, l also
knew he must be large one, while, from
lits savage sharpness, further conjectur.
ed II must be femme cry, which, if SO,
would show the animal to be doubly
ticklish one to encounter
Feeling conscious that it was but the
part Of wisdom to avoid such an encoun-
ter as | should be likely to be favored
with if / remained where | was, l so on
moved off in an opposite direction, steer
ing at once for the nearest point of the
river, which was at the termination of a
long, sharp sweep Of the stream to the
west, and nearer by milo then in most
other parts of its course. | had not pro
ceeded more than a quarter of mile be-
fore the same savage screech, which
was more frightfl than l can describe,
being seemingly made up of the ming
ling tones of a mans and woman's
voice, raised to the highest pitch in an
agony of rage or pain,-the same awful
screeCh, say, rose and thrilled through
the shuddering forest, coming this lime,
l perceived, from the mouth Of the-gorge,
where the animal had SO quickly arrived,
found my trail, doubtless, and STATED
on in pursuit now, though still not
really afraid, quckened my steps into a
a rapid walk, hoping that, as he got out
of the thicEets Of the rayine, he would
not follow me far in the open woods; yet
thinking ii best, at all events, to put what
distance l could between him and me,
without too much disturbing myself
Another. of those terrific yells, however
coming from nearer point than before,
as fast as | had made my way from him,
told me thattfhe creature was on my
track, and rapidly gaining on me in the
race. then started off at . full run; but
ever. g. aot insure my escape, for !
- ahV another yell, SO near
lpntarily turned