Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-05-06
From Graham's Magazine.
THE HUNTERS REWARD.
BY j. ROW.


ing supplied themselves with an ample stock
of provisions and ammunition, dropped down
the river on an exploring and hunting excur-
sion. They proceeded unmolested down the
Ohio several hundred miles below Wheeling,
where they landed, on the Kentucky side, and
erected cabin of poles, which they covered
with small branches and moss. 1t was situated
short distance from the rivers bank, near a
good spring, among tall and heavy timber
After storing their effects, consisting of cook
ing utensils, few mechanical implements,
several blankets, and some wearing apparel,
into the cabin, they shouldered their rifles,
and, accompanied by two trusty dogs, betook
themselves to the woods.
Being aware that this section of the country
was sometimes visited by bands of hostile In
dians, either to kill game or attack boats des-
cending the river, the young hunters kept a
sharp lookout, lest they should be surprised
by a superior force. Game was abundant, and
they had the good fortune TO kill several deer
during their first excursion. After three or
four days absence they returned, laden with
skins and meat, to their hut, and found the
premises undisturbed. By ascending a small
knoll in the vicinity of the moss covered cab
in, they had clear view of the river, and
could see any boats that might be passing
whilst the high grass and under brush afforded
them hiding place, where they could conceal
themselves completely from observation.
A month had passed, and neither friend nor
foe had appeared, and the hunters had contin-
ued their excursions and penetrated farther in
to the interior, where they found beautiful
country, with rich soil and fine streams. On
one occasion, they had been absent ten days,
and on returning to their cabin, again found
every thing in the condition in which they had
left it, They now began to congratulate them.
selves upon their peaceful and undsturbed oc-
cupancy of the country. Their dogs, howev-
er, appeared much excited, and kept moving
about for some time, as if they were scenting
something unusual, but at length entered the
cabin and composed themselves. Dill suppos-
ed that some wild animal had recently passed
along, but Brown was strongly impressed with
the belief that their habitation was discovered.
Before starting their next trip, Brown SO
arranged some of the articles in the cabin,
without mentioning it tc Dill, that the slight
est touch would change their position suffi-
ciently to enable him to detect it. The wea-
ther had now become warm, and after being
out several days, Brown proposed they would
return to the cabin; Dill demonstrated for
some time, but eventually assented, and they
agreed to start on their return-trip early the
next morning, so as to avoid the heat of the
day, having some eight or ten miles to travel.
G. H. 81,
cabin, in small open space, our adyenturers
had planted few hills of corn and squashes,
which soon came up but received no further
attention. In returning that morning, they
digressed little from the direct course for the
purpose of looking at their sstruck-patch.'-
Immediately after they arrived there, their
dogs exhibited unmstakable signs of ALARM
Brown observed it, and Immediately commu-
nicated his suspicious that all was not right to
his comrade. After some consultation, it was
agreed that Dill should conceal himself in the
underbrush, and keep one of the dogs with
him, whilst Brown would take the other and
advance toward the cabin. When within a
bout thirty rods of the cabin, and after recon-
noitering the vicinity, he motioned for Dill to
come on, and the two, with their rifles at a
trail, and the dogs at their heels, approached
the cabin together. In glancing over the ef-
fects in the cabin, Brown discovered that some
body had been there during their absence,
which vindicated their suspicious, and in his
opinion, accounted for the strange conduct of
the dogs, on the former as well as on the pres
ent occasion. The ground around the hut was
examined for footsteps, but none could be dis
covered Dill then went to examine their boat,
which they had run into the mouth of creek
a short distance below, and secured there-it
was safe, and had not been disturbed.
In the evening, measures were taken for de-
fense should an attack be made in the course
of the night-but the hunters were not moles-
ted. At the dawn of day they seized their RI
fies and repaired to the knoll in the rear OF the
cabin and there concealed themselves, intend
ing to remain there during the day, unless cir
cumstances should arise making it necessary
for them to alter their resolution. They lay
quietly until in the afternoon, and began to
think they had been unnecessarily alarmed.
when they espied female, with no other clo-
thing than a calico skirt, reaching from her
middle to a little below the knees, approach
ing the cabin with cautious steps. single
glance sufficed to convince them that, whoev-
er or whatever she might be, she was not an
Indian squaw; and as soon as she had entered
the cabin Brown approached alone and unarm-
ed so as not to alarm or frighten her away
He walked leisurely forward. with his hands
crossed on his back-and when the female saw
him. she threw up both arms and uttered a