Meigs County telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy [Ohio]) 1848-1859, 1857-02-24

occasionally to browse from some favorite
bush, while he was unnoticed. Fearing to
stir, Waugh remained perfectly motionless,
awaiting the nearer approach Of the ami
NAL. Thirty yards only interviewed be-
tween them, and an opening among the
trees presented his whole form to the eye
Of the delighted hunter, when he set the
triggers and levelled his rifle at the heart.
The deer hearing the sharp click of the
triggers, stopped, and his keen eye had just
discovered his foe, as the loud crack of the
rifle rolled among the trees, causing the
birds to cease their songs, and the squir-
rels to quit their gambols. Instead ofdrop-
lping dead, Waugh was astonished to see
the buck throw back his head and disap-
pear in deep ravine near by. Uttering
few words of disappointment and morti-
fication at thus missing SO fair shot, he
FASTENED to the spot where the deer stood,
and upon examining it discovered drop of
fresh blood upon the leaves, wheeupon,
loading his rifle with the utmost care, he
started upon the trail. Although young,
yet he had taken lessons from old and ex-
perienced hunters, therefore he easily fol-
lowed the trail, although, after few jumps
the blood had ceased to flow. For hours
he followed its course, which for the first
five or six miles led in a circuitous route
from the Muskingum, then, seeming to
run nearly parallel with the stream for sew
eral miles, when turning square corner,
he seemed making directly for the river.
Upon following it for short distance, he
was surprised to find that some other per-
son had struck the same trail and was fol-
lowing it ahead of him. For amoment he
could scarcely believe it could be so, for
mo other person from the settlement below
was out, and it was thought that no Indi-
ans were within hundred miles, yet the
leaves that had been misplaced, together
with the twigs, and occasio nally spear of
grass that had been bent in that direction,
were proof positive to hunters mind
With bold heart he determined TO solve
the mystery, and with cautious steps he
proceeded onward. 1t was afternoon when
he reached the bluff bank of the river,
some ten or twelve miles above the settle
ment, and after taking careful survey of
the bottom, and seeing nothing, he pro-
ceeded towards the stream. In the sand
that lines the waters edge, he saw the
tracks of the buck, as he entered the river,
and close by, the well known prints of
pair of moccasins. The deer had swan
the river, while the Indian had gone ON
up to cross at ford some two miles above.
After revolving the matter in his mind for
some time, Waugh concluded to give up
the chase for the present, and returning to
the bluff bank, he sat down at the foot of
large oak, to rest. For a few minutes, he
thought of the strange adventures, and
many were the conjectuees he formed as
to what tribe the Indian could belong to,
and why he should be here, apparently
alone. Being, however, of rather a TO-
mantle turn of mind, he was soon absorbed
in contemplating the scene by which he
was surrounded. Afar off he could dis
Germ the hazy atmosphere, seeming like
light cloud that had descended from the
skies to play amid the tree tops, and the
rays of the noon day sun fell through it
with dreamy sort of light which causes
the mind to wander away in the vacancy
of nothingness. o..
The birds had ceased their ngsand sat
on the thickest leaved branches, seeming
to partake of the same dreamy nature that
pervaded all things around, and only here
and there solitary squirrel could be seen
leaping among the boughs. The little rill
that flowed through ravine but few
yards distant, alone seemed filled with life
and animation, as it coursed gaily along,
leaping over stone or root with MUIR
muring sound that seems mol Q like artif
cial music the longer we listen. The lull-
ing influence of the rivulet, the lazy mo-
tions of the squirrels, and the sleepy atti-
tudes of the birds, were too much for
the weary hunter to withstand and ere long
his eyes were closed, his head dropped
forward on his breast, while his breathing
became heavier and more steady. AS this
change came over his physical nature, a
change also took place in his mental facul-
ties, and different scene was presented
before him. The ravine by his side, the
tall forest around him, and the river in the
distance passed away, while he seemed to
be in the cabin of the two brothers Choate,
They were all seated around the rough ta-
BILE, engaged in their evening meal, and
Francis Choate was telling ofhis days ad-
ventures in the forest, when the words
were frozen to his tongue as the horrid In
dian war-whoop broke the stiffness with
out. Selling his rifle, Waugh ran for the
river, and there be saw party of Indians
surrounding the block-house. AS there
was no chinking between the logs, he could
plainly see their forms by the light of the
huge fire blazing within, and by the aid of
the starlight, he took aim at one and fired.
Great was his Joy at seeing his victim fall
to the earth, and loading as soon as posi-
Bile, he again fired, and again his faithful
rifle had done its duty. At this moment,
two rifles in the hands of the Indians were
discharged, and a white mans voice, in
the agonies Of despair, cried; "0h, God,
have mercy on mel'
He awoke with sudden start, while the
cry for mercy still sounded in his ears
Gazing around him, it was several minutes
ere he could collect his scattered thoughts
sufficient to remember where he was and
how he came there. Getting up, he looked
on all sides, but could see no living thing
nnvino hut a Annk nf turkeys that were