Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-04-08
THE HUNTERS DREAM.
As INCIDENT OF Nu,KIxGuM vALLEl

AS INCIDENT OF NUsKINGUA VALLEY.
Some thirty miles above Marietta, on the
Muskingum river, in the State of Ohio. is a
beautiful portion of land, known in early times
rs lie Big Bottom. In order to have it set
tied the Ohio Emigrant Company gave hun
dred acres of land to all actual settlers. and in
the autumn of 1890, company of eighteen
went up from Marietta, located their tracts and
commenced building for the winter. A large
block house was first erected, capable of ac-
comm odatiDg all their number, if necessary,
while two brothers named Francis and Isaac
Choate, erected a small cabin on their pieces
of land, and two other brothers named Bullard,
also erected a cabin several rods below the
block house, on the bank of the river. Thus
were the little company situated, and being
mostly young men, without families, and little
experienced in Indian warfare, they neglected
two of .hc most important duties of pioneer $
life, VIZ barring their doors at sunset and pla-
cling sentinel without to give those within
ample warning in case of an attack.
In the month of September, a young man
named Joseph Waugh, went up from Marietta
to spend the fall in hunting. The hills near
there abounded in all kinds Of game, while the
numerous salt licks in the vicinity we're yisi-
ted almost hourly by deer. The most delight
full OF all seasons, Indian summer, threw its
hazy atmosphere over the tinted landscape, as,
early on cloudless morning, young Waugh
started forth with his trusty rife on his shoul-
der for days hunt. Rising the high bank on
the cast side of the bottom, he halted a few
moments to gaze upon the scene presented TO
his view. The smoke from the block house
and the two cabins, rolled up through the trees
and was lost in the cloudy atmosphere, while
here and there through the forest, the waters
of the beautiful Muskingum sparkled brightly
in the first rays Of the morning sun. The birds
were just singing their matin songs Of praise
and their soft echoes sounded sweetlf among
the arches of natures home, while countless
squirrels, with their long bushy tails, and
graceful motions, were springng from branch
to branch on almost every tree, stopping now
and then to bark at the intruder, anon to
leap on the ground and rustic the leaves at his
very feet.
Suddenly the breaking of dry twigs startled
him, and turning, he discovered n noble buck
walking leisurely along, and stopping occa
.onally to brouse from some favorite bush
while he was unnoticed. Fearing to stir
Waugh remained perfectly motionless, await
ing the nearer approach Of the animal Thir
Is yards only interviewed between them, anc
an opening among the trees presented hi'
whole form TO the eye of the delighted hunter
when he set the triggers and leveled his rife
Mt the heart. The deer hearing the sharp clics
of the triggers, stopped, and his keen eye hat
inst discovered his foe, as the loud crash of the
rifle rolled among the trees, causing the bird
to cease their songs and the squirrels to qui
their pambols Instead of dropping dead
waupb was astonished to see the buck throw
back his head and disappear in deep rayin'
near by. Uttering few words of disappoint
ment at thus missing so fair shot, he hasten
cd to the spot where the deer stood, and upoi
examining it discovered drop of fresh bloo'
on the leaves, whereupon loading his rlne VIII
the utmost care, he started upon the trail
Although young, no had taken lessons IRON on
and experienced hunters, therefore he easiI.
followed the trail, although, after few jump
the blood had ceased to flow. For hours h
followed its course, which for the first lyc O
six miles led in circuitous route from tn
lei win the stream for several miles, when
turning square corner, he seemed making di
rectIv ftr the river. Upon following II shcr