The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1857-09-16

been good, should have been tempted
to try him; but knew that in some places
mud was deep. went to the host and
asked him if he could lend or sell me
horse. He could do neither. His only
spare horse had been shot the night be-
fore by the Wabash robber. There was
not horse in the place to be obtained for
any amount of money. returned to the
stable, and led my horse out, but ne could
not even walk with any degree Of ease.
I could not use him. Twas in despair.
Locke" said mine host, as began to
despond, ''can't ye manage canoe?"
| "Yes--very well,"I told him.
'.'Then that's your best way, The cur
rent is strong this morning, and without
stroke of the paddle, 'twould take ye
along as fast as horse could wade through
the mud. You rshall have one of my
canoes for just what it is, worth, and ye
can sell it at Loganport for as much"
caught the propositions instantly, for
I saw that it was a good one.
eff ye daren't shoot the RAPIDS" added
the landlord. "ye can easily shoulder the
canoe and pack it round 'Tisn't far"
found the boat to be well fashioned
| 'sdug-out," large enough to bear four men
with ease, and at once paid the owner
his price--ten dollars-and then had my
luggage brought down. l gave directions
about the treatment ofmy horse and then
put off. The current was quite rapid
say four or FIVE miles an hour, but not at
all turbulent--and soon made up my
mind that it was far better than riding
on horseback. The banks of the river
we're thickly covered with large trees. and
]. saw game plenty; and more than once
l was tempted to fire the contents of my
pistols at some of the boldest "varments;"
but had no time to waste, SO / kept on.
Only one thing seemed wanting, and that
was companion; but was destined to
find one soon enough.
1t was shortly after noon, and I had
just eaten my dinner of, bread and cold
meat, when / came to place where the
river made an abrupt bend to the right,
and little further on, came to an alb
rupt basin where the current formed per-
feet whirlpool. did not notice it until
| my canoe got into it, ard found myself
going round instead of going ahead.
piled my wood paddle with ali my power,
and soon succeeded in shooting out from
the rotary current; but in doing so,
ran myself upon the low, sandy shore.
The effort had fatigued me not little
and as found myself thus suddenly moor
ed, resolved to rest few minutes.
/ had been in this position some ter
minutes, when I was startled by hearing {
football close by me, and on looking up
1 saw man at the side of my boat. HI
was young looking person. not ove
two-and-thirty, and seemed to be hunt
er. He wore wolf-skin shirt, leggins o
red leather, and cap of bear skin.
!, (Which way are ye bound, stranger?'
he asked in pleasing tone.
4 "Down river, to Loganport," / replied
THAT'S fortunate. wish to go ther
myself" the stranger resumed. "Wha
say you to my taking your second paddle
and keeping you company?"
t II should like it," / told him frankly
"I've been wanting company"
$50 have l." added the hunter. IAN
e I've been wanting some better mode {
e conveyance than these worn out leg
t through the deep forest"
"Come on" said, and as spoke, b
leaped into the canoe, and having depos
lited his rife in the bow, he took one {
y the paddles, and told me he was read
g when was. So we pushed of, and wei
:. soon clear of the whirlpool.
+ For an hour we conversed freely. TT
stranger told me his name was Adam
and that his father lived in Columbu
q He was out now on q mere hunting an
: prospecting expedition, with some con
d panions who had gone on to Loganpo
It by horse, and having got separated fro
k them in the night, had lost his horse in'
t. the bargain. He said he had gre,
! sum of money about his person, and th'
s was one reason why he disliked to trav
lin the forest
+ Thus he opened his affairs to me, on
il I was fool enough to be equally frank.
d admitted that had some money, and to
|; him my business; and by most quiet al
II unpresuming course of remark, he DIRE
from me the fact that I had money enoul
d to purchase forty full lots.
e. Finally the conversation Jagged, and
n began to give my companion acloser scr
1t tiny. I sat in the stern of the canoe, al
st he was about amidships, and facing N
re He was not large man, nor was he ia
e; His hair was of light aaxen hue, a
'p hung in long curls about his neck;
ce features were regular and handsome; a
his complexion very light But the col
i'd of his face was not what one could c.
w fair. 1t was a cold, bloodless color, Ii
!" pale marble. And for the first time, tt
y now looked particularly at his ey
50 They were gray in color and had the br
or liancy of glaring ice. Their light "
intense, but cold and glittering like
ct snakes. When I thought of his age,
|e. set him down for not much over thirty.
ed Suddenly a sharp cold shudder r
he through my frame, and my heart leap