The Westerly echo, & Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1854-1858, 1857-06-11
VOLUME VI-NUMBER 50.
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THE HUNTERS REWARD


In the Spring 1850, two young men
named G George Dill and Peter Brown
both carpenters, launched small boat
on the Monongabcla, and having sup
piled themselves with an ample stock of
provisions and ammunition, dropped
down the river Oh an exploring and
hunting expedition, They proceeded
unmolested down the Ohio several hun
dred miles below Wheeling. where they
landed on the Kentucky side, and cree.
ted 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, lew mechanical imple-
ments, several blankets, and some wear
ing apparel, into the cabin, they shoul-
dered 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 Indians, either to kill game .or
to attack boats descending the river the
young hunters kept sharp lookout, lest
they should be surprised by 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 small knoll in the vi
cinity of their moss covered cabin they
bad clear view of the river, and could
see any boats that might be passing,
whilst the high grass and underbrush
afforded them a hiding place, where they
could conceal themselves completelyfrom
observation.
A month had passed, and neither
friend nor foe had appeared, and the
hunters continued their excursions and
penetrated farther into 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,
found everything in the condition in
which they had left it. They now began
to congratulate themselves upon their
peaceful and undisturbed occupancy Of
the country.
The dogs, however, appeared much
excited, and kept moving about for some
time, as if they we're 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 hab-
itatiou had been discovered. Before
starting on their next trip, Brown so ar
ranged some of the articles in the cabin
without mentioning it to Dill, that the
slightest touch would change their po
stlon sufficiently to enable HIM TO detect
it. The weather had now become warm
aud after being out several DAYS, Brown
proposed they should return TO the cab-
in Dill demonstrated for sore tine,
W finally asseutcd, and they agreed TO
start Oh their return trip, early the next
morning, 50 a. TO avoid the heat OF the
day, having some eight or ten miles TO
travel.
About quarter of a mile inland from
their cabin, IN a small open space our
adventures had planted few bills Of
corn and squashes, which soon came up
but received no further attention In
returning that morning they disgressed
little from the direct course for the
purpose Of looking at their truck patch. ,
Immediately after they arrived there,
their dogs exhibited unmiStakeble signs
Of alarm.
Brown observed it, and Immediately
communicated bis suspicious that all was
not right to bis 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 towards the cabin. When with