Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1857-05-07
gntrtsting Story.
THE SCOUTS
7 R D A c 4 ] 4 7
A FRONTIER SKETCH.

SOME few years ago | was spending
summer in the wilds of Canada, passing
away the time in fishing and shooting ant
occasionally sketching. My only com
panion was an old hunter, whose brow
bore the impress of many years of hard
ship and ~privation, his beard whitened by
the SHOWS of some sixty winters. A kline
and good old man, he had seen better
days in his youth. although generally re
served on this point. | one day persua
ded him to tell me his history-or rather
an old recollection, the memory Of some
scene long gone by, wrung it from him.
1t was in this wise;
We had travelled for many miles OF
that day, at one time padding our canoe
up some forest stream, again carrying i
over rocks and through bogs to launch il
in a less swift current; oftentimes a deer
would hasten from the hank fearful al
our approach, and the wild duck shelter
itself in the sedgy covert, all timid at the
approach Of man, instinctiyely recognized
as their enemy.
Towards the close Of the day we came
out Of the river into a most beautiful lake.
The sun, just setting, gilded the tops
OF the tall pines that hemmed it in on eve
ry side, tinoing with rainbow colors the
few clouds floating in the zenith, whose
RADIANCE was reflected in the clear cold
wa1or ST the lake Beneath. A black line
Of rocks stood out in bold relief on the OPP
posite shore, grim and dark, where ali
was light. The swallows swimming
across its surface, now rising high in the
air, now with a sudden swoop, curving I'm
til their wings scattered the spray above
them, and the heavy splash of the trout as
he rose to his prey, all lent a singular and
romantic beauty to the scene. We built
our camp on a small p%romontory that jut-
ted forth on one side Of the outlet, and
cooked our supper, which was easily pro
cured from among the trout. Supper
over, we reclined on the soft boughs
spread on the floor Of the hut, and smok-
Ell our pipes.
What time SO fit for meditation as the
sunset hour; It's the hottest portion of the
day, when the sable goddess assumes her
sway on earth. Ills then all trouble and
trial, for the time is ended, labor set aside
and the mind untrammelled, left free to
rove where it listeth.
For some time we lay in silence, watch
ing the graceful clouds Of smoke rising
above us, and floating away into nothing
ness. Were | inclined to moralize ]
should do so now; what more fitting sub.
ject for an allegory than a fleeing van
ishing smoke cloud. All was still around
US, and | turned to my companion to pro
pose a fire hunt, when by a dim twilight
| perceived that he was greatly agitated
his fine face working with deep emotions
which he strove to subdue. Isuppressed
the exclamation just rising to my lips and
turning away my head, remained a few
minutes in silence. Mclean | knew was
at times subject to fits of deep grief, bu'
he endeavored to pen them up within his
own bosom, not choosing to expose to tho
world the bitter memories of a lifetime.
vet | had never seen him so much affect
ed. Turning towards him and speaking
in a gay tone, as though | had not observ
ed his emotion, | said:
Come Mclean. have you nogstory O
the woods, 40 old Indian tradition, to tel
me this evening-you were an early ad
venturer, in this country, were you ever
on this lake before?"
"Ah, Mr.. Graham" said he lifting his
head from his hands, Il was here once
before many years ago. Oh God! that
night! shall | ever forget it?' be cried,
rising and walking up and down in un
controllable grief. "The last time | was
here, it was on this very spot, this greer
mound bears the blood of a brother slain
by the hand Of an assassin"
Tell me, my old friend. whatit was OF
perhaps | should not ask it, the remem
brance must be too sad"
mo! no! sir" he replied i" It's of no use
trying to forget it every now and then
the whole scene rises up before me, and ]
see his pale face gazing upon me calmly.
and steadfastly as he drew his last breath
on earth and his pure spirit fed to it;
home. 1t is the most fitting time and
place." and seating himself and drawing
his rife across his lap he commenced.
1T was just in this month, perhaps the
very same day, about twenty years ago
that three persons, two men and a lady
came on this lake. and built their shanty
for the night on this little promontory.-
But first let me 60 back somewhat. an
a Seotchman by birth. my father was veal
thy, and | being the Oldest son was expec
ted to inherit his estates. I received {
university education, and went TO my
home in the Highlands with my collegiate
@laurels fresh upon my brow. While there
| conceived a violent attachment for {