Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-02-19
CHAPTER vi.

On stormy night--date immaterial--
two men sat together, in cave on the
Washita. The room was lighted by pine
torch, which disclosed the rude furniture
made by its occupant, who, judging from
the trophies that adorned the natural walls
was an adept in hunting aud trapping,
And, though called hermit, the rife,
pistols and tomahawk, which occupied
conspicuous places, gave evidence that he
did not rely altogether, upon his peaceful
character for safety, nor upon aims, for his
support. A small field, and garden, Of
rich alluvial both we'll cultivated
in front of the cave, and from them the
Hermit gathered an ample store for life
so primitive and could contentment be
the lot of an isolated man, no place seem
ed better caculated to secure it. But we
will not infict an attempted description
upon the reader-for however accurate it
might be, all the features of the scene,
would but take the shape his fancy might
impart to them. 81 HaaI
"And now, Mr.. Wilmer" said the Her
init; "having provided for your horse, and
satisfied your appetite, I hope you will
crafty my curiosity to know the circum-
stances which have brought about this
meeting, so much sooner than 1 expected. y
"That can be told in very few wordsF'
Was the reply. "Not an hour before /
saw you at the fort, Capt. Fritz forced me
to strike him. The next morning / was
tried for the offence, and dismissed from
the service, in spite of the efforts Of one OF
two friends to prevent it. Twelve hours
after, l was on horse e-back and vending
my way to this place, though I lost two
days by the lameness of my horse"
Gift is not an impertinent question: sill
1 would like to know whether woman was
not mixed up in the AFFAIR."" said the Her.
NIT.
"You have guessed the truth" Was the
reply. ..sr
81 didn't guess it, my young friend,
knew it. The time was when women seem
ed angels to me; butexperience has taught
another faith, and if you will take my ad
vice, you will give them wide BERTH
"I am afraid, sir" said Wilmer, with a
smile, "that experience will have to be my
teacher, as it has been yours ; for nothing
short oft is likely to bring me to your
opinion of woman"
"To experience, let us leave it, then, Mr.
Wilmer, and pardon, fyou please, an ex.
hibition of bitterness which has its origin
in greivous wrongs. Now tell me the re
suit of Tatunkah's stratagem."
"There is but little to tell" Said Viii.
mer. "a messenger was sent in to pro.
pose the peace council; and Gen. Holmes
being apprised of the intention, too readily
gave assent to all the terms ofthe meeting
as proposed by the chief This, / think
aroused the suspicious of the messenger
whose savage stoicism could not altogether
suppress his uneasiness. He left as soou
as the conference ended and the Genera
gave orders for immediate preparations
which would have resulted in the total de
struction of the band of warriors, but fol
the fact, that not an Indian could be found
at the appointed spot.
"Do you think the messenger recognized
you, Mr.. Wilmer1"
"0f that, am not certainj" Was tho
reply. "But had laid aside my uniform
and put on my scouting dress, and he look
ed at me several times, with an expression
which could not comprehend" +"
81 thought as much, sir. The red devils
are very superstitious, aud they have al
idea thatyou are endowed with supernatur
al powers That Indian knew you, aud
depend upon ii, that fact had as much to d
with the result, as the indiscretion Of your
General. But Tatunkah has not aband
onsd his scheme, Six of the braves h
took with him, did not return, and yoV
may rest assured they are lurking sbou
the fort and may yet succeed in taking
prisoner the General or his daughter, O
beth.'
~ am svsrs that part Ofths band sep