The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1859-10-20
From TEE N'cm York IVaucriy.
WALKING TIE PLANK.
By WM. EARLY BINDER.

alogue is the little event VIC arc about to
lay before our kind readers. We heard
the story from the lips Of ono who pro
fesset--and we have nc good reason to
doubt his word--to have played prom
inent part in the thrilling occurrence and
we give it to the reader just as we have
heard it:
"Some years ago, "savs the narrator, "a
friend and myself agreed together to take
2 tramp, hunter fashion, through the great
wilderness Of the northwest. Having pro-
sided ourselves with what things We thouhu,
actually necessary and nothing more, We
started upon our perilous journey for til at
it was perilous we We're fully aware, and
every reader will admit
"Aftcr encounteriug nnumcrab!a hard.
ships and many dangers, we found our
selves in the widest kind Of Il region, many
miles from the lauuts OF civilization. Al.
ready We had passed through enough to
have discouraged most Of men, but we were
young and full Of blood, and not casi!y pu,
out or frightened. This was particularly
the case with my companion, whose
name was Andy Huff.
I" Both Of us We're perfectly healthy, as
strong as iron, and considerably experienced
in the use Of such articles as rifles, pistols
and bowie knives. In all these we could
hold our own with I'll" best had i, been
otherwise we never should have lived TO
reach the point at which we finally ar.
rived.
"Just about dusk, one evening in the Int :
ter part Of July, after Il hard days tramp,
we halted for the night. ~ ,.,;k knr, deep
er, lonelicr solitude 'h,n that wic;, surr"un
ded us, it would be I.ar! to imagine 81
lently we built u little Gre anl cooked our
supper, and schy We ate it, Worn ont.
anj for tho time being slightly dispi,;."d,
We were in no humor for conversation.
"For some time "" sa, tv our carnp fire
without uttering single w"rl, AM! almus:
without moving. | WAS thinking of home
and absent friends, ana it is nn!y rv:.Sona >
ble to think That Huff was si,n.a,iIy occu-
pied.
After the lapse of some time, our fire
burnt low and arose to replenish it. The
bark Of Il wolf startled me, and ! ;..y..i,,.
tar'ly addressed my compa:.:"m
V,,Ef IL
without noticing the circn:n:anccs, | threw
quantity Of laygots Oh tile fire AID a.,aiu
addressed him.
"Take q few hours rest, Andy, and III
keep WATCH said I, 'anl after that you can
do the same by me-
Still got no answer, and then began
to notice my companions unusual tacitur
nifty.
"Anytling the matter; Andy 2 said l..
regarding him closely:
mo answer again:
"'rhat's little sttaiigc,' / niuitercj, moY-
Ing over toward iity companion:
"lluif was sitting facing the fire, with
his head bent down upon his knees.
Shook him without arousing him. Finally l
raised his bead, and at once became con-
sclous that he Vas soundly; deeply asleep.
Laughing off the fears which had for Il
few moments oppressed me, left Huff to
enjoy his nap, and settled myself down as
comfortable as the circumstances would per.
nit.
was drcadfulIy drowsy, and despite
our perilous situation, despite every effort l
made to the contrary, could not entirely
resist the overpowering influence Of sleep.
Occasionly started up suddenly, and found
that had beer doing. The last time
aroused was awoke by the bark of a
wolf: Jumping to my feet l bci,eld the
fierce animal not dozen PAGES distant,
his ravenous eyes glaring at me from the
darkness. Scizinga burning brand, l flung
1t at the rapacious monster with al my
strength. struck him full in the face,
and with aterritlc howl lie darted off in the
forest. Huff did not awake, did not even
stir, SO sound was his reposc.
AFTER that did not feel mutch inclined
to sleep, though nothing further was to be
seen or heard. l examined nv rifle and
pistols, piled more faggots on tho fire, and
kept on The move, my eyes and ears open
for any more nocturnal visitors.
"Somc time passed quietly, and began
to grow insufferaLIy weary. Every mus.
clio relaxed and Il drowsy torpor gradually
stole over me. My eyes closed uncon-
sciously-my knees bent beneath me, and
WAS about dropping to the ground
~nen was suddenly aroused by the sound
of mans voice.
"'Hello, fe'lers, how dyer do q were the
words which fell on my ears, and aroused