St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1859-05-05
Son,antit skettb.
THE
Trapper's Revenge.
A STORY OF THE PLATTE RIVER
FOUNDED OK FACT
BY LIEUT.. PARKER.

On the western frontier of Kentucky
| some fifteen years ago, stood an old
! landmark of much carlicr times in the
form of a patriarchal mansion, which,
throughout, both in architecture and
colossal dimensions, seemed fair pro-
totype of its proprietor and inhabitant,
one Richard Vaughn. One son only
upheld the ancient name and prowess
of the long descended line Of Vaughns,
who in length of limb, strength Of
sinew and dauntlcssness of heart, had
gained great names in the early days
of Kentucky. At the time our story
commences, Herbert was just enter
ing his nineteenth year, and was the
primest shot as well as the handsomest
youth in the whole settlement, although
there were many in the Immediate
neighborhood who had long contcnded
with him for the supremacy. One fine
morning in the early autumn, five or
six of the most athletic youths of the
neighborhood had congrcgated under
large tree not far from the home
stead Of Capt. Vaughn, and with rifles
in hand were consulting the best vi
cinity for their days amusement of
deer hunting. Ere they had come to
any conclusion upon the subject, Her
bert Vaughn who happened to be
strolling lcisurcly with his shotgun
upon his shoulder, through the slight
copse wood near by his home, came
suddenly upon the group, and after eX-
changing the usual salutations, he
rested his arm over the muzzle of his
gun, and to the interrogatorics Of the
party as to his late amusements, re-
piled,
Il was at the Blue Lick yesterday,
and trim me with a sapling if didn't
start three does and as fine buck as
ever Tapped water from the stream
| was up and after them, You may be-
lieve but my fire-stick missed fire,
the first time in twelvemonth !"
And you gave them up, s'pose,'
replied a snllen looking youth named
Robert Hilton.
Gave them up !" retorted Vaughn;
"no, l gave chase, you may believe,
but creeping vine tripped me just as
had got nigh upon them !"
The more fool you," replied Hill
ton, to chase buck. What an idea!
Hub Vaughn running race with an
antlered buck, ha ! ha - Hilton
turned round to his companions with
a sneering laugh, while the keen bright
eye of Vaughn frightened, and the
warm blood mantled into his cheek
As to sighting a deer" replied
Vaughn, snuffing a candle, or boring
bulls eye, don't give in to any
chap in the settlements, and as for
you, Rob Hilton, can whistle off
grouse's head where you can ruflle
the tail feathers. don't often brag,
but you know l can do that !"
"Pll lay you an eagle to a quarter
one," retorted Hilton with flushed
face, " that l can drive a shingle nail
home the first time at sixty yards,
where you can't go it in a half hour I"
Double the bet, and I'll change
places with you !" replied young
Vaughn.
Done done !" was echoed from
all sides, and the whole party sprang
to their feet. In an instant the money
was forthcoming and placed in the
hands of the eldest Of the party,
named Roger Gordon, while another
of the party drew from the butt end
of his rifle a shinsle nail this he
quietly drove into the trunk of a sap
ling at some distance, and wetting the
head applied bit of paper. Thirty |
PAGES were then marked off toward
the sun, and rack placed upon the
limits allotted to the marksmen and
in ten minutes from the commence
ment Of the challenge, Gordon an