The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1859-06-01
Stlctt aNistellanp
THE HUN rER's REWARD.

Tn the spring of 1870, two young men. George
Dill and Peter Brown, both carpenters. launch
ed Il small boat on the Mononghela, aud having
supplied themselves with ample stock OF provis-
ions and ammunition, dropped down the river
on an exploring and hunting expedition. = y
proceeded unmolested down the Ohio several
hunc red miles below Wheeling. where they
landed, on the Kentucky side. and erected /,
cabin of poles, which they covered with small
branches and moss. 1t was situated a short
distance from the rivers bank, near good
spring. among tall and heavy timber. After
storing their effects consisting of cooking uten-
sls. few mechanical implements, several
blankets, and some wearing apparel, into the
cabin. they shouldered their rifles. accompanied
by two trusty dogs, and betook themselves to
the woods.
Being aware that this section of the country
was sometimes visited by bands of hostile In
dians. either to kill game attack boats de-
scending the river the young hunters kept a
sharp lockout less they should be surprised by
a superior force. Game abundant. and
they had the good fortune to kill several deer
during tho ir first excursion. After three or
four days absence they returned, laden with
skins and meat. to their hut, and found their
premises undisturbed. By ascending a small
knoll in the vicinity of their moss covered cab
bin, they had a clear view of the river, and
could any boats that might be passn =.
while the high grass and underbrush afforded
them hiding place. where they could conceal
themselves com,letely from observation
A month passed away. and neither friend nor
foe had appeared, -aHd=tlle= huHtcrs cUTTTTnTTed
their excursions, and penetrated further. into
the interior where they found beautiful coun-
try with rich soil and fine streams. On one
occasion they had been absent ten days and Oh
returning to their cabin again. found every
thing in the condition in which they had
left it. They now began to congratulate them
selves upon their peaceful occupancy Of the
country. Their dogs. however appeared much
excited, and kept moving 7about-for some time
as If they scented som thing unusual. but ut
length entered the cabin and composed them.
selves. Dill supposed that some wild animal
had recently passed along, out Brown was
strongly impressed with the belief that their
habitation was discovered. Before starting OIL
their next trip, Brown so arranged some of the
articles in the cabin, without mentioning tito
Dill, that slight touch would change their po-
sition sufficiently to enable him to detect it,
I he weather had now become warm, and after
being out several days. Brown proposed they
should return to the cabin. Dill demonstrated
for some time, but eventually nssented, and
they agreed to start on their return trip early
the next morning, so as to avoid the heat of
the day, having some eight or ten miles to
travel 1c1 ~ 90 4. 800
About quarter of mile inland from their
cabin. in a r,all open space, our adventures
had planted few hills of coin and squashes,
which soon came up, but received no further
attention. In returning that morning, they
dieressed a little from their direct course for !
the purpose of looking little at their struck
patch" Immediately after they arrived there