The River Falls journal. (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1857-1861, 1859-10-12
SfLils(eIIaaeQns
WALKING THE PLANK

gTT5 He history of the West is one long
n, record of bloody and atrocious
deeds. Not the least i'll the dark and IN
telminable catalogue is the little event we
are now about to lay before Or kind read
ers.
We heard the story from tho lips Of
one who profcssed-and we had no good
reason to doubt his word-to have play
ed prominent part in the thrilling occur
renee, and we give it to the reader just as
we hearl it.
"Some years ago." said the narrator,
"a friend and myself agreed to take a
tramp, hunter fashion, through the great
wilds Of the Northwest. Having proyi-
de ourselves with what things we tho't
actually necessary, and nothing more
VIC started upon our pofiIous journey
for that it was perilous we were fully aware
and every reader will admit.
After encountering innumerablo hard
ships AMI many dangers, we found our
selves in. the widest kind Of a region, mr.
ny miles distant from the liaunts Of ci' Ill
zat;on. Already we had passed through
enough to lave discouraged most men,
but we were Young and full OF blood, and
not easily put out or frightened. This
was particularly the case with my COM
panion, whose name was Andrew Huff.
Just about dark one evening in the lat
ter part of July, after hard days tramp
we halted for the night. A darker, deep
or, lonelier solitude than the one which
surrounded us. it would be hard TO mag
inc. Silently we built a little fire and
cooked our supper. Worn out, and for
the ii nc being, slightly disfirited, We
were in no humorf or conversation.
For some time we sat by our camp fire
without u;tcr;ng single word, and almost
without moving, Twas thinking ofhomo
AMI al.sont i lends, and it is only reason
abe to suppose t4at HUFF MAS thus oc,u
p;eil.
After the Iapso Of some time, our fire
burnt low and | rose to replcni5h it. The
lark Of a wolf startled me and I inyo!m
iarilv addressed nv companion.
.He did NOT answer me- however but
without not;crg the circumstance I threw
a ouan.ity If raooots on Tie fire. and
then went to linn ana said:
Take few hours rest, Andy, and III
keen watch ..a .s..u
Still I got no answer, and then 1 be-
gan to notice my companion's unusual
tacituruity.
:Auything the matter, Andy?' said l
regarding him closely.
No answer again.
That's a little strange,'I mutterod,
moving oy r toward my companion. -
HUFF was sitting facing the FIRE, with
his head bentidswn over his tnees. /
shook him without arousipg him, Final.
IL | raised his head and became conscious
that he was soundIy, deeply sleeping. s.
Laughing off thotsars which lad for "
few moments oppressed me, l left Huff to
ENJOY his nap and and settled myself down as
comfortably as circumstances would per-
mt
lwas dreadful drowsy, and despite our
pcrilous situation, despite every effort L
made to the contrary, l could not resist
the empowering influence ofsleep. Oc-
cas:onaEy / star.el up suddenly, and
found tlatI had b.onsdozing. The last
time I was aroused, l was awoko by the
bark ola wolff Jumpipgtos my feet. L
behold thu fierce animal not q dozen PAGES
distant, his rayenous eyes gIanng upon
me from tho darkness. SEEING up q
brand, / flung It at the rapaciops monster
with ALI my strength. ltstruck him full
n A44.....lj.E Lo.,J L.
III 'iio i"es' ''fs' - ~. =,
,3aTtGI Oil INTO the forest. HIN dlu ioS