Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1860-02-10
WALKING THE PLANE"

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The history of the West is one long re-
cord of bloody and atrocous deeds Not
the least in the dark and interminable
catalogue is the little event we are about
to lay before our kind readers. We heard
the story from the lips of one who pro-
fessed-and we have no good reason to
doubt his word-to have played pro-
minent part in the thrilling occurrence,
and we give it to the reader just as we
heard it;
Some years ago, said the narrator, "a
friend and myself agreed to take tramp,
hunter fashion, through the great wilder
ness of the Northwest. Having provided
ourselves with what things we thought ac-
tually necessary, and nothing more, we
started upon our perilous journey; for
that it was perilous we were fully aware,
and every reader will admit
After encountering innumerablo hard
ships and many dangers, we found our
selves in the widest kind of a region, many
miles distant from the haunts of civiliza-
ton. Already we had passed through
enough to have 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.
Both Of us were perfectly healthy, as
strong as iron, and considerably expert
enced in the use of such articles as rifles,
pistols, and bowie knives. In all these
respects we could hold out with the best
had it been otherwise, we should never
have lived to reach the point at which we
finally arrived.
y ust about dark one evening in the lat
ter part of July, after hard days tramp,
we halted for the night. A darker, deep
er, lonelier solitude than that which sur
rounded us, it would be hard to imagine.
Silently we built little FIRE and cooked
our suppers, silently we ate it. Worn
out, aud for the time being slightly dis
pirited we were in no humor for converse
ton.
For some time we sat by our campfire
without uttering single word, and almost
without moving. l was thinking of home
and absent friends, and it is only reason
able to suppose that Huff was similarly
occupied.
After the lapse of some time our fiji e
burnt low, and arose to replenish it, the
bark of wolf startled me, and l involun-
tarily addressed my companion.
Huff did not answer me, however, but,
without noticing the circumstance, threw
quantity Of faggots on the fire, and ad-
dressed him
Take few hours rest, Andy, and I'll
keep watch, said /, and after that you
can do the same by me-
Still l got no answer, and then began
to notice my companions unusual taci-
turnity,
Anything the matter, Andy?' said I
regarding him closely.
No answer again.
That's little strange, l muttored,
moving over toward my companion.
Huff was sitting facing the fire, with
his head beut down upon his knees.
shook him without arousihg him. Final
ly, raised my head, and at once became
conscious that he was soundly, deeply
asleep.
Laughing off the fears that had for a
few moments oppressed me, left Huff to
enjoy his nap, and settled myself down
as comfortably as the circumstances would
permit.
Il was very drowsy, and despite our
perilous situation, despite every effort
made to the contrary, could not entirely
resist the overpoworing influence of sleep.
Occasionally l started up suddenly, aud
found | had been doing. The last time
| was aroused, | was awoke by the bark of
wolf, Jumping to my feet, beheld
the fierce animal not dozen PAGES dis
tant, his ravenous eyes glaring upon me
from the darkeness, Seizing up brand,
flung il at the rapacious monster with
all my strength. 1t struck him full in the
face, and with terrible howl he darted
of into the woods. Huff did not awake,
did not even stir, so sound was his re.
pose.
"After that | did not feel much inclined
to sleep, though nothing more was to be
seen or heard. / examined my rifle and
pistols, piled moro faggots on the FIRE, and
I kept on tho move, my eyes and ears open
for any moro nocturnal visitors.
Some timo passed quietly, and began
to grow insuflerably weary, Every muscle
relaxed, aud drowsy torpor. gradually
stole over me. My eyes closed uneon-
sciously my knees bent beneath me, and
| was about dropping to the ground, when
was suddenly aroused by the sound Of a
mans voice
Hello, felIcrs how dyer do2 we're the