The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1860-02-22
walking tn . Plank

before our kind readers. We heard the sto.
ry from the lips of one who professed-and
we had no reason to doubt bis word-to have
played prominent part in the thrilling oc.
currence, and we give it to the reader just
as we heard it. 81. .t ..:.@ 5a
"Some years ago." said the narrator, ga
friend and myself sgreed to take tramp,
hunter fashion, through the great wilderness
Of the Northwest. Having provided our
selves with what things we thought actually
necessary, and nothing more, we started on
our perilous journey; for that It was perilous
we were fully aware, and every reader will
admit. ... IT,. s-. .y.s ., -...
I. "Aiter encountering inhumerable hard.
ships and many dangers, we found ourselves
in the widest kind OF region, many miles
distant from the haunts OF civilization. AL
ready we had passed through. enough to
have discouraged the most OF men, but we
were young and full Of blood, and not easily
put out or frightened. This was particular
ly the case with my companion, whose name
was Andrew Huff. sA .r~... "'r
"Both of US were perfectly healthy. as
strong as iron, and considerably experien.
ced in the use of such articles as rifles, pis.
tolls, and bowie knives. In all these re.
spects we cou Id hold our own with the best:
had it been otherwise, we should never have
lived to reach the point at which we finally
arrived. ' "
"Just about dark one evening in the latter
part Of July, after hard days tramp, we
halted for the night. A darker, deeper,
loneIier solitude than that which surrounded
US, it would be hard to imagine. Silently
we built little fire and got supper; silently
we ate it. Worn out, and for the time be
ing slightly dispirited, we were in no humor
for conversation.
"For some time we sat by our camp fire
without utterng a single word, and almost
without moving. was thinking of home
and absent friends, and it is only reasonable
to suppose that Huff was similarly occupied.
"Aiter the lapse Of some time, our fire
burnt low, and I arose to replenish it. The
bark of wolf startled me, and involuntariIy
addressed my companion.
"Huff did not answer me, however, but,
without noticing the circumstance, l threw
aquantiiy OF faggots on the fire and address,
ed him. ........ ....
"Take few hours rest, Andy, and I'lI
keep WATCH" said l, "and after that you can
do the same by me-"
"Still got no answer, and then began
notice my companions unusual taciturnity.
"Anything the matter, Andy !" said !, re-
garding him closely. ... .u
No answer again. " .,.s
"That's little strange,"I muttered, NOV.
ing over toward my companion.
"HufF was sitting facing the FIRE, with his
head bent upon his knees. | shook him
without arousiDg him. Finally raised his
head, and at once became conscious that he
was soundly, deeply asleep.
Laughing off the fears which had for a
few moments oppressed ME. left Huff to
enjoy his nap, and settled myself down as
comfortably as the circumstances would
permit. S'' ...-..... ....,
II was dreadful drowsy, and despite our
perilous situation, despite every effort made
to the contrary,I could not entirely resist
the overpowering influence Of sleep. Occa.
sionaly started up suddenly, and found
that had been dozing. The last time
was aroused, was awoke by the bark Of q
wolf Jumping to my feet, I beheld the
fierce animal not dozen PAGES distant, his
ravenous eyes glaring upon me from the
darkness. SeiEing up brand, I flung it a
the rapacious monster with all my strength
1t struck him full in the face, and with I
terrible howl he darted off into the forest
Huff did not awake, did not even stir, st
sound was his repose.
"After that l did not feel much inclinet
TO sleep, though nothing more was to be seer
or heard. l examined nay rifles and pistols
piled more faggots on the fire, and kept on
the move, my eyes and ears open for an!
more nocturnal visitors.
; "Some time passed quietly, and began Il
grow insufferably weary. Every muscle re
laxed, and drowsy torpor stole over me-
My eyes closed unconsciously-my Knee
bent beneath me, and was about dropping
to the ground, when was suddenly aroused
by the sound Of mems voice: 10 .'i !
"Hello, fellers. how dyer dot" were thl
words which fell upon my ears and aroused
me to full consciousness.
81 looked around in bewilderment. Ou
little camping ground was encircled BY I
dozen or mere brawny, fierce looking des
peradoes. 1t was complete surprise, an
on the spur of the moment, | yelled aloud:
!. candy, Andy, wake uP!" y.a@, tsa ae
Il ayes, wake up, Andy" echoed the out
i. laws, loudly and derisiVely.
4 t'Arouseds at last, my conrade sprang II
o his feet, and the next moment was standing
Q by my side.i yai3sat. g gal sa g
r o".Instantlyaa dozen or more rifes wer
!. leyeled at ps, with deadly aim =,
d eyer amt goin' to show fight. ar YET
u1 demanded one Of the, outlaws, q brutal look
ing wretch, and the leader Of the band; >as
Afterwards. appeared. y,a'sai to gs1tl
-"That depends on cireumstances,n re
\ sponded Andy, unhesitatingly. r"We're tw