The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-04-04

through the air on downy and noiseless
wing; passing like night-spirt, seen and
gone with a weird, swift silence of pas
sage. It was we'll for US that there was
no foliage upon the trees, as yet for,
otherwise, we should have been in the
midst of darkness so dense as to have
precluded any possibility of hunting
AS it was, there was faint light from
just overhead. struggled down the foot
of the glen where we stood.
We sauntered slowly up the road till
we came to place where the valley
widened. and we could hear by the sill.
yer running Of tho brook, that it was
spread into a more shallow and less fierce
ly rushing stream, and ran over pebbles.
Here there was sort of pause in the as
cent; o short, narrow plateau, where the
sides of the gorge curved inly, leaving o
broader space for the stream and the
winding road. Thick bushes, principal
ly birch and alder, grew at either side of
the path, and at about the centre of the
level tall, bare, and fearfully gnarled
oak lowered high above, throwing one
knotty and crooked limb entirely across
the road.
At this place we paused. 1t was the
only spot we had found where we could
keep within sight of each other and still
be some little distance apart. Jones
stationed himself at the lower end of the
level. while took my ploce above him,
just at point where sudden curve and
ascent hid the road beyond from sight.
Our eyes had become accustomed to the
darkness and our ears 20 the gurgle and
plash of the waters We could see each
others's outline, and could hear each 9TH
er's steps when we occasionally changed
place.
Here we stood or sau inferred while the
night grew older. At length I took out
my watch. By dint of long scrutiny
had made the time to be fifteen minutes
past eleven. 1 was putting it up when
heard low "Hisb'' from Jones.
What do you hear?" said, clu.ching
my rifle.
4 Il hear rustling in the bushes just be.
side me!'
1 was not frightened. but chill rar
through me, and 1 felt myself sbiverine
from head to foot.
"Do you see anyihing?"
II see the brush bending and swaying-
some animal is, creeping past me On it,
belly!" Jones re,reated across the road
facing dense patch of brush, and raised
his gun
For Gods sake. don't fire till you Sc
the creature plaiu!y!"
$ Jones put down his gun, and I stol
towards him.
l paused. / could hear it now, glidibi
through the brush, and breaking an occa
y sional dead twig Very little nois
though Now saw it; dark bod
e slowly approachingahe spot where Istoo
], but never in plain view, from the thic
l. underbrush about it. There was heay
% plunge through the brush, followed by
rs plash in the brook. Jones had thrown
m large stone at the slow moving shadow
'e We had not noticed till that instant thu
+, we had followed the movement in tt
i, bushes to the foot of the gnarled oak
ID but were aware of it then. For, with
IS fearful cry, between a growl and the hi
n- sing snarl of cat, large animal glide
le up the tree, and out upon the branch ju
D. over US! Daylight could no. have made
ID palmer. 1t crouched upon the limb vii
flashing eyes and white fangs'9 9gleamir
as from the dis;ended mouth. Its shor
er thick tail waving from side to side; i
I'd back bumped, with each particular ha
We standing on end with rage, aud its eve
fe changing, savage face. glancing from OF
s. to the other. We both stepped back, al
y, at the motion, q cry the most savage
: ever heard came from the terrible creatu
above us. Ibeliese it had determined
spring upon me! 1t drew its legs I
ID under it, and turned its hideous count
:e nance full upon me. Still stepping ba'
pt raised my rife, and at the instant Jon
It, fred. The beast slid around the brau'
I'd and hung by its forepaws, uttering C
to after c-y of pain. 1t hung for hi
moment, dropped into the road, and tur
ed with indescribablc fury upon me. B
it was too late. 1t had scarcely touch
the ground when / had bullet throuI
ed its brain, and the terror of the "long h'
st, low" was no more!
ed
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