The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1861-11-07
Five
How many charges of powder?'

That will do AVanees mes cnere, cheEe GU
fantas avanceZ
An anxious hour rolled slowly away. We
had progressed at least couple Of leagues, land
as yet there were no symptoms of pursuit.
Shall we keep this up or look for cover 2
said, pausing for breath.
Il am thinking the matter over, replied Paul.
Let me see they have the advantage in num-
bers are stout, experienced fellows and every
now and then they can have q fresh hand at
the paddle. We have no chance to escape by
flight, think, What say your
THAT we must let them pass u.s..
Agreed there is no moon and but few stars;
in ten minutes it will be as dark as pitch
Paul was right in another quarter ofan hour,
we could scarcely see each others faces. We
allowed the canoe to drift under the overhang
ing branches of an adjacent hemlock, and sat
there-like two aligators up to their chlns
in mud watching for meal.
That is the tramp of bear said l to the
trapper.
did l ever tell you of the little brush had
once with bear = inquired Paul.
Never said 1; pray let US have it.
| i lost my way one very chilly nighta sum
mer or two since, in the forests up north and
having neither great coat, nor blanket, nor buff
falo skin, nor materials for the ignition ola fire,
l thought of locating myself in the hollow of a
rotton hemlock, which stood close at hand. No
sooner lad I contrived to lower myself to the
| bottom, however, than my ears were RECALLED
| with one of the most dismal and extraordinary
bowls that they have ever been constrained to
| give audience to; and feeling about me in great
CONSERVATION, discovered that had been so
| unfortunate as to deposit myself in the very
centre of litter of bears cubs Ma fol re-
reflected I, 8 if the old she bear (who has gone
out suppose to spend the EVENING" comes back
and finds me here, my situation will be any
thing but pleasant one Hark what was
that =
Nothing said I go on with your tale
We'll, mon cher Abel, the idea of being clap
per clawed by the indignant auimal, and served
up in the shape of cold collation. to her inter
esting family, did not inspire me with any ad
ditional respect for the predicament in which
my i'll luck had placed me and l resolved up
on seeking elsewhere for lodging In pursu-
ance OF this resolution, / was about to re-climb
the tree by dint of sticking my fingers and feet
into the touchwood, when the blue sky was sud
denly blotted from my sight. There was low
growl, the young cubs began to frisk about,an
saw the old she bear pop her hind qaarters
into the hemlock, and set about letting herself
gracefully down backwards-jus in The way
you would descend a ladder. My heart threw
complete somersault and my knees knocked
together Paul Skinner said to myself, your
"
I would not give a pinch of powder for your
prospects, A new idea then occurred to me-
1 whipped out my knife, and just as my corpu-
| lent hostess was about to place her great, damp
foot on my cranium,I stabbed her with all my
might no less than six times, and then grasped
her firmly by the shaggy hide. Wondering, l
dare say, what so singular a Development on
| the part of her cubs was intended to indicate,
away she clambered up the tree again with the
| Z vor
humble servant after her as she went, and plant
| ing him in state of comparative safety at the
rotten hemlock's base
What are you laughing at?'
You will vouch, of course, for the veraclty
of that tale, said l, wiping the tears from my
eyes.
I 4 WILL replied Paul. Hank What is
that :?
They are coming
Which side of the river 2
This, apparently
'Ah then we must be off to the other Hark
again
This side,' replied 1 1 hear the dip of
the paddles. And see there are two stars blot
ted out in the north. We have no time to bet
ter our position.
had scarcely closed my lips ere the dip OF
the paddles ceased and we knew that the red
men were within twenty feet of our hiding
| place.
Il can't help thinking vbout the venison,
whispered Paul and I'm going to laugh.
/ DO SO, and l swear | will brain you in the
act replied.
I'm holding my sides,' gggled Paul.
you had BETTER threatened L, while my
heart beat so loudly that thought the Indians
must have heard it.
Soon afterward, the Indians resumed then
paddles and we breathed again.
4 . do hod
away, then securing the canoe to the bank, Selz
ed our rifles and stepped cautiously into the
forest.
Hank ! cried 1 { did you hear that yell =?
u 1t was the wolves they have struck upoI
the trail of deer
THE red men are coming back tell you
and are almost upon us.
Back then to the canoe whispered the trap
per. Hush not breath, OR we are lost. TAKE
I, care of the dry sticks, and feel your way VIII
the toe of your moccasin before you tread All!
In spite of my caution, had placed my foot
upon brittle twig, and it occasioned a SQUAD
something resembling thai which is generally
produced by the application of ones knuckle
to the conductor ofan electrifying machine. -
The Indians paused nearly opposite the pace
of our concealment and held brief cousulta
ton.
I'VE are not discovered said Paul. squeez
} ing my arm in ecstasy; they are OFT the scent.
In another minute We heard the respectable
trio pulling themselves along by the branches
close by US, and feeling for convenient place
to land That preliminary arranged, they step
} ped ashore and threw themselves on the grount
| within pistol shot of where we sat
What tickles you now p said to the trap
per, rather Sappishiy do you wish to lose
your scalp?'
you have wounded that tall squirting you'll
} in the leg muttered Paul; and he is invoking
blessing on your head for the attention.
: Hush Stealthystepper is Speaking.
Aha very well, my fine tellew,' muttere'
Paul again { he says they bave not passed, ano
they are about TO construct rope of moose-barl
which they intend to stretch from one bank o
the river to the other.
t They intend to capsize US. or at ali event
give timely notice of our approach. The ices
Is a new one, and the scoundrel deserves SOM
credit for it. Only hear how they are peelinI
the trees.
!. AT this crisis Of affairs, heard light ste
close beside me, and then a curious noise a
though large covey of cartridges had sudden
" taken wing from the spot. placed my fore
finger upon the hair-trigger OF my rifle, an
| kent the muzzle in the direction OF the lntrude
| hut his re firing steps told me that the DANCE
} had nassed. 4 deathless silence OF halt al
/ hours duration ensued, and began to enter
: tain some hopes that the Indians had gwen u
: the chase and departed. l intimated m.
: NO such luck said he, they are close "a
? hand, like wildcats waiting for the spring
have only one chance of escape. We mus
make another attenpt to capture their canoe
. and sink II. Stay, one i sufficient Tor tn
u work Well. here, then take the knife. Sh
= hes about ten yards down the bank On you
u right hand. Don't spare her bottom
e Fl will make hole large enough for you t
. put your head in, said 1; and away went, trai
r Thrice paused on the way to listen, fesrfr
: of treading on the PROSTATE body OF one OF tn
red men, Who, 1 knew, could not be Tar dlstan
but not a sound fell upon my ear and pushln
e forward again, contrived to plant my LOOT u
on the chest of Steathystepper. VINO, liSteao !