Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1861-02-14
SCENES OF FRONTIER LIFE.
THE HURRICANE.

At the foot of the Ozark Mountains, where
their steep, rocky cliffs extend far into the
densely wooded bottom land, at short distance
from the banks of the Mulberry, which dashed,
foaming and roaring against the sharp angles
of ice with which the unusually cold winter en-
deavored to bar its passage, two white hunters
wrapped in their wooen blankets, were walking
the river, apparently seeking place where they
could cross to the other side
They were well and powerfully formed as was
evident both from appearance and the vigor
with which they moved onwards, each with his
rifle on his shoulders, while their neatly fringed
leggings, their closely fitting and neatly scled
moccasins, proved that they had adapted them
selves to the customs of the woods, and did not
belong to those 'and-hunters' who, especially
in those times began to infest the western part
of the State in order to discover and purchase
the best situated sections, or, perhaps to occu-
py them without any other right than the fact
that no one had anticipated them in possession.
"Bill" cried one of them, at last, stopping
short, sit is no use to look farther. You see
was right the river here is so broad that we
cannot expect to find tree lying across it, and
even if we were to set to work with our hatchets
and fell one of these pines that stand nearest
the shore, it would not reach to the other side.
Besides, there is an ugly storm rising yonder,
and | think it no bad idea to make arrange
ments to pass this night more comfortably than
the last for it will be bitter cold"
"Well, It's provoking" replied Bill, in tone
| of i'll humor. 81 was III hopes we could ge,
across to this rayine this evening, for, in the
first place, we should find comfortable quarters
| in one of It's numerous caves and then want
ed to look around for bear; | am certain there
are some thereabouts. The water is too con
| founded cold to swim across, and, as you say,
| think we shall have storm-so let us work
| then; there are enough old trees lying arounC
here, ard plenty of bark for a roof"
| "There are almost too many trees lyin!
around" replied Tom, looking about on al
sides seven those that are standing seem olt
and rotten. l don't quite like to pass the nigh
so near them. You know what stories fathe
used to tell u.s.
"Nonsense !" cried Bill, laughing; "wher
could we find better place to campP Thi
little brook will supply us with water; there !
plenty of wood around these young trees wi
make capital tent-poles, and that bark yonde
is the very thing for roof"
Tom made no further objections the spo
looked too inviting and soon both We're busil
employed in erecting a rude shelter, whic
might for night at least afford them proteC
ton against the approaching storm. In sue
practised hands, the work progressed quite rap
idly, and half an hour had scarcely elapsed be
fore the two were seated within their hastil
formed room near a fire, in front of which hun
several slices of meat.
1T is strange how cold it is all of a sudden
said Tom, when they had nearly dispatched thei
silent meal, Just look the water in the pewte
cup is already frozen hard, and the wind ha
shifted to the north it blows, too, confounde
sharp
> Let it blow ? said Bill, yawning, and wraI
ping himself closely in his wide blanket.
Il am tired and want to 60 to sleep-goo
night, Tom-lay in few branches before yo'
wrap yourself up. and the one who wakes fir
in the morning will wake the other
1t was past midnight, and the fire was amo
burnt out. The two brothers, however, slel
soundly and the keen north wind which rusl
ed over the snow-clad mountain tops into II
valley below could not disturb their slumber
Heavy masses of clouds, gathering from variol
quarters, had now collected togetherj they hum
darkly threatening, over the rustling, moanr
forest, and, gently swaying, the gigantic tre
shook and bowed their leafess tops, as ii in 81
foreboding of the coming storm. brig
flash of lightning now darted from the blaC
heavens, and a crashing thunder-clap foowt
almost instantaneously the messenger OF d
struction.
One OF lllOSe tefIlDle Winter stOIlHS was H
!, y preaching, so usual in that part of the countr
' and the unbridled hurricane rushed howlil
= through the narrow chasms of the mountains
!. BILL = exclaimed Tom, springing up in terro
Bill, get up! we must not lie here; look, he
the old trunks bend, and-do you hear that P
, there is one falling already
= 'HallooP replied Bill hastily casting asst
I his blanket, has it Gomez lla, Tom, hold {
:, to the roof-confound me, il this rsed mort
II wester won't carry il off,
And, in truth, his fears seemed not to be e
. tirely groundless for at the same instant n su
/ den blast, issuing from an opposite ravine, rus
I, ed over them with such violence that in twin
y ling it half unroofed their camp, and chased Il
I. glowing Goals and sparks far out into the da
: night. Again flash OF lightning, and 4
thunder outroared the bowling tempest. Su
! denly it seemed as il the earth swayed from