The constitutional union., 1861-01-18
WALKING THE PLANK.

Some years ago. said the narrator. friend and myself agreed to take tramp, hunter l fashion, through the great wilderness of tile 1 Northwest. Having provided ourselves with what things we thought actually necessary and nothing more, we started upon our peri l lous journey; for that it was pcrilous We were fully aware, and every reader will admit. After cncountering iHnumerablc hardships and many dangerous. we found ourselves in | the widest kind of a region many miles dis l tant from the haunts of civilization Already we had passed through enough to have dis couraoed most of men. but we were young and full of blood, and not easily put out or l frightened. This was particularly the ease l with my companion, whose name was Andrew l Huff. Both of us were perfectly hcaIthy as l strong as iron, and considerably experienced i in the use of such articles as knives. pistols and bowie-kniyes In all these respects we could hold our own with the best; had it been otherwise we should never have lived torcach the point at which We finally arrived
 Just about dark, one evening, in the latter l part of July, after hard day. tramp, we halted for the night \ darker deeper, lone l Her solitude than that which surrounded us. would be hard to imagine. Silently we built a little fire and mado supper; silently we ate 1 1t. Worn out and for the time being slight ] ly dispirted, we were ill no humor for conver- sation. For some time we sat by our camp 1 fire without uttcrmg a single wQrd and aI- most without moving. l was thinking of home and absent friends and 1t is reasonable ! to suppose that Huff was similarly engaged
 After the lapse oi some time, our fire burnt l low, and 1 arose to replenish it. The bark of wolf starIcd me, and 1 inyoImtarily ad- dressed my companion. Huff did not an- ] swer me. however, but, without noticing the circumstance, l threw q quantity of tag9ots on the fire and said:
 Take a few hours rest, Andy, and III keep watch, and after that you can do the same by me. "
 Still | got no answer, and then began to notice my companions unusual tacturnity.
 Anything the matter, Andy:' Imuttered, regarding him closely,
 No answer yet.
 "Thats a little strange" 1 muttered, nov ing toward my companion.
 Huff was sitting laciug the fire, with his head bent up-a h- knees. l shook him with out arousing anh Finally raised his head, and at once became conscious that he was soundIy, deeply asleep.
 Laughing off the fears which had for q few moments oppressed me, I left Huff to en- joy his nap, and settled myself down as com fortable as the circumstances would permit.
 1 was dreadful drowsy, and despite our per ilous situation, despite every effort made to the contrary, l could not entirely resist the overpowering influence of sleep. Occasion ally 1 started up suddenly, and found l had been dozing The last time 1 was aroused, | was awoke by a fierce animal not dozen paces distant his ravenous eyes glaring upon me from the darkness. Seizing up fire brand, 1 flung it at the rapaciou8 monster with all my strength. It struck him full in the face, and with terrible howl he darted off into the forest. Huff did not awake did not even stir so sound was his repose
 After that l did not feel inclined to sleep, though nothing more was to be seen or heard. l examined my rifles and pistols, pulled more faggots on the fire, and kept my eyes and ears open for any more nocturnal visitors
 Some time passed quietly, and 1 began to grow iusuferably weary Every muscle re- faxed, and drowsy torpor insensibly stole over me- My eyes closed unconsciously, my knees bent beneath me, and was about drop ping to the ground, when l was suddenly aroused by the sound of mans voice:
 |" Holloa, fellers, how dye doY' were the words which fell upon our ears and aroused me to perfect consciousness.
 l looked around in bewilderment; our lit tie camping ground was encircled by dozen or more ferce-looking, brawny desperadoes It was complete surprise, and on the spun of the moment I yelled out
 Andy, Andy, wake up!"
 Yes, wake up, Andy" echoed the out laws loudly and derisiyely.
 Aroused at last, my companion sprang tc his feet, and the next moment was standing al my side