The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1861-11-07
TEgE VENIsON SUPPER.
n Rnckwoods Remimisence.

The golden evening Of lovely autumnal day
was fast drawing to close, and Paul Skinner,
my trapper friend, and myself were beginning
to bend anxious glances towards the river $
banks on each side of US, in the hope of finding
some sequestered nook where we might run our
canoe ashore and encamp leisurely for the night
'Yon6er,' cried Paul, pointing to small PIC
turesque clump of trees short distance IN al,
vance we cannot do better; good cover and
no lack of deer, warrant
Paul Skinner was a reckless. Joyous young
Englishman, whose exuberance of animal spirit
and insnpereble love of adventure had induced
him, at an early period of his career, to quit his
native country and link himself with band OF
trappers who frequented the untrodden wilder
ness of the fair and far northwest. Symptoms
of home sickness, however, were now, for the
first time, beginning to develope themselves IN
his manly heart, and he liked to talk of accom-
panying me in my pill grimage back across the
big salt lake, to that land toward which all my
better affections had long been pointing. A tear
would sometimes tremble in Paul's eye when
we spoke OF England; and there was something
in connection with that tear regarding which l
often wished it would please him to be little
more communicative. But as1 forgetting that
we are just about to jump ashore and pitch our
tent.
'Cest bon, I replied paul always laughed
at my French) if you like the the place, let Us
make for it at once
Ditto, ditto, answered he; shall eat a
whole squirrel, providing we do not circumvent
fat buck
4 will eat no more of your baked squirrels,
said l, stoutly.
Ma fol but you may get nothing else, cried
Paul 8 but you should have let me bag that
pretty white rabbit with the pink eyes; it was
a curiosity
"A rara avis, you mean to say, answered l.,
laughing.
What is rara avis = asked Paul; i wish
you would talk English
so | will if you promise not to bore me with
any more of your bad French; !" so saying, L
sprang upon the sandy beach, and tearing a
long strip of bark from young moose tree that
grew near, twisted them hastily together, and
moored our canoe to the branch of fallen pine
which iutted over the rivers brink. Paul had
already seized the axe ard commenced hewtng
logs for a fire, when happening to glance into
the forest, saw thin wreath of blue smoke
curling spiraly to the sky pointed it out
to my companion.
'There are Indians at hand, friend Abel, said
Paul; go and reconnoitre.'
/ laid down the fox pouch which contained
the flint, steel end touchwood, and crept noise
lessy forward. No Indians were visible, but
there was large fire burning in small patch
of clearing, and a fine piece of venison, cleverly
arranged upon three curved sticks, Kissing mu-
sically over it, and exhahng most irresistible
odor around, With an air of some satisfaction,
therefore, l marched back to Paul, and acquaint-
ed him with the success of my mission. He re-
turned with me, peered cautiously about him
for few seconds and then burst into an up
roarious ht of laughter
Here is supper ready spread for US, quoth
he covers for tWo-sit down, beg, for what
we are about to receive-what delicious smell
to be sure l don't quite understand how these
good things came here, but that has nothing tc
do with 1t. Come, and we will talk the matter
over afterwards
With these words, Paul Skinner passed his
long hunting knife through the venison, ano
presented me with my share. He then ran down
to the canoe, and brought up the remains OF q
stale oaf ard a kettle OF water and, with OUT
cooked rifles at our sides, we ate our meal in
quiet wonderment.
We had scarcely concluded when advancing
steps were heard,the branches were thrust aside
and three stately red men--the for emost having
upon his magnificent head blue naval cap
garnished with a gold band and long crows
featheI-presented themselves to our astonish-
ed gaze. experienced kind eff strange, ill.,
digestibe sensation, and looked at Paul who
turned pale but recovered himself in an instant.
How do you do, gentle men !? said the trap
per, with smile of much suavity, and a strong
effort to dispose of last morsel of venison.
shall not soon forget the expression OF the
countenance of the three red men as they sur
veye6 the spot where their intended savory re-
past had lately been put down to cook.
I don't like the looks of these fellows nut
tered Paul there is storm brewing.
just then the tallest and Oldest of our visit
ors laid aside his fusee, and advancing with dig
NIFTY, took them by the hand, saying
White son, welcome paIefaee and red chic
always brudders; tank Great Spirit for dat
White son christian be?'
Yes said I, returning his grasp, and star
ing him steadily in the face. then apoogzed
with much gravity, for having appropriated t.
ourselves his venison, and asked him whethe
he had more. The strange features OF the chic
gave spasmodic twist and he shook HIS head
moticning me at the same time to be seated.
Keep your legs and be ready to grasp you
rife at a moments notice, whispered Paul from
the corner of his eloquent eye.
No great matter, replied the chief in re
spouse to my query touching the venson xii
deer by UNI by Tank him God for dinner, eh?
No. said T. rather abashed at the omission
we were about to do SO when your arrival i
No tank him God p said the chief; ba'
dat-always tink Christian tank him for cherry
tipg-eh?
regret to observe, answered / that Their
are great many who forget to do so, and ina
to-day, my friend and I are unfortunatel.
the number
The old warrior shook his head again, ant
exchanged rapid and most imperceptibl
glance with his young men, Imistrusted hin
from that moment.
Good fuse-handsome fuse dat SAID u
chief, about to place his hand upon my piece
In an instant seized it and retreated a pace 0
two. There was simultaneous rush OF tn
three red skins to capture the rifles, but Eau
and / had anticipated the movement and drop
ping the muzzle Of our weapons to the ieVeL u
their breasts, retired at a double quick ste
backwards. 1t was fortunate circumstsuc
for US that the frelocks of the Indians had bees
previously discharged. One of them, however
rammed home bullet with the rapidlty Q
lightning.
Now for it, cried Paul; in and away J.
Quick as thought he leaped into the canoe, an
with stroke of his tomahawk cut the moose
bark rope that attached it to the shore. sprahl
as nimbly after him and driving the barrel OF m
rifle into the sand, showed off into mid-stream
bullet grazed my ear as l did so. and GU
heavy axe whizzed past the head of Paul.
Reserve your fire but had already pulle
the trigger and seen the youngest Of the re-
men stagger. Darling swiftly down with tn
current, we had shot at Least thirty yards ahea
of them, when my eye caught glimpse OF a CT
noe half hidden among the trees that overhun
the rivers bank. Paul had seen it too. A slr
gular idea flashed through both our brains t.
| gether, and shortly afterwards we were paddiln
triumphantly away, with the little craft in to"
We are losing ground gasped the trappel
you must let it go; every moment is precious
Quick they are about us; scutte 1t n yo
can; drive your tomahawk into the bottom
anythingP l acted upon the latter suggest ito
without loss of time, and loud yell from tn
enemy announced the success of the operation
Three sharp reports followed. Paul drew l
his breath suddenly, as one in pain-anothe
sweep of the paddle and we were out of dal
gers reach.
Are you hurt p Inquired.
| One Of my ears is gone-that is ALL said tn
:, trapper, roaring with laughter.
You take it eoolly,' I observed.