The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1861-03-27
THE mURRICANE.


from the banks Of the Mulberry, which dashed
Eoaming and roaring against the sharp angles O
ice with which the unusually cold water endea
yoyed 70 bar its passage, two white hunters
wrapped in their woollen blankets, were walk
ing along the river, apparently seeking plac'
where they could cross TO the other side.
They we're we'll and powerfully formed as wa
evident both from appearances and the vigo
with which they moved onwards, each with hi
rife on his shoulder while their neatly iringet
leggiugs, their closely fitting and neatly solec
mocasins, proved that they had adapted them
selves to the customs Of the woods, and did no
belong to those land hunters who especially il
those times began to infest the western part I
the State, in order to discover and purchase th'
best situated sections or perhaps to occupy then
without any other right than the tset that NJ
one bad anticipated them in possession.
"B H." cried one Of them at last stopping
short, at is no use to lock farther. You see
was right; the river is SO broad that we cannot
expect to find a tree lying across 1t, and even i
we set to work with our batchets and fell on,
of these pines that stand nearest the shore II
would not reach the oth,r side. Besides, there
is al, ugly storm rising yonder, and think It nc
bad idea TO make arrangements to pass the nigh
more comfortably than the last, for it will be
bitter cold"
"Wel, 'tis provoking" replied Bill, in tone
of i'll humor. Il was in hopes we could get a
cross TO the ravine this evening, for, in the first
place. we should find very comfortable quarters
in one OF its numerous caves; and then wanted
10 look around for bear--l ATM 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 Of old trees lying around
here and plenty OF bark Tor root"
"Tbere are almost too many old trees lying a.
round here" replied Tom, looking about on al
sides: even those that are standing seem old and
rotten. don't quite like to pass the night sc
near them. You know wha' stories father used
20 tell u.s."
"Nonsenses' cried Bill laughing. "Whert
could we have found better place to campf--
This little brook will supply US with water
there is plenty OF wood around; these young
trees will make capital tent. polrs, and that barb
yonaer is the very thing for a root"
Tom made no further objections, the spot
looked too inviting and soon both were busIly
EMPLOYED in erecting rude shelter, which nigh
for this night at least, afford them protection a
gainst the approaching storm In such pract
ced hands, the work progress quite rapidly
and half an hour had scarcely elapsed before th'
two we're seated in their hastily formed room
near a FIRE, in front o which hung several slices
of meat. ....
alt is strange how very cold it is all Of a sud
deu!'' said Tom when they had nearly dispatch
ed their silent meal, "just look! the water in thu
pc wter cup il already frozen bard, aud the WIND
has shifted to the North; it blows, too, conioun
ded sharp
..Let it blowp' said Bill, yawning and wrap
ping himselfv very closely in his wide blanket.
81 am tired and want to go TO sleep-gooe
night, Tom lay on few branches before yot
wrap yourself up. and the one who wakes firsl
in the morning will wake the other"
1t waa past midnight, and the fire was almos
burnt out. The two brothers, however, slep
soundly; and the keen north wind which rushed
over the snow clad mountain iops into the val
ley below, could not di-turb their slnmbers.
Heavy masses of clouds, gathering from parou'
quarters, had now collected together; they hung
darkly threatening, over the rustling, moaning
forest, and gently swaying, the gigantic tree'
shook and boxed the ,atess tops, as If in sac
foreboding Of the coming storm. A bright tlssl
of lightning now darted from the Heavens, ant
crashing thunder clap followed almost instan
taneously the messenger Of destruction.
One OF those terrible winter storms was ap
preaching, 80 usual in that part of The country
and the unbrldled hurricane rushed howlnl
through the narrow chasnis OF the mountains
"Biilm exclaimed Tom, sprlrging up i'll er
ror, obi get up! we must not lie here; look hov
the old trunks ben dand--do you hear thal?-'
there i, one falling already"
| tl,, do
blanket, "has it come! Ila, Tom, hold on % tn
roof --confuund me II this cursed northweste
wont carry it off"
| And, in truth, his fears seemed not groundless
ior at the same instant sudden blast, ssu,n
| from an opposite ravine, rushed over them Wit
such violence that in a twinkl.ng il half unrool
ed their camp, and chased the glowing Goals an
sparks far out into the dark night. Again
flash OF lightning and the thunder outroared th
bowling tempest Suddenly it seemed as il th
earth swayed from its foundations, as II h
stays and laslenings had burst asunder,b, whic
it was held compact globe. Onwar'i it cam
as II from far distance at first scarcely audibi
with dull, low iatiIing, like the thunder Of
thousand cannon; then approaching nearer, in
wind and fearful uproari crash upon crash
sound. that might wake the dead
Almighty God! hurricane!' exclaime
Tom, starting up in terror for at the same mo
meat the tempest came roaring on The might
oaks, which had deticd cen uries, bent lik
slender reeds and, IN one crash that stupehe
sense and soul, the whole forest fell, as II move
by the hano the Most High. Onward rage
the whirlwind, onward with terrible rapidly
for miles wide ii cast tho gigantic trees, lik
rushes, to the ground; for miles long, cru,hin
aud desolatlng, it forced its almless path; bu
silence, sepulchral silence followed in its traiI
and reigned over the ruins OF the fallen fores
Not breath now stirred, and this death lik
repese, after the hideous uproar OF the element
was even more terrific than the immediate prt
sence OF the tempest.
Bill had, as it were by miracle escape
without the slightest injury; covering close TO
vast trunk, which lay almost PROSTATE on th
ground, an oak that ell a ross this served
protect him from the smaller branches and tree
4 which fell on all sides. Now, however, as 500
as the first and most urgent danger was owe
he leaped up, aud filled with sad toreboding
called anxiously after his brother.
"Tom! brother Tom! answer me--Tom!-
Good God has then 80 fearful fate over,ake
theea
No--alas for the unhappy man! He still Ii
ed, and his laint voice echoed from nogreat di
tance upon the ear oil the young hunter, WI
listened with breathless anxiety.
"All mercful heavens!' exclaimed the latte
when, alter leading over lew trees which Ia
J in his war, with . flaming brand IN his rigl
hand, he stood before the brother that be sough
laAll merciiul heaven!' he repeated, almo
frantic with grief and he covered bus face vii
Ibis hands: ior near him, pale as corpse. b
! lower limbs crushed beneath the weight Of q
4 enormous oak, whose trunk had ploughed dseI
" into the ground. lay his brother Tom, Il
,si....,.ta n his vo,,th and ths darling Of h