Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1868-06-12
3fiseellanu.
A Thrilling Adventure.

IL thC NOttt 1CUc l. was III anu
one night met with the adventure which
l now propose to relate:
had been travelling long way on
horseback, entirely unaccompanied.
My road lay through thinly-settled
desolate region. The last house l had
passed was many miles behind me, and l
began to feel weary and oppressed. The
night was intensely dark. Neither moon
nor stars were shining. The darkness,
the silence, the long, lonely way exer-
cised an oppressive influence upon my
spirits, and though by no means cow
ard, l would have given anything for a
little pleasanter situation.
spurred up my horse and dashed on
ward. In this way proceeded several
miles farther. Suddenly low, rumbling
noise attracted my attention. l listened,
and in few moments it was repeated.
1t was distant thunder, and a storm was
coming up. Here was nice situation,
and / shuddered in anticipation.
Again l spurred on, hoping to find a
place of shelter before the full force of
the storm should burst over my head.
Onward l galloped, but without any ap-
parent success. Nothing in the shape OF
habitation greeted my eyes. l began to
despair. All the time, too, the flashes
of lightning were growing more frequent
and glaring, the pealing of the thunder
nearer and louder. Finally the storm
burst in all its fury. For awhile l bent
against it determinedly; but the violence
of the hurricane was at length too much
for me, and | was compelled to stop and
seek the uncertain shelter of gigantic
tree, much as l was opposed TO such a
course. However, had no other alter
native, for brave the storm could not.
The deepest and most intense dark
ness enveloped everything. Except just
when the heavens were lighted up by
flashes of lightning, ! could not see a
foot from my nose, and every other sound
was completely absorbed by the fierce
believing of the tempest.
/ dismounted and groped my way to
the nearest tree A flash of lightning
\ showed me it was one of the largest mag
nitude. Beneath its spreading branches
T might be as comfortable, if not as safe,
as I would beneath roof
! After attending somewhat to my horse,
! I divested myself of my wet garments,
| and disposed my weary body to enjoy as
much comfort as was compatible with the
circumstances.
The tempest continued with no signs
of abatement. Never before had heard
such thunder, never before seen sucf
lightning. 1t was terrifying, and coulc
not resist the temptation to shudder
Ever since that night thunder storm
has occasioned me some uneasiness.
In this manner half an hour may hav'
passed. Still the storm howled on, il
the most furious manner-still loud tn,
thunder cracked and roared-still th'
lightning flashed with binding bright
ness.
Suddenly I felt, or thought l felt
something brush slightly against me.
leaped to my feet and quietly demanded
"Who's there?"
/ listened, got no answer; and nothini
was to be heard above the roar of tn
tempest.
The thought struck me that it Nigh
be some wild beast, if such should prov
ito be the case. it would be almost in
possible to guard against its attack III
der such circumstances and it made m
heart beat like a steam engine to thin
of the danger in which l was probabl
standing. l felt for my pistols; the
were in the holsters, and / dare not NOV
from the spot where was standing ft
fear of provoking the attack that drea'
ed, and which was in such a poor pos
ton to resist
Some minutes passed, and all of a SUI
den the weight of a strong hand or Il
claw of wild beast, descended on m
fright shoulder. Almost at the same