Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1868-02-06

men say be will be victorious. He re-
sumes again; he is half way between the
middle and the top; he ru>hes, he tops, he
staggers. he stops but does NOT fall An
other shout from the men. aud he resumes
once more, two-thirds of the remaining
part Of the way are conquered. They are
certain the lady kisses him on the fore
head and on the eyes The women burst
into tears and the stoutcst men look pale.
He a>cenas slower than ever, but seems 10
be more sure. He halts, but it is only to
plant his foot to @ on again, and thus he
picks his way, planting his foot a. every
step, and ,hen gaining grounI w.th an eff
fort Tine lady lifts up her arms as if to
tighten them Sc, he is almost at the top !;
he stops, he struggles, he moves sideways.
taking very little steps, AMI bringing one
foot every time close to the other. Now
he is all but on the top; he halts again,
he is fixed he staggers. A groan goes
through the multitude. Suddenly he turns
full front towards the top, it is forward. -
Yes. every limb in the multitude makes a
movement as if it would assist him see.
at last he is on the top. and down he falls
fl 1T with his burden An enormous shout.
II has won he has won. Nov he has a
right TO caresS his mistress ana she is ca
rcssiiiy him for neither Of them gets up
|: he has tainted, it is with joy, and IT is
il her arms.
The baron puts spurs to his horse, the
crowd followed him. Half way he is obi
ged to di~,nount ; they ascend the rest #
the hill together. the crowd silent and hap
py, the baron ready to burst with shame
and lnpa'lence. They reached ts.o top
Fine lovers are face to face on the ground
the lady c!a>ping him witt, both arms, his
| lying on each side.
'iraitor :" exclaimed the baron, "thou
hast practiced this feat before Oh purpose
TO deceive me- Arise
q ou cannot. expect it, sir, said a wof-
my man who was rich enough to speak his
mind. Sampson himself might take a rest
after such deed.
Part them ~ said the baron
Several persons went up. not to part
them. but to congratulate and keep then,
,ogeth r. These people looked close ;
they kuecl down, they bend an ear they
bury their faces upon them. God forbid
obey should ever be parted more" said .
venerable man they can never be-" He
turned his old face streaming with tears.
and looked at the baron, Sir. they are
dead -
How MUsKRATs SWIM UNDER THE Ice.
-Muskrats have curious method Of trav-
cling long distances under the ice In
their winter excursions to their feeding
grounds, which are frequently at great dis
tances from their abodcs, they take in
breath at starting and remain under water
as long as they can. They then rise up
to the ice. and breath out the air in their
lungs. which remains in bubbles against
thc !owcr surface Of the ice. They wait
tin this air RECEIVERS oxygen from the wa
ter and ice, and then take it again. and go
on till the operation has to be repeated. Ia
this way they can travel almost any dis
lance. and live any length Of time undsr
the ice. The hunter sometimes takes al-
vantage Of this habit of the muskrat III the
following manner:
When the marshes and ponds where the
muskrat abounds are FIRST frozen over and
the ice is thin and clear. on striking into
their houses with his Ratchet for the pur-
pose of setting his traps, he frequently sees
whole family plunge into the water and
swim away under the ice. Foil wing one
of them for some distance, he sees him
come up to renew his breath III the man
uer above described After the animal
has breathed against the ice. and before
he has time to take his bubble in again,
the hunter strikes with his Ratchet direct
ly over him, and drives him away from his
brea h In this case he browns in swim
ing few rods. and the hunter, cutting a
hole in the ice, takes him out.
Mink. otter and beaver travel under the
ice in the same way; and hunters have
frequently told ME Of taking otter in the
manner | have e.eribcd. when these an
imals visit the houses Of the muskrat for
prey aa#5