The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1874-10-10

acres, Out IL may nave Deen larger, lOr
the tall forest rising up around it must
have diminished itsapparent size, giving
it the appearance of square pit rather
than farm. Toward one corner of the
clearing we disccrncd the dusky outline
Of log hut, through whose signal end
window faint light was streaming.
With sigh Of relief we fastened to the
door and knocked. 1t was opened inn
mediately and man appeared on the
threshold. We explained our condi-
ton, and were instantly invited to walk
in and make ourselves at home. All
our host said he could offer us were
some cold Indian corn cakes, and slice
of dried decr's-flesh, to all Of which we
were heartily welcome. These viands
in our starving condition were luxuries
to us, and VIC literally reveled in antici-
patton Of full meal.
The hut into which we had so uncer-
enormously entered was Of the most
poverty-stricken order. 1t consisted
Of but one room, with rude brick fire.
place at one end. Some deerskins and
old blankets stretched out by the way
Of bed at either extremity Of the
apartment, and the only seats visible
were two sections Of a large pine trunk
that stood close to the Fireplace. There
was no vestige Of table, and the rest
Of the furniture was embodied in
long Tennessee rifle hung close to the
rough wall.
II the hut was remarkable, it's pro-
prictor was still more so. lie was, /
think, the most villainous looking man
l ever beheld. About six feet two
inches in hight, proportionatcly broad
across the shoulders, and with hand
large enough to pick up fifty-six
pound shot, he seemed to be a combi-
nation Of extraordinary strength and
agility. His head was narrow and OBJ
long in shape. His straight, Indian
like hair fell smoothly over his low
forehead as if it had been plastered
with soap. And his black, bead.like
eyes were set obliquely, and slanted
downward toward his nose, giving him
a mingled expression Of ferocity and
cunning. As examined his features
attentively, in which thought I could
trace almost every bad passion, con-
TESS experienced certain feeling Of
apprehension and disgust that l could
not shake of.
While he was getting us the prom
Used food we tried, by questioning him,
! to draw him into conversation. He
seemed very taciturn and reserved. He
said he lived entirely alone, and had
cleared the spot he occupied with his
own hands. lie said his name was Joel.
but when we limited that he must have
some other name, he pretended not to
hear us, though l saw his brows knit
and his small eyes flash angrily. My
suspicious Of this man were further
aroused by seeing a pair Of shoes lying
in a corner of the hut. These shoes
were at least three sizes smaller than
those that our gigantic host wore, and
yet he had distinctly replied that he
lived entirely alone. If those shoes
were not his, whose were they? The
more I reflected OH this circumstance
the more uneasy felt, and apprehen-
sions were still further aroused when
Joel, as he called himself, took both
our fowling pieces, and, in order to have
them out Of the way, as he said, hung
them on crooks from the wall, at a
height which neither Dick nor I could
reach without getting on stool. I
smiled inwardly, however, as l felt the
smooth barrel of my revolver that was
slung in the hollow Of my back, by it's
leathern belt, and thought to myself, if
this fellow has any bad designs, the
more unprotected he thinks US the less
cautious will he be, so I made no effort
to retain our guns. Dick also had a
revolver, and was one Of those men
who I knew would use it we'll when the
time came.
My suspicious of our host grew at last
to such pitch that determined to
communicate them to Dick. Nothing
would be easier than for this villainous
half brced-for felt convinced he had
Indian blood in him--nothing would be
easier than, with the aid of an accom-.
plice, to cut our Threats or shoot us
while we were asleep, and so get our
guns, watches and whatever money we
carried. Who, in those lonely woods,
would hear the shot, or hear our cries
for help? What emissary of the law,
however sharp, could point out our
graves in those wild woods, or bring
the murder home to those who commit.
ted it ? Linton at first laughed; then
grew serious; and gradually became a
convert to my apprehensions. We
hurriedly agreed that, while one slept,
the other should watch, and so take it
in turns through the night.
| Joel had surrendered to us his couch
of deerskins and his blanket he him.
self said he could sleep quite as we'll on
the floor, near the fire. As Dick and
were both very tired, we were anxious
to get our rest as soon as possible. So
after a hearty meal Of deer steak and
tough cakes, washed down by good
draught from our brandy flask, being
the youngest, got the first hours sleep,
and flung myself on the couch of skins.
AS my eyes gradually closed, saw a
dim picture of Dick seated sternly
watching by the fire, and the long
shape Of the half.breed stretching out
like huge shadow npon the floor.
After what could have sworn to be
only three-minute doze, Dick woke
me, and informed me that nv hour
was out; and turning me out of my
warm nest, laid down without any Ger.
imony, and in few seconds was heav.
lily snoring. rubbed my eyes, felt for
my revolver, and seating myself on one
OF the pine stumps, commenced my
watch.
The half-breed appeared to be buried
in profound slumber, and in the half.
weird light cast by the wood embers,
his enormous figure seemed almost IT.
tanic in it's proportions. I confess
felt that in struggle for life he was
more than match for Dick and myself.
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