Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-09-23

"Dont you suppose We could creep OH
/ back of the tent. and get to the hoaty" asked
one Of the boys tremhlngly
"What IL you shouldn't hit himl" ex-
claimed another "he would come for us
then. for certain"
Well" said Warren. "you get your guns
ready. aud II don't hit him perhaps YOU
will"
This was agreed to by the rest, aud his
gun was handed to him. Carefully crouch
ing in one end Of the tent he took good aim
and pulled the trigger but there was no re-
port, and those frightful eyes still garcd at
the tent and its frightened occupants \
new cap was procured, the gun was primed
and Warren placed himself again in position,
and fired
This time there was a different result, for
the gun not only went of, hut Warren went
with 10, rolling over aud over, sent by the
force Of the gun. which had been loaded for
that purpose Scarcely had he rcgained his
feet. ere there broke upon the night air
scream so wild and fearful as to fairly make
their hair to stand ON end with terror. This
was not on the programme and all the boys
were frightened alike.
In one body they all scrambled into the
tent, but as they did so they saw q large
black creature bounding through the bushes,
and heard, in another direction. that wild
veil repeated. even louder than before
4" lie is after us" yelled Warren, as with
one bound he cleared the tent and dashed on
in the direction of the lake. The others Doe
ing as much frightened as he. followed his
example, some going one way and some an
other
Near the shore was au old hollow log into
which Warren and ueol the other. crawled.
while two others climbed tall tree. and the
rest padded of in the boat.
They heard no more from the wild beast.
though it was morning and the sun was
shining before they dared to venture back 10
the vicinity of their camping ground. 1t
had been a long night for Them aud they
were feeling very stiff and sore from being
so long in a crampcd up position. especially
those who had been in the log, and mp the
tree
Creeping cautiously along they came in
sight Of their tent, hut their fear turned to
astonishmont when they hchcld the figure of
a man quietly arising from their bed where
he had evidently been taking % good nap.
By his side was q large, black dog who was
wagging his tail and looking up into his mas
ter's face, as if bidding him good morning.
To the surprise of the boys, rs soon as the
man caught sight Of them he burst into an
immodcrate fit Of laughter.
In fact, something or other must have
seemed very amusing To him. as lac would
clap his hands TO his sides and then TO his
head rs if 10 hold himself together. while his
body was rolling from side to side, shaken
with unrestrained meuimcnt. At first the
boys thought he must be crazy but soon one
of them recognized him as the man who lived
I nt ln Ia,., oil flaf- IL.
"Come along. boys!" he said as soon as
he could stop laughing. 81 ammuch obliged
to you for my nights lodging and am very
sorry to have been the means of keeping YOU
away; but couldn't help it, that's fact"
And again he went off in a fit of laughter.
am tell you how it happened, boys" he
resumed you see had been up this way a
cunning, and seeingy you walked along down
the shore to find ont who it was. Wen, |
had just got within speaking distance when
| overheard you planning TO scare that
youngster there, and thought | would keep
dark and see the sport, After the shower
came up thought it would be a good idea
70 turn in with you so when you had ended
| your game | commenced mine ! meant TO
have found you and got You back before
morning, but you hid so that couldn't find
one of YOU But if you'll just pack up. after
breakfast, and go home with me- ! will see
that you have sport enough to pay you for
what have Dose
The boys accepted his offer, and as soon
as they could collect their materials, they
prepared a rousing meal which was eagerly
devoured by the half-famished crew.
Warren was inclined to be angry at first
when he found how he had been sold, but
the boys laughed him out of it, and he was
soon as gay as ever. The boys thought he
had learned a good lesson. They spent the
remainder OF their time with the old hunter
and when they came to return they found
that they had valuable supply Of furs, to-
gether with pleasing recollections of SPLEEN
did time with a good story-teller.-Portiand
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