The Rutland weekly globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1876-07-28
A Wonderful Discovery of an Old
Hermit.


and confirmed by those who were eye
Witnesses, may with great propriety be re-
corded.
Two gentlemen of undoubted veracity,
viz Capt James auckland and Mr.. John
Fielding, living in some part of Virginia,
agreed 10 travel into the western parts of
this vast country to explore the regions
which belong TO this United States. On
the 10Th of June, 1885. They took their
departure. Each OF them was armed
with two pistols and long sharp dagger.
They were attended by two strong slaves,
armed with muskets. Both the gentlemen
very well understood the rules of trigO-
nometry, on which are founded the princi-
piles of sailing and surveying, and carrying
with them compass they were able TO
keep their course directly, and were pretty
well able to determine the distance they
Travelled. The slaves carried as much pro-
vision as they could conveniently, with a
considerable quantity of salt, for the sake
of cooking vanison and other food which
they might Kill on their way. They
passed, without much difficulty, the lofty
Allegheny mountains GA these noun
taius they made several important discov-
cries of gold and silver mines. After
leaving these grand and lofty mountains
they travelled 73 days without seeing the
least appearance or even track of any hui
man being The county was covered
with hills, mountains, valleys and beaui-
fui rivers, trees of all kinds and sizes. The
large trees grew very tall, and the ground
was often covered with amazing thickets
of small pines, hemlOcks and ivies. This
divers Is rendered the country agreeble be-
You'd description. They saw wild animals
of almost every kind, many of which they
!. 10. Il f1g tfrtf,
ity, being such as they never saw nor
heard of before. At length, having trav-
eled several miles ON rising ground, they
came to the summit of an high mountain.
Here they stopped, and it was the most
beautiful prospect imaginable. On every
side as far as they could possibly see, they
beheld the green groves waved by the gen.
tie gales of wind. Here they spent sew
eral hours in refreshing themselves and
viewing the extensive country on every
side. They took notice that the ground
appeared to be trodden and frequented, as
they supposed, by wild animals. AS they
were setting out to so forward they dis
covered small footpath to lead down the
mountain between two high ridges of
rocks. They were surprised at this, andj
doubted whether i gould be made by wild
ANIMALS; but AZ th,sre we're no marks OF
were fearful about entering, although it
was directly in their way, les. they should
get among some den Of wild beasts. which
might be too strong for them. Afrer some
deliberation they considered that spirit of
cowardica did not become adventurers.
They reviewed their arms and ammunition
and resumed 50 much courage as they
thought sufficient to encounter the most
terrible beasts of the wilderness, and then
proceeded down the mountain in the fol-
loving manner, VIZ: One slave first, then
the two gentlemen, and the other slave be-
hind After they had proceeded about
half a mile the path grew brighter, but as
the ground was hard and dry no appear
ance of feet could be discovered. This
descent was truly venerable and august.
Ca each side was the two ridges of rocks
at the distance of four or five rods. Each
was covered with high trees, likewise
small pines and ivies hung bending over
the narrow valley in which the path was.
Each eide was covered Incredibly thick
with small shrubs. The taller trees, COW
cred with leaves and thick branches, bent
over the valley so that they shut out the
rays of the sun. In this situation the trav-
elvrs not only admired the grandeur in
which they were enclosed, but they were
filled with anXieties concerning the path
which still increased. In this situation
they proceeded in n gradual descent about
two miles and half in Il western direc-
ton, though in several places the grandeur
of the valley was increased by small turn
iugs and circular windings. Then they
were surprised with an opening, the ridge
of rocks ON the right hand continued, but
that on the left did not
A large extended open country now
opened TO their view, and the sun being il
the western hemisphere, new day seemed
to usher ia upon them, which struck then
with an agreeable surprise.
In this condition they stood gazing for
moment, then recOllected the path which
had by this time become much beaten
About four rods from them they saw tn
path turn to theright hand toward the ridg
of rocks, which was almost perpendicular
They then discovered n hole in the roc
several feet square. They stood still 70
some time viewing it, as they supposed
was den for wild beasts, when they wei
surprised with shape coming out fror
the rock. 1t appeared like very graV
old man. His head was bald, his bear
was long and white, which covered hi
breast. His body was covered with fu
and skins of beasts, lie seemed surprise
10 see them, as they also were to see hin
At length with grave and solemn voice L
spoke;
Friends Human forms from whenC
or who are your Are you angels or men
One answered, awe are men,"
lie then waved his hand in token
friendship, and pleasure seemed to SIT
his cOuntenance.
"With Joy" said he, 81 once more b
hold human shapes"
nI. lnra pfn nod oil
some time, and when he moved towar'
them they turned for fear and made
from him, at which the old man calf
with tears in his eyes;
"Whther do you fee? Leave me No
am an inuOcent hermit cannot hu
you. ! live in this lonely cave who
mouth you see"
They then stood till he came and sho
hands with them, and express
such 10y rs is difficult to do
scribe. The hermit then conduct
then TO his cave, they were somewhat
luctaut at hrst about enteringslt, but TIN
were however prevailed upon, so that IN
followed him into the Cave, the mouth
which wa; Ornamented on the outside W
trees and thick ivles, which shaded II
fore it was the wide lavel country Dei'
mentioned covered with beautiful tree
the INSIDE conthtnOu SSFViai n'NS "P'
ments, all of which seemed to be dug {
of a solid marble rock the walls on the
s,de were adorned with many curious
ures of sculpture; the upper part Of
cave was an arch which gave small liz
like MT of wood that we call light VIC
or fox fire, which added lusIre to the ca
The hermit seeIned overjoYed with Bis n
quests. andon - curiosity was mach sal
fed with hiyh He seated them on seve
smooth ston II the side Of the cave
then present. them with some bark, ro'