The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1876-04-22
A NIGHT AMONG THE +" REGULA.
TORS.

pendent republic, Sam Houston its
President, and Shelby county its most
lawless section, had occasion for q
time to be there.
The population comprised all sorts
and conditions Of men, vagabonds,
escaped criminals and reckless adven-
turers constituting the larger portion.
A man too depraved to be let live In any
other part of Texas invariably sought
refuge In Shelby county.
Between these desperadoes and the
honest settlers an uncompromising war
fare existed. 1t was no use appealing
to the law--it hadn't got there yet.
The state of society was well exempli-
fled by President HOustOn's answer
when asked to interpUse his authority !:
Il Fight 1t out among yourselves, and
be hanged to you IL
Both parties we're completely organ.
i7ed-the desperadOes under the name
of I" Regulators" their opponents un-
der that of d" Vigilance Committee"
The former murdered and stole, the
latter lynched
Had been as we'll acquainted with
the condition of things as experience
made me afterward, should certainly
have thought twice before venturing
out on a solitary hunting excursion, as
l did one morning shortly after my ar
rival. But was impatient to try my
luck and new rife, and 80, without
stopping to make sure of being right,
boldly went ahead.
A new hunters luck" is proverb
among old ones, and the adage, In my
case, babe fair to be verified. / had
gone but little way before stumbling
on herd or deer quietly grazing at
short distance. For q wonder they
didn't see me first. CrouchiDg stealth
lily along the bushes, / singled out q
stately buck that lowered above the
flock like Saul above his fellows.
The mark stood fair and inviting. 1t
would have been as easy to miss barn
door. But was trembling with sx-
citement-in fact, had q violent attack
Of what is known among hunters as
buck ague." The more otrOve not
to the more shook, till at last, in very
desperation, taking advantage of a ia
vOrite wobble, | blazed away.
The herd scampered, all but the buck (;
he gave leap and tOpplt d over, kick
ing his last. was fain to believe. But
a moment undeceiyed me. / had got
within few yards of him, and already,
Sin my minds eye," behed his tail as
a feather in my cap, when, quick as
lightning, he sprang to his feet and
b. unded away As fast as the rest.
/ followed at the top of my speed.
by the laws Of tho chase, first blood
gives title. Consequently the game
was mine. 1t was only question of
getting possession, and that was one of
wind and perseverance.
The buck was soon out OF sight. Still
was not discouraged. expected to
be distanced at first. Drops OF blood
at intervals on the dry leaves enabled
lie to keep the trial, and the ultimate
exhaustion of the wounded animal |
counted on as insuriDg me success IN
the end.
Hour after hour 1 kept on. Over
hills, along dales, across glades and
through thickets ran, thoughtless of
fatigue and reckless OF scratches. By
times at fault, was compelled 10 stop
ard search narrowly but fresh drop
of blood would set me right, and cause
me to press on with renewed eagerness.
Once more the trail was lost, and
this time all efforts to recover it were
frOiled by the darkness. / had been
too absorbed to note the approach of
night, which had stolen upon me I'M
awares in the depths of forest infes-
ted by hosts Of pOwlipg, ravenous beasts
and myrads of venOmous reptiles.
Looking about with a vague purpose
OF seeking place of shelter, / saw an
opening through the trees, and, going
toward it, came in sight of settlers
| cabin. Cheerful at the prospect of a
bed and supper, hurried forward and
knocked for admttance. Receiving nu
answer, made bold to push open the
door. There Is no mistaking the chill,
damp air of deserted home, and this
one knew / should find without in.
mates, even before had seen its dis
mantled interior by the light of match
/ happened to have about me. 1t was
a long, narrow, cabin, containing but a
single room, having wide fireplace al
one end, with recesses at the sides, one
of which had been converted into q
closet by means Of Gsplne board, swung
on deer-skin hinges. which served for q
door.
i had at last found placslto sleep in
safely, no small boon to tired man
and having dispatched the lunch Of
jerk" and johnny cake, till now for
gotten in my pouch, I threw my self OF
the door, and soon, in the land ol
dreams, regained the lost trail of my
buck.
A confused sound Of voices at length
got mixed up with my dreams. ThC
sudden waking that dlspelled the latter
brought proof Of the reality OF the for
mer. Tho voices were accompanied by
footsteps, moreover and both wer,
rapidly drawing near. 1t might be {
company of belated hunters, or 1t migh
be gang Of " Regulators. At al
events, it would be well to settle tn
question before making their acquain
tance.
1t was too late to leave the cabin un
observed, but there was the closet. Act
ing on the thought, l hastily gathere,