The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1876-04-21
A Savage BedfelIow.

Jack Featherly lived in n log cabin at
the base of one of the mountain ranges
Of the Adrondacks. He had been
brought up in the woods from infancy.
and the rocks, trees, and flowing water
were his lesson-books, for in that desc
late region schools were out If the ques-
ton. He was the son Of guide, who
conducted hunters and pleasure parties
over the lakes and through the woods Of
the "ShattagceM region, and By the
time he was seventeen years Of age, the
boy was able to act a guide himself.
His eve was SO keen that he could tell
AT glance, by the traces upon the dry
leaves, whether bear, deer, or pam
ther had passed by. The forest was
his home, and he could lie down miles
away from any house, and sleep as
swecily upon his couch oi moss or
leaves as the best-houscd youngster on
his more civilized bed
In the summer of 1873 he guided a
party distance of forty miles, to the
first Of the chain of mountain lakes,
where his father waited for them with
canoes From that point they had no
further need of him, and the same af-
ternoon he started on his return home.
lie had passed over ten miles of the way
when night came on, and taking his
Ratchet from his belt, he quickly put up
a "lean-to."
Perhaps the reader does not know
what lcan-tor means. When hunters
have to pass the night in the woods, and
do not care TO sleep IN the open air,
ihcycut down branches, or small trees,
and lean" them against a rock or large
tree at such an angle as 10 leave shell
ter beneath; and upon the roof formed
by these branches they throw moss, or
small boughs (perhaps of some ever
green), enough to exclude for the time
the rain or dew.
1t did not take Jack long to build his
shelter, and when it was completed he
sat down under il and ate some cold
meat and corn bread which he had in
his possible sack"
When he had finished his supper he
pulled "A quantity of moss for a bed,
spread il upon the :. floor" Of his rude
tent, wrapped his blanket about him,
and lay down.
The croaking Of Inc frogs, the lay of
the whip-poor will, and the tapping Of
the river close at hand were familiar
sounds, and quickly lulled him to sleep.
His rifle, loaded and ready for use, was
al his side, and his hunting-knife hung
m It's sheath upon n short, broken
branch above his head.
Though he was but II years old,
Jack Feathcrly was rs strong rs most
men, and quite able to take care of
himself for his courage was certainly
equal to his strength.
lie slept for hours. The night grew
chilly, and il was well he had wrapped
his blanket close about him To keep out
the damp air.
IL might have been three O'Clock in
the morning just before the light
came, when he was awakened by a
strange feeling Of uneasiness, and grad
ually became aware of the presence of
some large, soft body lying close TO his
own.
lie could hear the heavy respirations
OF an animals breath, and even felt
them on his neck. Whether the crea-
ture was ferocious or otherwise he could
not tell but, certainly, some wild WISH
tor was lying close to him, and enjoy
ing the friendly warmth Of his body.
Was Jack frightened? Put Yourself
IN his position, and tell me what you
think about IT. NV opinion Is, that,
brave as he was, he would have been
better pleased with "A different bedfel-
low. Not that Jack knew there was
any thing 10 fear from his strange neigh !