The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1876-05-02
Selerf Sfurp.


10
A Night Among the Regulators"
In the time when Texas was an indie
pendent republic, Sam Houston its
President, and Shelby County its most
lawless section, had occasion fora time
to be there.
The population comprised "all sorts
and conditions of men"-vagabonds, es-
capped criminals and reckless adventu
rers constituting the larger portion. A
man too deprayed.to be let live in assg
other part Of Texas invariably seughs
refuge ia 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 we'll exempliHed by
President Houston's answer when asked
to interpose his authority: Eight it out
among yourselves, and be hanged to
your
Both parties were completely organ
ized-the desperadoes under the name
of Regulators" their opponents under
that of vigilance Committee" The
former murdered and stole, the latter
lynched.
Had l been as we'll acquainted with
the condition Of things rs exeerience
made me afterward, should certainly
have thought twice before venturing ont
on o solitary hunting excursion, as did
one morning shortly after my arrival
But was impatient to try my luck and
new rifle, and so, 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, bade fair TO be verified. / had gone
but little way before stumbling on a
herd of deer quietly grazing at short
distance. For a wonder they didn't see
nae first. Crouching stealthily along the
bushes, I singled out stately buck that
lowered above the flock like Saul above
his fellows
The mark stood fair and inviting. 1t
would lave been as easy to miss barn
door; but was trembling with excite
ment-in fact, had violent attack OF
what is known among hunters as "buck
ague." The more / strove not to the
more shook, till at last, in very despe
ration, taking advantage of a favorite
wabble. / blazed away.
The herd scampered, all but the buck
he gave leap and toppled over, kicking
his last, was fain TO believe. But mo.
ment undcceived me. l had got within
few yards of him, and already, in my
minds eye," beheld his tail as feather
in my cap, when, quick as lightning, he
sprang to his feet and bounded away as
fast as there - ---F-9
I followed at the top of my speed
By the laws of the chase, first blood
gives title. Consequently the game was
mine; it was only question of getting
possession, and that was one of vino
and perseverance.
Tie buck was soon out of sight; still
l was not discouraged. expected te
be distanced at first Drops Of blood q
intervals on the dry leaves enabled mt
to keep the trail, and the ultimate ex
haustion of the wounded animal coun
ted on as insuring me success in tn
end.
Hour after hour kept on, over hills
along dales, across glades and through
thickets l ran, thoughtless of fatigue ant
reckless of scratches. By ,imes at faul,
was compelled to stop and search mar
rowly but fresh drop Of blood woul'
set me right. and cause me to press o.
with renewed eagerness.
Once more the trail was lost, and thi
time all.cfforts to recover it were foile
by tue darkness. had been too al
sorbed to note the approach Of night
which had stolen upon me unawares i
1.-The depths of q forest infested by hos,
of prowling, ravenous beasts and myr
ads of venomous reptiles.
Looking about with vague purpos
Of seeking a place OF shelter, / saw a
opening through the trees, and going to
ward it, came in sight of settlers cal
in. Cheerful at the prospect of be
and supper, I hurried forward and knock
ed for admittance. Receiving no answer
made bold to push open the door,
There is no mistaking the chill, dam
air of deserted house, and this one
knew / should find without inmates, ,eve
before l had seen It's dismantled interio
by the light Of match happened
have about me- 1t was long, narro'
cabin, containing bu. single room, hay
ing a wide fireplace at one end, with RI
cesses at the sides, one Of which ha
been converted into closet by mean
Of pine board, swung on deer skin hir
ges, which served for door.
| had at last found place to sleep i
safety, no small boon to tired man
and having dispatched the lunch of 'jsrl
and johnny cake. till now forgotten
my pouch, l threw myself on the foo
and soon, in the land of dreams, regain
ed the lost trail of my buck.
A confused sound of voices at lengt
got mixed up with my dreams, the SUI
den waking that dispelled the latte
brought proof Of the reality of the 70
mer The voices were accompanied b
, footsteps, moreover, and both were RAJ
idly drawing near. 1t might be con
. pany OF belated hunters, or it might
, q gang OF Regulators. At all event
/ it would be we'll to settle the questic
before making their acquaintance
1t was too late to leave the cabin u
observed; but there was the closet. Ac
ing on tie thought, l hastily gathers
my gun and accoutrements, slipped I'M
the recess, and pulled to the door. / hi
hardly doae so when several men ente
ed how many it was impossible to di
Y cover in the darkness There was lie
y difficulty in distinguishing the charact
8 of the visitors. Their rude discours
;. interlarded with coarse and brutal oath
Y related TO some deed of violence alreat
S done, or nearly completed. As they co
J. ,inued, learned to my horror that n
e own robbery and murder had been pla
e ned, and that these men, by whom W
t suspected to have about me consider
/ hJo ann had hpen lookino all day