The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1876-04-13
A NIGHT AMONG THE REGULA.
TORS"

pendent republic, Sam Houston its Pres
ident, and Shelby county its most law
less section, l had occasion for time to
be there,
The population comprised call sorts
and conditions of Neutrality-suspicious.,
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
President Houston's answer when asked
to interpose his authority: Fight 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 I been as well 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 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 a proverb
among old ones, and the adage, in my
case, bade fair to be verified. l had
gone but little way before stumbling
on herd of deer quietly grazing at
short distance. For wonder they
didn't see me first. Crouching stealthily
along the bushes, singled out stately
Saul above his fellows.
The mark stood fair and inviting. 1t
would have been as easy to miss barn
door. But was trembling with excite
ment-in fact, had a violent attack of
what is known among hunters as buck
ague." The more / strove not to the
more shook, till at last, in very desper-
alton, 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
moment undeceived me. / had got
within few yards of him, and already,
Gin my minds eye," beheld his tail as
feather in my cap, when, quick as light.
ming, he sprang to his feet and bounded
away as fast as the rest.
/ followed at the top of my speed. BY
the laws of the chase, first blood gives
title. Consequently the game was mine.
II was only question of getting posses
sion, and tnat was one of wind and per-
severance.
The buck was soon out of sight. Still
l was not discouraged. Iexpected to be
distanced at first. Drops of blood at in
tervals on the dry leaves enabled me to
keep the trail, and the ultimate ex-
haustion of the wounded animal l
counted on as insuring me success in
the end.
Hour after hour 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 to stop and search mar
rowly; 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 foiled
by the darkness. l had been too alb
sorbed to note the approach of night,
which had stolen upon me uuawares in
the depths of forest infested by hosts
of prowlipg, ravenous beasts and myriads
of venomous reptiles.
Looking about with a vague purpose
of seeking place of shelter, saw an
T. h. nd
toward it, came in sight of settlers
cabin. Cheerful at the prospect of bed
and supper, / hurried forward and
knocked for admittance. Receiving no
answer, made bold to push open the
door. There is no mistaking the chill,
damp air Of deserted home, and this
one / knew l should find without in
mates, even before had seen its disman-
tied 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 at
one end, with recesses at the sides, one
of which had been converted into a
closet by means of pine board, swung
on deer-skin hinges, which served for a
door.
had at last found place to sleep in
safely, no small boon to tired man and
having dispatched the lunch of "jerk"
and johnny-cake, till now forgotten in
my pouch, threw myself on the floor,
and soon. in the land of dreams, regained
the lost trail of my buck.
A confused sound of voices at length
got mixed up with my dreams. The sud-
den waking that dispelled the latter,
brought proof of the reality of the former.
The voices were accompanied by foot
steps, moreover and both were rapidly
drawing near. 1t might be company of
belated hunters, or it might be gang of
" Regulators" At all events, 1t would
be we'll to settle the question before
! making their acquaintance,