The Lamoille news. (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1877-1881, 1877-06-06
HYDE PARK, VT. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 1877.

MS appearance ana equipments from
the moment he first came into view.
He was tall, and so meagre as to make
him seem above even the six feet that
he actually stood in his stockings. On
his head, which was thiDly covered
with lank, sandy hair, he wore a cap
made of fox-skin, resembling in shape
the one we have already described, al
though much inferior in finish and or
naments. His face was skinny, and
thin almost to emaciation, buL yet bore
no signs Of disease ON the contrary,
it had every indication Of the most ro-
bust and enduring health. The cold
and the exposure had together, given
it color of uniform red; his gray
eyes were glancing under pair of
shaggy brows, that overhung them in
long hairs of gray mingled with their
natural hue; his scraggy neck vas
bare, and burnt to the same tint With
his face; though small part of shirt
collar, made of the country check, vas
to be seen above the over-dress he
wore. A kind of coat, made of dres-
sed deer-skin, with the hair on, was
belted close to his lank body, by a
girdle of coarse worsted. On his feet
were deer-skin moccasins, ornamenbd
with porcupines' quilts, after the man
ner Of the Indians, and his limbs were
guarded with long leggins of the sane
material as the moccasins, which, gar
tering over the knees of his tarnished
buck-breeches, had obtained for him,
among the settlers, the nick name of
Misunderstanding, Notwithstanding his
legs were protected beneath, in winter,
by thick garments of woolen, duly
made of good blue yarn.
The traveller had been closely ex-
amining the woods during these move
ments, and now, without needing the
ill-humor of the hunters manner, ex-
claimed 81 would fain establish a
right, Natty, to the honour of this
capture; and surely if the hit in the
neck be mine, it is enough; for the
shot in the heart was unnecessary-what
we call an act ofsupererogation, Leath-
er-stocl1ing."
"You may call it by what larned
name you please Judge" Asaid the
hunter. "It's far easier to call names,
than to shoot buck on the spring ;
but the cretur came by his end from a
younger hand than 'ither your'n or
mine, as l said before"
"What say you, my FRIEND" cried
the traveller, turning pleasantly to
NaUUy S companion, snail we toss up
this dollar for the honor, and you keep
the silver if you lose; what say you,
friend?
"That / killed the deer" answered
the young man, with little hautiness
as he leaned on another long rife.
similar to that of Nattys.
"Here are two to one, indeed" re-
piled the Judge, with a smile; 81 am
outvoted-overruled, as we say on the
bench. There is Aggy, he can't vote,
being a slave; and Bess is minor
so | must even make the best of it
But you'll sell me the venison; and
the duce is in it, but l make a good
story about it's DEATH"
"The meat is none of mine to sell,
said Misunderstanding, adopting lit
tie of his companions hauteur; "fol
my part, | have known animals tC
travel days with shots in the neck, ,an(
Pm none Of them who'll rob a man o
his rightful dues"
"You are tenacious of your rights
this cold evening, Natty," returned
the Judge, with unconquerable gooC
nature; ''but what say you young
man, will three dollars pay youfor thu
buck ?"
"First let us determine the question
of right to the satisfaction ofus both,
said the youth, firmly but respectfully
and with a pronunciation and Ian
guage vastly superior to his appear
ance; "with how many shot did yo'
load your gum"
"With five, sir" said the Judge
gravely, a little struck with the other
manner; "are they not enough to sla.
buck like this ?"
"One would do it; but" moving t.
the tree from behind which he had ap
peared, "you know, sir, you fired i
this dircction-here are four~o tn
bullets in the tree"
The Judge examined the fres
marks in the rough bark of the pine
and shaking his head, said with
laugh
"Your making out the case agains
yourself, my young advocate--wher
is the fifth?"
"Here," said the youth, THROWN
, aside the rough over-coat that he wore
and exhibiting hole in his under gal
ment, through which large drops {
blood were oozing.
"Horrible exclaimed the Judge
"have been trihing here about a
empty distinction, and fellow-cre.
ture suffering from my hands withol
a murmur? But get into my sleigh
it is but mile to the village, whel
sugical aid can be obtained all sha
be done at my expense.
II thank you, sir, for your good il
} tention, but must decline your offe
: A friend who would be uneasy were !
| to hear that / am hurt and away fro
t him. The injury is but slight, al
! the bullet has missed the bones, but
4 believe, sir, you will now admit n
5 title to the venison."
"Admit i'll" repeated the agitatt
: Judge 81 here give thee right
: shoot deer, or bears, or any thin
4 thou pleasest in my woods, for eve