The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1877-01-26
THE IRAPPER'S STORY.

One dark stormy night late in the autumn
of 81, two men belonging to a party of
Adventures were slowly vending their way
through dense forest in the valley of the
Yellow Stone river.
y light snow, the first that had IA lien that
season, sheeting the ground, these men had
started out in pursuit of deer. Being un-
successful, yet anxious to secure one at
least OF the bonding herd before returning
they spent nearly The whole day in the
chase, and wandered long distance from
The camp of their friends. All their efforts
proving frutiess, they at length resolved TO
return to the camp; bnt night soon set in,
and with the gathering darkness arose a
violent snow stoIm, such as is seldom wit
messed except in the Far West, aud they
were soon forced to admit the terrible truth
that they were lost in that immense wilder
ness. Still they pressed forward auid the
storm and gloom till near midnight, entire
ly ignorant of their course, and half mad
deued by the horror of their situation
Their progress was impeded by the rapidly
deepening snow, and their bodies were
chilled by the piercing wind which seemed
to cut like steel, yet To halt was certain
death, and they must struggle onward.
Despair was sw fifty crushing out the last
ray of hope, when 10 light is seen faint
~ in the distance. Knowing not whether
its gladstone rays enlivened friend foe,
the tired men FASTENED forward, choosing
rather to trust themselves in tie hands of
an enemy than perish in the wilderness,
prey FOR wild beasts. Following tie dire C.
ton of the light they were soon led to the
cabin Of a friendly hunter. Giving a light
rap upon the door of the hut, it was quickly
opened, and from the binding storm they
were admitted to the rude though comfort
able home of the fearless trapper, Jack
Granger.
Granger was powerfully built man,
tIifie over six feet IN height, and his mo-
tious we've as agile as those of a panther.
His weather bronzed features were frank
and manly though somewhat distigured by
a heavy scar upon the left cheek.
The strangers seated themselves by the
blazing fire and their story was soon told.
The trapper, ever ready to welcome the
stranger to his humble abode, bade them
he as comfortable as might be, while his
wife, an Indian woman of rare personal
beauty, set about preparing them some
food. After partaking Of a hearty meal Of
veuison. they gathered once mere around
the glowing fire, and entered freely into
conversation with the hunter. The con
versation naturally turned upon feats OF
adventure, and being anxious to learn
something of the history of him who gave
them shelter from the storm, well knowing
that the life of the trapper and hunter I'D
those wild regions could not be devoid of
thrilling interest, they eagerly requested
him to relate some of his adventures, to
which he readily assented.
"If you please" said he, 81 will give you
a brief outline of my history. together With
the circumstances by which | gained this
woman here, whom, although the daughtef
of a savage, | am proud to call wife; also
the circumstances by which | received this
ugly scar which you have, doubtless, al
ready observed upon my face"
Then, refilling his capacious pipe, he
commenced the narrative which viii now
endeavor to give in his own words
/ was born in the eastern part of ONO.
NV father was by profession 4 farmer, but
being an ardent lover of hunting acd wild
life lie removed, with his wife, into the
northern part of the state OF Wisconsin,
and built a comfortable log cabin on tue
shore of a beautiful lake, az the head OF a
small tributary Of the Mississippi. i, being
then lad Of 10 years, was left in charge of
an uncle, that l might he sent to school.
| remained at school till | was IA but IN
her;ting all my fathers love OF Wild lie,
preferred the forest to the school-roon, ana
my rifle to my book. Therefore wrote
my father, strongly urging him to take me
to his western home.
The place 20 which my parents had
moved, though one of the most beautiful
and romantic by nature, was a perfect VIII