Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-02-05


to acknowledge it.
We're in nice pickle, Master Dick. "
said l, rather GROSSLY, for an empty
stomach does much to destroy a man s
natural amiability. "Contound your as
sursnces that led you 10 set up as guide.
OF all men, painters are most conceited."
Come, Charles" answered Dick.
good-humoredly, there's no use in
growing SO loudly. You'll bring the
bears aud panlhers on US if you do. We
u. te the bsst OF bad job. and
sleep q. -''."
It's e. K. my good fellow. I'm
not partrii. don / know how 10
roost on bou h."
We'll, youll have to learn, then; for
If you sleep on the ground the chances
are ten to one that you will have the
wolves nibbIing at your toes before day
light
I'm hanged i'll do either" said l des-
plrately- I'm going to walk sill night,
aud I'll drop before III lie down."
Come, come, Charlie, don't be a
fool"
Il was = tool only when consented
to let you assume the role of guide"
We'll, Charlie, il you are determined
to 90 on let it be so We'll 90 on together.
After all, it's only an adventure"
Il say, Dick, don't you see light'"
by Jove, so there is Come, you see
providence iutervenes between us and
wolves aud hunger. That must be some
squa.ter's hut
The light TO which had so Suddenly
called Dicks attention was very FAINT.
and seemed to be about half mile dis
taut. Il glimmered through the dark
branches of the hemlock and spruce
trees. aud weak as the light was. hailed
it as q mariner without compass halls
the star by which he steers. We Instantly
set out in the direction OF our beacon
In q moment 1t seemed as il all fatigue
had vanished, and we walked as il our
muscles were AS tame as iron and our
Joints oily as pisIon-shaft.
We soon arrived at what in the dark
seemed 10 be clearing OF about five
acres, but it may have been larger, for
the tall forest rising up around II must
have diminished its apparent size, giving
it the appearance OF sqltre pit rather
than farm. Towards one corner oi the
clearing we discerned the dusky outline
OF log hut, through wa0sa single end
window a isint light was streaming
With sigh OF relief W. FASTENED 20 the
door and knocked. Il was opened imme-
diately and man appeared on the
threshold. y We explained our condition
and were instantly invited TO walk in and
make ourselves al home A our host
said he could offer us we're some cold ln-
dian corn cakes and slice of dried deer's
nysh, to all OF which We were heartily
welcome. These yiauds IN our starving
condition were iuxurics 10 Us aud we rev.
eled in anticipation Of iull meal. The
out into which we had SO uuceEemonious-
ly entered was one oil the most poverty
stricken order IL consisted Ui but one
room, with rude brick tre-piace at one
end. Some deer-skins and old blankets
were stretched out by way Of bed al
the other extremity OF the apartment.
aud the only seats visible were TWO Sec
lions OF large Pie trunk that stood
close to the re.place. There was no
vestige OF table. and the rest OF the
furniture was embodied in a long Tenne-
see rifle that hung close TO tbe rough
wall.
Ii the hut was remarkable it. propri-
etor was sill more 80. lie was, think,
the most villaioous looking man ever
beheld. About six feet TWO inches in
height, propoFtionately broad across the
shoulders. and with hand large enough
to pick up u fitty-six pound shot. he
seemed TO be II combination OF exlraordi-
nary strength snd agility. His head was
narrow, ard oblOng in shape. His
st. aight, Indian-like hair Tell smoothly
over his forehead, as il it had been
plastered with soap. And his black.
bead-like eyes were set obliquely, and
slsnted downward towards his nose, CIV
Ing him mingled expression OF ierocity
aud canning. As | examined his features
attentiyely, in which i thought | could
trace almost every bad passion, confess
| experienced q certain feeling of appre-
hension and distrasl that could not
shake of.
While be was getting Us the promised
food we tried, by questioning him, to
draw him into conversation. He seemed
very taciturn and reserved. He said he
lived entirely alone. and had cleared the
spot he occupied with his own hands.
He said his name was joel but when we
hinted he mus. have some other name he
pretended not to hear US. though | saw
his brows knit and his small black eyes
flash angrily. My suspicious of this man
were further aroused by observing pair
of shoes lying in q corner OF the hut.
| These shoes were st least three sizes