The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1878-02-08
Se3erf Story.
NOSE UNDERWOOD.

LII tuc spring VI 1000 i lelt San + ran
cisco for the Columbia River, intending
TO pass the summer in sketching the
picturesque scenery along Its banks.
After ascending the river as far as Port
land, was induced by the information
there obtained, to return to a point be
low the Cascades, in search of saw mill
and village belonging to the Oregon
Lumber Company, situated in the mos
beautiful part of the valley. was ad-
vised by Captain Blunt, the master of
the boat un which | had taken passage,
to inquire at the village for the where
abouts of Nose Underwood, renowned
hunter of those parts. who might be in
duced for consideration to guide me 10
such places as / wished to visit, and
whose cabin at some distance in the
wilderness; would if / did not mind
it, furnish a convenient stop
ping place. In answer to my inquiries
as to the character of the man, the cap
tain described him as thoroughly reli
able and truthful, hardworking and 30
Der. He has, he said. "been saving up
money for many years, which I have
regularly deposited for him in the Port
land bank. and he has amassed quite .
respectable sum. I don't know what
particular object he has in view, but he
hints that he has special use for all he
can make. Nose hasn't much talk"
continued the captain, "and never opens
his mouth to speak when he can express
his meaning by signs or motions; Dut he
is as true as steel and as bold as grizzly.
Ireached the saw mills late at night.
bundled my traps ashore. and WAS re
ceived by a crowd of about the toughest
men 1 had ever encountered. They
proved, however. more hospitable than
they looked, and made room for me by
a huge fire under sort of shed, where
| fell asleep as soon as the torrent of
profanity which had formed the burden
of their conversation had began to sub
side. On the following morning / learn
ed that by a lucky chance Underwood
was expected at the mills with skins and
venison that very day, and accordingly
while was at dinner with the offirers
of the company who had made me
heartily welcome as soon as my arrival
became known TO them, he stepped
quietly into the room. His appearance
was striking. Straight as pine he tow.
cred in height above all the company.
though there were tall men among US
He had deep set eyes, dark brown hair
and heard, close clipped and curly, and
a countenance and bearing expressive
of conscious strength and independence.
He was dressed partly in home-spun
stuff and partly in deerskin. and carried
his long, heavy rifle with an ease and
grace which showed that it was his in
seperable companion.
Imade my application to him, men.
tioning, incidentally, Captain Blunt's
name. He looked At me for some time
in silence. then put me through course
of questioning as 10 my purposes and
pursuitA My occupation Of making
pictures,' he seemed to think rather 9
contemplate one for grown man, but
my possession of good rifle, and assur
ances Of being accustomed to life in the
woods, seemed to weigh in my favor.
well, durn ye,' he said at last, "com,
along then, It'll be fun for Jack; b,
amt seen no white man for ever q
long,
The arrangement was speedily con
cluded. Nose packed my traps and sucl
odds and ends as he had bought at tn
store on his mare, and We left tn. station
about two O'Clock ill the afternoon. Th,
tramp was a long and most atiguein,
one, through bushes and swsmps, owe
rugged, stony hills, and along precipice.
where in the evening. had it not beer
for the advantage Of q full moon, I shoult
have found the footing very secure ant
perilous.
! As for Nose. be stalked slong in from
Of me with his gigantic stride, unconsci
ous alike Of danger and htigue, anc
never opened his lips till we arrives
about midnight, in the neighborhood O
the cabin. Then. as ght became vsibl
through the chinks, he muttsred, "Th