Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1879-07-25
A Famous Virginia Hunter.

j. MI. AlnnCy an 'FOTcSt ana OtfeUfD.'
The name of my hero IS James Todd,
who, in his day, was recognized as the
greatest hunter in Virginia. His appear
ance itself would have we'll justified one in
believing it, had lot his exploits been
still more remarkable. Six feet .Wo inches
tall, straight as an arrow, without super
fluous ounce Of flesh on him; with an eye,
set far back in his head, that flashed fire
even when not excited; a short brim, SUM-
Drowned felt hat on well-shape0 head:
and his ever-present and ever-ready lille
in his hand, his deer-skin pouch, ami
gracefully-shaped cows horn hanging by
his side, he stands now before my mind 3
eye as wildly as when L first saw him
twenty five years ago, the most perfect
specimen of the real mountain huuler that
it ever has been my fortune to see, although
1 have travelled through the far " eSJ, and
seen many OF the border hunters, guides
aud trapperS OF more or less feiloWii. LII
addition to his remarkable alp araIce.
suggesting in every feaiule tiio iididy LIE
winch he had led truin lbs cuildhocd, his
voice, gesture and bearing showed hlM at
once to be a man OF Wunuoiiui Self possess
sion and GOODNESS, aud Il ulonent 5 CONVEX
sation would satisfy even il stranger That
every word uttered Dy that lI!;.n was as
true as gospel. There Was an ea'iieStiieSS
and carefuluess in hi- language s.Lat Car
RE conviction in every syllable, as ne
looked you, with a burning gaze, square Ill
the eye. There was, too, d charm ab0u;
his conversation that Was simply enclant-
ing, hot only 10 lovers Ut sport, but 10 all
| classes of peOpie-uld a.Iu young, cuitiva-
ted and is.orant. <
AS illustrative of his marvellous quick
| ness of perception and retentive memory
| of faces and circumstances, let me tell you
| the following anecdOte. 1t Was told to
me not more than a month ago by gen
tleman Of my city, who is one OF the ablest
| if not the ableSt, lawyer in our State,
whose character and veracity are above
suspicion:
When beginning the practice of his pro-
fession (some thirty five years ago), as was
common in those days he had to travel Oh
horseback through the mountains in going
from courthouse to courthouse west OF
ours. Upon one Uf these journeys, owing
to high water on the usual route, he Was
obliged to cross the mountains by bride
path that led through the valley i'll which
| Todd lived. 1t was in the early spring,
during the close season for deer, and while
riding leisurely along the narrow path in
one of the loneliest Of hollows. a man sud-
denly stepped into the path about twenty
PAGES ahead of him, going in the same di-
rectiOn that he was, with young deer
dashed to his back and rifle in hand. The
hunter very soon perceived that some one
was following him, and, turning half
round, he gave one glance at the horse
man and as suddenly disappeared in the
thick laurel that bounded the path on
| o:& ;ln n
little nervous about the occurrence until
he got out of the deep shadow Of the valley
into the settlements beyond, when the
event passed completely out of his mind.
| Fourteen years after that, he was COM
| PEELED from similar causes to take the same
route. But having made late start from
Staunton, he knew he could not reach the
settlements on the far side of the valley
that day, but learning that our hero lived
in the valley, and receiving careful direc-
tions to the house, he pushed across the
mountains, and as the shades of night
we're just beginning to fall he rode up to
ly before him, and after saluting him, he
asked if he would keep him through the
night. Raising his hand to his face as if
shading his eyes, he peered eagerly into
the travellers face through the gloom of
the twilight, and extending his hand in a
moment, with cheerful laugh he replied,
| swell, man, bein' as you didn't tell on me
about that deer that time, guess you can
stay, and welcome, too!'' Neither man
had seen the other except on those two
occasions, and nothing more the first time
than a glimpse. and scarcely more the sec.
ond time passed between them; yet, after
fourteen years, in the fading light of that
spring evening, Todd knew the man who
had kept his secret so we'll.