The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-08-12
The channel and commenced wading

reached q small clump of NORWOOD
bushes growing out of the bank. Think
ing this might be high enough to answer
for cover, concluded to take advantage
OF it. ! slowly raised myself up and
peered through the leaves. I had Just
the right place, and, sighting at the
heart Of the buck, ] pulled the trigger.
The brute sprang up and dropped dead.
I was on the point of running forward
to claim the prize, when I saw the doe
run up to its fallen mate and snuff at it
as if bewidered at the occurrence.
Suddenly she seemed to comprehend the
sad truth, and, throwing back her head,
began uttering the most plaintive and
piteous cries, while she occasionally ran
round the body, as if totally unable to
control her grief
At first it was not my intention to kill
the doe, and, had / dreamed of witness
ing such q painful scene, I should not
have done SO. How often do we hunt
ers, in the excitement of the chase, COM
NIT deeds which, in our calmer mo-
ments, we can see as heartless and cruel
But the deed was done past recall, and
wherefore regret?
As I watched the mournful actions Of
the doe, and heard its piteous cries, I
saw that it would be mercy to kill it
and end its misery. Actuated by what,
perhaps, was questionable humanity,
I took a careful aim, pulled the trigger,
and, as the smoke cleared away, I dis
covered the doe lying dead with its head
resting upon its departed mate.
Both are out of Distress" was nv
comforting reflection, s:and I have Sc
cured a rare supper, with which I will
tickle the palates Of my two friends, and
convince them that they are not the
only ones who have knowledge of
hunting but what is the meaning of
this %
I attempted to move, and found both
feet fast. My first thought was that I
had been stricken with paralysis, and
chill ran over me from head to foot.
But no !; I could feel the blood coursing
to the remotest part of my system, and I
tugged like giant. I tried to step,
twisted to the right and left, wrenched
my body, but all in vain-I was fast.
Suddenly the truth flashed upon me
I was sinking in quicksand.
With this knowledge came a fierce
resolve not to succumb. I would wrench
l.
die in this inglorious and dreadful man
ner. Summoning all the strength of
which was master, I tugged and pulled
and twisted with the fury OF madness,
and then paused exhausted, and found
that the only result was that I had sunk
several inches deeper in the quicksand.
The soft, clinging sand was already at
the top OF my boots, and had so wedged
them around my ankles that it was i'm
possible to pull them off. All the time
l could feel myself sinking slowly and
surely, as though some monster, deep
IN the bowels Of the earth, had grasped
me by the feet and was gradually draw
ing me under g @
Almost beside myself with terror, I
shouted for help, and then 7 laughed
wildly at the idea Of my voice reaching
any one. I was miles away from any
person. The only living creature within
hearing was my horse, and he answered
me with neigh, as if sympathizing with
me in my despair.
And now tried to think coolly upon
my position. Was there really no posi-
BILE way eff extricating myself? Stay!
Suppose should lay myrtle horizontally
across the sand, would it not prevent my
sinking? Perhaps SO; at least I could
try it.
looked around for my gun, but moth
ing of it was to be seen. That, too,
alas had sunk beneath the surface.
Could I dig my way out? No; the
sand streamed into the hollow as often
as tore it with my frenzied fingers.
Could I not lie fat on my back, and
thus stay my downward progress? The
thought was dismissed the moment it
came to me. The water was eighteen
inches deep, and should drown at once.
Oh, heavens dying by this slow, tor
turing process. The thought drove me
mad for the time.
After while I became cool again. If
l must die, 1 must and I aroused my
self to meet it manfully. I stood erect,
and found that my head had sunk to the
prairie level, and I could just see
the victims of my heartlessness. NV
heart reproached me at the sight. Was
not this just retribution for the misery
had inflicted? What right had T to
shoot those poor, innocent creatures who
had never harmed me? Was it not the
final adjustment of Justice that should
be made to feel and suffer the same
pangs that had inflicted upon them?
Such, and similar, were the thoughts
that corrsed through my seething brain.
raised my eyes to heaven, and almost
expected to see fown of divine anger
for the part I had taken. But no; the
sun was shining as bright and the sky
was as cerulean and mild as ever. No:
whatever transgressions had commit
ted, I knew there was nothing but for
giveness and love bending over me, and
prayed as only sinful man can pray
when encompassed by certain death.
But all this time was sinking-sink-
ing slowly but surely, and the moment
could not be distant when I should be
swallowed up and disappear from view
entirely, and those who should come to
search for me could only surmise my
fate.
I had taken my last fond look upon
the green, fair earth. I could only see
the blue, clayey wall which held the
stream, and the water which ran un-
needing by me. Again I looked up at
the blue sweet sky, and then endeayored
to resign myself to my fate. But could
not; the memories of the fair earth and
NV mast nleas11raS and frinDdc oo,,oo 81