The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-11-08

% far as it concerned the venerable tEog- -1odyte, was closed. ventured to make another remark, but the mournful tones of his long yellow flute were the only re- ply l received. Returning to my horse, after discovering . way by which could lead him down to the valley, continued my wayward course. The sounds of the flute followed me, and even after l had crossed the river, which my faithful horse swam like duck, l could hear the melancholy vail of the old mans lugu- brious overture. T had not proceeded very far, after crossing the river. uasski came to a large log house, built close against the side of a mountain. It was the 6rst house had seen for some time, and as was not likely to see another one very seon, dismounted, tied my horse to a sapling, and opened the rude. gate with the intention of knocking at the door, when an enormous dog that looked more like a lion, bounded from behind an ash-hopper, and cane at me with a roar. sprans A1kSSs fence and climbed up grapevine depending from tree, just in time, too, for when 1 ven- tured to look down, there he stood on the fence gazing at me.
 You Bose P yelled voice, "come here, sah. Don't pay DO 'tention to him, stranger. He only wanted to skeer yos little"
 "He has succeeded,"l replied, with cut placing enough confidence in the mans explanation to trust myself to de- scend witSin reach ofthe dog.
 Go way from thar tell you, sah, !" throwing an iron wedge against the fence. The dog jumped down and trot- .,d away, and thus assured of protec- tion, left my perch and joined the man in the yard.
 How do you do, sah ?" said he, ex- tending his hand.
 "As we'll as frightened man could well be-" rejoined.
 @Wall, he wouldenter hurt you even if he had gotten his mouth on you. He ain't got no teeth. He is gittin' along in years and has fit coons till his teeth air about all gone. Come in."
 followed him into the house. In front of small fire in great fireplace, sat woman and a girl. They arose when we entered. The woman was not bad looking. and the girl was positively beautiful, with flashing black eyes and hair as dark as the gathered gloom of midnight.
 told them my name. after which the man said: My name is Redman Jeff ries this is my wife and this" with an air of pride, 1 imagined" is my daugh- ter Lentie. Set down am make yourself at home. don't know your business and l aint keen to know, still if it's all the same to you, wy jes' tell us why you air in this here neighborho0d, anyhow"
 told him that l was seeking health and that I thought could find 1t among the mountains.
 That's whar you show your sense, my frien'. When a man is out huntin' health an fails to find it 'mong moun- tains like these here" waving his arm in a sweep of illustration" wy then he mout as we'll go home an turn his hoss loose, fur he ain't goin' to iiad it no whar. Mother, kaint you an Lentie stir your stumps an git the stranger little bitf to eat while go out an look airter his crister? Jes' make yourself at home now, my frien'. want keen to know your business but sense you have been so kind as to tell us, wy we want to make some sort O return. We don't have a visitor oac't in year and when we do, we wants to make him comfortable. Don't VIC mur ?"
 "Yes, Redman."
 Don't we, Lentie 7''
 "Yes, sir"
 "Thar, 1 knowed it."
 CHAPTER II.
 l had attended to continue my journey, but when the following morning came, I could not quite get my consent. It was not that l was tired of wandering among the blue-topped mountains ; it was, think that having passed an evening so de- lightful, l fondly contemplated another.
 Don't think O going 90 socn," said