The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1885-05-28

rsoh's daughter. who was transformed
into an owl, and her bitter cry:
Oh. 900! %
onos vas Kings daughter. and sat ON my
But now ;S., I'm poor how''s' and hidsin hollow
Since that night my associations with
the owl are very different and far more
unpleasant.
1 had always been in the habit of
carrying dRrk-lantern in my pocket,
and this / now took out and lighted,
with view to investigating the place.
first taking the precaution of hanging
my overcoat in front of the aperture.
threw the beams Of the lantern in
front OF me, and the first object that
attracted my attention was brace
of birds, commonly called the bull-bat
or night-hawk, cured. stretched, and
nailed to the wall. At first what this
meant did not dawn on me, and i simply
wondered who had been the prior DIS
coverer and what was his object, and
whether he was bird-fancier. Then /
stepped forward, and nearly fell over
soft-yielding object, over which l then
bent, and started back in horror to
meet the eyes of dead man dis
tended with fright glaring up at
me. The th'~g was such q shock
that cold shiy.rs went running all over
me, and nearly beat q precipitate re-
treat; but curiosity overcame me, and
hastily covering his face with my hand
kerchief to shut out the awful stare of
his eyes, again turned to look about
me. There was nothing much else ex-
cept a motley array of guns, knives and
pistols stored away IN one corner, and
then turning back to the corpse ex-
amined him to find that he had been
struck blow on the back of the head.
/ surmised that he had been robbed
and dragged here previously to being
disposed of or buried.
The meaning then of the birds flash
ed over me. This was the den or hid
ing place of the "Bull-Bat Band" and
here probably they concealed their
treasures; and here probably they
would soon return to dispose of their
victim. As i felt no desire to share
his fate concluded that instant fight
would be the best manner of proving
that discretion which is said to be the
better part of valor."
/ took my handkerchief off the dead
mans face, for 1 had no desire of
leaving any trace whereby 1 might be
tracked, identified and murdered, and
creeping out on my hands and knees,
rushed out into the wild night as if
pursued by a thousand demons. /
caught my horse, who was patiently
I La
mounting, rode i knew not whittier,
with only one thought predominant, to
get as far away us possible from the &C
cursed cave of the "Bull-Bat Band"
1 had wandered some distance when
1 perceived faint twinkle of light not
far off, which, after accommodating,
found to proceed from small cottage
at the side of hill.
The cottage was in q condition of
ruin, and only one room seemed to be
in use. rode up boldly to the door
for any kind of companionship seemed
desirable after the scene / had just
left-and knocked loudly.
In few minutes L heard slow steps
and voice grumbling in low tone,
and then the door opened and snap
pish woman querulously demanded my
business.
/ answered that supper and nights
lodging for myself and horse was all
that / desired and was willing to pay
literally for the same.
The old woman Withdrew, muttering
to herself the while, and disappeared
in the interior of the house, and L
heard voices, one incautiously sharp
and clear, say, in sharp tones that
sounded with familiar ring on my
ear:
Impossible; for the bats are flying
abroad tonight
Where / had heard that voice before
/ could not recall, until the remem-
brance of the beautiful mountain girl
flashed across my mind, and knew it
was she.
We're thousand bats flying abroad
tonight determined to stay and learn
more of this fascinating creature.
In few seconds the old woman re-
appeared again, and in churlish tones
declared that they possessed no accom-
modations for strangers. / slipped q
piece of money into her hand, for by ex-
perience / had learned that to be the
open sesame to most hearts, and / had
rightly calculated, for she walked back
with determined step, and in few
seconds, Diana, for so the old woman
called her, appeared at the door.
"You may stay" she said, coldly. II
dare not preventsyou; but, if still not
too late, take a friendly warning and
proceed with your journey"
'Fair DIANA" / said, stepping for
ward and grasping her hand in the
gloom, "turn me not away, beseech
you, for the bats are flying about to-
night"
She held the door open with her
hand, and / saw her start at my words;
then she said hurriedly, and in a more
guarded tone, for the old woman was
approaching:
Life is sweeter than death. Go
while it is still time. 1 am not what
you think me-"
"DIana," said again, "life may be
sweeter than death, but so is love
sweeter than life. will stay" And
stepping within closed the door. The
old woman came up to us, and the
golden opportunity was past.
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