Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1889-04-04
Delphi HEYLIGER.
Bv WASHINGTON IRVING.

Bv WASHINGTON IRVING
DoIph found, as ne had suspected, that
the shot from the glen, which had come
SO near giving him his quietus when on
the precipice, was from the party before
him. He had nearly crushed one of
them by the fragment of rock which he
had detached; and the jovial old hunter,
in the broad hat and bucktail, had fired
at the place where he saw the bushes
move, supposing it to be some wild ami
NAL. He laughed heartily at the blum
der; it being what is considered an ex-
ceeding good joke among hunters; but,
faith, my lad," said he, .'if l had but
canght glimpse of you to take sight at,
you would have followed the rock. An
tony Wander Heyden is seldom known to
miss his aim" These last words were at
once clew to Dolph's curiosity; and
a few questions led him completely
into the character of the man be-
fore him, and of his band of woodland
rangers. The commander in the broad
hat and hunting frock was no less per-
sonage than the Heer Antony Wander
Heyden, of Albany, of whom Dolph had
many a time heard. He was, in fact,
the hero of many story, being man of
singular humors and whimsical habits,
that were matters of wonder TO his quiet
/ Dutch neighbors As he was a man of
property, having had a father before
him, from whom he inherited large
tracts of wild land, and whole barrels
/ full of wampum, he could indulge his
humors without control Instead of
staying quietly at home, eating and
drinking at regular meal times, amusing
himself 10y smoking his pipe on the
bench before the door, and then turning
into a comfortable bed at night, he de-
/ lighted in all kinds Of rough, wild ex-
petitions. He was never so happy as
when on hunting party in the wilder
ness, sleeping under trees or bark sheds,
or cruising down the river, or on some
woodland lake, fishing and fowling, and
living the Lord knows how.
He was a great friend to Indians, and
to an Indian mode of life; which he con-
sidered true natural liberty and manly
enjoyment. When at home he had al
ways several Indian hangers on, who
loitered about his house, sleeping like
hounds in the sunshine, or preparing
hunting and fishing tackle for some new
expedition, or shooting at marks with
bows and arrows.
Over these vagrant beings Heer An
tony had as perfect command as hunts
man over his pack; though they were
great nuisances to the regular people of
his neighborhood. As he was rich
man no one ventured to thwart his
humors: indeed, lie had q hearty, Joyous
manner about him that made him uni
vossally popular. He would troll n
Dutch song, as he tramped along the
street; hail every one a mile off; and
when he entered house he would slap
the good man Familiarity on the back,
shake him blythe hand till he reared and
kiss his wife and daughters before his
face-in short, there was no pride nor
i'll humor about Heer Antony.
Besides his Indian hangers on he had
three or four humble friends among the
white men, who looked up 10 him as a
patron, and had the run of his kitchen,
and the favor Of being taken with him
occasionally on his expeditions II was
with medley Of such retainers that he
was at present on a cruise along the
shores Oft the Hudson, in a pinnace which
he kept for his own recreation. There
were two white men with him, dressed
partly in the ludian style, with moccasins
and hunting shirts; the rest of his crew
consisted offour favorite Indians. They
had been providing about the river, with
out any definite object, until they found
themselves in the highlands; where they
had passed two or three days, hunting
the deer which still fingered among these |
mountains.
1T is lucky circumstance, young
man." said Antony Wander Heyden, |
"that you happened TO be knocked over
board today, as tomorrow morning we |
start early on our return homewards, and |
you might then have looked in vain for |
a meal among the moumtains-but come, |
lads, stir about! stiraboutl Let's sec what |
prog we have fors supper; the kettle has
boiled long enough; my stomach cries |
cupboard; and I'll warrant our guest is /
in no mood 20 daily with his trencher.'
There was a hustle now IN the little |
One took off the kettle, |
and turned part of the contents into a
huge wooden bowl; another prepared
Hat rock for n table; while third brought /
various utensils from the pinnace, which
was moored close by; and Heer Antony
himself brought a flask or twoo of precious
liquor from his own private locker-know-
ing his boon companions too well TO trust
any of them with the key
A rude but hearty repast was soon
spread; consisting of venison smok-
bacon, boiled Indian corn. and
mighty loaves of good brown house
hold bread. Never had Dolph made
a more delicious repast; and when he had
washed it down with two or three
iraughts from the Heer Antony's flask,
and felt the Jolly liquor sending its
warmth through his veins, and glowing
round his very heart, he would not have
changed his situation, no, with the gov
srnor of the province.
The Heer Antony, too, grew chipping
md joyous; told half dozen fat stories,
1t which his white followers laughed inn
moderately, though the Indians, as usual.
an invincible gravity.
81 AZ