The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1889-02-15
'DOLPH HEYLICER,
Bv wAsHIHeTog IRVING.

sssss, ssssu AsV w Vuo gray SOCks anu bIlukkcs
forests, and glittered on the waving
bosom OF the river. The night dew wa
falling, and the late gloomy mountain
tint in the dewy light. The hunter
to qualify the damp Of the night air
and dry leaves under ledge of rocks
for Dofph; while Antony Wander Hey
den, wrapping himself up in huge coat
made Of skins, stretched himself before
the fire. 1t was some time, however
before Dolph could close his eyes. He
lay contemplating the strange scene be.
fore him: the wild woods and rocks
around-the fire, throwing fitful CLEANS
on the faces Of the sleeping savages-
and the Heer Antony, too, who so
singularly, yet vaguely, reminded him
of the nightly visitant to the haunted
house. Now and then he heard the cry
Of some animal from the forest, or the
hooting of the owl, or the notes of the
whip-poor-will, which seemed to abound
among these sOlitudes, or the splash of q
sturgeon, leaping out of the river, and
falling back full length on it's placid sur
face He contrasted all this with his
accustomed nest in the garnet room Of
the doctors mansion, where the only
sounds he heard at night were the church
clock telling the hour, the drowsy voice
Of the Waterman, drawing out all was
well; the deep snoring OF the doctors
dubbed nose from below stairs, or the
cautious labors of some carpenter rat
gnawing in the wainscot. His thoughts
then wandered to his poor old mother;
what would she think Of his mysterious
disappearance? what anxiety and distress
would she not suffer? This was the
thought that would continually intrude
itself, to mar his present enjoyment. 1t
brought with it a feeling of pain and
conjunction, and he fell asleep with the
tears yet standing in his eyes.
Were this mere tale of fancy, here
would be a fine opportunity for weaving
in strange adventures among these wild
mountains and rowing hunters; and,
after involving my hero in variety Of
perils and difficulties, rescuing him from
them all by some miraculous contriv-
ance; but as this is absolutely true
story, must content myself with facts
and keep to probabilities.
At an early hour the next day, there
fore, after a hearty mornings meal, the
encampment broke up and our adven-
turers embarked in the pinnace of An
tony Wander Heyden. There being no
wind for the sails, the Indians rowed her
gently along, keeping time to kind of
chant of one of the white men. The day
was serene and beautiful the river with
out wave; and as the vessel cleft the
CLASSY water it left long, undulating
track behind. The crows, who had
uooY+o1 Tho h.,p%orcS hovC,,o< xuoro al
ready gathering and lowering in the air,
Just where column of thin, blue smoke,
rising from among the trees, showed the
they coasted along the bases of the noun
Dolph bald eagle, the sovereign of these
that projected over the river; and, with
eye turned upwards, seemed to be drink
ing in the splendor of the morning sun.
Their approach disturbed the monarch's
meditations. He first spread one wing
and then the other, balanced himself for
a moment, and then, quitting his perch
with dignitied composure, wheeled
slowly over their heads. Dolph snatched
up gun and sent a whistling ball after
him, that cut some of the feathers from
his wing; the report of the gun leaped
sharply from rock to rock and awakened
a thousand echoes; but the monarch of
the air sailed calmly on, ascending higher
and higher, and wheeling widely as he
assembled, soaring up the green bosom of
the woody mountain, until he disap-
peared over the brow of beetling preci-
pice. Dolph felt in manner rebuked
by this proud tranquility, and almost re-
preached himself for having SO wantonly
insulted this majestic bird. Heer An
tony told him, laughing, TO remember
that he was not yet out Of the territories
of the lord of tie Dunderberg, and an
old Indian shook his head and observed
that there was bad luck in killing an
eagle-the hunter, on the contrary,
should always leave him portion of his
spoils.
Nothing, however, occurred to modest
them on their voyage. They passed
pleasantly through magnificent and
lonely scenes, until they came to where
Pollopol's Island lay, like floating
bower, at the extremity of the highlands.
Here they landed, until the heat Of the
day should abate or a breeze spring up
that might supersede the labor of the
oar. Some prepared the midday meal,
while others reposed under the shade of
the trees in luxurious summer Incidence,
looking drowsily forth upon the beauty
of the scene. On the one side were the
highlands, vast and dragged, feathered
to the top with forests and throwing
their shadows on the CLASSY water that
dimpled at their feet. On the other side
was wide expanse of the river, like
broad lake, with long, sunny reaches
and green headlands, and the distant line
of Shawungunk mountains waving along
a clear horizon or checkered by a feecy
cloud.
But / forbear to dwell on the particu-
lars of their cruise along the river; this
vagrant, amphibious life, careering across
silver sheets of water; coasting wild
woodland shores; banqueting on shady
with the spreading tree
overhead, the river curling its light foam
to ones feet, and distant mountain, and |
rock, and tree, and snowy cloud, and |
deep blue sky, all mingling in summer |
beauty before one; all this, though never
cloying in the enjoyment, would be but |
tedious in narration.
When encamped by the water side |
some of the party would go into the |
woods and hunt, others would fish
sometimes they would amuse themselves
by shooting at mark, by leaping, by |
by wrestling, and Dolph gained |
great favor in the eyes of Antony Wander
Hovdou nv hia skill and adrOifuass in al |