Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1890-12-13
IT WAS NO GHOST.
Thrilling Adventure in a Michigan
Forest.
BY DELBERT S. WINS.

1t was near the close OF daytime
fourth of July, 1860-that found my
self by a spring brook that crossed the
old Traverse Trail, about four or five
miles south.of Pine River, and about
thirty miles south of Grand Traverse
Settlement, in Michigan.
had parted with my wife and babe
st the Settlement that morning, and,
wearied by my long walk, was re-
joiced to find this beautiful bubbling
brook of crystal, cool water with which
to slake my thirst and battle my heated
brow.
was on my way to Kalamazoo, and
had about fifty miles more of this
lonely, desolate wilderness to traverse
before reaching the next settlement;
or, as the Traverse people would have
said, before could get outside.
AS it was near sun-down, and water
was an object along this trail, 1 decided
to camp here for the night, 1 accord
ingly went few yards up the brook
and discovered q little log hut covered
with bark, which had probably been
the winter quarters of some trapper or
hunter the previous winter.
"This is the very place 1 have been
wishing for" thought I, and soon be-
gan to gather some dry fuel with which
to smoke away the ravenous mosquitoes,
which lowered about like swarming
bees.
After fixing q snug little pallet
of hemlock boughs in one corner of the
cabin on which to repose. 1 took from
my pocket paper and tried to read,
but could not; the letters would all
run together. After several attempts
and failures, I put the paper in my
pocket, then filed and lighted my pipe.
A strange. indescribable feeling camo
over me; began to grow restless and
uneasy, when strange whisper came
to my ear, distinctly calling my name.
Don't stop here; this cabin is haunt
ed"
I confess that was startled; looked
about and tried to discover from whence
the strange whispers came, but no clue
could l discover.
stepped out of the cabin and looked
around; the birds were warbling their
evening carol; the sun, which was just
setting, looked like like a great
ball of fire, and the wind
made dreary, lonesome noise among
the tall pine and hemlock trees, which
stood thickly about on all sides. l
meditated only a moment; my resolve
was quickly taken. 1 stepped back
into the hut, picked up my carpet-sack
and started. It was only few steps to
the trail, and as soon as I reached it 1
stopped and meditated a moment, and
then was ready to retrace my steps.
What fool I am" thought ], "to
leave this comfortable little cabin and
this delightful brook, and here, Just at
night, start out on this lonesome old
trail and, ten to one, get lost! No, Ill
risk the phantoms and stay here"
After returning to the cabin / pro-
cured more fuel, and then tried to read
again, but Guild not concentrate my
mind long enough upon any article to
finish it.
1 flung the paper down, filled and
lighted my pipe again, and in the course
of an hour or so l was pretty well COM
posed.
Wearied with my long walk, it was
scarcely dark when sought my hem
lock couch, and prayed fervently that
sweet Morpheus might take charge of
me and release my mind from worldly
care till the incoming of another day.
A half hour later had fallen into a
gentle slumber of five or ten minutes
duration, when fearful scream aroused
me from my lethergY.
In an Instant 1 was Frightening up
my fire, which by this time had nearly
died out. In q few moments it was
burning brightly.
For perhaps q minute remained in
brea, less silence, as if paralyzed,
striving to catch the slightest
sound, but the dull, dreary rustling OF
the leaves, with an occasional sough
and moan of the breeze, as it swept
with a varying current through the tall
pines and hemlock, was all that 1 could
now distinguish with the sense of hear
ing.
NY reverie was soon disturbed by a
sound entirely different from the pre-
sceding, but so frightful and unearthly
that I fairly sank down paralyzed with
fearI
There immediately arose a succession
IF the most horrible noises 1 ever heard,
sounds as of desperate struggle just
below me by the brook, with snarlings,
growlihgs, and gnashing of teeth, COM
mingled with yells and groans, below
ings of pain, terror, and despair.
@Great heavensl" thought l, what
can it be: 1 have been in the woods
hunting and trapping for months at .
time, have camped out many night
all alone fifty miles from any habitatlon,
and never before heard such unearthly
noisesl Here 1 am unarmed and some
monster of the woods is about to deyour
mel Oh, God what thought What
would become of my dear wife and
babe? My blood fairly curdled IN my
veins; but, thank God, I have good