Feliciana sentinel. [volume] (St. Francisville, La.) 1877-1892, 1892-11-05

tiful lakes and rivers OF what mas since
been we'll named the Park Region 81
Minnesota Tall. raw-boned, sinewy
and capable Of enduring as much priva-
ton as any Indian, he hunted and
trapped wherever he found game and
fur most abundant, in defiance OF the
savages who claimed that country for
their own.
Years later, when settlers had driven
eway the Indians, as we'll as most OF
the game. Old Thad, too much in love
with the locality to follow the Indians
and the game, built a snug cabin upon
the edge Of wide stretch OF TIMBER
and meadow land where deep, clear
stream emptied into n lake OF consider
able size. and settled down to adapt
himself to the nav order of things
He could never make up his mind to
become farmer, but spent his time In
hunting and trapping as he had always
done. good neighbor he was. When
ever he returned from q successful
hunt, a saddle Of venison or bear meat
was pretty sure to find its way 10 our
house on the banks of the lake, in re-
turn for the hams and bacon which my
father sometimes sent him.
NV father was no hunter, but when
became old enough to handle rifle,
he often allowed mo TO accompany Old
Thad on his expeditions. wen. al
most wild with Joy whenever was
granted holiday of this sort. old
Thad was jolly companion, and one
of the best story tellers that / ever
knew.
We had no end Of sport, and met with
many exciting adventures both on land
and water; but my greatest delight
was to sit by our camp hre at nlgA'
and listen to the old man As he rs
counted his early adventures among
the Indians.
His tales ,ef L--1ty.-uf na1roreatt
escapes, all told in a manner that con
WINGED me Of their truthfulness, wouit
I'LL a large volume if duly reported.
Coming down the Otter Tail late ont
autumn day after a successful dec
hunt, we landed to portage or carr,
our canoe and its heavy load down pas
one of the numerous rapids for which
that river is noted. At the foot Of the
rapids we embarked once more to pad
die down to good camping place Z
short distance below.
How'd you like to shoot them rapids
with a load Of furs and traps sboard?'
asked my companion, as we took NJ
our paddles.
81 should want to say good-by to my
friends before tried it, replied.
Il wouldn't care to try it again my
self, but did it once" said Thad. III
was a grounding case, though, tel
you, for just had to do it or lose my
scalp. But made the biggest haul o.
fur that night down in these wood.
that l ever made in my life. Tell yo,
all about it when we get into camp"
You see," he began when we sa
down to a supper of fried venison
hardtacx and coffee, with our feet t,
the fire, while the bark canoe, turne,
upon its side, protected our backs frou
the sharp west wind; you see I'd beel
trappin' all the fall up above here, AM
catched the prettiest lot of fur you eve
set eyes on. All this country belongs
to the Mandan Sioux then. 1t was jus
about Us much as q mans life wa
worth to let them Indians catch him i
these parts.
~ hadn't seen the first red duriu
all the time that I'd been trappin
that fall, and I made up my mind ths
they'd all gone further west for the
regular fall buffalo hunt. So I wa
padding along as careless as you pleas
late one evening, about a mile abov
the rapids, where that big creek pu,
in from the east.
"well, 1 tuck a good look up tn
creek as always did up every streal
when padding in hostile country, an
what did I see come poking round
bend but the noses of a pair of bi
canoes.
II know'd too well what was in 'eu
and didn't stop. to get q good look .
the crews, but just dug my paddle int
the water an tried to get past tn
mouth of that creek and out of sight
II heerd the Indians give yell trs
as swept past the mouth The ne,
second, crack went q couple Of rife
yhc bullets came cross lots throuG