Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1892-05-26

He STRUCK AT THE OBJECT.
sound or sign of the cows did he dis
cover.
This state OF things compelled him to
give up the search and if possible make
his way home. But here was the puz-
zle. By daylight he would have known
whittier to go, but it was another thing
in the night. He knew he was some
where to the southwest of the imper-
feet road that led TO his home: if. there
fore, he could 90 toward the northeast
he would strike that road after a time
and finally reach his home. But which
way was north. south, east or west?
No star was to be seen. no landmark
existed to direct him. That sense of
feeling in regard to points of compass.
possessed by most persons, was of no
use now. Standing perfectly still he
listened for any sound that might guide
HIM. Somewhere in the distance an
owl was calling: Hoo, hoo. hoo,
hoorah:" night bird of some kind was
pouring plaintive song on the air: now
and then rustic among the leaves
reached his ears; but there was nothing
by which to locate himself and take d
correct start homeward.
Lads not familiar with the great
woods would not have known single
thing to do in such an emergency. But
Charley understood some things not
taught in the grammar school. The
necessities of frontier life impart an
education peculiar to itself.
He made his way to a tree and, feel
ing with his hands on all sides of its
rough trunk, soon decided which way
was north. for the north side of forest
trees Is almost always slightly messy
and tie bark not SO hard and dry. but
more easily crumbled. This is the re-
suit of shade on the north and sunshine
on the south side. Carefully satisfying
himself on this point, he placed his
back against the northeast side and,
putting forth his hands to shield his
face from brush, set forward in what
he deemed the right direction Slowly
walking few rods, he felt the bark
upon another tree to correct his bear
ings. In this way person who under
stands it can go long distance through
the forests by night in an almost
straight line. OF course, in dense
woods one cannot steer by the stars
On and on Charley CROPPED, occasional
" humping against a tree or stumbling
over a log. but steadily holding his
course.
After awhile. as he was examining a
tree to keep himself right, he heard
a vigorous rustl;ng of brush not far
away, and listening intently, his ears
were saluted by a distinct sniff from
some animal.
At first Charley was inclined to be
alarmed, but reasoning that it was
probably some small creature, raccoon
or opossum. he kept on his way. But
within few rods he heard it again and
louder. Hardening, he clearly distin-
guished its steps very near him. Yet it
would not do to weaken and play the
coward in such circumstances, and SO,
feeling about and cutting stout
cudgel, and carrying it in one hand and
his open jackknife in the other, he
piodded along as nearly as possible in
a direct course.
By and by, as he was again correct
ing his bearings by tree, he felt some
thing touch his leg, lik, the nose of IN
animal smelling him to see ii he would
be good eating, and it 50 startled him
that he gave piercing yell and struck
at the object with all his might. What
ever it was. it received q prodigious
whack and bounded away few feet,
uttering low, heavy growl. This
showed Charley that it was a large
creature. but it did not explain to him
what it was.
On he pushed again, the animal ap-
parently keeping 4 little farther off,
but shifting frequently and growing
IN threatening manner. In the pres
ence of such a mysterious peril most
persons would have been completely
but our young hero managed
to keep his wits about him and hold
steady course.
Finally. as he was cropping along,
there came to his ears from some dis
tant point a faint but welcome sound
the tinkle. tinkle of the cOw-belL
Listening an instant he decided the di-
rection. and turning sharply that way,
steered by the sound. walking much |
faster than when trying to keep n GER |
tain point of compass by the trees. !
This brought his pursuer at his back, a |
more nervous position than any other. |
quite near. and the noises from the |!
animal were less distinct. proving that |
it WAS rather Disconnected by the tin!l- |
ling.
When within few rods OF the bell |
cow the boy commenced calling and /
talking to her in his usual familiar way. |
Blu: he discovered AZ once b. the snort |
ing and traIuplinE of the cattle, half n .
dozen in number, that the wild creature |
was not far away. and, whatever it /
might be. was formidable enough to
Brighten the whole herd. Feeling along. |
he made his way to the side of the bell |
cow, large, sturdy animal. that Char
ley knew would stand the best chance |
of any in the flock of escaping from |
danger. Hardly had he reached her and !
patted her sides, when they all became |
worse alarmed and began tearing around |
in the darkness in the widest manner