The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1897-05-03
aaron in fhe Wild Woods.
The Story of a Southern Swamp.
JOEL CHANDLER HARRIS. . . =
:. by Joel Chandler Harris.

XIII.
SAW.
AS the fall came on the young men Cand
some OF tho older ones. too began to IN
dulge in tho sport of fox hunting. They
used 10 guns. but pursued Rcynard with
horse and hound IN the English fashion.
The foxes in that region were mostly
gray but the red ones had begun TO come
in, and as they came the grays began to
pack up their belongings Gas the saying Isl
and seek homes elsewhere
The Turner old fields. not far from the
Abarcrombe place. and stil closer to tho
swamp were famous for their foxes-flrst
for tho grays and afterwards for tho reds.
There seemed 20 be- some attraction for
them In these old fields. The scrub pines.
growing thicl1ly together. and not higher
than a mans waist, and the brier patches
scattered about. afforded fine covert for
Mr. Fox. gray or red. being shady and
cooi I'm summer time. and sheltered from
the cold winter winds And If it was fine
for Mr.. Fox it was finer for the birds: for
here Mrs. Partridge could lead her brood
in safety out Of sight of man. and here
the sparrows and smaller birds We're safe
from the blue falcon she of the keen eye
ana swift wing
And Mr.. Fox was as cunning his nose
was sharp. He knew that tho bird that
made its homo in the Turner old fields must
roost low: and what could be moro con-
vencnt for Mr. Fox than that-especially
at the dead hours of night when he went
creeping around as noiselessly as a shadow,
pretending that he wanted TO whisper
secret in their ears2 Indeed. that was the
main reason why Mr.. Fox lived in the Iur-
ner old fields, or went there at night, for
he was no tree climber. And so 1t came
to pass that when those who were fond or
fox hunting wanted to indulge in that sport
they roso before dawn and went straight
to the Turner old fields
Now, when George Gossott and his pa
trolling companions ceased for time TO
so frOicling about the country AZ night
on the plea that they were looking after
the safety of the plantations they conclud-
cd that il would be good for their health
and spirits to 20 fox hunting occasionally
Each had two or three hounds TO Drag on,
so That when all tho dogs were brought to-
gethcr they made a pack Of moro than re-
spectacle size.
ono Sunday. when the fall was fairly ad-
vanced. the air being crisp and bracing
and the MORNINGS frosty. these young men
met at Il church and arranged 10 lnau6n-
rate the fox hunting season the next morn
Ing. They were 10 20 home get their dogs
and meet ar Gossetrs, his plantation lying
"a
grammo was duly carried out The young
men sta.d all NIGHT with George Gossett.
ate breakfast before daybreaN. and started
for the Turner old fields. As they set our
q question arose whether they should 80
through the AbercrOmble place-the near
est way-or whether they should go around
ty the road. The darkness of night was
Sun over wood and field. but there was a
suggestion of gray in the east. II tho
hunting party had been composed only OF
those who had been tn the habit ~ pa
trolling with George G9sset &, prompt chOloo
woald have been made OF tho plolt1 road
but young Gossett had invited au ac4ualnt-
auca frofl another settlement 10 join them
- gentleman who had rcacnto t.lo --i5
oL maturity, but who Was Vigorous enough
to enjoy "a cr0ss-country ride 90 hounds.
This gentleman had been told ot tho
strange experience OF the patrol rs IN Ar.
Aber.rOmbies pasture lot. some OF tho
delaIls had been suppressed. Tor one
thing the young men hs q not confessed to
him how badly they had been frightened.
They simply told HIM enough 10 arouse
his curiosity. When. therefore, the choice
of routes lay between the pubic road ana
the short cut through the AbcrcrOmbie pass
ture. the gentleman was easer 10 80 10y
way OF tho pasture where his young friends
had b,held tho wonderful vision that has
already been described When they dis
PLAYED some hesitation in the matter, no
rallied them smartly on their lack 81 nerve.
and in this way shamed them into going
tho nearest way. George Gosaell' mo
had no lack of nero physical courage. con-
scented to lead the way u the others "ou4u
..lleep close behind him." But none OF them
evcept tho gentleman who was moved oy
curiosity. and who attributed the mystery
OF tho affair TO frequent visits 70 MT
Fuualove's stul house. had amy stomach
for the Journey through the pasture, Tot Aot
even George G0Ssctt desired 20 invite ID
rrpetltion OF the paralyzing scenes through
which they had passed on that memorable
night.
As they came to the double gates tho
Young man VINO had insisted that llm-
oleon was Reelzcbub concluded - leave
an aveuuo by which 70 escape II tho nec-s-
sttv arose So he rode forward dismouuted
ana opened the gates Then no made 2
great preteuce of shutting them, but ol-
lowed them 10 remain open Instead This
o,er9tion LETT him somewhat behind h's
compauious as hc intended it should, for
no mad made up his mind to wheel his horse
and run for 1t if no heard any COMMUNION
ahead OF him. ira that event the delay
be purposely made would leave him near
est tho gates.
Seeing that the young man did not coma
mn MS quickly as he should have done,
George Gossett In whom tho spirit Of mis-
chief had no long periods Of repose. SUE
westul shat they t0uch UP thclt noi 9rS ANA
give their companion scare This sus-
rcstlon was promptly acted on The COM
motion his companions made caused the
young man TO pause moment before put
tins. spur to his horse TO rejoin them. This
DELAY placed several hundred yards be-
tween him and the party with Gossett he
realized this ass he rode after them, but
was oonsoied by the fact that. Ia the
event Of amy trouble he had q better OPP
portuulty 70 escape than they did.
Rut he had hardly gone fifty yards from
fha double gates before he heard some
sort OF noise in that direction. lie half
turned in his saddle and looked behind
him. The vague gray of the morning had
become SO ineNtricahly mixed and mingled
with the darkness OF the night that such
Ngbt as there was seemed TO blur the
vision rather than aid IT, But when the
,-oilnc man turned I'm his saddle he saw
enough TO convince aim that ne was likely
TO have company IN his ride after his COM
panions.
He hesitated n moment before urging his
horse into a moro rapid gait. He wanted
10 see what 1T might be that was now SO
vaguely outlined. He strained his eyes.
but could see nothing but black and
shameless mass. which seemed to be fol-
1ovJinl- him He could SEQ that ir was