St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-04-30

Shed tnelr iOllaRe, lnus IenueiihS ~
easy to see squirrels and other small
game in the tops of the hickories,
oaks and beeches, Colonel Beaumont
had occasion to make journey, due
east, to the distant town of Cleve-
land, then containing less than 5000
inhabitants. Before leaving, he told
George and Ben that they might go
across by the forest trail to visit
their friend Peter Johns, and bring
him home with them, the old gentle
man having great confidence in the
young Indians ability to keep the
boys out OF mischief.
With many injunctions as to being
cautious in their use, the colonel
gave the youngsters permission to
take what weapons they chose from
the armory, as they would probably
do considerable hunting while he was
away.
From pure heredity as well as
from so often listening to their grand
fathers war stories, the boys were
thoroughly imbued with military
spirit (both afterward distinguished
themselves in the war with MeXico) {;
so, entirely Ignoring rifles and
fowling-pieces, they selected the
famous pistols and saber for their
present expedition, thinking those
more soldief-like weapons and most
likely to powerfully impress the
friendly Indians.
Just as the colonel straight and
stalwart at rs as many young man
OF 40 mounted his horse at the door,
the two happy youths came out to
say goodbye, George carrying the
antique pistols, while Ben had
proudly buckled around his waist
the gorgeously embroidered belt OF
the sabre. Then, as their smiling
grandsire rode away, they gayly set
out on their 10.mile tramp, mere
trihe for their sturdy young legs.
1t was not until they had gone too
far to turn back, when fair shot at
a wild turkey presented itself, that
George discovered to his dismay that
he had left his ammunition behind,
and hence could not take crack at
the old gobbler
Never mind George" consolingly
said Ben, well get lots of game
after Pete comes; and if we meet a
bear or any other big thing, / can
kill it with my sword"
Maybe you might if the bear
would stop, throw himself over on
his back, and wait for you to cut his
throat" laughed George. but come
along; its not likely We'll see one
and il we do, he'll be sure to rur
away mighty quick"
By and by, after travelling eight
miles or so, the boys came to the brow
OF hill, overlooking a rather oper
intcrvale OF oaks, closely bordered
on one side by a dense grove ofyoung
pines. They were about to descenc
the slope when they noticed, two
hundred yards away, litter Of
quarter-grown pigs busily engaged
feasting on acorns under one of the
oaks.
This was sight so common as tc
be unworthy of attention, had there
not at this moment flown from out
the pine thicket a feathered arrow
which transhxed one of the little
pigs. On seeing this, the interested
spectators stood stock still ant
silent, waiting for what might mex,
occur, as they could not catch g
glimps of the ambushed hunter.
In quick succession one arrow fol
lowed another, until three of the
youthful porkers lay, kicking ant
squealing, on the ground. Then
with knife in hand and an empty
culver at his back, Peter Johns him
self emerged from his hiding place
intent on dispatching the faller
game.
On recognizing their friend, thu
boys uttered joyful shout and SCI
off down the hill to join him, Will,
he, equally well pleased, stopped it
his tracks and smilingly AWAITED
their coming.
But now another and less com
PLEASANT actor appeared upon TIL
scene. While the Indian stoot
watching his white visitors the lat
ter saw, rushing toward him an,
not 20 yards in the rear, an enor
nous brinded boar, which, wrough
to frenzy by the cries of his wounde,
progeny, charged straight on wit