Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1897-10-07

1 :,
in the common run Of luck, and food
was so much needed at home; when,
as If to give them encouragement,
at this moment they espied a deer,
just out Of rifle shot. This gave
them new courage, and raised their
hopes of soon being able to set their
faces homeward, laden with as much
venison as they could carry; and
then they started off i'm pursuit at
the top of their speed, which was
not very swift, for the snow had
thawed so much that they broke
through the crust at almost every
step.
The forest through which they
were passing was very open, and, as
a consequence, in spite of all their
caution in approaching within rifle
shot, the deer got wind Of their ap-
proach, and, throwing back its head
dashed off at full speed.
Though the hunters were disap.
pointed in securing their game as
easily as they hoped, they had no
idea Of giving up the Chase; and so
they set off at full speed in pursuit,
hoping to come within range. This
they at last succeeded in doing, but
not until two good hours had been
spent, and at least three miles more
put between themselves and home.
James at last succeeded in bring
ing his rifle to bear upon the painting
animal, which had paused for q mo-
ment to recover its breath. Though
usually sure shot, he did not this
time kill, and the deer, merely
wounded, turned again to fly. It's
strength lasted long enough to lead
them onward for half mile further,
when it sank down, and the hunters
soon put an end to its misery.
To f1ay the animal and cut il I'D
into quarters was but n slight task
for them; and by the time it was
concluded the rain began to fall
They now began to feel the want of
food and SO the snow was scraped
away, fire was hastily kindled, and
in few minutes n nice steak was
broiled.
Before their repast was concluded
the rain was pouring down in tor
rents. There was no time to be lost {;
81 they at once set their faces home
ward. Besides the rain which was
falling they had another cause for
uneasiness. BY the signs which
they had seen for an hour past, they
knew that enemies must be near at
hand. Once or twice, in their pur-
suit of the deer, they had crossed
the recently made trail Of the saw
ages; and they knew we'll that if
they once got upon their track, es-
cape would be next to impossible
The redskins, thirsting for their
blood, would follow them like blood
hounds.
Owing to the warmth of the
weather and the faSt-falling rain,
coupled with the additional weight Of
Yenison they bore, the crust of snow
would no longer sustain them, and
they sank through at every step
This made their progress slow and
painful; and, almost before thew
were aware of it, tho night came
down, and darkness so dense that
they could hardly see yard before
their faces encOmpassed about them.
For a while they toiled on; but at
last they saw what had been evident
from the first, that they would not
be able to reach home that night
So they came to halt beneath the
Wide-spreading branches of large
hemlOck where they decided to en-
camp for the night.
AT first they thought they would
try and do without a fire, fearing
that the savage might be attracted to
them thereby; but it looked so dis
NAL and hoaan,n g. -, L.
that they at last decided to run the
risk. After considerable trouble one
was kindled, and they seated them
selves about it, enjoying the cheer
full warmth which it impaired.
An hour or so was passed i'm this
way, and then they made prepare.
tions to get little sleep. Some
boughs were cut from the heml0ck,
and the water shaken from them and
then dried by the fire; and Of these
a couch was made, upon which Wal
ter threw himself, while his brother
kept watch until midnight, when he
was to arouse himself and take his
turn at standing guard.
Slowly the hours passed away,
and at length midnight came
James had not closed his eyes but
no sighs or sounds of danger had
reached him.
1t was now his turn to rest, and,
arousing his brother, he threw him
self in his place and was soon sleep
ing heavily. He could have re-
mained in this state but short time
to him it seemed but few min
utes- when he was awakened by his
brother bending over him and shak-
ing him by the shoulder.
"What is it ?" he asked, starting
up, and springing to his feet.
"Hark! There are savages near
us; they have seen our ligh. and are
about to give us call. There (!
didn't you hear them breaking
through the snow?"
I" heard something, but it may
be wild beast instead of a redskin.
But what makes it so light? 1t
can't be daylight yet"
mo. The moon is up. There
are those beasts or savages? | can
swear that the redskins are upon us,
and more than score in number !"
"You are right, Walt; and we
must stay here no longer if we wish
to keep our scalps On our heads
Good heavens! look yonder! They
are nearer upon us than thought -
His brother glanced i'm the direc-
tion from whence the sound came
and beheld, but short distance
away, number of shadowy forms
gliding amid the trees toward them