Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1900-12-22

IL
The widest regions in the state OF @
Kentucky. The scenery in many j
parts OF its course is OF the grancest y
description. and numbers of tourists (
annually visit the locality 20 contem-
plate its beauties.
Especially attractive is spot
few miles from the town or DanVile-
Here the river widens so twice its
usual breadth. and flows between
thickiv wooded hills: though the cur
rent is stin strong. it's whole aspect
is that OF a peaceful and harmless
stream.
But the apparent calmness IS mo-
mentary and deceptive; 80 yards be-
low the water narrows again. and
rushes swiftly between banks which
become constantly sleeper and more
rocky. until finally it dashes over
fall OF 40 feet. frowned down upon by 2
precipitous cliffs which rise more
than twice that distance toward the
sky.
The quiet spot above the falls has
bcen n great deer crossing. Many
noble animal has here met his death
from the hunters rife. as he shook
the water from his fanks on one side
or the other.
Sixty years ago. however. the coun-
try was thinly settled. and the only
nerson i'm position 10 take more
than occasional advantage OF the
croesino was "a woodsman. named Joe
Hatton. who had a cabin on tue hh'
above the river. ard spent his life, rs
was customary with men Of his kno'
entirely I'm hunting and trapping.
Hattou was a good shot. and as ne
kept. moored i'm the bushes ON the
bank. canoe. which enabled him t'
pursue deer i'm the water, he never
wanted FOR vcnison.
In all his excursions. however
whether for hunting or fishing. h
never padded down stream, know'ni
fun wen that if he once got betwce'
the cliffs it would take more powc
than lay even in his strong arms I
propel his boat back again.
Finally he had an experience whic
amply Justified his respect for th
"rapids." as it was called.
II was about ten o'clock OF n hrigf
October day. and Hatton. having h
ished his chores was sitting az u
base OF q tree. short distance fro
his cabin door, whiting a stick vii
hts hunting knife, and lazly tryn
10 make up his mind 20 visit his trai
when he perceived n deer waikiki
down tho gully that led TO the riv
shore. IL was n fine buck, but "
evidently partially disabled. for
movements were slow and painful.
The hunter sprang 60 his feet, a
showing his knife into It's sheath, h'
ried down the hin. intending To p
sue and secure the animal in the v
ter.
lust as the deer reached the ba
it saw him. and the change OF
meanor was instantaneous With
bound u flung itself into the wa
and struck out for the opposite she
Hatton whooped with delight, a
pushing of his canoe. padded quf
IN after. But so swiftly did the q
swim that it had almost reached
other bank when the boat shot
tween it's eyes and the wished
goal.
At that il turned and started b
but this time the hunter oveVtoo
in midstream.
Being gre-tly weakened by its
mendous efforts 10 escape, he was
TO seize II pN OuC mum.
Dropping his paddle and draN
his knife. Joe reached over with
right hand 10 make an end of
quarry. maintaining a firm hold
his left hand upon the horn.
But as the steel touched his
the buck made a cOnvulsive 81
and flung his head desperately il
air. a prong of his near horn ca
Hatton under the arm, and the
instant the hunter was strugg.h
the river.
His first feeling on coming Il
surface was of anger, and, being
fectly at home in the water, he
a dash for the deer, TO finish I'll
he had begun.
The animal at first semed n
care to avoid him, but when ii
seized his horn, with the intent
putting the poor beast out OF M
cry, he struggled with al
strength, springing from side Il
and shaking his head in vain
TO free himself: for the longe
contest lasted the more deter
did Joe become. as he growled G.
self, TO "git that buck or bust
But suddenly shadow seen
fall on the water, and, raisll
eyes. Joe saw. with dismay, I
his reckless struggle he had beer
by the current far below the
ino and that he was almost bl