The National tribune., 1902-10-16

covering the scout bending over n camp
fire he had built. he said. addressing him:
kind sir, am glad to see you back with
me. but why did you not wake me that l
might help yOu?"
.'Chide not thyself. lad" replied the
Forester, as he hung several slices of meat
upon some poles so they would not burn
"you slept so peacefully / had no wish to
disturb you. Why should /? Youth.
whose fires burn brighter than an old
mans, needs more sleep, as the fire just
kindled calls for more fuel than the blaze
laid on bed o. embers The night has
been pleasant, and here in the bosom o
the great green woo6 have | returned
thanks unto Him for the blessed privilege
o being kept awake to Joy the full meas
ure o His gifts. 1t be well worth the loss
O. few winks O sleep. lad. it be-"
''Do you mean to say you have not
slept at all, sir? / would be unjust did
not offer to take my place at watching.
if it be necessary TO keep watch, and let
you"
Nay, lad, should previcate the
great truth did dissemble by leading you
to think I've not slept. Seated at yOn
rock, with my eyes uplifted TO yOn stone
face, ! 'joyed as the pine joys the sooth-
ing balm Of the forest. But look here. lad.
and behold the trophy O the hunt. 1t was
and arter a 1eetle scrimmage with the crit
ter l have as fine bit O meat as one need
care for" pointing TO snndry portions OF
the richest parts OF the carcass that he
brought to the place.
"What are you doing with it. sir. You
will pardon me If seem impertinent but
you must remember that am not well ac,
quainted with life in the woods
I'm the country where you come from
you may make ''sirs" out O every one you
meet. / ne'er should be surprised at this
when l come to know that folks be plenty
! there, and there may not be names enough
to go round. But here, In the company o
natur' there be no sirs nor lords. Men be
equal here, 'cording to their knack o fol
lowing the trail. But kivered your ques-
tion with chiding when / should have
given you civil reply. I'm fre-curinp
this meat with which to refill our wallet,
declared the scout, without removing his
attention from the work in hand while he
was speaking. YouEg Harwood was
watching him intently while he cut juicy
steaks into strips and thin slices, and
then placed them on sticks set slantwist
over the fire, and high enough so the meal
would be parched without being burned
BY this process the forest ranger was able
to take with him supply that would
both keep and last him for several days
| even WEEKS. he WOTk SeeIDPu SO
that Eden HarwOOd offered to lend his as
sistance.
"Aweel, nows me, lad, there be a bit o
cunning needed to cut the meat, especially
if it be bars meat, so none of the juic
ness may be lost In the fire-curing ther,
be particular brOwniness to be had so il
shall not lose its sweetness. Nay, it b,
better for you to rest, and for the old MAJ
to keep at his work."
Il feel very grateful to you, Mr.. For
ESTER" began Harwood, and rememberin,
his mistake in addressing his companion
was careful not to use the term .'sir.
But he was scarcely more successful thi,
time, for the other checked him in tn,
midst of his speech to say:
Nay, nay, lad; now you show blame
full indiscretion. There be no Mister For
ester. Mister the pines, if you must o
:, the birch and the oak, but never sich as
!, Shout it to the Old Man o. the Mountain
if you must say it, but ne'er let tongu
commit sich an indiseretion so long a
you trail with me. That meat has swee
SAVIOR, and jedge you could eat good
ish slice. Now be ready to eat this slic
, that l have brOiled on the embers. Mea
. to be good needs to be eaten warm fror
/, the Goals"
Nothing loath. Eden Harwood accepts
. the invitation, and little later the Fol
ester Jolueu MIN IN the morning meal.
n Isn't that stone face something won
: derful," remarked HarwOod, who sat S
| he commanded perfect view of the rocl
+ countenance. IF you do not mind tn
e trouble, wish you would explain wha
i you meant by saying this valley is fol
n hidden hunting ground to the Indians"
k II ne'er knew IL there be truth in til
s tale, lad, but it be a purity conceit O. Eel
q who live very near to natur's god. Lon
tvQarS lnnO it Anoc nnf 10
& the traditions o. the red men bear no date.
e Iso they are ever young and ever old, thi
/ leetle stream running through the vale
l. was noble river, which carried much fis
e and was natural trail for the sons Of til
d chase in coming through this gatewa
o atween the mountains. And once, whe
e rival tribes were passing here at the sam
time it became q bloody battle ground
b Stone hatchets filled the air like hail-stone