Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-01-10
When Wilderness Was King
CONTINUED from Page II


oval I've herd tell Their is some most awful things
goes on out yonder, and he swung his long mean
ngly toward the west "AnimyleS SIGH as don't prowl
raound yere, yeatin snakes big tibet tree, an
the blood thirstiest salvages An arer
while Their amt no more grows Their Ian is tibet
poor by gosh! jst plumb dead leyil err short grass,
an no show ter hide nuthin'."
"Were YOU ever there, Seth?" I questioned with
growing anxiety for I had heard some such vague
rumors as these before.
"Me? Not by dinged sight" he replied en-
phatcaIy ''Ths we're is long way further west thin
I keer bout bein'.'
explained 70 him the occasion and necessity for my
trip but he shook his head dubiousy his long face
exceedingly mournful that could not remain unaffected
by it.
We camped that night in the dense heart of some
oak woods beside pleasant stream of clear, cool water
Late the following evening, just the dlsap-
pearing behind the trees, weared horses emerged
suddenly upon the bank of broad river and could
discern the dim outlines of Hawkins buildings amid
the deepening shadows of the opposite shore. urged
my horse to splash his reluctant way through the shall
lows of the ord and animals on the steep
bank of the western shore we found ourselves at once
in the midst of a group Of scattered buildings The
largest and most centrally located of these evidently
the homestead as it had rudely constructed porch in
'front.' and thin cloud of smoke drifting from its
chimney
No one appeared in answer to our shouting and
flung my rein to Seth and, mounting the doorstep,
with whtened eyes and huge red lips seemed to float
directly toward through the inner darkness. 1t was
startling apparitiOn that sprang back IN such
haste nearly to toppe backward from the steps
Heaven alone knows what anCied it might be; indeed
had little enough time in which guess, for l had
barely touched the ground, when the whole Inquire
emerged into view ard knew him instantly for negro
though had never before seen one of his race. He
was dandifed- looking fellow, wearing stiff white
waistCoat fastened by gded buttons, with a pair OF
short ends
and he stood there grnning at me IN a manner that
showed all his cleaning teeth. Before l could recover
my wits enough to address him, heard voice from
within the house,-a soft, drawing voice, with
marked foreign accent Cinging to it.
"Sam," it called, "have you found either of the
sCoundrellv raSCalS?"
The darkey started as shot, and glanced nervously
back over his shoulder.
''No sah" he replied with vigor 'dat Nlistah Haw
kins am not vere sah An dat Mistah Burns has
gone way fe1 gud, sab But dar a gemman yere,
sah-"
"What!" came surprised ejaculation that caused
the negro to jump, and heard chair overturned
within. "a gentleman? Sam, don't deceive me!
For the love of Heaven, let me see him. Sam, where
it I the last one?"
Montreal, Sah."
By Saint Guise! its gospel TRUTH and the speaker
strobe forward candle in hand "Here now, you ace
of spades he cried impatiently "hold the flame until
bid this paragon of the wilderness fit welcome in the
Of Hawkins, who strangely to have vanished
from the sylvan scene. Alas poor Hawkins! two gen
tlemen at time greatly fear, will be the death OF
HIM Would that his good friend Burns might be with
him on this festive occasion. Ye gods, what time
it would be'
AS the black hastily reached for the candlestck
his erratic master quickly changed his mind.
NO." he muttered thoughtfuly, drawing back
within the hall; ts far more fit that such formally
greeting should occur Within where the essentials may
be found with which to do full courtesy will instead
retire SAM bid the gentleman meet me in the banquet
hall, and then, mark you thou archfend of backness,
seek out at that man Hawkins in his hidden lair,
and bid him have ample repast spread instantly on
pain of my dspeasure. By all the saints if be not
at forthcoming will toast the scoundrel his
own slow fire."
"Where is your master to be found?" questioned
of the black, whose air of selfimporance had been
resumed the moment he was left alone.
"Second door to de right sah,' he answered, gazing
curiously at my deerskin hunting-shirt I pressed
by.
had little difficulty in finding it. for all that the way
totally dark, the fellow within was Justify CAROL
ling French love-song I hung back for moment,
striving vainly to disting iSh the words.