Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1912-09-19
The Mountain Fiend.
A Tale Of Tug River.
BY H. A. COMPTON.

VINO tnere?' asked a voice from
! within.
"A belated hunter" replied Saup-
son. 'Ne and my companions bev bin
huntin' sill day, en- dark overlook US
down at the mouth Nv this boiler. where
we wuz 'parin' to camp fer the night.
but SEEM yer light, we 'cided to cum,
up an see eff we could stay with yuins -
Come in. then, aud bring YOUR com
psrions; ~e're just about 70 begin skin
ming the game we bagged today" sand
the voice from within.
Calling his companions, Jim held open
the low door until they had entered then
followed them inside The four new
corners were greeted cordially by the
young sextette already already at the
hut, and presently Jim asked:
And We say ye all is hunters, too?''
Yes' we are at the present." an
swered one of the youths. eve all
started on little hunt Monday morn
ing' and as we met with unusually good
luck We have kept at it since. We wer.
never down here before, and &c there
seems but few living on this creek. we
just took up at this old cabin for the
night"
a purity wise plan," said Jim. FER
eny place Is a heep better'n sleepin'
out O. doors nights like these. Whsr do
ye hve?" he continued
On Tug river" answered the boy.
'above the mouth of Dry Fork; but we
came up through the mountains to the
head Of this creek, where we found ali
kinds Of game. After hunting up there
on the mountain we decided to come
down this creek, and are this far. Here
l suppose We shall turn and 90 back
home"
What moight be yer manner" en-
CURED Reuben, interrupting the youth
fai speaker.
Ny name is Jones'" answered bov.
1.-Two Of my brothers are here. two Of
the B'sukenship boys and the other is
Mike Wilson. He has lived with US all
his life We all had a little leisure. and
being fond of sport, just decided to
make war on the wild game up here
The boys then asked the names Of
, their guests. Sampson told his own
hr5t, then those Of his companions.
After this the boys fell to skinring
their game, which consisted mostly of
foxes end wild cats. This task occupjeJ
about an hour, after which the BOYS
went 10 nearby branch and washed
their bloody hands. When they had re
turned to the cabin, Jim asked:
Did you boys see enything Nv
kinder oleish man, with long reddish
whiskers, totin' gun sorter like this
one?" holding Randolph's Winchester
before the boys.
He's orful ugly Teller" interrupt
ed Reuben, land bout the meanest
lookin' scamp you ever seed, and bv
payin close 'tentiOn you kin see he's
gittin' little gray"
Yes, answered young Jones. 1--WE
saw fellow answering that description
going into camp with several other
hunters just little ways up the creek.
Have you all lost one of your friends?"
"Oh, no. replied Sampson, ''he's no
friend Wv ours. but-well, l guess / had
Jlst es well tell We bout hit, fer know
We air honest boys. This Teller we wuz
AKIN bout is the game we air huntin'
fer. You know told We we wuz hunt
ers, we'll, that wuz no lie; but we amt
the same kind Nv hunters ye'uns is. The
game we're arter now is neither fox
ner bear. Hits a man hunt
Il see.' said Jones, this man is a
criminal, murderer, perhaps, and YOU
are officers in pursuit of him. Ami
right?"
Right an wrong both" replied Jim
The feller's a criminal an murderer
alright; but ed fer US being officers. va
is wrong "
"Why. then" asked young Jones, eff
you are not officers, are you following
this fellow. I'd think it a rather dan
gerous business?"
You're right, lad" responded Jim
hits dang 'ous bis'ness, but We know
alter cases sumtimes: so
our circumstances air sich we can Meth
er consider dangers ner shun EN-"
Then ne must have done you per
sonal injury" said the boy, becoming
Interested in this peculiar hunt.
mo, he amt done me no injury not
me myself, but jist be quiet spell aud
III tell We all bout hit," Jim replied.
He then told the horrid story of the
many murders and misdeeds of the Con |
perhead end his villaInous gang. using
al his rude eloquenee and homeIv gest- !
lres, which brought tears to the eyes of
the boys, who now for the first time
realized that they were in great DANCER.
No doubt they now deeply regretted
heir trip, and would have given eli if
hey were again safely back at home.
But alssl Little thought these young
men on that balmy Monday morning as
hey left their homes so snugly nestled