Year: 1859

Bu0S o " my native river.


SCENES IN THE WOODS.


The heavy mists which during a cool
October night had rested upon the Nema-
haw river we're wreathing through the
woods that borders its banks the tops Of
ths.srees were gilt with the bright rays Of
. morning sun, which gave gorgeous
beauty to the rainbow tints of the autumn
foliage-the mantling Of the parting year.
Occasionally small Aocks of paroquets
fs~ with swift wing through the branches
Of the trees, making tae woods re. echo
to their noisy scream. A solitary raven
had left the watch-tower upon the silvery
top Of dead sycamore, was soaring high
up in the heavens and even that vaga
bond bird, the vulture Of America, was
floating high up in the blue sky, rivaling
the eagle in the beauty and majesty Of his
fight. The dew-drops were sparkling like
gems upon the leaves of the trees, and a
freshness was playing in the morning air,
which gave the indication of bright and
CHEEKY day. A..


In the midst Of a grove shading the
banks Of river, and in front of large
fire, we're seated two persons. The age of
the youngest might have been twenty,
perhaps more. His dress was simple, and
suited to the wiIdness of the country
around him. A light hunting coat Of
highly dressed deerskin wa. girded around
his waist by broad leather belt, serving
to set of form whose slightness gave
more promise of activity than strength
A few locks Of light hair escaped from
beneath gay cap also made Of deer skin
and curiously orLamented with stripes of
porcupine quilts. It was worn, however,
more for appearance than use, and it sery
ed to adorn rather than shade the frank
and fearless face beneath it. In his belt
he carried substitute for the less elegant
though more serviceable hunting knife
A pair Of buckskin leggings. which bore
the marks of rough usage, and many a
hard encounter with the brushes and briars
were drawn over his pantaloons, and com.
pleted bis dress. With the exception Of
these last articles, the lightness and even
richness Of his attire, though modelled af-
ter the hunters of his district, ct once
pointed him out as cot belonging to class
who look alone to durability in their habi
liments. Near him against the trunk of a
small cotton tree. rested light rife,
whose highly finished barrel and stock
inlaid with silver, showed that it had come
from the forge Of no workman west OF the
Mississippi.


His associate was in every respect
back wood hunter. He had mum bered
forty winters, and his SCARED and weather
beaten features told many tale Of dan
ger and exposure. His broad white FORE
head strongly contrasted with face Of
the most swarthy hue, gave an air Of ma.
tural nobility to his whole countenance
There vas stamped upon his mouth an ex.
preston Of unwavering resolution, which
that feature alone can convey, giving to
him an air of quiet intrepidity, that be-
spoke one who felt a full reliance upon HE
own powers, and would not shrink from
bringing them into action. His eye was
grey, stern in its expression and exceed.
ingIy brilliant. His dress, though Of
coarser material, resembled that of his
companion, and in the formation far more
attention appeared to have been bestowed
upon the usefulness than the beauty of the
garments. Like his ompanion his waist
was bel.ed with broad leather girdle.-
To it was attached q short scabbard of
undressed cowhide, containing strong
knife, which might serve a. weapon Of
defence, or for the more peaceful employ
ment Of cutting his food. Between his
knees was short yager-a species Of rife.
much in vogue with the hunters of this
part Of the country, both on account of the
convenience Of its length and the large
siss Of its bore, which rendered it more
fatal in its effect.


At the time Of introducing these char.
actess to the reader they were both seated
on . log nesr the ere. The eyes Of both
were 6xed on line OF blue smoke, which
floased upwards. forming pale canopy
over their heads, and slowly wreathing
among the branches Of the oyerhanging
trees. Some deep and engrossing subject
seemed pressing on the minds Of both. and
to have wrapped them, up IN world Of
its own, leaving its traces on their grave
and silent faces. At length the younger
one Of the two broke the silence.


You are moody. Norton" said he, " !
would give the two best bullets in my
pouch 70 know what occupies your
thoughts."


HE companion raised his head. My
thoughts, 'Hsrick, ara no. pleasant, that
,ou need wish TO bur ihem.'