Year: 1863




1t was in the autumn of 1859, when
was travelling through one Of our Eastern
States, that the incidents happened which
am about TO relate. had been travelling all
day on horseback soon after the hour of
noon, entered forest which / at first
supposed extended but few miles; but as
/ advanced it grew thicker and denser, and
it seemed to me that as l rode along through
the majestic trees, meeting no living thing,
and save the half-worn road / was follow
ing, seeing no traces of human beings, as if
the forest was IntermnabIe. The Sunlight
shone thro' the deep foliage and fell upon the
road in feeble CLEANS. The merry songs of
thousand wid-birds filed the air with
music, aud the chirp of squirrel now and
then fell upon my ear. 1t was delightful to
be thus surrounded by Nature in all her
wild and natural beauty; but before night
fall the sun hid himself behind dark cloud,
and slow, drizzling rain began to fall.
knew that it would be impossible to reach
the chaneel upon dilapidated building near
the roadside, which had evidently once been
used as dwelling. but long since deserted,
and now rapidly falling TO decay. l dis
mounted, and tying my horse to tree near
by, proceeded to explore my lodgings.
The door was unlocked and yielded read
ily to my touch. entered the room, and
found large heap of straw in one corner,
which would serve nicely for bed for my
self and my horse. ! took half of it and
distributed it evenly in one corner, and
then went out, united my beast and led il
into the cabin. In my knapsack / found
sufficient 10 refresh the inner man, and after
| partaking heartily of the cold meal, laid
down upon my bundle of straw and COM
posed myself for good nights rest. / was
very weary, and soon fell into heavy
slumber.


How long slept / knew not but was
awakened by sound near the door; it
must have been a loud noise which awaken
ed me. for was sleeping as soundly as
tired man usually sleeps, and no ordinary
noise could have disturbed me. | aroused
myself and looked intently towards the
door it stood half way open, and thought
saw the face of man peepng through
the aperture. started to my feet, and
shouted loudly:


"Who is there 2"


| But no one answered memo sound broke
the stiffness of the night, save the breath
ing of my horse, and the echo of my own
words. l managed TO find my revoler which
had left in my knapsack, and with it in my
hand, crept cautiously to The door. l flung
! it open and looked out; it was very dark
and could zee nothing; but after listening
moment / distinctly heard footsteps re-
! treating in the distance.


! l closed the door and fastened it as Sc
curely as possible with my knife, and re-
turned to my bundle of straw; but i, was
long time before could compose myself to
rest. AT last, however, fell into light
slumber from which was awakened by
shriIl scream; whether it was the voice of
a human being or that of wild animal,
was unable to decide in my halfwakeful
state.


l again arose and opened the door eau
tiously looking out, saw something which
| supposed to be panther, CT some wild
animal, CT ooched upon the ground a few
few feet from the cabin, as if ready to
spring. 1 pointed my revolver at it and
fired and after the smoke cleared away,
saw it crawl slowly away, as if badly wound
ed. / turned and sought my heap of straw
again, feeling satisfied that l should not be
disturbed again that night.


i soon sank into deep and heavy slum-
Der, from which did not awaken until the