Year: 1874




see Providence intervenes between us
and wolves and hunger. That must be
a squatter's hut"


The light to which l had SO sudden
ly called Dicks attention was very
faint, and seemed to be about half a
mile distant. 1t gllmmered through the
dark branches of the hemlock and spruce
trees, and weak as the light was, hail
ed it as mariner without a compass
halls the star by which he steers, We
instantly set out in the direction of our
beacon. In moment it seemed as if
all fatigue had vanished, and we walk
ed as If our muscles were as tense as
iron, and our joints oily as a piston
shaft.


We soon arrived at what in the dusk
seemed to be a clearing of about five
acres, but it may have been larger, for
the tall forest rising up around it must
have diminished its apparent size, CIV
ing 1t the appearan ce Of a square pit
rather than farm. Toward one corn
er of the clearing we discerned the
dusky outline of log hut, through
whose single end window faint light
was streaming. With sigh of relief
we fastened to the door and knocked.
1t was opened Immediately, and man
appeared on the threshold. We explain.
ed our condition, and were instantly
invited to walk in and make ourselves
at home. All our host said he could
offer us were some cold Indian corn
cakes, and slice of dried deer's flesh,
to all of which we were heartily well
come. These viands in our starving
condition we're luxuries to us, and we
literally reyeled in anticipation of a full
meal.


The hut into which we had so uncere-
moniously entered was of the most
poverty-stricken order. 1t consisted of
but one room, with a rude brick fire.
place at one end. Some deer skins and
old blankets stretched out by way of
a bed at t he other extremity of the a
partment, and the only seats visible were
two sections of large pine trunk that
stood close to the fire place. There was
no vestige of table, and the rest of the
furniture was embodied in a long Ten
nessee rifle that hung close to the rough
wall


If the hut was remarkable, its
proprietor was still more so. lie was,
think! the most villainous looking man
l ever beheld. About six feet two inches
in height, proportionately broad across
the shoulders, and with a hand large
enough to pick up fifty six pound shot,
he seemed to be combination of extra
ordinary strength and agility. His head
was narrow, and oblong in shape. His
strait Indian-like hair fell smoothly
over his low forhead as il it had been
plastered with. soap. And his black
bead-like eyes were set obliquely, and
slanted downward toward his nose, Civ
ing him mingled expression of feroci-
ty and cunning. AS 1 examined his
features attentively, in which thought
could trace almost every bad passion,
l confess l experienced a certain feeling
of apprehension and distrust that could
not shake OFF.


While he was getting us the promised
food, we tried, by questioning him, to
draw him into conversation. He SEEM
ed very taciturn and reserved. He said
he lived entirely alone, and had clear
ed the spot he occupied with his own
hands. He said his name was JOEL but
when we limited that he must have some
other name, he pretended not to hear
us, though saw his brows knit, and
his small black eyes flash angrily. My
suspicious of this man were further a.
reused by observing pair of shoes ly-
ing in corner of the hut. These shoes
were at least three sizes smaller than
those that our gigantic host wore, and
yet he had distinctly replied that he
lived alone, If those shoes were not
his, whose were they. The more re-
flected on this circumstance the NOR e
uneasy felt, and apprehensions were
still further aroused, when Joel, as he
called himself, took both our fowling.
pieces, aud, in order to have them out
of the way, as he said, hung them on
crooks from the wall, at height that
neither Dick or l could reach without
getting on stool. i smiled inwardly,
however, as felt the smooth barrel of
my revolver that was slung in the hol-
low of my back, by its leathern belt,
and thought to myself, If this fellow has
any bad designs, the more unprotected
he thinks us the more incautious he will
be, SO made no effort to retain our
guns. Dick also had revolver, aud