Year: 1877

| AUFZoS ou$dTs


THE TERROR OF A NIGHT


Many years ago, 1, then a young


man, was employed as land agent in


the newly-organized State of Illinois


and in the course of the many jour-


neys which my business involved,


saw and experienced many strange


and interesting events.


Among all these, however, one in.


cident stands out from memory's page


so vividly and 30 persistently


that can hardly choose but tell


it, although am well aware that few


will believe me when assert that it


is strictly and exactly true in all its
details.


1t was a day late in November, and


the forest through which had all day


been riding was strewn with a carpet
of rustling brown leaves, which crack
led mournfully beneath my horses
feet. The evening was closing in
with chill northeasterly wind, just
as was beginning to comprehend,
with no small dismay, that had lost
my road, and might be condemned to
a night without food or shelter in the
leafless woods. Luckily, however, l
entered upon small clearing, or rath-
S,,ta oe ~
tent. and perceived with much salts.
faction that at its farthest extremity
stood a substantial log cabin. such as
formed at that time the majority of the
houses Of Illinois.


Riding towards it, perceived, how
ever. that both door and window were
closed, and neither curling smoke or
ruddy light betokened the presence of
Inhabitants.


Deserted. fear,' muttered 1 dis
mounting, and rapping upon the door
with the handle of nay whip.


The sound reverbcrated from with
in, in muffied and hollow tones, but
saving this, my summons met with no
response.


Raising the wooden latch, 1 gently
pushed open the door, and looked in.
Que large, dimly-lighted room occu-
pied the greater portion of the area of
the cabin, while an open door at the
further side show wed small bedroom
beyond, completing the accommodx-
tions of the dwelling.


Both rooms were entirely DEVOID of
furniture or other trace of occupancy, |
and looked 80 dismally uninviting that |
1 was on the point of remountine my |
horse and pursuing my journey in the
faint hope of finding some other lodg-
ing, or even accepting the alternative
of q night upon the ground, when my |
purpose was checked by faint an dis
tant sound, in which. after listening
for q repetition, l recognized the howl
ing of pack OF wolves.


Unpleasant travelling companions
muttered l !; especially in a dark night
and with horse as tired as poor Sam
cho, Better TO stay here even though
it is somewhat the dreariest.'


Securing my patient horse to sap
ling close at hand, entered and thor
oughly examined the rooms. They |
were, as have said, entirely denuded
of furniture, and possessed no other
outlet than the one door and two win
dows had already noticed. The bare
rafters overhead proved the absence
Of any loft. and there was no appear
ance Of an opening to a cellar beneath.


A creeping chill pervaded the whole
place but this was discomfort easily
to be removed, and Immediately set
out to collect fuel for a fire. This was
offered me in abundence by the ada
cent forest, and hastily retraced my
steps to the nut. Passing through the
outer chamber l laid my load upon
the hearth of the inner room, which
struck me az trifle less dreary than
the other, besides being more easily |
warmed. The outer room deter
mined to convert into stable for San
cho, whom 1 did not like to leave un-
protected from the wolves, who still
barked hoarsely in the distance.


Slipping off the bride, l fastened
the end of the rope serving as halter
to wooden hook or crotched stick |
nailed against the wall of the cabin,
cut aud placed before him generous
armful of dry grass growing in the
little intervals, and then taking the
saddle to serve as my own pillow,
retrcated into the inner room, closed
the door, aud applied myself to pro-
ducing something like comfort in my
transient quarters.


Heaping the damp and moldy fire.
place with the dryest of my fuel, I
struck light by means of the tinder-
box which 1, like every other traveller
of that day, habitually carried, and
cheerful blaze was soon exploring the
unaccustomed crannies Of the gloomy
chimney. Next 1 drew from my sad
dle-bags the remains Of liberal din.
ner provided for me by my entertain
ers of the previous night, and made a
hearty supper. followed by a success
sion of pipes, which smoked, at first
seated close before the fire, and then.