The Lost Trail

rock, the ru

s swell, the

ned and mi

he desert

ve left with

ongue can n

and unear

s without a name.

ely he had been led by the hunter. He was full of aches and pains when he attem

al law of cause and effect to feel a certain degree of exasperation toward the evil-doer; and, as the Irishman at every step experienced a sharp twinge that ofttimes made him cry out, his ejaculat

ed a crime or a wrong, that the minister had been guilty of anything sufficient to give cause of enmity. The strange hunter whom they had unexpectedly encou

impenetrable mystery; but, let it be comprehensible or not, the wrathful servitor inwardly vowed that, if the man crosse

only lead into a greater entanglement, from which it might not be possible to escape at all, he wisely concluded to remain where he was until daylight. Gathering a fe

g of the wind-the tall, column-like trunks, resembling huge sentinels keeping guard over the mysteries of ages-the silent

se of a foe, endeavoring to steal upon him unawares. Again and again Teddy was certain he heard the stealthy tread of the strange hunter, or some prowling Indian, and his heart throbbed

m that there were other inhabitants of the solitude besides human beings. At such times, he

the tread of something near the camp-fire. But his stupor was so great that he had not the inclination to arouse himself, and with his face buried in t

uffing and clawing at his shoulder. He was wide awake at o

his feet. "Git out, or I'll smash yer head the same

tter of his angry eyes, that watched every movement. The Irishman's first proceeding was to replenish the fire. This kept the creature at a safe distance, althoug

ed the inexperienced Irishman of the brute's exceedingly dangerous character. His rifle was too much injured to be of use a

inent for him to do any thing but watch, so long as darkness and the animal remained. Several times he thought there

s that of singing. He trolled forth every song that he could recall to remembrance, and it may be truly said that he awoke echoes in those forest-aisles never before heard

t, thinkin' ye a praist and thimselves the choir-boys. I belaves, by me sowl, that ivery tree has got a tongue, for he

ntary. He suddenly looked out into the darkness which sh

ll how Tom O'Reilly got his wife? Yees never did, eh? Well, t

wide: and, before he got the cut, it was as broad as yer own out there. Besides, his hair being of a fire's own red, you may safely say th

or two out of this side of Limerick. Tom was possessed after that same gal, and it only made him the more determined when he found t

nd the owld woman took her out of kindness and brought them up together. She got to be jist as ugly a looking a gal as Tom was a man. Her hair was redder than his, and her face was just that freckled that yee

ut Tom didn't make much headway with Kitty. It wasn't often that he could saa her, and when he did; she was mighty offish, and was sure to have the owld woman present, like a dumb-waiter, to be sure. She come to tell him at length that she didn't admire his coming, and that he would greatly p

ight belave his visits were welcome. This made Tom feel mighty bad, and so he hid behind the wall and waylaid the chap one night. He would have killed the chap, his timper was so ruffled, if the man

of praties the same as iver. But Tom felt mighty bad; that fact can't be denied, and he went frequently to consult with a praist that lived near this ind of Limerick, and who was knowed to cut up a trick or

little gal as herself. Tom knowed of these doings, as in days gone by he had jined her once or twice. So one night he put a white sheet around him as she was coming back from Limerick, and hid under the li

e ye up alive,' said Tom, t

he asked, shaking like a

come to warn ye o

ied, covering her face with her hand

ked, loud enough to be heard in Li

she sobbed, 'and how

loves

ow he

e a much bitter husband than the spal

make him m

m purgatory. If the other man marries

she'd go down upon the ground

ying Tom

t the on

es yees

st do poor T

rry him this

t I w

and bring him up, and he'll go to the praist'

ed above to saa that Kitty didn't give him the shlip. He then came up and spoke very smilingly to the

wait long, and in five minutes he towld them they were man and wife, and nothing but death could iver make them different. Tom gave a regular yell that made the windys rattle, for he couldn't kaap his faalings down. He then threw his arms around his w

han iver; but purty soon he laughed too, and took the p

of his speed through the woods, and ere long reached the camp-fire of his friends. As he came in, he observed that Mrs. Richter still was asleep beneath the canoe, while her husband stood watching beside her. Teddy had determined to conceal the particulars of the conversation he had held with the officious hunter, but he related th

rairie. The canoe glided closely along, where they could look down into the clear depths of the water, and discover the pebbles glistening upon the bottom. Under a point of land, where the stream made an

in the stream, Cora? Would you no

nk I s

take our morni

ow touched the velvet shore of the island. Under the skillful manipulations of the young wife, who insist

ll felt an anxiety to reach their destination. Accor

the dew-drops upon the ashen blade; the golden blaze of sunshine streaming up in the heavens; the dewy woods, flecked here and there by the blossoms of some wild fruit or flower; the

y ceased paddling and pointed to the left shore. Following the direction of his finger, Richter saw, standing upon the bank in full view, the tall, spare figure of the strange hunter. He seemed occupied in watching them, and was as motionless as the tree-trunks behind him-so moti

on't you

ere drowned in the sh

of giving him the idee we ain't afeard, and if he continues his thaiving tric

master, as he observed the

l'arn we've rifles as well as himself. It's mighty little ha

t have taken his life, and-but, see

noe, in which was seated at least a dozen Indians. They were coming slowly down-stream, and g

're after us. Is

village, and we may as well meet them he

hem, by all me

like a bird over the surface of the waters. A few rods away its speed was slackened, and, before approaching closer, it made a circuit aro

r, the Indians swept up beside our friends, and o

ns me-g

d be clever enough to let us retain possission of 'em," said Teddy, hesitating about complyin

obeyed, and while he passed his rifle over with his left hand

me fists, begorrah, but, by the powers, ye shall have the

!" sharply comman

estures, only smiled at them, and the chief who had taken his gun,

the savages vaulted lightly into their

ver sin' I l'arned the Injin way of driving a canoe through the water. When ye ge

rder to make himself and intentions known. He was surprised at the knowledge they displayed of the English language. He overheard words exchanged between them which were as easy to understand as much of Teddy's talk. They must be, therefore, in frequent communication with white men. Their lo

ary that such was contemplated. He had yielded himself, heart and soul, to his work; he felt an inward conviction that he was to accomplish great good. Trials and su

irely unknown. Trappers, hunters and fur-traders in occasional instances, penetrated into the heart of the mighty solitude. Lewis and Clarke had made their expedition to the hea

with whom little difficulty was experienced in bartering and trading, to the great profit of the adventurous whites, and the satisfaction of the savages; still, the shrewd traders knew better than to trust to Indian magnanimity or honor. Th

. This secured an audience with the leading chief, when Harvey explained his mission, and asked permission for himself and companions to settle among them. With the ludicrous dignity so char

erpreter. He was listened to respectfully by the majority, among whom were several whom he inferred already had heard the word of life. There were others, however,