The Cave by the Beech Fork: A Story of Kentucky—1815

rested his trusty rifle by his side and pointed toward the thickly

he sycamore and willow," said his companion, Martin Cooper, at the same time seat

ing peculiar about those

ve long, slen

een they are, while the ot

want of moisture, raised their cones of crimson berries; the sour-gum was laden with clusters of purple fruit as tempting to the eye as the most delicious grapes; the hickories were conspicuous by their russet foliage; the deep-lobed leaves of the white-oak were burning with fiery red; the ash-trees, scattered here and there, were robed in garments of pure

said Martin. "Still, I prefer not to spend the nig

ed, addressing a bird-dog which was enjoying a good rest at the side of his master, "old fellow, can't you

d, the underbrush of the woods separated and a large deer bounded past them. Each sprang for his rifl

of coarse home-spun cloth, his deer-skin hunting jacket, his fox-skin cap and sturdy moccasins, all bespoke a life far removed from the busy scenes and worldly comforts of town or city. He had a bright, piercing eye, a countenance frank and winning, a voi

companion. His face was ruddy, round, and freckled; his long, unkempt hair fell in reddish clusters from beneath his hunting cap.

surprise. "It has been a favorite crossing for them of late. There'

us hurry on fa

the boys were preparing to give the deer a warm welcome. If it was far ahead of the hound, as usually happened, it might rush by them at any moment. Suddenly their attention was drawn to a spot by the rustling of leaves, and peering from behind the trees they saw a large turkey-gobbler, strutting along wholly unconscious of the danger near at hand. What a fine mark it made as it strolled deli

mself, for the gobbler persisted in remaining within rifle-shot, scratching

changed its course, and again left the river. Another hour pass

nd stretching his cramped limbs. No answer came, so he called again in a still l

o answe

s about to raise it to his mouth, when he heard the report of Owen's rifle. The latter had given up all hope of killing the deer, and had crept cauti

rtin approached. "Hunting all day, and nothi

. We stayed at the ford too long; there is no going home to-night, and that is all about it. Why, an Indian would get

gued Owen. "But remember that it's Oc

d Martin, glancing anxiou

ut I do know one thing:

n't starve. We'll have t

soft bed of leaves, and a fire to drive aw

camp," said Martin, blowin

d soon the faithful dog stood panti

the deer this way, o

if to say that he did his

have a good supper," said Martin, as the two b

nd. Owen had the squirrels dressed in a jiffy. One was suspended over the fire by a green twig, while the other was wrapped in damp paper and placed under the live coals to roast. Thus, two different dishes were prepared from the same meat. They had also some dry bread left from t

the fire, and placed their rifles near by in readiness to re

phere of simple but deep faith, and would have considered it almost a crime to neglect their morning or evening prayers. There, then, they prayed; at night, and in

catching a glimpse of the clouds through a rift

forgot it-I intended to tell you about it-and it is

ng? Are you dreami

ich I found last month when ch

the '

-night I'll take you there. I

t's in this neighborhood, but no one knows the exact spot. Long ago, even before Dan

d Owen, raising himself up to a sitting postur

about two rocks. Now I recollect; there

n doesn't drive us there to-night

e cave, whose entrance was guarded by two dogs as large as the two rocks which he had see