Annie; and in case he could not find bottom, it was agreed that they should hold on to the boat together, and trust to providence for deliverance. After giving these directions, he seated himself in the group with little Annie between his feet, and both hands employed, reaching from side to side, in hopes of falling in with some object to seize upon. Occasionally they were borne with the speed of the wind down a gentle declivity, and again carried noiselessly away in what appeared to be an eddy, or over a level plain. They knew when they were passing a wood patch, by the rushing sound of the wind amid the trees, but nothing could be seen. Joe said he "couldn't tell how long they went on in this way, but it seemed to him like a week since he left neighbor Hanford's cottage, when all 'twonst, when they was sailin' along smooth as clover, bump, and over wert the old skiff, spillin' 'em all out in shoal water." in water, and which way to go to find a drier spot I couldn't tell. Hows'ever, I thought best not to stan' there all night, so I told the folks to keep still a minit, and I'd feel round and take a prospect. I wasn't long a findin' there was deep water on both sides of me, so I tried the middle, and found which way the land lay, but we hadn't gone more than twenty steps when I herd that etarnal fall pourin' over there. Then I was scart-I knew where I was then; and tho' we wasn't quite out of water yet, I didn't dare go a step furder till daylight. And then we wasn't much better off; the old stump was the only thing out of water, and it looked mighty ticklish gettin' to it, but I was afraid we'd all catch our death in the water, so I tried it and found it was solid, and there we all staid till you come." Hanford and his family found a present shelter in the cottage of their neighbor, Barnard Bradley, the blacksmith; and ten years "Yes," said Mrs. Hanford, and such a scream after the events of that frightful night in Sepas I and Annie give then!" tember, Joe Bradley, the thriftiest farmer of western Pennsylvania was made the happiest man on earth, (as all bridegrooms are,) by leading to the altar of Hymen the person of the once "little Annie," but now a full blown rose of a woman, with a dowry equal to his own estate. Joe never forgot the fortitude with which his infant charge bore the vicissitudes of that perilous voyage, and somehow, from that time forward she became his especial favorite. If she was not then, as in the words, of her father, "of the size for him," she became so in good time, and, if history tells the truth, he has, indeed, "made her a good husband." THE TEST. BY THE REV. RALPH HOYT. In thy early prime, when thy heart is gay, The world in its folly around thee flings; That poisons the heart, and deceives the sight; When the sign of manhood comes on thy brow, On the glorious goal thy desires have made; True friendship will counsel thee still,-prepare! And when that the trial is come, and all And adversity shatters thy silken sail, When hope's last sun is adown the west, NIGHT HUNTING IN ELK COUNTY. BY JOHN OF YORK. THE sun was within an hour's travel of the western horizon, when Tom W--; Hank S Dill G-, and Brooks, started from Ridgway for the Five Mile Lick, in a canoe, not over nineteen feet long, and so narrow and rocky that all had to sit quietly on the bottom of the frail vessel, or run a pretty sure chance of being upset. On each side of the Clarion, (or Stump Creek, or Big Toby the stream has three names,) high, thickly wooded hills rose up around us, and the banks were closely stocked with gigantic pines, the present wealth of that wild region. The crows and ravens were slowly wending their ways to their homes in the depths of the forest, and some of the night birds had begun to pipe their organs, preparatory to the monotonous concert, which was about to come off. How gloriously quiet is the hour of nightfall, in those grand old woods! Not a breath of air moved to ripple the clear water of the river, in whose depths, even in the twilight, we could see trout, bass, and other delicious sport-rewarders, enjoying their evening meals upon the silly insects who continually threw themselves upon the surface of the water, as if for the very purpose of being devoured by the finnies. The only annoyance was the armies of punkies, (gnats,) that swarmed about us and kept hands and cigars tolerably busy in the work of self defence. "What time does the moon rise?" asked Dill, raising his dripping paddle out of the water, and leaning upon it, the very lifepicture of the hunter and river man. "Not 'fore two in the mornin'," replied Brooks, the man addressed; "have you any tobacker?" "Yes, (pitching him a quid,) and I'll bet you a quart that I'll fetch a six year old before moonrise; will you bet?" Well, I don't mind the cost of the licker," said Brooks, "but bet with John, there; he's up here on the new county business, and they do say that thar's 'brads' about. How's that, old Sceldelfy?" every city boy kin pink a buck like old longshot there, with the paddle." "Well, a quart that I kill the first critter to-night; mind, I kill one before you do; if neither kills, it's a draw bet." The bet was made, and silence grew over the party. We had just passed Mill Creek Mouth, when something resembling footsteps were heard upon the bank above, but some rods ahead of us. The stream had been dammed below, and ran very slow and we rode upon its dark surface as still as night itself. Dill, whose quick ear never mistook a wood sound, noiselessly turned the canoe into an eddy, and all sat in breathless silence, waiting for the enemy. Presently, the footsteps were again heard, and approached nearer and nearer the edge of the water. "An old he one," said Dill, in a scarcely audible whisper, at the same time cocking his rifle without a click. The deer came on, evidently for the purpose of drinking, and stopped on the low bluff, as if to reconnoitre. We could just see his form against the dusky sky, but in the deep shade below, he could not discover us. Dill, who had not moved from his kneeling position in the bottom of the canoe, now slightly raised his tall figure, drew his rifle to his eye, and brought the muzzle to bear upon the obscure object above him. We all held our breaths. A low, sharp whistle from the hunter caused the buck to start, and two glaring eyes were turned towards the place whence the sound proceeded. Crack! went the rifle, and a heavy plunge into the water followed. But to our astonishment, the buck rose and struck out for the opposite side of the river. And now the fun began. The shot, instead of being, as we guessed, in the buck's head, had lodged in his shoulder, and he was not going to give up for that. "Pull away, boys," shouted Dill, at the same time grasping a setting pole, and forcing the canoe across the stream with astonishing velocity. The deer snorted and plunged, in his "Oh, agreed; I'll take Dill's bet, and make agony, and was fast losing ground until he you another." got into deep water. We were five rods above "Come on-plank your sentiments. 'Taint him when the pursued and the pursuer reached the current, we a little ahead in the race across the river. The buck saw this, and knowing from instinct that he could use his wounded limb to more advantage in the water than on land, turned his head down stream. cleared the animal, but the rocks were slippery, and a mis-step sent him rolling into the water beneath the stag's feet. The noble animal raised both fore feet, and struck the prostrate hunter a violent blow in the shoulders, "Let me have a crack at that fellow," said and he was in a fair way to demolish him, if I to Dill. "Pop away; but I'll bet a pound of tobacco you miss him. Aim for his head; don't spoil the hide." "Go ahead," shouted Brooks, as he saw me taking pretty deliberate aim; "I want a crack at him myself.” I banged away, from the bow, and had the satisfaction of hearing my ball strike the water about a yard to the right of the deer. for which I very religiously swore at the wobbling of the canoe. Three other shots were fired with no better success, for we were then in the shade of the mountain and its dense pine trees, and such a thing as getting a sight was out of the question. Drop your rifles and use the paddles," said Dill, impatiently. "We must overhaul that fellow on the riffle yonder, or we'll lose him; besides we are frightening away all the game within ten miles." To the paddles we betook ourselves, in good earnest, and when the deer was within a rod of the head of the riffle we were not two rods behind him. “Stand clear and give me a chance at the bow there," shouted Dill, and with two strides he had passed to the front, and with his hunting knife in his teeth, sprung upon the setting pole with increased vigor. As the buck struck the rocks that here filled the bed of the stream in broken masses, he began to plunge and snort as before, and stumbling upon one higher than the rest, fell. He was evidently bleeding profusely. Now, altogether!" shouted the herculean hunter, and as we all sprang to our propellers the canoe was run upon a rock beside the prey. and tipped upon the side. My first idea was to keep my rifle and powder dry, but Dill sprang into the water and grappled with the buck just as he was rising from his fall. Did you ever see a wounded buck at bay? If you have not, I can tell you that he is not the pleasantest customer in the world to play with. The old wood monarch saw the approach of the hunter, and, as the latter came within fighting distance, turned his fiery eyeballs upon him, and made a desperate plunge. The hunter sprang to one side, and would have Brooks had not rushed to the assistance of his comrade. A smart blow with the butt of his rifle caused the deer to turn his attention to Brooks, which gave Dill a chance to recover. 'Keep him there," shouted Dill, blowing the water out of his mouth, and in an instant he was again on his feet. The deer made a plunge at Brooks, and fell upon his knees. "Now's your time!” cried Brooks; “cut his confounded throat." Dill did not want prompting. Quick as thought, he sprang upon the buck, seized him by one of his antlers, and plunged his hunting knife hilt deep into the neck of his victim. The buck bounded to his feet, reared high in the air, and fell dead at the feet of the badly bruised hunter. Dill looked at the conquered animal an instant, and then quietly remarked "Pretty snug fight, I call that-let's have some liquor, "and he took a pull at the jug with the utmost complacency. The canoe was once more got into deep water, the deer put in tow, and, after a jolly health all round to Dill, we resumed our voyage to the lick. It was after ten o'clock when we were fairly ensconced behind the murderous "blind" at the salt lick. For over an hour we waited without hearing anything but the screaming of wolves and catamounts, who scented us, but were too cowardly to attack. Several times Dill called our attention to the crackling of dry twigs a little distance in our rear. At times the sounds seemed to approach, and again they would recede. "A bar arter our vension," said Dill. "Where did you hang it, Brooks?" "On that beach thar, in front of the blind, Thar aint no bar anxious to come thar for it, I rather guess." "Hist! there," said Dill, "a little fellow, I take it; but it's a deer sure." Sure enough, the next minute we heard the plashing of footsteps in the mud around the lick. "Give me a chance, now, Dill," said I. "You have won your bet, and I must have a chance for mine." "Agreed," said Dill; "but wait a minit"thar'll be more of 'em 'fore long, and maybe I'll get a crack at that bar along with you." The bear had been creeping nearer and nearer, and was evidently bent on stealing the dead buck In a short time, two other deers came down to the lick, and I began to grow impatient. "Let's shoot, Dill, those fellows won't stay there all night." "Why to kill the first deer, of course." "Well, that is cool-but how are we to decide the bet?" Leave it to Dill." Accordingly Dill was selected to decide who had won, and after examining the wound with all the pomp and circumstance of a country doctor, and inspecting the pieces, like a gay "Wait 'till I strike a light," said the hunter. old hunter, as he is, decided that the wound "Now, are you both ready." I replied in the affirmative, and Dill, having crept out of the blind, lighted some tarred oakum, which blazed up, and gave us a good sight of the deers, who gazed upon the sudden light with astonishment. was made by a ball from a cut rifle. Brooks used a smooth bore, and had to give in—but he never paid the quart of Monongahela. We had no more sport that night, and at day dawn Dill went to look for his buck. It was gone; and jumping upon the trail, he "Fire!-you fool!" growled Dill, and two started upon a dog-trot into the thicket. In rifles answered the order. The field was reconnoitered, and one young doe was found to be shot directly between the eyes. "What the deuce did you shoot for ?" asked I of Brooks, after we had returned to the blind. less than twenty minutes, we heard the crack of his rifle, and following the course of the report, found him quietly skinning old Bruin. It was a monstrous bear, and as pork was scarce in that region, we were well satisfied with the change. WOLVUS VAN DEEK. THE DUTCHMAN OF KIPP'S BAY. A HISTORY SHOWING THE DANGERS ENCOUNTERED AND THE TRIALS ENDURED BY THE ENTERPRISING ANCESTORS OF MODERN GOTHAM. BY J. C. M. Two hundred years ago this great city, the Vanderskatens, the Van Sauns, and whatwhich we call New-York, Gotham, and like somever other Vans there might have been, names, was but a wee bit of a place, extending all two hundred years agone. But trees have its bounds not farther than what is now termed not thus spoken, friend reader; however, Broad-street, on the east, and Rector-street on legend and history have. I presume, at this the north. This island, above these streets, present time to unfold a few historic pages, was then either a dense forest, or, where a few and, with the aid of a little legendary lore, Dutch pioneers had encroached upon it, culti- give to the world an almost unbelievable story. vated fields. If trees could speak of deeds of I must, however, before entering upon my arman, wonderful would be the tales told by the duous labor, that you may appreciate in the forest of Nieu Amsterdam, of the achievements right spirit what I intend telling, caution you of our Dutch forefathers;-how, when their with the fact that there are many in this world watch-dogs gave notice of the approach of the who are too credulous and others not credured-skins, they would sally forth to the field, lous enough,-be neither of these, for, in my or rather wood, of anticipated battle, and, see- opinion, half-way in matters of this kind, gening the enemy--return to their homes with the erally, is the better. It must be known to butts of their blunderbusses pointed behind almost all New-Yorkers, that on the east them. The woods would tell of the Dutch- side of this island there exists the remnant of man's courage in more ways than this: they what in olden time was a beautiful little cove, would speak of the unheard exploring exploits called "Kipp's Bay." The river winds into upon our rivers by such noble men as the Van the land about five hundred feet, and washes Winkles, the Van Tromps, the Dundersmashers, a shore which was once most beautifully as his place. One afternoon, in the fall of 1640, a party of these aquaeous Dutchmen entered the hut of Van Deek and with woful countenances spake to him of the impassable spot, above alluded to. Now Van Deek, although a great discoverer round about this island, had never ventured so far as the mystic barrier, and for this reason-he was fearful lest he might be drawn into "the gate" above, which was a world of horror to a Dutchman. He had devoted his attention mostly to ascertaining the sources of Newtown and Bushwick creeks, while searching for crabs on the opposite side picturesque. The high hill on the north side, now by the vandal hand of man in rapid progress of leveling, was covered with magnificent trees, which reared their heads in grandeur high into the air, and appeared like giant man in a green old age, smiling upon the lovely landscape on either side of the river. The shore, southward, was comparatively level, and bordered with thick underbrush which acted, apparently, as the spirit of affection, connecting, as it did, the different tribes of Arbori in a net-work of lovely relationship. The waters of the bay were remarkable for their serenity even in stormy weather, for the powerful out-of East river, and it was but a few moments side currents sweeping past it prevented a divergence into its circle, and this may account for the proverbial calm which reigned there. Vell," said Wolvus, "vhat do you vant me to do?" after his return from one of these hazardous excursions, that the party just referred to, reached his domicil. Wolvus, as usual, laughIn the year 1640, a Dutchman, named Wol- ed vociferously, but not a smile, of the thinnest vus Van Deek, had built himself a log-hut species, illumined the visages of his guests; on hard by the shore of this bay, into which he the contrary, dark clouds played upon them, had ensconced himself in all the glory of bach- which Wolvus perceiving, caused him to reelorship, for be it known he had attained the no- strain his mirth; he then condescendingly ble age of forty, and still assisted himself single- enquired the reason of their gloom, and Hans handed, though not as many might be led to be- Dundersmasher, the spokesman, informed him lieve by the above expression, a one-armed man. of their inability to accomplish their desire of Wolvus was a very "considerable" looking in-going beyond the “barrier.” dividual; his circumference did not exceed seven feet, nor was his height less than four feet and ten inches. His head was one of a species intended to sustain many ups and downs (in polite language, ascendities and declensions) without any injurious results to either its interior or exterior qualities. Wolvus had limbs like other humans, but it is needless to describe them-suffice it, they were in strict proportion to his body. Contrary to what might be opined from his dimensions, Wolvus was of a very sweet disposition, yet capable of being made Wolvus, so soon as his guests were out of the exponent of another kind, resembling what sight, sat himself down and soliloquized thus: some people now-a-days use in the manufac-"Vell, mine aspirations vill pe reached! mine ture of pickles, viz., vitriol. We shall see the frients vant me to make var against te tyvil of effects of the latter in this history. "Vhy," replied Hans, "it ish our vish dat you shall pass de place ve cant-ve ish deschided dat you ish de mans' vhat can do twice as mooch as to our vonce." "Vell," said Wolvus, "I vill twice as mooch." His answer was satisfactory, and after a draught of skiedam had been disposed of by each, the exploring party gave five cheers and retired. te parrier, ant I vill! If I looshe mine preath in te var, Hans, and te whole people vill put te name of Wolvus Van Deek in te town clock vhere all in te future vill think I am going foreffer. If I fight te var fictorious, I vill eat ash mooch ash I likes. Up mit you, Wolvus!" It seems, from chronicles of the time in which Van Deek lived, that the venturesome explorers from the city could never attain any distance beyond where the shot-tower now stands, for so soon as they reached that spot a violent storm or quicksilver-calm would interfere with them and compel them to return. In their excursions they would frequently knock against Wolvus's door, and he, in his jovial manner, always welcomed them with a laugh such as he alone, of all Nieu Amsterdamers could ushering and tarring his boat. Before noon this lainto existence. In consequence of his friendly bor was finished, and he commenced laying in nature he was known to all the explorers who a heap of stores-four hams, a dozen cabbages, had had the temerity to run up the river as far fifty or more sassengers, a keg of skiedam and Having concluded his soliloquy he bestirred himself in preparation for the next night, upon which he had concluded to make his efforts to pass the mysterious obstruction. The early morning found Van Deek hard at work caulk |