Dolph Heyliger

TCONTINUED.] ït was on a point of the western shore that he landed, and, scrambling up the rocks, he tlirew himself, faint and cxhausted, at the foot of a tree. By degrees the thunder gust passed over. The clonds rolled away to the east, where they lay f ;iled in feathery masses, tinted with the last rosy rays of the sun. Tho distant play of the lightning miglit be seen about tho dark bases, and now and then inight be heard tlie faint muttering of the thunder. Dolph rose, and sought about to sec if any path led from the shore; but all was savage and trackless. The rocks were piled upon each other; great trunks of trees lay shatteral about, as they had been blown down by the Btrong winda which draw through these mountains, or had fallen through age. The rocks, too, were overhang with wild viues and briere, which completely mattod themselvea together, and opposed a barrier to all ingress; every ruoveiuent that he made shook down a hower from the dripping foliage. Ho attempted to scale one of these almost perpendicular heights; but, though strong and agile, he found it an Herculean undertaking. Of ten he was supported merely by crumbling projections of the rock, and Bometirues he clung to roots and branches of trees, and hung almo.st suspended in the air. The wood pigeon cauie cleavmg his whistling flight by liini, and the eagle screamed from the brow of the impending cliir. As he was thus cLxmbermg, he was on the point of seLzing hold of a shrub to aid his ascent, wlien ining rastled among the leares, and he Baw a snake (juivcring along likc lightning, almost from under liis iiand. It coiled itself up imniediately, in an attitude of deflance, with flattened head, distended jaiv.s. and tpiickly vibrating tongue, that played USe a little flamo aboutitsmoutli. Dolph's heart turned faint within him, and he liad well nigh let go lm hold, and tumbled down the precipice. The serpent stocxl on the deiensive but for an instant; it was an instinctive movement of defense; and finding there was no attack, it glided away Into a cleft of tlie rock. Dolph's eye followed with fearful intensity; and lio saw at a glance that he was in the vieinity of a nest of adders, that lay knotted, and wnthing, and hissing in the chasna. Ho hastened with all speed to escape from so frightful a neighborhood. His iinagmation was f uil of this new horror; he saw an adder in every curling vine, and heard the tail of a rattlesnuke in every dry leaf that rustled. At length he succeeded in scrarnbling to tlie summit of a precipice; bui it was covered by i dense forest. Wherever he could gain a lookout between the txees, ho saw tliat the coast rose in heights and clifEs, ono rising beyond another, until huge mountaiiiü overtopped the whole. There were 110 signs of cultivation, nor any smoke curling auiongst the trees, to indícate a human resident. Everything was wild and solitaay. As he was standing on the edge of a precipice that overlooked a deep ra vine rringed with trees, his feet detached a great fragment of rock; it feil, crashing its way through the tree tops, down into the chasm. A loud whoop, or rather yell, issued from the bottom of the glen; the moment alter, there was the report of a gun; and a ball came whistling over nis head, cutting tho twigs and leavcs, and burying itself deep in tho bark of a chestnut tree. Dolph did not wait for a second shot, but niado a precipítate retreat; fearing every moment to hear tho enomy in pursuit He sut'ceeded, howevcr, in returning immolested to the shore, and determined to penétrate no farlher into a country so beset with savago perils. He sat liiniself down, drippiug, disconsolately, on a wet stone. what was to be done? Where was ho to shelter himself? The hour of repose was approaching; the birds wero soeking their nests; the bat began to flit about in tho ligue, unu ido nignthawk soaring high in heaven, soemed to be calling out tho stars. Night gradually closed in and wrapped everything in gloom; and though it was the latter part of summer, yet tho breezc, stealing along tho river, and amonj; these dripping foresta, was chilly and penetrating, especially to a half drowneJ man. As ho eat drooping and despondent in this comfortless condition, ho perceived a light gleaming through tho trees near tho 6hore, vvhero tho winding of the river mado a deep bay. It cheered liira with tho hopea that hero might be sorne human liabitation.wherohemiglit get something to appeaso the clamorous cravings of his stomach, and, what was equally necessary in his shipwrecked condition, a comfortablo shelter for the night. It was with extreme difliculty that ho mado lúa way towarda tho light, along ledges of rocks down which ho was in danger of sliding into tho river, and ovpr great trunks of fallen trees, somo of which had been blown down in tho late storm, and lay 6O thickly together tliat ho liad to struggle through their branches. At length he carne to the brow of a rock that overhuns a small dolí, from whc-non tlin light procceded. It was from a liro at the foot of a great tree that stood in the midst of a grassy interval or plat aniong the rocks. Tlio flre cast up a rod glare among the gray crags and mpending trees, leaving chasnis of deep gloom tliat reseinbled outrances to caverna. A small brook rippled close by, betraved by the quivcring reflection of the flaiue. ïhere were two figures moving about the üro and others squatted beforo it. As they wero between him and the light they ware in completo ehadow; but ono of theui happening to inove round to tho opposite bide, Dolph was 6tartled at perceiv-ing, by tho full glaro falliuar on paintcd features and glittering on ilver ornamcnts, that ho was an Indian. Ho nov lookcd more narrowly, and saw guns leaning egainst a tree and a dead body lyuvj oa tho ground. Dolph began to doubt whether he was not in a worse condition than before here waa tlio very foe that had fired al mm from the glen. He endeavored to retreat quietly, not caring to int rus! himself to these half human beings in so savage and lonely a placo. It was too late. The Indian, with that eagle quicknesa of eye eo remarkable in bis race, perceived something stirring among the bushes on the rock. He eeized oneof the guns that leaned against the tree; one moment more, and Dolph inight have had bis passion for adventure cured by a bullet. He hallooed loudly with the Indian salutation of friendship; tlie whole party sprang upon tlieir fcet; Uu; salutation was returned, and the straggler was mvited to join them at the fire. On approacliing be found, to bis conBolation, that the party was composed of white men as welf as Indians. One, who was evidently the principal personage or pommander, was seated on the trunk of a tree before the fire. Ho was a large, stout man, somewbat advanced in life, but halo and hcarty. His face was bronzed ahnost to the color of an Indian's; be had strong but rather jovial ieaiures, an aquilino nose and a tnouth shaped like a niastilf's. His face was half thrown in shade by a broad hat with a buck's-tail in it. His gray hair hung sliort in his neck. He wore a hunting frock, with Indian leggings, and ïnoccasins, and a tomahawk in the broad wampuru belt round his waist. As Dolph caught a distinct view of his person and features, ho was struck with something tliat reminded him of the old man of the haunted house. The man before him, however, was different in his dress and age; ho was more cheery, too, in his aspect, and it was hard to define where the vague resemblanco lay- but a resemblance there certainly was. Dolph feit soine degree of awe in approaching him; but was assured by the fraak, hearty welcomo with which he was received. As he cast his eyes about, too, he was still further encouraged by perceiving that the dead body, which hadjcaused him some alarm, was that of a deer; and his satisfaction was complete in discerning, by the savory eteams whicli issued from a kettle suspended by a hooked stick over the fire, that there was a part cooking for the evening's repast. He now found that he had fallen in with a rambling hunting party, such as often took place in those davs among the settlers along the river. The hunter is always hospitable; and nothiiiK makes men moro social and unceremonious than meeting in the wilderness. The conimander of the party poured liim out a dram of cheering liquor, which he gave him with a merry leer, to warm his haart; and ordered one of hia followers to fetch sonie garnients from a pinnace, which was inoored in a cove close by, whilo thosf! in which our hero was dripping uiight te dried before tho fire. Dolpli found, as he had suspectod, that the shot f rom the glen, which had come so near giving hiin his quietuo when on the precjpice, was from the party before him. Ho had nearly crushod one of them by the fragment of rock which he liad detachcd; and the jovial olu'hunter, in the broad hat and bucktail, had iired at the place where he Baw the bushes move, supixjsing it to be some wild animal. He laughed heartily at the blunder; it being what is con.sidered an exceeding good joke among hunters; " but, faith, my lad," said he, "if I had but canglit a glimpse of you to take sight at, you would have followed the rock Antony Vandor Heyden ia seldom known to miss his aim." These last words wero at once a clew to Dolph's curiosity; and a iow quesuons leu tiun completely into the character of the rúan before him, and of his band of woodland rangers. Tho coniínander in tho broad hat and hunting frock was no less a personage thnn tho Heer Antony Vander Heyden, of Albany, of whom Dolph liad niany a timo heard. He was, in fact, the horo of many a story, being a man of singular humors and whimsk-al habits, tliat were matters of wonder to bis quiet Dutch nelghbors. As he was a man of property, baving had a father before him, froni whom he iuherited large traets of wild land, and wholc barrels full of wampuui, ho could indulge his huinors without control. Instcad of staying qiiietly at home, cating and drining at regular meal times, amiising himself by smoking his pipo on the bench before the door, and Uien turning into a comfortable bed at ïiight, ho delighted in uil kinds of rough, wild expeditions. 11e was nevcr so happy as when on a hunting party in the wilderness, Blecping under trees or bark sheds, or cruising down the river, or on some woodland lake, fishing and fowliug, and üvmg the Lord knows how. Ho was a great friend to Indiana, and to an Indian modo of life; which he considered truo natural liberty and manly enjoyinent. When at homo ho had always several Indian hangers on, who loitered about his house, slecping like hounds in tlie sunshine, or preparing hunting uul lLsliing tackle for somo ncw expedition, or shooting at marks with bows and arrows. Over these vagrant beings Heer Antony had aa perfect comniand as a huntsmaa over hls pack; though thoy were great nuisances to the regular peoplo of liis neighhorhood. As Se waa a ritli man no one ventured to tliwarfc his humors; indeed, ho had a hearty, joyous manner atout hiru that niadoliini univcrsally popular, lio would troll a Duteh song, as Jio tramped along tho street; hail every one a mile off; and when ho ontcred a house ho would slap the good man familiarly on tho back, shake hun uy.the hand till lie roared and kiss bis v. ilo and daughters beforo liis face - in short, thero was no pride nor ill humor about Heer Antony. Besidea hi.s Judian hangers on ho had three or ft mr liumblo friends among tho white meu, who lookod up to liim as a patrón? and had the run of bis kitchen, and the favor of being taken with hüa occasionally on bis expeditions. It was with a maaley of such retainers that ho was at preeent on a cruise aloiig tho shores of tho Hudson.in a pinnace which ho kept for bis own recreation. There wero two white men with Mm, dressed partly in the lutlianstyle, with tnoccaainfl and hunting shirts; tho rest of bis crew consisted ol four favorite Indians. They liad beon prowling about the rivcr, without any dLÍinitc object, until thoy found themsclvcá in the liighlands; where tliey hadpassed two or three days, imnting the ilivr which still lüigered aiaong these monntains. "It is a lucky circumstance, young man," said Antony Vaader Heyden, "that jou happened to bo knocketi ovcrboard to!ay, as to-morrow morning we start early on our return homewards, and you miglit then havo lookctl in vain for a meal ainong the mountains- 'out come, lads, stir about! rtiraboutl Lefs see what Êrog we ha v-o for supper; tlio kettle bas oiled long enough; ïny itomach cries cupboard. and 111 warrant our guest is in ho moc-J todally witli hls tieneher." There was a t-ustle now is tlio little encampment. Cne took off tho kettle, and turned a part of the contenta into a huge wooden bowl; anothcr prepared a flat rock for atable; whilea thinl brought various utensils from tho pinnace, which was nioored close by; and Heer Antony nimself brought aflask ortwoof precious liquorfrom hisown private locker- knowing bis boon companions too weU to trust any of theni with tlie key. A rude but hearty repast was soon spread; consisting of venison smoking from tho kettle, with cold bacon, boiled Indian corn, and mighty loaves of good brown household bread. Ne ver had Dolph made a more delieious repast; and when he had washed it down with two or three draughts from tho Heer Antony's flask, and feit tho jolly liquor seiiding its warmth through hia veins, and glowing round bis very heart, he would not have changcd hia situation, no, with t!ie governor of the province. The Heer Antony, too, grew cliiping and joyous: told half a dozen fat stories, at which hls white followers laughed imnioderately, though the Indiana, as usual, maintained au iuvincible gravity. "This is your true life, my boy," aid he, slapping Dolph on the shoulder; "a man 3 never a inan till ho can tlefy wind and weather, range woods and wilds, sleep uuder a tree, and live on bass wood leaves!" And then would he sing a stave or two of a Dutch drinking song, swaying a short squab Dutch bottlo in liis hand, while bis niyrmidons would join in chorus, until the woods echoed again- as flie good oíd 6ong has it: They all with a shout made the plemynts ring, So soon as the office waso'er; To feasting they went with true men-iment. And tipplcd strong liquor giUore. In the midst of his jovialty, however, Heer Antony did not lose sight of discretion. Though he pushed' the bottle witluut reserve to Dolph, yet he always took care to help his foliowen hiinself, knowing the beings he had to deal with; and he was particular in grantine but a moderate aUowaace to the Indiana. The repast being ended, the Indiana having drank their liquor and stuokcd their pipes, now wrapped theniselves in their blankets, stretched themselves on tho ground with tlieir feet to the fire, and soon feil asleep, like so many tired hounda. The rest of the party remained cliatting beforo tho fire, which the gloom Of the forest and the dampness of the air from the kito storm rendered estremely grateful and comforting. The conversation gradually moderated from tiie hilarity of suipor time, and tnrned upon hunting ad ventures and exploits and perils in tho wilderness, many of which were so strange and improbable tliat I will not venturo to repeat them, lest tho veracity of Antony Vander Heyden and his conirades Bhould be brought into question. There were many legendary tales told also about the river and the settlements on its borders; in which valuablo kind of lore tho Heer Antony seemed deepiy versed. As tho sturdy bush beatcr sat in tho twisted root of a tree that sorved liiin for a kind of arm chair, dea 'ing ï'orth these wild stories, with the iiro gleaming on his strongly marked vlsage, Dolph was again repeatedly perplexed by Bometliiiifj; that rcmindcd him of tho phautom of the haimted house; soms vaguo resemblance that could not be fixed upon anv precise featuroor lineament, but which pervaded tho general air of hia countenuuco and figure. The moon liad just raised hor silver horna above the round back of old Buil hül, and lit up tho gray rocks and shagged forests, and glittered on tlio waving bosorn of the rivcr. The niglit dew was falling, and tho late gloomy ïnountains began to sof ton and put on a gray aerial tint in tho dcwy Ltght. Tho hunters stirred the firp, and threw on fresh fuel to qualify tho dauip of tho night air. Thcy tluii picpaied a bed of branches and dry leavee under a ledge of rocks for Dolpli; whilo Antony Vandor Heyden, wrapping himself up in a liuge coat made of sluus, etretched himself before tho tire, lt was somo time, however, beforo Dol)h could close bis evos. He lay contemplating tho strange soeno beforo hiin: the wild wootl and rocka around - tlio flre, throwing iitful gleauis on tho faces of the sleeping savages- and tho Heer Antony, too, who so singiilarly, vet vaguely, reminded liim of the uighüy vi.sitant to the haunted nousc. ioivanütnen lio heard the cry of Eomo animal from the forest, or tho hooting of tho owl, or tho notos of the whip-poor-wüj, which sceuied to abound among theee solitudes, or the eplash of a stnrgeoD, leaping out of the river. and falling back lull length on its placid surface. He contrastcd all this with Lis accostomed nest in the garret room of tho doctor's mansión, whero tho only sounds ]e heard at uight were the church clock telling tho hour, the drow.sy voice of the watt-liman, drawling out all was vrell; tho deep snoring of tho doctor's clubbed noso from below stairs, or the cautious lalxrs of 6omo carpenter rat gnawing in tho wainscot. lüs thoughts then wandered to his poor oíd tuotlicr; vrhat would she think of his mystwioua disapiarnue;' what anxiet and distress would slio not Buffer? This was the thought tfaat would continually intrudo itself, to mar his present eniovmcnt. It brought witli it u feeling of aiii and compunction, and he feil asleei) with tho tears yet standing in nis eyee. Were this a mero talo of fancy, licro would Ixi i fine opportunity for weaving in strange adventures aniong these wild inountaiiid nnd roving himttrs; and, after involving my nero iu a vaiiety of perils and diiliculties, reflcuinghim l'roni them nil by Bomo miiaculoua contrivasce; but aa this is absolutely ;i truo story. I imiht cjntent myself with facta and keop to i)robabilities. At bjq early hour tho next Clay, thercfore, after a hearty morning's meal, tho encampment broko up aiid onr udventurers embarkod in tlie pinnace of tony Vandfcr Heyden. Tlicre being no wind for the sails, the Indians rowed her gently along, keeping time to a kind of chant of one of the white men. The day was serene and beautiful; the viver without a wave; and as the vessel cleft the glasfyy water it left a long, undulating track behind. The crows, who had scented the hunters' banquet, were already gathering and hovering in the air, just where a column of thin, bïue stnoke, rising from among the trees, showed the pla.e of their last night's quarters. As they coastcd along the bases of the mountains, the Heer Antony pointed out to Doljph a bald eagle, the sovereign of these regions, who sat perched on a dry tree that projected over tlie river; and, with eye turned upwards, seemed to be drinking in the splendor of the morning sun. Their approach disturbed the monarch's meditations. He first spread one wing and then the other, balanced himself for a moment, and then, quitting bis perch with dignified composure, wlieolcd slowly over their heads. Dolph snatched up a gun and sent a ivhistling ball af ter mm, mat cut some of the feathers from his wing; tho report of the gun leaped sharply from rock to rock and awakened a thousand cchoes; but the monarch of the air eailed calnily on, ascending higher and higher, and wheeling widely as ho ascended, soaring up the groen bosom of the woody mountain, until ho disappeared over the brow of a beetüng preciEice. Dolph feit in a mannor rebuied y this proud tranquillity, and almost reproached liimself for having eo wantonly insulted this majestic bird. Heer Antony told liim, laughing, to remember that he was not yet out of the lerritories of the lord of the Dunderberg, and an old Tndian shook his head and observed that thero was bad luck in killing an eagle- tlie hunter, on tho contrary, should ahvays leave him a portion of his spoils. Nothing, however, occuiTed to molest them on their voyage. ïhey passed pleasantly through magnificent and lonely scènes, until they carne to where Pollopol's Island lay, lito a floating bower, at the extremitv of the highlands. Hero thcy landed, until tho heat of the day should abate or a breeze spring up that might supersede the labor of the oar. Sorae prepared the midday meal, while others reposed under tho shade of the trees in luxurious summer indolence, looking drowsily fortli upon tlie beauty of the Bcene. On the one sido were the liighlands, vast and cragged, feathered to the top with forests and throwing their shadows on tho glassy water that dimpled at their feet. On the othcr side was a wide expanse of the river, like a broad lake, with long, sunny reacnes and green headlands, and the distant line of Shawungunk njountains waving along a clear horizon or checkered by u fleecy cloud. But I forbear to dweil on the partieulars of their cruise along the river; this vagrant, amphibiouslife, careering acrosa silver sheets of water; coasting wild woodland shores; banqueting on tshp. -'v promontories, wiLh tho sproa-diner t j overhead, the river curling its ligfat í'o; i to ont-'s foet, and distant mountain, ai d rock, and tree, and snowy cloud, ar.d deep blue sky, all rningling in Slimmer beauty beforo one; all tliis, though never cloying in the enjoyment, woulú be but tedious in narration. When eneamped by the water eide somo of the party would go into the woods and huut, others would fish - sometirnes they would aniuso themselves by sliooting at a mark, by leaping, by running, by wrestling, and Dolph gained great favor in the cyes of Antony Vander Heyden by his skill and adroitnoss in all these exercises, which the Heer considered as the highest of manly aecoinplishments. Thus did they coast jollily on, choosing only tlio pleasant hours for voyaging; eometinies in tho cool morning dawn, soinetünes in tho sober evening twilight, and sometimes when the moonehine spangled tho crisp curling waves that whispered along the sides of their little bark. Never had Dolph feit 6O completcly in his element; never had he met with anything so completely to his taste as thia wild haphazard iife. Ho was tho vwy man to second Antony Vander I-Icydon in his rainbling humors, and gained continually on his aiïections. The heart of the old bushwhacker yearned toward tlu jouns man, who seciucd thus growing up in his own likeness; and as they appri)ached to the end of tlieir voyage, he coold not help inquiring a littlo into his history. Dolph frankly told him his courso of Iife, liis severo medical stuuie.s, nis nulo proncjency and his very dubioua prospecta. Tlio lieer was shocked to find that such ainazing talents and accompliahmenta were to be crainped and buried under a doctor's wig. Ho liad a sovereign contcmpt for tho healing art, having nevcr bad any other phyndan tban the butcher. Ho boro a mortal grudgo to all kinds of study also, ever sinee he had been llogged about an unintclligible book when be was a boy. But to tbink that a young fellow liko Dolph, of euch wonderfiil abilities, who could shoot, flsh, run, jump, rido and wrcstlo should be obliged to roll pills and administer julops for a living- 'twas monstrous! Ho told Dolph never to deepair, but to "tlnow phyaic to tho dogs;"' for a young fellow of bis prodigious tulents could never fafl to niake bis way. "As you seem to havo no acquaintanco in Albany," said Heer Antony, "you tihall go homo with me, and remaiu undcr inv roof until vou can look about j ui, and in tho meantimo we can tafee n occaaiooal bout at shooting and fishing. fur it Ls a pity such talents ehould lie ïdlo." Dolpii, wbowasattho merey of chanco, was not hard to be persuaded. Indeed, on tiirring over marters in his wind, which he 1 very sagely and deliberately, ho couW not but think tliat Antony Vander Heyden was, "somuhow or other," connected with tlio Btory of tho Haiuited House; that tho misadvcnture in tho liighlands, which had tlirown them so strangely together, was, "somehow or otlur," to work out Kometliing good; in short, there is nothing bo convenient as this "somehow or other" way of aceommodating one's sclf to eircum6tances; it ia the mainstay of a lieedless actor, and tardy reasoner, like Dolph Jdoyliger, and lio who eau, in tliis loose, easy way, link foregono evil to anticipated gcxxl, possesscs a secret of happiness aluiobt e)ual to the philosopher's ■tona On their arrival at Albany, the eight of Dolph's oornpanion soemcd to cause universal satjafaction. Jlany woro the jreetings at tho river 8ide and the saluations in the streets; tho dogs bouodod jeforo him, (ho boys whoojied as ae passed, everyitody seeiacd to know Anton vander Heyden. Dolph fullowed on in Kilouce, adiuiring tho neatness of this worthy burg; for in thoee days Albany v;.s -i nll its glory, and inhabited almost excluavely by tho deacendanta of the origin. J Dutch settlers, for it had not as y et bei n discovered and colonized by tho rettleM people of New l-.iigland. Everytliing was quiet and orderly, everything was conducted calinlv and loisurely; no huriy. 110 bustle, nó struggüog and scram Mins lor existence. The grass grew about the unpaved streots and reheved the eye by its refreshing verdure. The tal] sycamores or penchiiit wilJowa Bhaded the houses, with caterpillars swingmg. In long eilkf-n stringa, from their branches or motha, fluttering about like coxcombs, in joy at their g-ay transformation. The liouses were built in the old Üutcli style, with the gablo ends I towards the street. The thrifty housowife was seated on a bench bcfore her door, in closed criniped cap, bright flowered gown and white apron, busily empioyeü m knitting. The husband smoked hia pipe on the opposite bench, and tlie littlo pot nejo girl, seated on the stp at her mistress' feet, was ndustriously plying her needie. The swallows sported about the eaves, or skinimed along the streets.and brought back some ncli boot.y lor their clamoroua young; and the Uttle housekeeping wren flew in and out of a Liliputian house, or an old hat nailed against tlie wall. The cowa wero coming home, lowing through tlie streeta. to be mi'ked at their owner's door; and f, perchance, thero were any loiterers, some negro urchin, with a long goad, was gently urguigthem hotnewards. [continded.]