Page:Monthly scrap book, for June.pdf/7

Rh felt anxious for a place of rest from my fatigue. After walking for a considerable time, I descried, a glimmering light at some distance, and thither I repaired. It had rained heavily for an hour, and although the house was literally a hovel, shelter in any situation, of the humblest description, was still a blessing. I approached and knocked. "Who is there," exclaimed a female voice. I replied "a stranger." The door was immediately opened, and, having ascertained that the place of my original destination, was yet five miles off, it may be supposed, I readily accepted the offer of shelter which the inmate of the cottage proffered.

The light revealed the figure of my hostess, who was, without exception, the ugliest of the sex I ever beheld. I inquired if her husband were at home? to which she replied in the negative, adding, however, that she expected him to return in an hour. I declined eating any thing, although pressed to partake of some provisions, and placed my fowling-piece, knapsack, and powder flask in a corner, not far from the fire. My clothes were soon dry, and I was beginning to feel drowsy, when footsteps were heard at the door, and in walked a tall, powerful figure, whom I immediate recognized as him of the hatchet, whom I had encountered a few hours before. He dashed upon the floor his axe, and, at the same time, the bloody body of a serpent, which retained just motion enough to indicate it had recently lived, and which, I perceived, was the one I had fired at in the woods.. [sic]

I concealed my dislike, as well as I could, and boldly stated, that I intended to remain all night