CHAPTER VI.
One evening, several day previous to the capture of the brothers, a solitary hunter stopped before a deserted log cabin which stood on the bank of a stream fifty miles or more inland from the Ohio River.
It was rapidly growing dark; a fine, drizzling rain had set in, and a rising wind gave promise of a stormy night.
Although the hunter seemed familiar with his surroundings, he moved cautiously, and hesitated as if debating whether he should seek the protection of this lonely hut, or remain all night under dripping trees.

Feeling of his hunting frock, he found that it was damp and slippery.

This fact evidently decided him in favor of the cabin, for he stooped his tall figure and went in.

It was pitch dark inside; but having been there before, the absence of a light did not trouble him.

He readily found the ladder leading to the loft, ascended it, and lay down to sleep.
During the night a noise awakened him.