Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-07-22
EXTRACTS 'rRon M.. EVANS rou..

y y
perusing Mr.. Evans pedestrian Tour
we have selected the follow ing from among
his many perilous adventures, with view
TO commend the book to the notice of the
public, as containing much entertang and
useful matter, hoping that many OF oul
readers may procure it, when they car
accompany the traveller in all bis tour, and
partake with him, at least in fancy, in all
his tolls and all his pleasures though they
may no, perhaps. from the want of his en-
thusiasm, fatigue and hunger relish on bis
fare as he did. yet they will be free from
the danger and bar6ships endured by hun.
lSuvannoh Georgian.
The upper part of the state OF New York
is, comparatively wilderness. There are
here many Indian reserves. They are So
litary places; they are dark spots on the
face of civilization. The tawney inllabi
tants of these gloomy forests generally es.
tablisb themselves in the most remote stu
atoms, and render the access to them indi-
rect and difficult. Whenever | entered
their villages they seemed, by their man
ner towards each other, to say, this CT
vii wretch has found out our retreat -
There is shyness and wildness 10 their as
pect, no less significant than such deCla-
ration. No cause OF wonder is it that these
prosecuted beings look with jealous eye
upon the descendants Of those Europeans
who drove their ancestors from the pleasant
region, of the east. They see no end to
the avarice, to the claims OF the progress
OF white men; and view themselves be-
tween The horrors of civilization and the IL
limitabIe expapse of The Pacific Ocean.
Barbarous as are the Indians of North
America, they possess much greatness, and
many virtues. Considering their preju-
dices against US, which prejudices are in
cdent TO their education, and by no means
groundless, they evince much forbearance
and even friendship towards US.
Near one of the Indian reserves, | met
FIVE of these children OF nature. As had
not seenone for fifteen years before, was
much interested in their appearance. In
approaching them presented grave but
friendly aspect. Their gravity at first ex-
ceeded mine, but they soon became rather
sociable. After some little conversation
we parted, nothowever until they had ia
ken much notice OF my "varm drase." In
the course of few hours. passed what is
called an Indian opening. 1t was an ex-
posed situation OF many miles in extent; the
weather was severe, the snow deep, and
the wind continually whirled it about the
unsheltered traveller.
Not knowing the extent Of this opening,
and fearing that nigh! might find me with
out fuel or materials for a tent, exerled
myself to reach in season the adjoining
wood. By This means | became fatigued,
and very much in want of refreshment.
had no provisions with me-, and indeed nc
means of carrying any. I soon perceived
in the edge of the forest a small log hut
bot poverty resided here, and could OBJ
tain only an ear of corn-this, however,
found palatable and nutritious. Dionysius
did not like the fare of the public tables,
under the institutions of Lycurgus, because,
as the cook said, it was not seasoned with
fatigue and hunger. Towards evening as
i was travelling through dark wood, /
discovered what ! presumed to be an In
dian trail, and for the sake of adventure
concluded 10 follow it. II showed fast,
darkness was approaching, and the wilder
ness presented dreary aspect Had not
nv heart been afraid Of me, il would have
communicated secret alarm 10 my imagl-
nation, and then should have seen around
me thousand ambuscades: But had so
often cried dozen TO is contemplate obstru-
sivsness, that ii fsigned, at least, a tram
quill mood.
The snow was deep. and the track ex-
ceedingIy serpenline; so thatI seemed, oc-
casionally, to be travelling back TO the
place at which | commenced the adven-
ture. 1t, however, finally led me over a
gradual descent into dark plain. The
first evidence had Of there Icing human
habtations here, was a few sticks OF re-
Gently cut wood piled above the SNOW
Soon after, heard the distinct bay OF dogs.
AT length came in view Of a large collec-
L.: &c a. ;o MANI Ii WAS nnX however.