The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware register., 1824-11-18
IHE. BEAVER HUN TER.
rrom tllc Missouli inteIlleencer.

inhabitants WHO reside immediately on the
frontier, certain doubtful features who ren-
der il difficult to dctc-min to which side OF
tile boundary they belong. Thus It was with
our bortlcrers Of Missouri who have taken up
their residence in the neighborhood OF the
Indian lands, ard in many instances have a.
doptcd the habits, manners, and customs OF
the natives.
Mich'l Shucl;wcll, Or, as he has been more
famiiiarly denoninated, Nl&e Shack, may
he presented as a sample Of these volunteer
barbaraus. Amongst the early settlers OF
Kentucky, Nike Shack, was known as
Vhite-h headed hardy urchin, whom nobody
claimed kin to, and who disclaimed con-
ncAion with AL mankind.
He was Injured To danger in the course Of
tic Indian wars Of that period and when
tle Celebrated Colonel Boon migrated sa
tii, country, Mike was one of lis numerous
followers. Advancing as the settlements
progressed, ior the convenience OF hunting,
Nc has al last fouad himself pushed beyond
TIC boundary Of that tract Of country to
which the Indian title has been distinguished
Atprcscnt ihte .Muc6 claims aportable cit
i2enship, on floating title to a residence
that he locates for the time being wherever
he may chance 70 lay himself down for the
night Ills substance he draws from ma
turcs grand storc-housc, by means Of an old
rusty rifle that has been his constant conn
panion since his first campaign under Gen.
George Rogers CLARK.
Tie Possesses in an eminent depreC, 4
knowledge VI all the minute Of trapping and
he appropriates his autpmns, the proper
season for this branch Of his business, iii c.
plolng the small creeks tlsat put into the
Missouri abavc the settlements. He is frp
Gucntlv discovered g 1T the peep Of dawn,
barehcadcd ard Larcfooted, pursuing the
mcandel,ings Of these water courses, bend
ing under a load Of traps, to learn whether
Or not his bait has attracted the cautious vic
tim ~, for the purpose OF locating his traps
more advantagcously
Such is the accuracy oflis skill, that IKE
Mncf can make upa pack ofbeaver where
an Indian, with all his rude knowledge Of
natural history, would esteem the prospect
hopeless.
4 gentleman who was in pursuit uf elk,
about the middle d November last, dicoycr-
Cd this modern Crus1c At evening, laden with
lis effects, that by good fortune It this time
amounted to about pacH-hors loati. lie
proposed to encamp With him for the night.
Nike uttered kind of grunbling assent,
aud led the way, first through an extensive
ha2el-thickct, thence descending into ra-
zine, he proceeded through a compact
grove Ct swalnp-ash, and at length arrived
II Il cheerful fire that lad previously been
lighted up tv chr hero but for which, the
place would have been as tireary as purga-
tory is represented 70 be. The owls them
selves, however pressing their necessities,
could scarcely have liappcd their way into
thi, dismal labyrinth. But Mite and his
f{unGcr, rs lie very properly termed ii in this
instance, iurit was the legitimate property
Of the Indians, wassalc. .1lfe .S&0ck threw
down His burden and turned 10 his follower
with a malicious smile, or rather hysteric
grin, aud desired him tn bc seated. 'fhe
hospitality Of his board, il Il bear skin spread
IN Tie ground deserves the name, was ten
der.d with very Little ceremony, and consist
cd ofA bcaycrtal and an elk marrow bone,
both of which were prepared on the Goals by
minr host in his own proper person.
Mike, rs have before remarked. claims
no family come ION; and if he eyer had any,
lie hus outivcd them: he is therefore, ma
King no provisions for legacy huntcrs-But
he is always, When he designs 70 make use
ot Ills tongue, glumbling about his arrange
mcnts fer IN easy independent OLD age, and
speaks Of it SIS il il was yet very far distant
although he has attained almost four score.
Nl.cn the trapping season is over, he be-
takes himself q his crGff, as he is pleased
10 term L catten wood canoe, and proceeds
to market with his usual indifference towards
the clgmcAts On onc occasion, when his
cargo was family alloat on the angry current
pfthc Missouri. and Mike had extended his
weather worn limbs upon the shore for re-
pose, his bo@tast, a grape rine) parted and
lis ftal bark put to sea without pilot On
masking ths discovery IN the morning, he
was slagrincel but not discouraged by the C.
vent. iIe lost no time but instantly set off
III pursuit of his fortune, and having coastcd
down tbe river oil the third day discovered
lis craft stt-muored under the lee Of a raft
Of drit wood, without having sustained the
smallest injury in hull, rigging on cargo, Mi
cha was 50 much rcjoiccd, that by inspra-
ton OF instinct. he Was induced to offer a
hasty PRAYER Of Thanksgiving; but whether
il was directed 10 God Man, or Devil, have
not been Informed. Asod Michael dsdains
to decorate His pcricranium with the beaver
lie may cntlap, his hair has been suffered to
/ grow into grisly substitute and at present
very much resembles the borrowed wig oi
q stroiing PLAYER. His features too, arc
i worn by time and the storms OF nearly eighty
winters, into the intlcNibility Of a barbcr's
block. With all these evidences to the con-
trary, he processes to be exceedingly happy
He insists thathe rclished his meals infinite
4 ly better than a profcssed eplcure; and he
contends that Madeira can by no means
bear Z comparison with spring water.
l In mt IN bnn