The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware register., 1825-09-22
From The Port Folio .tor March.
rYyr MISSOURI TRAPPEA.

above cognomen, whatever may be their
virtues or dement's, must, upon the COM
mon principles of humanity, claim our sym
pathy while they cannot fail to awaken al
miration. The hardshps voluntarily en-
countered, and the privations manfully en-
turcd, by this hardy race in the exercise
of their perilous calling, present abundant
proofs of these peculiar characteristics which
distinguish the American woodsmen. Inc
trackless deserts of Missouri the 'nnumer-
able tributary streams of the Mississippi, the
Businesses of the Rocky Mountains, have all
been explored by these bold adventurers;
and the great and increasing importance OF
the Missouri fur trade, is an evidence, as
we'll of their numbers, as OF their skill ana
perseverance.
The ingenious author Of Robinson Crusoe,
has shown, by an agreeable fcton, that
man may exist in desert, without tne soci-
etv or aid of his fellow creatures, and unas-
sisted by those contrivances of art which arc
deemed indispensable in state of civilized
society; that nature will suppl, ali his abso-
lutte wants, and that his own ingenuity VIII
suggest ways and means of living which are
not dreampt of in the philosophy of polished
circlcs. That which the novelist deemed
barely possible, and which a large portion
Of his readers have always considered as
marvellously incredible, is now daily ana
hourly reduced to practice in our western
forests Here may be found many Crusoe
clad in skins, and contcntedly keeping "bach-
elor's hal' in the woods, unblesscd by the
| smile Of beauty, uncheered by the voice
Of fhumanity-without even "a man FRIDAY
for company ,and ignorant of the busy world,
its cares. its pleasures, or its comforts.
| But the solitary weight whose cabin is
pitched in the deepest recess OF the forest,
whose gun supplies his table, and whose dog
| is his ONLY comrade, enjoys case and comfort,
in comparison with the trappcr whose errat-
ic steps lead him continually into new tolls
and dangers. Being compelled TO procure
, his substance by very precarious means
! from day to day, in those immense regions
of wilderness into which he fearlessly pen
etrates. he is sometimes known to live for a
considerable period upon food over which
the hungry wolf would pause for polite in
teryal before carving. The ordinary food
of a trapper is corn and bufaloe" tallow,
and although his rife frequently procures
more dainty viands, he is often, on the other
hand forced to devour his petry, and gnaw
his mocasins.
An old man arrived at Fort Atkinson in
June last, from the upper Missouri, who
was instantly recognized by some OF the oifl-
GERS of the garrison, AS an individual sup
posed 20 have been 1cvoured by white
bear but more recently reported to have
been slain bv the Ariekara Indians. Ills
name is Hugh Glass. Whether old ireland,
or Scotch.lrish Pennsylvania, claims the
honor of his nativity, | have not asceitained
with precision, nor do ] suppose that the
humble fortunes Of the hardy adventuror
= -
to that respecting the birthplace of Homer
The following is his own account Of kimscl
for the last ten months of his perilous ca
) reer
He was employed by Major Henry as E
trohher, and was attached to his command
before the Arickara towns. Alter the figh
Of these Indians, the Major and his party
set out for Yellowstone River.--Their reu
Law up the Grand River and through ,
prairie country, occasionally interspcrset
with thickets Of brush wood, dwart-pluml
trees and other shrubs, Indigenous to san
dy barren soil. As these adventurers usual
ly draw their food, as well as their yaiment
) from Natures spacious warehouse, it IS usu
al for one or two hunters to prccede the par
ties in search of game, that the whole may
not be forced, at night, to lie down supper
less The rifle of Hugh Glass being esteem
ed as among the most unerring, he was Oh
ono occasion detached for supplies He wa
S short distance in advance of the party, ant
: forcing his way through thcket, when
white Bear that had imbedded herself in th
sand, arose within three yards of him, and be
fore he could "sct his triggers" or turn to re
I treat, he was seized by the throat, and raise
t from the ground. Casting him again upo
S the earth, his grim adversary tore out
mouthful of the cannbal food which had cX
: cited her appetite, and retired to submit til
Y sample to her vearling cubs, which wer
= near at hand. Tile sufferer now made an ef
: fort to escape, but the bear Immediately re
turned with reinforcement, and seized hir
y again at the shoulder; she also lacerated hi
II left arm very much, and inflicted e sever
wound on the back ofhis head In this st
cond attack, the cubs were prevented fror
,t participating by one of the party who ha
rushed forward to the relief of his comrad
J. One Of the cubs, however, forced the new
,e conner to retreat into the river, whcr,
n. standing to the middle in water, he gave h
J. foe a mortal shot, or to use his own languae
ii 81 burst the varment." Meantime, til
ut nj ain body of trappers having arrived, az
vanccd to the reliet of Glass, and deiivere
seven or eight shots with such unerring al
=, as to terminate hostilities by despatching Il
- bear as she stood over her victim.
~ Glass Was thus snatched from the gra.
" of the ferocious animal, vet his conditi'
-. Was far from being enviable. He had r
-, ceived several dangerous wounds, his who
-. -. body Was bruised aud mangled, and he Ii
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