Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Mass.) 1828-1830, 1829-02-03
SLAUGHTER OF SWANS.
Jos. G. CABELL. ESQ.

SLAUGHTER OF SWANS.
Extract from "a Journey up the Mississippi" by u.
Audnhnnr artAcr Of z The Birds Of America"
On the second morning after our arri-
val, / heard movement in the Indian
camp, and having hastily risen and dress
myself, discovered that canoe contain
ing half dozen squaws and as many hum
tiers, was about to leave the Illinois for
the Tennessee side of the river. learn
ed also that their object was to proceed to
a large lake opposite, to which immense
hocks of swans resorted every morning.
These f1ocks are so numerous and strong.
that it is, however incredible it may at
first seem, a well known fact, that they
keep the lakes which they frequent free
from ice, merely by swimming upon them
night and day. Having obtained permits
sion to Join the party, seated myself in
the canoe, well supplied with ammunition
and a bottle of whiskey--in few mo-
ments the paddles were at work, and we
swiftly crossed to the opposite shore.
was not much astonished, during our pas
sage, to see all the labour Of padding per-
formed by the squaws for this feature of
Indian manners was not new to me but
Twas surprised to see that upon entering
the canoe, the hunters laid down, and
positively slept during the whole passage.
On landing, the squaws, after securing
the boat, proceeded TO search for nuts,
whilst the gentlemen hunters made the
best Of their way, through the thick and
thin" to the lake.
Those who have never seen any thing
of what call "thick and thin, may per-
haps think I allude to something like the
furze which cover some of the moors of
Scotland-but they must imagine the
shores of the Ohio, at its junction with
the great muddy river called the Mis-
sisippi, to be fairly overgrown with kind
of thick-set cotron-trees, that rise as Closs-
| ly from the muddy soil ofthe bank as can
well be conceived--they are not to be
beaten down you must slide yourself be-
tween them-and in summer you have
pretty task to keep off the rnusquitos that
abound amongst them. After these thick
cts there are small nasty lagoons, which
you must either swim across, jump over,.
or leap into and be drowned, according to
your taste or capabilitF but when the
task of.reaching the lake is accomplished
what feast for sportsman There
they lie, by hundreds, Of white or rich
cream colour-either dipping their black
bills in the water, or leaning backwards,
and gently resting with one leg expand
ed, floating along and basking in the sum
shine. The moment that these bea utiful
birds saw our videttes, they started up in
immediate apprehension but the plan Of
our Indians drove the poor swans the near
er to their fate, the farther they retreated
from either shore. Men were placed be-
hind the trees, who knew how to take a
dead aim, and every shot told. Being d.
vided, three on one side, and four on the
other, the moment that one party had driy-
en- the swans towards the other, the for
mer hid themselves and when the birds
flew from the fire of the latter, they alight-
ed within good distance of those who had
first alarmed them. What would those
English sportsmen-who, after walking
whole day, and exploding pound Of
powder, march home in great glee, hold
ing partridge by the legs, with smile
on their lips and very empty stomach
say to this days devastation among the
swans! ] saw these beautiful birds float
ing on the water their backs downwards.
their heads under the surface, and their
legs in the air, struggling in the last ago
MES of life, to the number Of 5O-their
beautiful skins all intended for the ladies'
of Europe.
The sport was now over-the sun was
nearly even with the tops of the trees; a
conch was sounded, and after while the
squaws appeared, dragging the canoe, and
moving about in quest of the dead game.
1t was at last all transported to the river o
edge, and we were landed on the Illinois
bank again before dark. The fires were
j lighted-each man eat his mess of pecan
nuts and bears fat, and then stretched
himself out, with his feet close to the
small heap Of coal intended for the night.
The females then began their work; il
was their duty to skin the birds. OBJ
served them for some time, and then retir-
ed to rest, very well satisfied with the
sports Of this day--the 25th of Decem-
Der.
-