Virginia statesman. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1828-1829, 1829-06-10

/ tfO&CS I'D Ill tllOSC AuuidlS ul0t nave Oecu
shot, are the same, and we know whose
rifle they suit. Besides this, horse tracks
have beea seen on the trail of the mecca
sin. They were very particular tracks,
and just suited the hoof of certain horse.
Then certain man was known tobe lying
out about the same time; and when all these
things are put together it don't take a
Philadelphia lawyer to tell who done the
deed. Then he sometimes goes off, and
is gone or.weeks, and people guess that
he goes to their own hunting grounds to
lie in wait for them. They do say, he can
scent a red skin like hound, and never
lets chance slip"
"Bat is it possible, that in civilized
country, within the roach of our laws a
wretch is permitted to hunt down his fell
low creatures hike wild beaStsl To muir
der a defenceless Indian, who comes into
our territory in good faith, believing us a
christian peoplel
why 1t IS not exactly permitted: we
don't know for certain who does it, nor is
it any particular mans business to inquire
more than another Many of the settlers
have had their KIN murdered by the saw
ages in early time; and all who have been
raised in the back woods, have been taught
to fear and dislike them. Then Monson
IS an honest fellow, works hard, pays his
debts, and is always willing TO DO a good
turn, and it seems hard to break neIghbor-
hood with him, for the matter OF an Indian
or So"
"Bnt the wickedness-the shame-the
breach of law and hospitality"
"Wcll, so it is.-lt is u sin; and sorry
would | be TO have it on my conscience
But then some think an Indian or two,
now and then, will never be missed; others
again hate TO create an interruption IN tho
settlement; others, who pretend to know
the law, say that the general government
has the care of the Indians; and that our
state laws won't liver the case; and withal
Monson keeps his own counsel, and 80 a.
mong hands he escapes. After all, TO
come to the plain sentimental truth, Mon
son has good cause to hate them; az many
man, that would not dip his own hand in
the blood of an Indian, would as soon do
as bctray Monsoon; for few Of us could lay
our hands on our hearts, and say that We
would not do the same in his sltuatIon.--"
At this point of the conversation, We
were joined by several horsemen, who were
pursuing the same road with ourselves;
and my companion seeming unwilling TO
pursue the subject IN their hearing, | was
unable to learn from him what injury the
lndian-hunter had received, to provoke his
sauguinary career of vengeance Nor
did another opportunity occur; for we soon
come to u point where the road diyerged;
and although my friendly companion, with
the usual hospitality Of the country, invIt-
ed me TO his house, | was obliged to de-
cline the invitation, and we parted.
continued my Journey into the North
western part of Illinois, which was then
just beginning to attract the attention Of
land purchasers, and contained few scat
tered settlements. Delighted with tins
beautiful country, and wishing TO explore
tho lands lying between this tract and the
Wabash, | determined on my return to
strike directly across through an unlnhab
tied wilderness ofaOout 80 miles IN extent
| hired an Indian guide, who was highly
recommended to me, and set out under has
protection.
1t IS not easy TO describe the sensations
Of a traveller, unaccustOmed to such scene
ry, on first beholdIng the vast praInes,
which set about to explore. Those,
which had heretofore seen, were cOmpar-
ahyeIy small. The points Of woodland
which make iHto them like so many capes
or promontorIes, and the groves winch are
InlersperSed like islands, are IN these les
ser prairies, always sufficiently near TO be
clearly defined to the eye, and to give the
scene an Interesting variety. We see
a plan OF several miles IN extent, not per-
iectly level, but gently roliog or uadulaI-
lng like tho swelling OF the ocean when
nearly calm. The graceful curve OF the
surface IS seldom broken, except when
here and there the eye rests upon one Of
those huge mounds, which are 50 pleasing
10 the poet, and so perplexnig TO the anti
quanan. The whole is oyerspreaj with
grass and flowers, constituting rich and
yarid carpet, IN which ground OF lively
green is ornamented with a profusion Of
the gaudiest hues. Deep recesses IN the
edge of the timber, resembling the bays
and inlets Of lake, while occasionally a
long vista, suffers the eye to roam OF and
refresh itself with the calm beauty OF q
distant prospect.
Tho traveller as no rides along these
small prairies finds his eve continually at