Vandalia Whig and Illinois intelligencer. [volume] (Vandalia, Ill.) 1832-183?, 1833-09-18


} a prairie upon gentle eminence, survey
ing the broad expanse of waving green
ever varying in its shades, though uniform
In its massive richness,-whle ever,
breeze that passed over ii came loaded
with fragrance from countless flowers
and no end, no bondage to this amazing
prospect save the walls of the arched
heavens, in the horizon which seemed ia
enclose the lovely scene and shut it out
from the rest of creation.
But to pursue our journey up the river.
he noise of escaping steam, soon attrac-
ted attracted attention at Wabashaw's
village, and it was not long before we
saw approaching a swarthy, muscular
looking man who afterwards proved to be
the Adjutant Genelal Of the old chief
Alter friendly saluftions, he accompan-
led US along the shole, mounted on a fine
horse and bcdecked with all the tinse and
ilnery pertaining TO he full dress of an
Indian official. for though the one eyed
chief himselfis too old or too lazy TO dress
himself every day, he insists upon the
performance of this ceremony from his
$50 called adjutant general. What with
the high wooden saddle and other para-
phernalia that covered the horse the poor
animal was almost overwhelmed with
traPpings. We soon approached the vii
lage and heard the hustle of preparation
there for our reception. First appeared
solitary horseman, then two,-and then
motley assemblage oflndians come rush
ing forth on the prairie,-some partially
ornamented with feathers. some with a
single blanket and many without even
this spare garment.
Some rode their horses without bride
or saddle, and galloped on like so many
centaurs, shouting and yelling, and urg
ing their steeds to the utmost, till all were
brought up at the edge of the prairie, and
the shore was fairly lined with them
Show de dol" ''How de d." was the on
ly English they knew, and the only cry
could understand, and to every question
we asked and to every observation we
made, they echoed back GLOW de do!n
Oar conversation was at length carried
on by signs, which found to my surprise
were sufficient for all the intercourse we
desired.
! For instance, we were informed, on in.
quiry, that old Wabashaw was in his lodge
at the village, too proud and digni6ed t o
meet even his allies, any where but at his
wgwam.
AT the village OF ''Big Thunder" on the
astshore, we were saluted by some TWEEN
ty Indians seated like tailors, on the bank,
loading and discharging their rifles in
regular succession. Our captain, Throg
morton had given me notice of the pro-
liability of. salute and had prepared
some muskets found on board, and voley
for volley we returned the martial civili-
ties four tawney friends.
We soon came in view Of Fort Smelling
situated on high bluff, at the junction Of
the St. Peters with the Mississippi. My
first sight Of it was but IA glance, for an
intervening point of land concealed it as
suddenly from my view, but this glance
was like a taisnanic shock to my heart;
for there, broadly floating against the
blue sky, through vista of woods | be-
held the proud flag of my country Ina
Iglnc what feelings must have been mine,
after so long a travel in these western
wilds, what a throb of patriotic passion
must have visited me, on beholding again
the familiar, the much endeared vision.
our country's banner, waving in sover,
eighty over a region which else had seem
ed unsubdued even by the all pervading
march of human enterprise.
The Steamboat here touched ground.
and thus gave us earnest that we had at
least reached the head of navigation of
The great Mississippi. have thus passed
from the mouth Of this mighty river to a
point where | can toss a stone from one
bank to another. The first thing after
Idespatching my public duties at the gar,
rlson and interchanging hospitable greet
Ilngs with friends, was TO gather from a
coup d'9il, the widest view of the sur
rounding country aud this was best at
tanned from the summit of tower in an
angle Of the fort. The view was indeed
glorious.-Early on the following morn>
ing set out in company with Lieut.. Vail,
to visit the Falls, whose roar could easily
hear from the Barracks. On our way
Mr.. Vail entertained me with anecdotes
of the Indian character and country, while
| reciprocated by telling him nezos (only
three months old) from the States. The
mail arrives here not oftener than once
month. Our Steam boat had overtaken
the canoe returning with it from Prairie
Du Chen, (and much TO the satisfaction
of the soldiers we lifted it on board.
After crossing beautiful Prairie, in
terspersed with noble ash and oak trees
and well watered by streams from the