Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1840-11-23
IlFE IN THE WEST.

On the 18th inst, three of our friends, two OF
whom are residents of long standing in this town,
set ont on journey, on foot TO see the lana OF
promise on the Wisconsin With knnpsacks on
their backs, two with guns, the third with an axe
aud one with violin in addition to his equipment
TO enliven their eucampment, they deemed them
selves able and buoyant enough to reach tie IA
ciic Ocean. AT Prairie du Chen they were JON
ed by an acquaintance. At that town they found
the sick TO outnumber the well and of the u. ;.
troops stationed there, one bundled were on the
sick list. From thence they struck Tor the Kick
upoo country, which they were told was the finest
country in the world Astounding in bears, deer,
raltesnakes, and every thing else thai was charm
ing. They walked in n northeast direction, from
dawn ill dark, finding the country nothing but
succession of sharp ridges and intervening hol'
lows, nearly destitute of timber. At night they
ca,rped out but instead of delicious slice OF fat
bear, or the sweet meat of a doe or lawn, they
were fain to make n supper on II prairie chicken,
pheasant, and two pigeons neither bear nor deer
having been seen--lhr absence OF the rattlcsnakes
was not regretted. On lying down to sleep one
of the company expressed his fears of visit from
the painters; bnt another thought such visit
would give them an opportunity of having lhelr
llkencsses taken; on explanation, 1t was under
stood that pdntherS were more plentiful than PAIN
tiers in such places One Of the party waking III
the night aud finding himself bcuumbed IN the
cold, found that his friend (who must have had
the idea ofthe painter still i'll his head) had III CT
posed himself between the said party and the fire.
Now the idea OF putting your friend between you
and the panhers is too much like politics, so the
fire was renewed, places re adjusted, and equal
chances OF being eaten up encountered. The next
morning they resumed their journey, and two
hours walk brought them to an abandoned indian
village, delightfully."- situated in bottom, contains
ing about quarter section of land, which was the
only place they saw fit for settlement. Having
seen enough OF the country, they concluded TO re-
turn no ne by rafting down the KicknpOo. They
made raft Of four logs, which they embarked.
The course of the river Icing very serpentne,
they made but little progress in direct line; and
the river was so full of snags that one nan was
kept constantly at work with polG III his hand,
to guide the raft clear of distractions They found
the kckapoo beautiful stream, about 30 feet
wide, about IA feet deep i'll the shalIowest places
and flowing between two ranges OF mountains or
bluffs from TWO TO three hundred feet high. AT
night they encampcd again, making grand sup
per on Two pigeons-hali bird piece Nexl
morning
'All hands unmoor = the voyagers loudly cry;
sAll hands uninoorn the governed rocks reply.
Having no food they tried the good effects OF the
fiddle, which answered pretty well but not equa
10 coffee and beefstea& Owing to the siren strain,
OF the violin, or some other cause, the man witt
the pole allowed the raft to strike snag, when
the whole concern foundered guns, tea pot, til
cups, music book, and two pair of boots, which
TWO OF tneifi lau taken OH, sunk or IOated OH.
To scramble ashore, to make fire, fish up the
two guns were easily accomplished; but 10 sup
ply the loss of the boots was not so easy to tn,
two naked feet: SO one took his knapsack and mad,
pair of mocasslns and the other his fiddle case
which was merely BIT of painted linen, for tn,
same purpose. Hereafter let no persons 90 10 eX
plure new country without fiddle seeing the
many useful purposes 10 which it may be applied
The first movement now was to ascend the steel
and rocky bluff, srewn with sharp hints which
inflicted painful bruises OH the unprotected feet
'oftwo ofthe party a walk of few miles brougl
| them 10 clearing where they found family, th
| lady OF which extended to them that sympathy
which the absolutely fantng condition OF some o
! them from the want of food rendered necessary
! Here they found good comforts for the inner man
| which their kind hostess spread before them, re
fusing ali payment until it had been pressingIy of
fered TO her.
They then directed their march to n ferry acros
the Wisconsin, and from thence took the road 70
Lancaster, lodging night at house by III
| way. Arrived at Lancaster, they were hosptal II
entertained, and furnished with such shoes an
socks as their crippled condition enabled, them t
wear The next night brought them to Pattyill,
having been absent eight days.
Here was party OF strong hardy young mel
one at least of whoms a thorough backwoodsmaI
going hardly days journey beyond the lrontie
settlements, and yet by rifing accident were le
duced to the situation of shpwrecked Mariners :
| Their own account OF their difficulties, of whic
J this is a brief outline, has caused deal of mrt
Il i'll Paleyille, aud none seem TO enjoy the laug
more than themselves. - Northern Badger, Plahl
rifle Wisconsin.