Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1840-10-27
From tie PlafteUiVe Badger.
LIFE IN THE w EST,

their backs, two with guns, a third with an
axe, and one with a violin in addition 10
his equipment, 10 enliven the encampment,
they deemed themselves able and buoyant
enough to reach the Pacific ocean. AT
Prairie du Chen they were joined by an
acquaintance. At that town they found
the sick to out number the we'll; and ofthe I.
S. troops stationed there, one hundred were
on the sick list. From thence they struck
for the Kickapoo country, which they were
told was the finest country in the world;
Astounding in bears, deer, rattlesnakes, and
every thing else that was charming. They
walked in northeast direction from dawn
till dark, finding the country nothing but a
succession OF sharp ridges and intervening
hollows, nearly destitute Of timber. At
night they camped out; but instead of de-
licious slice Of fat bear, or the sweet meat
of q doe or fawn, they were fain to make
n supper on prairie chicken, pheasant,
and two pgeons-neither bears nor deer
having been scen-the absence of the rat
tIesnakes was not regretted. On laying
down 10 sleep one Of the company express
ed his fears Of visit from the painters;
but another thought that such visit would
give them an opportunity of having their
likenosscs takcn-on explanation, it was
understood that pdntherS were more plent-
fu. than painters in such places. One Of
The party waking in the night, and finding
himself benumbed with cold, found that his
friend (who must havolhad the idea Of The
painter still in his head) had interposed
himself between the said party and the fire!
Now the idea Of putting your friend be-
tween you and tho panthcrs is too much
like politics.; so the fire was renewed, pla-
ces re-adjusied, and equal chances Of being
eaten up encountered. The next morning
they resumed their Quincy, and two hours
walk brought them TO an abandoned Indian
village, delightfully."- situated in bottom,
containing about a quarter section Of land,
which was the only place they saw fit for
settlement. Having seen enough Of the
country, they concluded to return home by
rafting down the Kiclapoo. They made
good raft Of four logs, on which they en-
barked. The course Of the river being We
ny scrpettine, they made but little progress
in direct line: and the river was so full
of snags that one man was kept constantly
at work with pole in his hand, 20 guide
the raft clear Of Instructions. They found
the Kickapoo beautiful stream, about thr-
ty feet wide, about fourteen feet deep in
the shaIIowest places, and flowing between
two ranges Of mountains or bluffs from two
TO three hundred feet high. At night they
encompcd again, making a grand supper
on two pigeons-halt a bird a piece.
Next morning
"All hands unmoor!" the voyageurs loudly cry;
honIe untnnnrtT Lr covnr1Cd roc,r rNClv
Having no food they tried the good cf
fects of the fiddle, which answered pretty
well, but not equal 10 coffee and bccisteak.
Owing to the syren strains of the violin,
or some other cause, the man with the pole
allowed the raft TO strike a snag, when the
whole concern foundered-guns, teapot,
tin cups, music book, and two pair Of
boots, which two Of them had taken off,
sunk or lloated off.
To scramble ashore, 10 make fire, to
fish up thetwo guns was easily accomplish
ed; but to supply the loss Of the boots to
the two naked feet, was not so easy: so
one took his knopsacl and made pair of
moccasins, and the other his iddecase,
which was merely a bit of painted linen,
for the samo purpose. Hereafter let no
persons go to explore new country with
out q fiddle, seeing the many useful purpo-
scs to which it may be applied. The first
movement was now TO ascend the steep and
rocky bluff, strewn with sharp flints, which
inflicted painful bruises on the unprotcc-
ted feet Of two Of the party. A walk Of
few miles brought them to a clea ring, where
they found q family, the lady Of which cx-
tended to them that sympathy, which the
absolutely fainting condition Of some Of
them from the want Of food rendered nee
cssary. Here they found good comforts
for the inner man. which their kind hostess
spread before them, refusing all payment
until it had been pressngly offered to her.
They then directed their march to a fer
ry across the Wisconsin, and from thence
took the road for Lancaster, lodging one
night at a house by the way. Arrived at
Lancaster, they were Hospitality entertain
ed, aud 'urnishedwi such shoes and socks
rs their crippled condition enabled them to
wear The next night brought them to
Pattevillc, having been absent eight days
Here was party Of strong and hardy
young mon, one at least Of whom is a tho
rough backwoodsman, going hardly more
than days Journey beyond the frontier
settlements, and yet by a triAing accident
we're reduced to the situation ofshpw
cd mariners. Their own account Of their
difficulties, Of which this is brief outline,
has caused deal Of mirth in Plattcvile,
and none seem to enjoy the laugh more
than they.
From the Carrndaigua Repository.
Boston and Buffalo RDilrodd.-A NEE