Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1841-03-04
LIFE m THE WEST.

their DICKS, TWO Win guns, thiu Win "t
axe, and one with violin 10 addition TO
his equipment, TO eniven their encamp-
ment, they deemed themselves able and
buoyani enough TO reach the Pacihc
Ocean. At Prairie du Chen they were
Joined by an acquaintance. Al that town
they found the sick 10 outnumber the well:
and out of the US. troops stationed there,
one hundred were on the sick list. From
thence they struck for the kiekapoo eoun-
try, which they were told was the finest
country in the world Astounding IN bears,
deer, rattIesnakes, and every thing else
that was charming. They walked in a
northeast direction, from dawn till dark,
finding the country nothing but success
sion of sharp ridges aud Intervening hol.
lows, nearly destitute of timber. AtnigLtI
+, the, camped out; but instead OF deli.
cious slice Of fat bear or the sweet meat OF
a doe or fawn, they were tain TO make u
supper on prairie chicken or pheasant
and two igeons--neither bears nor deer
had been seen-the absence of the rat.
llesnake was not regretted. On lying
down to sleep, one OF the company ex-
pressed his fears OF visit from the paint
ers; but another thought such visit would
give them an opportunity of having their
likenesses taken; on explanation II was un,
ders,ooi that panthers were more plentiful
than painters in such places. One oil the
party waking in the night, and finding
himself benumbeo with the cold, found that
his friend (wbo must have had the painter
still in his hcad) had interposed himself
between the said party and the fire -
Now the idea Of putting your friend be-
tween you and the panthers, IS too much
Ike politics; SO the fire was renewed,
places re adjusted, and equal chances oil
being eaten up encountered. The next
morning they resumed their journey, ami
two hours walk brought them to an aban.
doned Indian village, delightfully."- situated
on bottom, containing about quarter OF
section Of LAM, which was the only
place they saw fit for settlement. Hav.
ing seen enough of the country, they con-
Guided 10 return home BY rafting down
the Kickapoo. They made good raft Of
four logs, on which they embarked. The
course oil the river beng very serpentIne
they made but little progress in direct
line; aud the river was SO full oil snags that
one man was kept constantly at work with
pole IN his baud, to guide the raft clear
of distractions. They found The Kicka-
poo beautiful stream, about thirty feet
wide. about fourteen feet wide IN The shal
lowest places, and flowing between two
ranges Of mountains, or bluffs from two TO
three hundred feet high. AT nigh, they
encamped again. making grand supper
ON two pigeons half bird piece.
Next morning.
IAN hand. unmoof." sbe voysgers loudly cry
Gan hand. unmoor," I'll. esverred rocks reply.
Having no food they tried the good ei-
lacts of the ii Idle, which answered pretty
well, but not equal to coffee and beeistoak.
Owing to the siren strains OF the violin, or
some other cause, the man with the pole
allowed the raft to strike snag, when
the whole concern foundered-guns, tea
pot, tin cups, music book, and two PAIR OF
boots, which two Of them had taken oil,
sunk or floated of.
10 scramble ashore, TO make IRE, to
fish up the two guns, were easily accom-
pIished; bul TO supply the loss of The boots
was no, so easy to the two naked feet; 30
one took his knapsack and pair OF moe
casins. and the other his eddie case, which
was merely Bit Of painted linen, for the
same purpose. Hereafter LEI no persons
20 to explore new country without
fiddle, seeing the many useiul purposes TO
which it may be applied.
The first movement was now to ascend
the steep and rocky bluff, strewn with
sharp flnts, which inflicted painful bruises
on lie unprotected feet Of two of the party
A walk Of a few miles brought thrm to a
clearing, where they found family. the
| lady of which extended to them that SYM
pathy which the absolutely faintng con.
4 ton of some III them. from lhe want OF
food. rendered necessary. Here they
found good comforts for the inner man,
which their kind hostess spread before
them, refusing all payment until 1t had
been pressingly offered 10 her.
They then directed their march 10 a
ferry across the Wisconsin, and from
thence took the road for Lancaster, lodg-
ing one nigh, at IA house by the way.
| Arrived al Lancaster, they we're hospita'
Div entertained, and were furnished with
such Shots aud socks as their crippled
condition enabled them TO wear. The
next morning brought them TO Plaitcville,
having been absent eight days.
Here was party Of strong md hardy
young gentlemen, one at least If whom IS
thorough back .woodsman, going hardly
more than days journey beyond the
frontier settlements. and yet by a .rifing
accident were reduced to the situation of
shipwrecked mariners. Their own &C.
count Of their difficulties, OF which this IS
a brief outline, las caused a deal of mrth
in Platievile, and none seem 10 enjoy the
laugh more than ourselves. Northern
Badger, PlaHepiRs, Wisconsin.