The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1843-10-31
Miscellaneous.
From Audubon's ornithOlogical Biography.
The Prairie.


On my return from the Upper Mississippi | found
| myself obliged to cross one of the wide prairies which
in that portion Of the United Sates vary tho appear
ance OF the country The weather was fine all around
me was as fresh and blooming as if it had Just issued
from the bosom of nature. My knapsack, my gum
and my dog, oil had for baggage and com
| pany. But, although well moccasined, moved
slowly along, attracted by the brancy of the flow
ers,and the gambols OF the fawns around their DAMS
to all appearance thOughtless of danger us | felt
myself.
My march was oflong duration; saw the sun sink
ing beneath the horizon long before could perceive
any appearance OF woodland and nothing in the shape
of man had met with that day. The track which
followed was only an old Indian trace and as dark
ness overshadowed the prairie, felt some desire to
reach at least copse in which might lie down to
rest. The night hawks were skimmng over and a.
round me, attracted by the buzzng wing Of the bee
ties which form their food, and the distant bowling of
wolves gave me some hope that should soon arrive
at the skirts Of some woodland.
did SO, and almost the same instant fire light
attracted my eye moved towards it, full of conf
dence that it proceeded from the camp of some wan
derng Indians. was mistaken: Il discovered from
its glare that from the hearth of small log cab
in and that tall figure passed and repassed between
1t and me- as if busy engaged in household arrange
ments.
I reached the spot, and presenting myself at the
door, asked the tall figure, which proved to be wo-
man, if might take shelter under her roof for the
night IlsE yoise was gru, and her attire negligent
ly thrown about her. She answered in the affirma-
tive. I walked in, took a wooden stool, and quietly
seated myself by the fire. The next object that at
cfa1 nnfira G.,
resting his head between his hands, with his elbows
upon his knees. A long bow rested against the log
wall near him. while quantity of and two or
three racoon skins lay at his feet. He moved not:
he apParetly breathed Accustomed to the habits
OF the Indians, and knowing that they pay little at
tenton to the approach Of civilized strangers, Ia cir
cuuistance which is considered in some countries as
evincng the apathy Of their clIarocter) addressed
him in French, language not unrrcquenty partially
known 10 the people in that neighborhood He raised
his head, pointed to one Of his eyes with his finger,
and gave me significant glance with the other His
face covered with blood. The fact was that an
hour before this he was in the act of dschargng
at n racoon in the top Of tree, the arrow
had split upon the cord and sprung back with such vic
ence into his right eye to destroy it forever.
Feeling hungry,I inquired what sort Of fare 1 might
expect. Such thing bed was not to be seen,
but many large Unframed bear and buffalo hides lay
piled up in a drew fine time piece from
my breast, and told the woman that it was late and
that was fatigued. She had espied my watch, the
richness ofwhch seemed TO operate upon her feel
ngs with electric quckness. She told me that there
plenty of venison and jerked Buffalo meat and
that removing the ashes should find cake
But my watch Ind struck her fancy and her curiosity
had to be gratied by an immediate sight of 1t.
took off the gold chain that secured it, from around
my neck, and presented it to her. She all &C.
stacy, spoke Of its beauty, asked its value and
put the chain around her brawny neck, saying how
happy the possession Of such a watch would make
her. Thoughtless, and, as fanced myself, IN re-
tired spot, secure, paid little attention to her talk
or her movements. helped my dog to good sup
per of venison, and long in satisfying the de-
mands of my own appetite. !
The Indian arose from his scat, as If in extreme
suffering He passed and repassed several times,
and once pincbed me on the side violently, that
the pain nearly brought forth exclamation of an
ger looked at him. His eye met mine; but his
look was so forbidding that it struck chill into the
more nervous part of my system. He seated himself,
drew his butchers knife from its greasy scabbard,
examined its edge, as would do that ola razor sus-
pected dull, replaced it, and again taking his omn-
hawk from his back filled the pipe of it with tobacco,
and sent me expressive gances whenever our hostess
CHANGED to have her buok turned towards us.
Never until that had my senses been ava
kened to the danger which now suspected to be a.
bout me returned Glance for glance to my COM
rested well assured that whatever enemies
might have, he not of their number
asked the woman for my WATCH wound it up, and
under pretenco of wishing TO see how the weather
might probably be on the morrow, took up my gun,
and walked out Of the cabin. I slipped ball into