Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1843-11-07

which abounds on either side with tho f.
nest scenery. and across lake StsClair,
up the river st. Clara noble stream,-
we reached Fort Gratiot, which commands
the enterance TO lake Huron, about sunset
The fortitication here named, SO far as |
was capable Of Judging by an inspection
from the boat, is one Of considep able strength
and Of no mean mportance-atleast .sss!d
be, in case of an invasion from this quarter
which is not very likely 10 happen at pres
ent. The mounted cannon, The glittering
musket the silent round of the sentinel the
roll of the drum the parades Of soldiery and
all 'he pomp and circumstance Of war;
are now only an innoccn, sho,r; and long
may it be ere these peaceful scenes are dis
lurbed by the sounds Of conflict end the ac-
compartments Of battle.
Saturday morning. Aug. 10. Awoke--
so says my Jou naland saw nothing a.
round me but water-no land in sight, and
ignorant Of my whereabouts save THAI
was on board the Steam Packet Illinois.
which was driving along al no mean rn:e
over the calm anc unr9flled lake. Soon
after breakfast, Thunder Bay fslandappea-
red like a sreck in the distance, which, an
hours time broughtus alongs de of-when
the harder was supplied with some excellent
fish, say ercellcnt, for they proved TO be
such when tested AT the dinner table. This
island is inhabited only by few fishermen
and is not cultivated.
Atior leaving Presque Isle, whore wo
'wooded'-30 miles distant from Thunder
Bay Island-we began to think and talk of
harl- mo, opl tool ,bo;. e,o
forward, in order 10 get first sight of i.
Not being ambitious of that honor, | sat
down on deck, under the awning, to the
perusal Of book with which had been en-
gagged for a day or two past This | had
just finished, and had thrown myself back.
and stretched my arms upward and opened
my mouth preparatory toayawn when sew
eral voices shouting, 'hckjnawnThcre is
MackinawH brought me instantly on my
feet, and rein4ushad gaping - gaze.
Sure enough right ahead Of US was Mack
nav, which the point Of an island had for
Il long while,hidden from US. And there,
high above the town, on a rock eminence,
were the white walls of the fort, thick and
towering And there, skirting the beach
for Il mile, were hundreds of the como
shaped lcnements of the Red men-real
wigwams, while moOred near then we're
the bark canoes. There was much ro-
nance in the scene, and we seemed trans
ported back to 'other times aud early days.
so like was ii toiho picture OF tho older peri
cd, seventy years gone.
Mackinaw, situated on an Island Of the
same namo, is an old French town, built in
the seventeenth century, and contains out
side the garrison abont six hundred inhab-
i,ants Ever since its settlement, il has
been famous resort Of fur traders and In
dams; and for many years was subject 10
great vicissi,udcs, aud many a thrilling le-
gend is connected with its history. II is
now a station at which many tribes receive
their yearly pay, and they had q, this time
assembled for that purpose.
In visiting the Fort, | was made ac-
quaisted with Capt, Scott, at present in
command, whose fondness for hunting.
aud whose unerring skill as n nnarksmap.
have become almost proverbial. Even
birds and beasts stand in awe of him. and on
learning his name Instantly surrender.-
loving himself at his lavorlie sport in the
forest, he spied coon at the Very top Oh
n tall pine. He instantly made preparations
for bringing him down from tho comman-
ding station he occupied; but ere trigger
was pulled. he was asked to 'hold on for
Il moment. What is your namo. if ma y
be so bold!' inquired his honor, the coon.
My name is Scott, sir, nj your service
and tip of the beaver accompanied tho
answer 'Captain Scoul' Yes, Captain
Scott what, Captain Scott of the ar
my?' Yes well, you needn't fire.
III como down--Tm a dead 'coon!' And
SO down he came. ! cannot vouch for tho
correctness Of this, but such is substantial
Iy the story iha, is told.
At the ringing Of the last bell, We bur.
ried on board and were soon under weigh
The darkness prevented US from viewing
objects along shore. each retired 10 his
berth ito sleep, perchance to dream Of
friends and home. Tired natures sweet
rcstorer' ncevr was moro grateful TO me,
and my eyes Enclosed no, until tho NOR.
rows sun had risen. where are weP
inquired, pcrccivng tho boat was not in
motion, and at the same time hurrying on
nv clothes. sWc are at the Mautou ISL
ana, was inc reply. w ell, "Hdt W iho
Manitou Island, though, |. So up | WON'T
and found that hero was a woodng station,
as it is termed. We had a fine walk along
on the beach, while the boat receiving the
trino Of sirfy cord, Of wood. 1t wns de-
Iightlu morning, and we enjoyed our e1-
ercise much.
At half-pas, ten, the bell wis rung for
religious worship. An excollent:congrega-
ton assembled aft, when prayer vas Off
cred, hymn sung, and an appropriate and
interesting discourse delivered by Psesby-
tcran divine, whose name hnvc forgotten.
At two o'clock, divine service was again
performed and though on the open sea, yet
that deck Oh which we gathered. became TO
US the house Of God, from which the hearts
warmest thanks went up wetrust susceptibility.
Our several scctarianlsms were laid aside,
and we met as breihern should neet
! We were now, it will BE- understood, on
/ lake Michigan, or, az ii was ancicnily termed
! Ike Ilinosc--a vast sea Of itself, nearly