Fremont weekly freeman. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1850-1853, 1851-04-05
n1isrr1Ia nron !.
THE TRAPPER,s DAUGHTER.
A WESTERN SKETCH.
BY DIR. III. ROBINSON.

A WESTERN SKETCH.
BY DR.J H. ROBINSON.
About two years ago, found myself at St
Louis, on my way to Fort Laramie, and the
wild regions of the West. / was influenced
in my movements, partly by an innate love Of
gain; was also the bearer Of Government
dispatches of some importance.
After completing my outfit at St Louis,
resolved to employ two VOyageurS, and so as
far as Council Bluffs, in canoe, whence
having procured horse from some friendly
indians,-l would make the best of my way
TO the North Fork of the Platte River.
Having decided upon this course, | began
to look about for the proper person to assist
me in carrying out my plans. VoyBgeurs
were plenty, but most of them were drunken,
rollicking fellows, not fit to be trusted: and
even those of this character would not engage
themselves while they had cent of money
to make merry with. After considerable de-
lay, asd great deal of bargaining, two indi-
riduals were engaged. To describe them
would be a work of some difficulty, and
shall condense what have to say of them as
much as possible.
Vanburton was as ugly compound Of
French and Indian blood, as could be found
between St Louis and the Rocky mountains.
He was short in stature, and remarkably mus
cuar. His face was covered with dirty
beard of some months growth, and it was a
subject of some curiosity to me to know how
he could insinuate his food through such a
forest of hair.
But was soon convinced that he expert
enced no difficulty in finding his mouth, es-
pecially when whiskey was to be disposed Of
His dress consisted of IA leathern hunting shirt
and deerskin brveches He never conyersed,
but answered all questions BY a series of
Crunts, far from musical
His worthy companion differed from him
quite materially in person. He was taller and
more symmetrical. but no less ugly in feature.
never heard him called by any other name
than Nick" which cognomen appeared to an
swer his purpose Just as well as longer one
He belonged to no particular race of men, but
seemed mixture of all and among what pco-
pie he will be classcd, when all the tribes and
kindred of the earth shall be gathered togeth-
er for final adjustment of human affairs. is a
subject which puzzles me not little. Per-
haps he will turn up" a Mexican; perhaps a
French Canadian; perhaps an Indian; posi-
bly, negro but it's my humble opinion that
he will find his relations among all these vare-
ties of men.
Nick was not much more talkative than Van
burton, and loved whishey quite as well.
Everything being in readiness. left St
Louis with my two voyageurs, but not greatly
prepossessed in favor of either l soon dis
covered, not much to my satisfaction. that
Vanburton kept his eyes upon a small keg of
brandy which had taken with me- and that
Nick had fallen in love with my excellent ri
ae; in short, both parties regarded my supe-
rior outfit with envious eyes. My silver-moun-
ted 'revolvers,'' with their elaborate work
manship and cast steel barrels, were obvious
", in their estimation, objects to be coveted.
l reached Westport without accident. When
! had passed it fairly, and found myself get
ting into the Indian country. the voyageurs
began to talk in an unintelligible jargon.
Their usual apathy and Indifference disappear
ed, in measure, and their gestures and con-
versation-if conversation iteould be called
grew quite animated, and at intervals even
fierce. While | affected to be wholly indiffer-
ent to this sudden change of manner, was
watching them with a Jealous eye
1t was about noon, and the second day
from Westport We were skimming lightly
along the surface of the waters, near the right
bank of the river. The tail trees which grew
luxaranty upon the margin, were mirrored
in the dark depths beneath. Whether the
sumbre shadows reflected upon our way, to-
gether with the solemn stiffness of everything
about us, affected my spirits, am not able to
determine; but certain it is that l felt my
heart sink within me. Sensations ofthe most
gloomy and ominuus character took possession
of my faculties. 1t has been affirmed that
when one is near death, a cold, anearthlv, and
heart-sickening shudder passes over the entire
system; now wether this be the fact. ore other
wise, it is not for me that did not experience
a sensation analogous to what Ihave described
struggled manfully to bapishmy melancholy
presentments. | attempted TO converse with
Nick, but he was silent and moody, while his
countenance grew more sinister and forbidding
Il think we had better go ashore" said Van
burton. in exceedingly bad French, addressing
himself to me.
/ understood perfectly, but the thought oc,
cured TO me on the instant, that it would be
better for me to affect to be entirely ignorant o.
that language; accordingly shook my head
and made no answer.
Would Monsieur like venison for his din,
ner? he asked, after short interval in the
same tongue.
l shook my head as before, and made no re
ply. This seemed to convince him that knew
nothing of French, and in that language he and
his companion commenced a conversation
which never shall forget, should live to tht
venerable age Of the oldest patriarch. Eacf
We'd with the other in the enormity of his re
hearsals. They told of frauds, rapine anc
murder, which they had committed at differn
times upon trappers, adventureswhite settler:
and Indians Plunder. and an ordinate Low,
of the excitement fcrime, were the motive
that had urged them on their infamous career
After they had proceeded awhile in thi
strain. they changed thesubject somewbat.an'