Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1851-06-27
From Arthur's Home Gazette.
HISTORICAL SIX ETCHES.
Tho Missionary aud the Robbcr.

mission from the - missionary society, was
passing in westerly direction over the nrai-
ries OF Illinois.
He had seen. occasionally an article in some
of the three or four religious periodicals. Of that
period. about the Far West, and with the
benevolent desire of doing good to the destitute
and scattered pioneers of this remote, and then
scarcely known region, had travelled on horse
back from his native village, preaching on
Sabbaths, as occasions offered, during his long
journey.
Ohio was then said to be- land of moral des-
olation Indiana was supposed to be many de-
prees lower in the scale of civilization; and
the new State OF Illinois was imagined TO be
situated very near the jumping. off place. A
vaoue and somcw what doubtful impression exis-
ted 8 to the locality and character of Missouri /;
and Kentucky was known abroad by report, for
its fighting and gougng propensities while the
popuin,ion ~cro characterized as halt horse half
alligator, and touch-oi.the snapping-turtle.
Amongst the vague and rather indistinct i'm
pressions of the character and habits of frontier
adventures, that hoated over the mind of the
Young missionary, were those of robbery and
murders
Duriog the period of inquiry and anxious
meditation about devoting his life as mission
ary of the cross in the wilds Of the west the
idea of robbery and murder occupied no minor
place ia his INA ginaton. Still, with com.
mcndable resolution and martyr spirit, he re-
solved to hazard even life, with the sacrifice of
every earthly comfort, to preach the gospel and
introduce the melioratng influences of cviza-
ton among people who belonged to the same
nation with himself, and who might eventually
exert controlling influence over the destnes
of the republic.
1t was on a cloudy and cold day in the month
of December that our missionary friend was
seen crossing an arm of the Grand Prarie, east
of the Okau as the Kaskaskia river by abbrevi-
alton Tau HdS) and French accent had been
called. lie had Travelled long distance that
dav, bv following a devious aud obscure trail
, or 'brde- path now thro' a skirt of timber
then across the point Of prarie, without seeing
log cabin, or any other sign of human res
idence.
Night was fast approaching. The landlord
where he had been accommodated with private
entertainment the preceding night, had direc'
ted him on a blind trail to foarding place
across the Okau, beyond which, and in tht
same direction was the town of C., tC
IS which he was journeying. Both horse and ri
der were fatgued with long fasting and a hare
ride, and the missionary could form no coujec
ture how far it might be from a set tlenen
- which he had hoped to reach before nightfaiI
Anxious and somewhat bewdered, he looket
in each direction for signs of a human habita
ton, when an uncouth specimen of humanity
appeared on horseback, and coming in rapl(
movement, and in diagonal direction, across
the prarie towards the path of the missionary
f As the man approached, his personal ap
n pearance, dress and equipage manifested NJ
'r friendly design. His head was covered will
ii q ,;,l ., ! l,apf
ing behind. His outer garment was neither
IS coat frock, or blouse. In western parlanCe
was a hunting shirt, made OF dressed deer skin
with the cape and side strips curiously notche
and fringed, but to the missionary it had alarm
ing aspect.
Over it hung powder-ho and bullet
pouch, and around his body was leather
belt. in which was thrust formidable knife
A loaded rife craelessly lay across the rider
shoulder
Nor was his personal appearance in th
least degree prepossessing. lie sporied blac
beard of three weeks growth, and dark, elis
locks of hair could be seen beneath the ski
cap. His countenance, from constant expo
sure TO the weather, was swarthy, and rougI
slalwart, brawny frame seemed, to the alarme
missionary, Of gigantic proportions it ha
5raved the storms of more than forty winters
Every indication painted most vividly on III
perturbed Imagination of the missionary IL
danger that hung over him. The first mpuls
was to urge his jaded horse into flight.
R second thought decided him against the a
$, tempt, and, breathing a word of prayer
n, Heaven for protection, he felt 10 submit to fat
I'd with CLEAN of hope that the desperate, VIII
y was but few yards from him, might, perat
re venture, spare his life.
The sautation that struck on his ears in
harsh, cultural voice, conveyed no consolatic
to his mind, and only served to increase h
- alaim.
y Halo, stranger what are you about there
Where are you riding"
The reply was given in the language
es weakness and subm ssion, and something W
d. added, with indistnct utterance, about giviT
p0 up horse and equipments, if his life might
- spared.
Learning, on further inquiry, that his rou
y was across the river to settlement some
- teen or twenty miles distant, the supposed ro
ber replied, in voice by no means mild a
attractive.
- you can't get there tonight; besides, t
old ford is washed away, and you cannot Fl
the new one follow me- can fir you "
yn The term fix had an ominous import, /
rk- form Of speech, was not very clear to the IN
al sionary. But there was no alternative. lie "
es alone and wholly unprotected; he was small
csc stature Of a slender make, had 10 weapo
but spiritual ones, and successful resisar
. was hopeless. lie knew not the path to
river, and were lie TO attempt fight, the de'
dealing rifle might step him. So he turn
as directed, into the trail, and followed
- guide.
= As they slowly rode in Indian file throu
the tall grass, with points of timber and bru
wood, for the space Of two miles, the missions
drew fancy picture on his Imagination o
.SS cave and gang of robbers, who would fix hi
or determine his fate. lie breathed more fr
ly when he found only single cabin, rou
2. looking stable for horses, and cornfeld c
few acres, with no sign of accomplices.
Light, stranger, and take your saddlebag'
III fix your horse.
Taking his saddle bags on his arm as dire
ed, he entered the cabin through low doorw
Here was a woman and three children,
their dress and personal appearance might
might not indicate danger to the traveller.
II her head was covering of coarse cotton, c.
ed in the language of a past generation, 4
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