The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-06-30
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From iSartdin Magazine for July.
A N DIR E W JACKSON.
DY j. 7. HEADLEY.
CONCLUDED.


Jackson's business at this sine often re-
quired his presence in Joneshorough, two
hundred miles distant. The only road to
the place was but halfbeaten path, and
led, most Of the way, through an unbro-
ken wilderness. Sometimes alone, with
o rifle, hunting-knife, and saddle-bags,and
sometimes with companions, he performed
this tedious journey, which was frequent
ly attended with great peril. Large bo-
dies Of Indians, acknowledging no sover-
eighty Of the white man, then roamed un-
molested the vast forests that covered the
fertile plains Of Tennessee; and it often
required great care and skill to avoid be-
ing captured by them.
On one occasion, as Jackson, with three
companions, was returning from Jonesbo-
rough, he reached one night, a little after
dark, the east bank of the river Emory
Looking across, he saw on the opposite
side the campfire of large body of
Indians. Immediately drawing back, and
bidding his companions keep silent, he di-
Tected them to turn up stream, and, leav-
ing the road in different places, so as to
make three different trails, hurry on as
fast as possible. They proceeded in this
way for some time, and then reunited and
pushed eagerly forward all night and next
day till two o'clock in the afternoon. At
length, arriving at a point in the river
where the current was not so rapid, Jack
son resolved to cross. A raft Of rough
logs was soon constructed, on which the
rifles, ammunition, baggage, &c, were pla-
ced. Jackson, with one Of his compan-
ions, was to carry these across first, and
then return for the horses, The place he
had selected was just below the toot Of one
cataract, and near the brink of another
But no sooner was the raft pushed adritt
than it swept rapidly down stream, with
a force the two nayigators strove in vain
to check. Finding they were driving stea-
diIy towards the brink Of the cataract,
jackson wrenched loose one of the long,
rude oars he had constructed, and rush
ing TO the stern, reached one end to the
bank, down which his terrified compan
ions were running, aud bade them seize It
and pull with all their might. They did
so; and the raft struck the shore Just as
it was entering on the rapids above the
waterfall. On being reproved by his COM
panions for his recklessness, Jackson smil-
ed, and replied "a miss is as good as
mile. You see how near can Craze dan
ger. Come on ~ viii save you yet"
They continued on up stream, and next
day, crossing at ford, reached Nashville
in safety. ~ a-l ..a, ...
At another time, he appointed rendez-
vous with party with whom he was to
cross the wilderness but being delayed
by business, he did not arrive at the place
till they had been gone nearly a day
Resolved, however, not TO be left behind,
he took with him guide and travelled
all night. and early in the morning came
upon the smouldering camp fires arouad
which they had slept He was still pres
ing forward, when suddenly he discovered
the trail Of quite body OF Indians, evi-
IDENTIFY in pursnitofhis unsuspecting friends
ahead. Nothing daunted he kept on I'LL
he had nearly oyertaken the savages. The
guide then became alarmed, and refused
20 proceed further. jackson eoolly diyi-
ded his provisions with him, and told him
TO return. Resolved that his feilow-trav-
ellers should not perish while there re-
mained the least chance Of his warning
them Of their danger, he continued eau
tiously to advance, revolving thousand
schemes how he should eircumvent the sa-
vagea. Presently he saw the trail turn
81 30 The right Il flashed over him at
-