Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1853-07-14

to evnce her gratitude to Abigail for her goo
opinion.
They had not completed half their voyage BE-
fore the scarlet fever broke out among the pas
sengers, and made dreadful havoc among tb
young portion. Steel's whole family were sic
with it at the same time, and, in spite of the cor
stant nursing of himself and his devoted patne
and the unremiting attentions of Abigail Wiz
chester, who never left the sick ward for man
nights and days, the two youngest boys died
and we're committed to the great deep, befor
Annie and Richard recovered to consciousness
OF their dreadful loss. This threw sad gloon
over the whole party. Steel said nothing, bu
he often retired to some corner Of the ship, +
bewall his loss in secret. His wife was waste,
and worn to shadow, and poor Annie locke,
the ghost of her former self.
Steel brought letters of introduction to respec
table merchant in the city; who advised him t,
purchase tract of land in the new state of iii
noisY The beauty of the country, the fine eli
mate, and fruitful soil, were urged upon him il
the strongest manner. The merchant had scrir
to dispose OF in that remote settlement, and, al
is usual in such cases, he consulted his own in
terest in the matter.
Steel thought the merchant who was native
of the country, must know best what would sui
him; and he not only became a purchaser O.
land in Illinois, but induced his new friends tt
follow his example.
We will pass over their Journey to the fal
West The novelty of the scenes through which
they passed contributed not little to raise theil
dropping spirits Richard had recovered his
health, and amused the party not little by his
lively antlcipations of the future.
Annie entered warmly into all her brothers
plans, and if he laid the foundation of his fine
castles in the air, she certain|y provided the ce
ment and all the lighter materials.
AS their long route led them further from the
habitation OF men, and deeper and deeper into
the wilderness, the stern realities of their solta
ry locality became hourly more apparent to the
poor emigrants. They began to think that they
had acted too precipitately in going SO far bach
into the woods, unacquainted as they were witt
the usages Of the country. But repentance
came too late and when at length they reached
their destination, they found themselves upon the
edge of a vast forest, with noble open prairie
stretching away as far as the eye could reach ir
front of them, and no human habitaton in sight
or indeed existing for miles around them
In moment the yeoman comprehended al
the difficulties and dangers of his situation
but his was stout heart not easily daunted by
circumstance. He possessed vigorous consti.
tution and a strong arm; and besides, he was
not alone.
Having settled with his guides, and ascer-
tained by the map, that he had received at Mr.
IS office, the extent and situation OF his
estate, he set about unyoking the cattle which
he had purchased, and securing them, while
Atkins and his sons pitched a tent for the night
and collected wood for their fire. The young
people were in raptures with the ocean of ver-
dure, redoent with blossoms that lay smiling in
the last rays of the sun before them. Annie
could scarcely tear herself away from the en-
chanting scene, 10 assist her mother in preparing
her evening meal.
Mother, where shall we get water?' asked
Annie, glancing wistfnly towards their empty
cask - | have seen no indications of water fol
three miles,
'Annie has raised startling doubt said Mr.
Steel. Il can percsve no appearance of creek
or stream in any direction
Hist father, do you hear that cried Rich
ard. The croaking of those frogs is music tc
me just now, for am dying with thirst; and
seizing the can, he ran off in the direction of the
discordant sounds.
1t was near dark when he returned with his
pail full of clear cold water; with which tht
whole of the party slaked their thirst before ask
ing any questions.
What delicious waler-as clear as crystal
as cold as ice! How fortunate to obtain it 81
near at hand = exclaimed several voices in
breath.
'Ay, but it is in an ugly place. said Richard
looking up thoughtfuly. Il should not like tt
90 to that we'll at early dawn, or after night
fall
why not, my boy!'
1T is In the heart of dark swamp, jus
about hundred yards within the forest ant
the water tlickles from beneath the roots of al
old tree into natural stone tank but oil roun
is involved in frightfu gloom; | fancied hear
low growl as | stopped to fill my pail, while
horrd speckled snake glded from between m
feet, and darted Kissing and rafting its tail int
the brake. Father. you must never let any I
the people 60 alone to that we'll.
The hardy yeoman laughed at his sons fear
aud shortly afterwards the party retired into tn
tent, and overcome with fatigne, were soon log
in sleep.
The first thing than engaged the attention {
our emigrants was the erection of a log shant
for the reception of their respective famlie
Atkins preferred the open prairie for the site
hs, but Steel, for the nearer proximity of WOO
and water, chose the edge of the forest, but til
; habiiatons of the pioneers we're so near that the
were within call of each other.
To fence in piece of land for their cattl
and prepare plot for wheat and corn for Il
al 10 ho
plished; and by the time these preparation
we're complete the long bright summer he
passed away, and the fall was at hand. Up
, this period both families had enjoyed excelle
health, but in the month of September, Ami
and then Rchard,fel sick with intermittent fsve
and old Abigail kindly came across 10 help MI
Steel to nurse her suffering children. Med
, cal aid was not to be had in that remote pac