The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1854-06-03
Ibc Graucllcr.
For The Cecil Wing.
SKETCHES OF TEXAS;
No. VII

AOs
1t was on the 10th of February that left
the settlement near the mouth of Little River,
with days ride of fifty miles before me.
The road past through, alternately a timber
and prairie country, which was beautifully
undulating, and covered principally with
sedge- grass. After leaving the settlement
twenty four miles had to be past over before
reaching another human habitation, and egh
teen miles to the second. Ncghbors havn't
an opportunity of being very troublesome to
each other in these part.
L often crost the beds of dry creeks mean
dering through the prairie, which in rainy
weather are filled to OVERLOOKING. Travelling
on the prairics at such time is anything but
cnvable. You come upon one of those creeks
OVERLOOKING its banks, hiding the road, and
covering the prairie like a river, miles from
any human habitation. No living thing is
near save the wild deer and cattle feeding on
the swells out Of reach of the food while nu-
mcrous focks of geese and cranes are dab
bling about in the water. But you must 90
through at random, turn back to the nearest
settlement, which is. perhaps ten miles off,
and procure guide, or wait till the rain cea-
ses and the creek runs out. If you are COM
posed of the clear grit, go ahcadativc materi-
nj, You choose the former and plunge through,
for the cloudslook like they might keep pour
ing down for week. After wading and
swimming alternately sometimes knee deep,
sometimes over the horses back, if you are
fortunate you reach the opposite side, and
pursue your journey dripping like drown
ell rat" while a cold cast wind drives the
lncrciless showers upon your devoted head.
Out on these immense prairics the dreaded
"Northcrs the great terror of all Texans
display all their terrific poser. As soon as
you enter Texas you will hear Of the North
ers." Every Texan you converse with, will
tell you to beware of the ''Northcrs, to pre-
pare for the ''Northcrs," and the most fearful
anecdotes and stories arc told of them, that
ever you listened to. These South Western
''Northcrs, appear to be species Of Simeon
of the Great American desert, except that
they bring cold instead of heat, and rain in
place of dust. Their approach, is much like
that of our hail-storms, and winter their pre-
yailing season. The Traveller is riding very
lcisurely along lonesome prairie road that
stretches its surpentine lengths over the swclls
which bring it into view miles in the distance.
The intense rays of bright sun are beaming
upon him, while the perspiration bursts from
every pore; his coat is too oppressive to wear,
and he carries it across his saddle bow, while
lie wishes fora Whit from Norther or some
other cool brcathcd friend to fan him for a
moment, when he turns his eyes to the North
beholds blue hazy cloud or mist driving to-
ward him, and the next moment the Northcr
strikes him with tornados power and an
lceburg's breath He slips on his coat, un.
buckles his saddle blanket, and fastens it
round his person. by protruding his head
through hole that is invariably cut in the
middle oft. In vain he tries to wrap him
self up securely from the searching power Of
the Norther, for its icicle breath penetratcs
over coat and blanket, and chills him to the
WI ) hN"i1' II accompanied ny TalH IL COilleS
in drops like rifle balls wetting him to the
skin in minute, despite his shield of blan-
kets. His only plan is to push forward rap
idly as possible, to the nearest public house,
which may be ten, or it may be twenty miles
off, and here await the termination of the
'Northcr," which, if violent one, will last,
usually, about three days, and then renew
his journey, providing he does not take the
pneumonia which is very prevalent and ia
tai disease in Texas, caused by sudden chan
gcs of tempcrature-and die.
At the approach of a Northcr. cattle and
horses on the prairies scampcr to the wood
land and hollows, where they are protected
from the violence of the storm, and frequent
ly one of those terrific Northers so disperses
the stock that the herdsmcn, when collecting
their cattle again. often find them twenty
miles from their accustomed feeding ground.
Numbers Of cattle, tits said, perish from the
intensity of the cold in violent Norther.
Transfers on the wide western praires. when
overtakon by severe Norther, far from any
place Of shelter often suffer severely heard