The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1855-02-24
DIR. MIENUNN
On ''Rille, Axe, and SaddIebags."

VII hlucs AAcS anu DIUultD1SSs"
Rev. DR.. Milburn, (wcl known for some
years past as the Chaplain of the United
States Scnatc,) delivered highly entertain
ing and instructive lecture, before very nu-
merous and respectable audience, on last
Friday evening, III New York. The lecture
was replete with vivid descriptions of scenery
glowing pictures Of back woods life and man
ners-which transported the hearer, in i'm
agnation, through the tract of country over
which Daniel Broonc passed, from his start
ing point in Virginia till his arrival IN the
heart of the hunting grounds of Kentucky; the
emmincnt risks and hair breadth 'scapes of
the parent pioneer and his companions their
battles with the red mcn-and was inter-
spcrsed throughout with lively anecdotes of
the early settlers. illustrative of their prim-
tive habits, and manner oflving-which lent
a charm Of interest to subject well calcu-
lated to please any, but more especially an
American embracing, as it did, an
cptome of the history of the rifle the axe and
the saddlebags implements used by the
first pioneers Of what now constitutes the
richest part Of our vast domain. Man, he
observed, is tool-using animal, and the
amount Of his labor is measured by the use
he makes of the tools he employs In order
that work may be we'll done, it is necessary
to have the tools employed in its execution,
adapted to those who handle them: for
| paorSn fppnrc r,yuuh tools bo al
and it is to the rough hand. the strong
arm and brawny muscle, that we are indebted
for the vast acquisition which has accrued to
the Union in the West.
The period had arrived when grand task
was to be achievcd-the valley of the Missis-
sippi, teeming with fertility and holding out
the most tempting prospects for the white
man, was to be wrestcd from the Indian, and
be made the happy home of civilized man.
This was to be done by few obscure men,
and the tools they used were the rife axe and
saddlebags-the implements of the western
hunter, the farmer, and the itncrant preach
or.
In glancing at the condition of the West
previous to its first settlement, high tribute
of passing culogy was paid to the Jesuit
Fathers, whose preaching and labors extend
cd along the Mississippi, and who were look
ell up to with reverence and amiration by
the savagcs amongst whom their mission cx-
tended. But of these he spoke not--he spoke
of those Anglo-Saxon Americans, whose
thirst for dominion and empire ovcrcame
every obstacle-whosc cry was "Wcstward,
and West ward still and whose motto ''All
or none"
In the May of l7G9, hunter of North
Carolina stood before his log cabin, sad and
dsconsolatc, his wife, his children, and his
circle offrends were grouped around him.
he turned aside to hide his emoton and with
chid.likc simplicity wiped away the tears
which had gathered in the eyes of those
about him, and babe them loving adieu;
then shouldering his rifle, and taking long
and lingering fond look on the dear familiar
objects around the sinewy form of the man
was soon lost to sight, form which
should be chisclcd in marble, whose name
engraved in brass,-whose praises spoken
in the choicest strains of pocsy,-and as one
who contributed so much to the interest and
welfare ofhis country, should hold after the
immortal Washington, the second place in
American history. Such, however, and so
great were his merits and his claim to indy
ing renown, that in after years sparkling
collocation is found.-thc proud imperious
genius couples his name with that of the
humble ter,-Byron-Boone.
Five hunters accompanied him in his per-
ilous journey, which was prosecuted through
much toll and danger, till they arrived in
Kentucky, of which cherries tidings were
carried back year before to Virginia by ono
of the same party. Soon after their arrival
Boone and one of his companions are captured
by the Indians, and escaped within year.
One Of the party being shot, so dspirited the
rest that they resolved to depart to the set
Elements Not so, however, Boone, who re-
solved, come what may, to remain. lie was
left alone with nature. The description of
tHc sCeicIy ny WHICH Tie Hullcr was sur
rounded, with no white mans eye to gaze
upon the natural beauties, Or white mans
car to hear the sounds of animated nature,
save that of the hunter, was sublime and
beautiful. lie was alone with nature. Near
him are the decr.licks-a herd of bulialocs
approaches, the cry of the panther, the
bowling of the wolves, and the scream from
the night-birds arc heard. lie needs them
not. Another and a more dangerous enemy
is upon his trail-the Indians thirst for his
blood, for they have determined that foot of
white man shall never profane the soil which
they intend keeping for their choicest hunt
ing grounds. His nights are spent in vari-
GUS ways and various places-now shielded
by rude hut Of his own construction from
the raging storm-now with the green sward
for his couch and the ethereal canopy for
covering, and again among the branches of
some old gnarled oak, he seeks to elude the
pursuit of his foes, ever on his track. Thus
months are spent by him alone with nature