New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-05-16

toneu Sayds," to our MINNIE diversion'
R on
Dat an scyoss the praries II bad not even sug-
,s5 tself 10 me that straw bonnet and KID gloves
were no suitable equipment Tor sueh an expedition
h.edessy ignorant of the mode OF preparing against
Il and had resisted or laughed a. my husbands sug-
oe,tions 10 provide myself with blanket socks, and
row although the wind occasionally lifted my head
gear with rude puff, and my hands ere long became
swollen and s,fened with the cold, persuaded my
sen that these were tring evils, to which should
novelty of my outfit, with my hunting knife in gay
scabbard banging from my neck, and my tin cup at
my saddle bow, to regard minor Inconvenience.
On reaching Duck Creek, we took leave Of our young
fiends who remained on the bank long enough to wit
ness passage across-ourseves in the canoe, and
the poor horses swimming the stream, now filled with
cakes Of floating ice.
Beyond the rising ground which formed the opposite
bank of the stream extended marsh Of perhaps three
hundred yards across. To this the men carried the
caboe which was to bear over. The water was not
Deep attendants merely took off the pack from
Brunei and my sde-saddle from LIE Grs for fear OF &C.
cdents and then mounted their own steeds, leading the
two extra My husband placed the furniture OF
the pack horse and my saddle the center of the canoe
which he was to paddle across.
Snow, wife," said he slump in, and seat yourself
fat in the bottom of the canoe"
"Ob, no." said !; 81 will sit on the little trunk in
the ctnter shall be so much more comfortable and
balance the canoe exactly.
AS you please, but thihk you will find 1t is not the
best way
vigorous push sent us few feet from the bank.
At that instant two avorite gTeyhOunds whom we had
brought with u.s. and who had stood whining upon the
bank, reluctant to take to the water as they were
ordered gave q sudden bound and aighted full upon
me. The canoe balanced moment-then yielded
and quick thought, dogs, furniture and lady were
in the deepest Of the water.
My husband, who was just preparing to spring into
the canoe when the dogs thus unceremoniously took
precedence of him, was at my side in moment and
Selling me by the collar of my cloak begged not 10
be frightened. was not in the least and only laughed
as be rased and placed me again upon the bank.
The unfortunate saddle and little trunk were then
rescued, but not until they had received pretty
thorough wetting Our merriment still further in
creased by the sight of the maladroit Pon, who was
attempting to ride my spirited jerry across the marsh.
He was clngipg to the neck of the animal, with
countenance distorted with terror he shouted forth
all manner of French objurgatOns. Jerry pranced and
curyeted and finally shot forward his rider rather
his burden, headforemost distance of several feet
into the water.
A general outcry Of mirth sauted the unfortunate
Frenchmap, which was redOubed as he raised himself
putting and snoring from his waery bed, and waddled
back to bis statiDgplace, the horse, meanwhile, very
sensiby making bis way to join his companions, who
had already reached the further bank.
DWELL wife," said Mr. Kinze, IL cannot trust you
in the again. There is no way but to carry you
across the marsh like pappoose VIII you take
ride on my sIouldersi"
safely and was soon mounted.
l must confess that the gentleman staggered now
ard then urder bis burden, which was no slight one,
and was sadly afraid more than once, that should
meet similar fate to old Pillon, but happily, we
reached the other side in safety.
We may form an idea of this sylvan travelling
from the account of the first night resting place.
1 could not but admire the sagacty of the horses,
who seemed, with human intelligence, to divine our
approach to the spot where their tolls were to
While still remote from the " point of woods" which
foretod halt they prcked up their ears, accelerated
their pace, and finally arrived at the spot in full
gallop.
We algbted at an open space, just within the verge
of the wood, or, it is called by western Travellers
the TIMBER My husband recommended to me to
walk about until fire should be made, which was
soon accomplished by our active and experienced
woodsmen, to whom the telling Of large tree was the
work of very few minutes. The dry grass around
furnished an excellent finder, which soon gnited by
the sparks from the flint there were no loco tocos in
those days. and aided by the broken branches and bits
of light wood, soon produced cheering flame. "The
bourgeois" in the meantime, busted himself In setting
up the teri, taking care to place 1t opposite the IRE,
but in such direction that the wind would carry the
| smoke ar d fame away from the opening or door.
Within upon the ground spread first bearskin,
then two or three blankets of which each equestrian
Lad carried two, under the saddle and one above
it, after which, the remainder of the luggage being
brought H. was able TO divest myself of all my wet
clothing and replace il with dry. Some idea OF the
state othe Thermometer may be formed from the fact
hat my rdnghabit being placed over the end OF the
huge log against which our fire was made was IN
very few minutes frozen stiff as to stand upright,
giving the appearance of dress out of which lady
| had vanished in some unacoountabe manner.
II would be but repetition Of our experience upon
The Fox River TO describe the ham broiled upon the
sbrocbes the toasted bread, the steanng coee-the
primitive furniture There is, however, this diff
ference that of the latter cary with us IN our jour-
neys on horseback only coffee-pot, tea kettle, and
each rider bis tin cup and hunting-knife. The depor-
me nj at table s marked by absence of ceremony.
| The knife is drawn from the scabbard--those who
remember to do So vouchsafe it wipe upon the nap
kin. Its first Office is to stir the cup OF coffee-next
TO divide the piece Of ham which is placed on the half
of travelling biscuit, which is held in the lett hand,
and u6s the Office of plate. 1t is an art only to be-
acquired by long practice, to cut the meat SO skfdy
as not at the came time to destroy the dish.
We take our places around the mat to enjoy what,
after fatiguing ride, we find delicious food Inc
Frencbmen are seated at little distance, receiving
their supplies of coffee meat and bread, and OCCASION
ally pasi1g jokes with "thc bourgeois, who their
demgod and for whom their respect and devotion are
never essened BY any affablity or condescension.
The meal being finished, the table furniture is rnsed
in hot water and set aside until morning. wisp OF
dry prairieeIass is supposed in most cases. TO render
the Knife fit to be restored to the scabbard and there
being at this of the year, no amusement but
that Of watching the awkward movements of the span
ceed borses in their progress from spot to spot in
search of pasturage, usually soon disposed to
arrange our blankets aud retire to rest.
| At break Of day We are aroused by the shout OF
| "the bourgeois"
" How. how how.'
| All start from their slumbew. The fire which has
been occasionally Iepenshed through the night is
kindled into fame. The horses are caught and sad
died. while breakfast similar in kidd to the meal Of
the preceding evening" is preparng-the tent is struck
| the pack horse loaded" tout dfmanch6," as the
Canadian says. The breakfast fnished, we rinse
kettles and cups tie them to saddle bows and then
mount and away leaving our fire, Oh rather our smoke
tai