Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1858-10-23
NJ | s c Z L L A n Y.
THE HIDDEN TREASURE.
AN ADVENTURE IN ARKANSAS.

In the summer of lS4S, in the month of June.
found myself solitary traveller at the primi-
tive little town of Van Buren, in the iuvinile
State OF Arkansas-a country, which in extern
sive swamps, lofty and rugged mountains, and
bad roads, can challenge the United States. or
any other section of equal dimensions in the
world. | travelled III style, with Il covered bug
gy the running gear of which was as tough as
some of the yarns told by the old settlers on the
Arkansas, and pair of dashing creams, who,
even on those roads, could carry me fifty miles.
and upon natural piece of gravel, which occur
red occasional like celestial vSits-cclcstial is
new-they could go the mile in three minutes
fair work for double team. and not TO be
sneezed at even over the Queen City course.
The flies in that country bite like SCORPIONS
to say nothing of the ticks, who in their carniv-
erous taste, make no distinction between man
beast, but, if permitted will swell themselves out
to the size OF rifle bullet before unf1eshng their
poisonous heads. There was no guarding against
these insinuatng little monsters; but for the
dies, was provided with two dashing suits of
Advantage, aif aid created sensation throughout
the country.
NANNY" shouted gawky, ed-headed girl
who stood at the door of a log cabin, towards
which was whirling in rapid style, "mammy
daddy, Bill, Jake. Sal All on We come here ,
I'm switched if there arnt feller coming along
with pair of fiery red critters :"
And out rushed the interesting family, who,
taking the scarlet netting Us part of the anato-
my of the "critters," no doubt tell to this day
of the wonderful appartion of the man with the
red steeds
But Arkansas, although hard road to travel,
contains soft hearts and friendly natures; and
in spite of its reputation, man may traverse it
from one end to another with no more formida-
BILE weapon than pen-knife, unless indeed he
had taste for wood-craft, in which case, in a
drive of fifty miles he can shoot as many deer
as, in the On, would feast all the Aldermen
in the world. Cautiously threading my way
through the solemn forest glades, | have seen,
within fifty yards, score of these sylvan tenants
their big tender eyes gazing in astonishment at
me and my team, which combined they doubt
less took for some novel animal, for the first
time invading the deep solitude of the eternal
woods. had made my way from Little Rock
to Van Buren,, distance of over three hundred
miles, with the intention of proceeding on over
the Boston mountains to Missouri; when let.
ter which received made it necessary that
should retrace my steps.
With my knowledge of several delectablt
swamps, and other interesting passages of trav
vel" which had, almost by miracle, struggled
through, the prospect was by no means pleasant
"a break down in the woods, twenty miles from
any human habtation, is contingency not tC
be contemplated without afeeling of dread ant
had the Arkansas river been in floating con
dition, should have placed myself and my equip
age lpon steamer but there was not sufficien
water in it in some places to float plank. Lik,
a capsized bark, it exhibited itself bottom up
SO had no alternative but to prepare for m,
retrograde movement, comforting myself in tn
reflection that |, at least, was acquainted will
perils of the path was again doomed to thread
whereas, had ] continued my journey forward,
should be flying to "ills which know not Of
The worst and most disagreeable part of tn
affair was the solitude in which travelled. II
one naturally of companonabe disposition, i
was sore trial to be left to commune with moth
ing more tangible than ones own reflections
to watch the sun from its first peep from behin
the vast Eastern hills, through the fiery mid da
course, until 1t tlnged with crimson halo tn
leafy mountains of the far West; to feel one
soul expand with the illimitabe grandeur of ma
ture, here witnessed in all her purity, and We
be compelled to smother the glowing sensation
r within ones own bosom, no sympathizing ca
being near wherein to pour burning essence eS
tracted from the soul by the contemplation of S
glorious vision. This prospect was, say, tn
; most disagreeable reflection had and thos
who may have been placed in circumstances {
similar nature, will understand with wha
pleasure | received proposal from the land
lord of the tavern in Van Buren to introduc
me to gentleman who was anxious to get t
Little Rock, and, who had arrived from ava
back in the Indian nation, in the expectation
finding boat of light draught to carry hi
thither
Upon a bright and breezy afternoon upon Ii
;, LIST of July, we started. Ny companion was I'll
agent of the famous General Ross chief of ii
tribe of Indians who, in semi-cyilized stat
Is occupy the vast portion of country beyond Fo
Smith. Not being a Yankee, my organ of il
quiStiveness was not sufficiently developed
induce me to inquire his business, which |, no,
ever, soon learned would take to Memphi
IN where he intended to make extensive purchas
n for the Nation lie was a young man, qui
companionable, and we got through the first q
i. ternoon's travel-twenty-fiye miles-very cor
p fortably. He brought with him box of exec
- lent cigars and a full supply Of tolerably goo
cognac, which latter, let the apostles of tempe
ance say what they may, is vast mproveme
,n 70 the ..sparkling Maters of the dancing brook