The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1898-01-20
SILENT
RECORDS
Or Gleanings From South
ern History.
BY Haskell H. DYER.

ing banners drift with the beckoning
GIBBS of the tides, until they reach the
shores of the South land laden with the
sweetest perfumes of the woodland
flowers plucked by the wild and roam
ing savage. With the drifting tides
came the scared veteran of many con-
quests-Ponc De Lon, who had been
thrilled by the report that westward
lay hidden an immortal fountain; and
they who sought this wonderful spot,
and plunged beneath its unruffled sur
face, lost their scars of war; their bodies
filed again with youthful vitality, How
calm and tranquil, it seems, the dawn
of thpt Sabbath morning must have
been when this prince landed on the
coast of the outstretching peninsula,
which in his fancy he christened the
Land of Flowers. Ponc De Leon
sought diligently for the object of his
landing, but never saw or heard the
ripples of that fountain as they slum-
bered in silence. He followed the paths
of the aborigines, thinking that their
ends would each reveal his treasure,
till his body was racked with age; but
could not find the imaginary fount. AT
last the death requiem of the poisoned
arrow sang peace to his troubled breast.
He died disappointed mortal, in seek
ing to satisfy his thirst for youthful
bushes. Westward still, Cortez and
Navarez were struggling to enter and
possess all the territory their men
might encounter. They did not stop
with Mexico, but came on to Southern
sell to gain treasures of gold.
The stately ships laden with their
cargoes, as they sailed upon the bosom
Of the great gulf, were often changed
in the course of their smooth sailing.
Some vast river must empty an enor-
nous volume into this sea, thought the
astonished navigatcrs. This theory
found its discovsrer. Soon De Soto
spies the gateway of the interior
America With his trusty band of fol-
lowers, they pushed forward in discov-
cries, passing through dense forests
unbroken, whence at last they found
themselves many miles from shores.
This did not vex or perplex the tried
master; his will was of stronger steel,
and his courage more intense. Like
Ponc De Leon died in the midst Of his
greatest hopes. To make sure of the
safety of their leaders body against the
prowling savage, his soldiers sank his
bSdy at midnight in the great river
(which he had discovered. Thus we find
that the South was the entrance pas
sage, through which the since diverged
races hecked. The arms of the hospit-
able Indians we're out-stretched well
coming the strange white men to open
.rade with them. They exchanged their
arts, though rudely carved from stone
and wood, for the more richly polished
gems held by their visitors. At this
period no villages were to be seen save
he Indian wigwams; no cultivation,
but that of the simplest mode practiced
by the lonely Indian.
Eventually, as the,forests were hewn
down, its timbers converted into the
beams which we're strongly fitted into
the frame of the log cabin, the small
clearings were put in crops of corn and
the rude necessities of life. Years in
their rapid flight revealed marvellous
advancements made by the Southern
pioneers. This class of the earlier
American citizen, faced far more many
dangerous confrontments than those
who dwelled near the landing of the
Pilgrims. 1t is true they did not have
to encounter such severe cold climate
but this is but trifle compared to the
disadvantages of the cavalier settlers
Luxury followed the royal subjecti
from Europe, when they crossed thu
region of Nepture, and settled in tht
New England territory. This prime
| blessing was denied the energetic
toilers of the South. The wilderness
surrounding the hGbitatioas of the bolt
settlers of the coast line, and interio
portion of the South, was teeming witt
every tribe of Indians upon the Ameri
can continent. These hostile savage
we're continually upon the war path
Their hideous cries of murder and de
struction echoed through the forests
until man and beast sought refuge ffor
their arrows and tomahawks. The SET
tiers we're forced to stand guard owe
home and family, while his small crop
J we're devoured by weed and fowls. N
opportunities of great advancement
presented themselves under such Gil
, cumstances. The constant appeals fc
men from the bands of settlers, did nc
mean luxury, but continual duty, an
the life of the soldier. With all Of thes
Iimpediments yet this great race strut
gled onward in pursuit of national a
tainments, till they reached the china
of primeyal honor. The land now COZ