The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1907-03-22

Adtu phiHs tHc WIltcE VI Wudt !
here set forth, started from MIN
La Motto, in what is now Madisol
County, Missouri, to 90 to NeV
Madrid, where | was interested il
a financial way in a large tract o
wild land, valuable for its timbe
and for agricultural purposes
From there / intended to 90 dow
the Mississippi to New Orleans
whore / expected to remain unit
the next summer.
| began my journey equipped
like most travellers of that day
with horse, gun, pistols, blankets,
saddle bags, and because | would
be compelled to depend upon my
rifle for the major portion of my
food supply, | carried with me a
very considerable stock of ammu-
milton.
Notwithstanding it was the lat
ter part of November when l be-
gan my journey. The first part of
it was pleasant, although the nights
were somewhat frosty. Game was
abundant, and l Jared sumptuously
upon turkey breast, wood pigeon,
squirrel, hare, wild duck and other
dainties with which the forests and
streams abounded. My course lay
through a primeval wilderness,
very few pioneers having at that
time come into the country.
Riding for days together without
human companionship made me
keenly observant of the wild crea-
lures that inhabited the solitudes
through which | rode. AS l drew
near the place of my destination
| noticed that the game appeared
to be moving as if by common con-
sent to the north west. There
seemed to be an exodus of it |
from the section that | was APP
preaching. This excited in my |
mind no more than a passing com
ment, for game often migrates
from one part of the forest to an
other for no apparent reason.
proceeded leisurely upon my way
until near the middle of December
without accident. On what | sup
posed would be my last night in
the forest, camped in little hol-
low among low hills near a spring,
The waters of which formed rivu-
let that gurgled away among the
,rees.
Expecting to have a long days
ride on the morrow, / tethered my
morse near me and after a hearty
supper unrolled my blankets and
.urned in rather early. About mid
night | was aroused by the uneasy
of the horse. 1t trem-
lied and snorted as if it were in
great fear. Thinking a panther
night be prowling in the neigh
| got up, replenished the
ire that had burned low and seated
myself on log, rifle in hand ready
or a shot if the CLINT of his eyes
howed in the freight. Happen
nc to cast my eyes toward the
pring, | discovered to my sur
rise that it had disappeared and
he rivulet had ceased to flow. I'm
and without further .
warming there arose from under
ny feet and all around Q mighty .
oar, as if the earth we're groan-
ng in agony. Giant trees, the !
,rowth of centuries, crashed down
rom the hills; the ground rolled ?
nd heaved under NJ 9 in great '
raves, splitting the earth's surface
nto yawning chasms hundreds of =
Get deep, from which black mud :
j warm as tepid water was thrown ?
nto the air as high as the tops Of
BIO tallest trees; u Pickering blu :
ID flame cast a CHASTITY light over :
ae landscape; the atmosphere was :
lied with dust and escaping gases. .
feared ! would be sutfocated. I
he end of the log on which | "
It rose high ia the air and sank :
ack. | was filled with a sicken- <
'g sensation of utter helplessness. :
great black gulf opened under
II 4. I /