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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/37925-8.txt b/37925-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..631a18e --- /dev/null +++ b/37925-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,5603 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of A Narrative of the Life of David Crockett, +of the State of Tennessee., by Davy Crockett + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: A Narrative of the Life of David Crockett, of the State of Tennessee. + +Author: Davy Crockett + +Release Date: November 5, 2011 [EBook #37925] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A NARRATIVE OF THE LIFE OF *** + + + + +Produced by Dianna Adair, allspice and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + + NARRATIVE + + OF THE + + LIFE OF DAVID CROCKETT, + OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE. + + + I leave this rule for others when I'm dead, + Be always sure you're right--THEN GO AHEAD! + + THE AUTHOR. + + + WRITTEN BY HIMSELF. + + SIXTH EDITION. + + PHILADELPHIA. + E. L. CAREY AND A. HART. + BALTIMORE: + CAREY, HART & CO. + + 1834. + + + Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1834, + BY DAVID CROCKETT, + In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Columbia. + + + STEREOTYPED BY L. JOHNSON, + PHILADELPHIA. + + + + +PREFACE. + + +Fashion is a thing I care mighty little about, except when it happens to +run just exactly according to my own notion; and I was mighty nigh +sending out my book without any preface at all, until a notion struck +me, that perhaps it was necessary to explain a little the reason why and +wherefore I had written it. + +Most of authors seek fame, but I seek for justice,--a holier impulse +than ever entered into the ambitious struggles of the votaries of that +_fickle_, _flirting_ goddess. + +A publication has been made to the world, which has done me much +injustice; and the catchpenny errors which it contains, have been +already too long sanctioned by my silence. I don't know the author of +the book--and indeed I don't want to know him; for after he has taken +such a liberty with my name, and made such an effort to hold me up to +publick ridicule, he cannot calculate on any thing but my displeasure. If +he had been content to have written his opinions about me, however +contemptuous they might have been, I should have had less reason to +complain. But when he professes to give my narrative (as he often does) +in my own language, and then puts into my mouth such language as would +disgrace even an outlandish African, he must himself be sensible of the +injustice he has done me, and the trick he has played off on the publick. +I have met with hundreds, if not with thousands of people, who have +formed their opinions of my appearance, habits, language, and every +thing else from that deceptive work. + +They have almost in every instance expressed the most profound +astonishment at finding me in human shape, and with the _countenance_, +_appearance_, and _common feelings_ of a human being. It is to correct +all these false notions, and to do justice to myself, that I have +written. + +It is certain that the writer of the book alluded to has gathered up +many imperfect scraps of information concerning me, as in parts of his +work there is some little semblance of truth. But I ask him, if this +notice should ever reach his eye, how would he have liked it, if I had +treated _him_ so?--if I had put together such a bundle of ridiculous +stuff, and headed it with _his_ name, and sent it out upon the world +without ever even condescending to ask _his_ permission? To these +questions, all upright men must give the same answer. It was wrong; and +the desire to make money by it, is no apology for such injustice to a +fellow man. + +But I let him pass; as my wish is greatly more to vindicate myself, than +to condemn him. + +In the following pages I have endeavoured to give the reader a plain, +honest, homespun account of my state in life, and some few of the +difficulties which have attended me along its journey, down to this +time. I am perfectly aware, that I have related many small and, as I +fear, uninteresting circumstances; but if so, my apology is, that it was +rendered necessary by a desire to link the different periods of my life +together, as they have passed, from my childhood onward, and thereby to +enable the reader to select such parts of it as he may relish most, if, +indeed, there is any thing in it which may suit his palate. + +I have also been operated on by another consideration. It is this:--I +know, that obscure as I am, my name is making a considerable deal of +fuss in the world. I can't tell why it is, nor in what it is to end. Go +where I will, everybody seems anxious to get a peep at me; and it would +be hard to tell which would have the advantage, if I, and the +"Government," and "Black Hawk," and a great eternal big caravan of _wild +varments_ were all to be showed at the same time in four different parts +of any of the big cities in the nation. I am not so sure that I +shouldn't get the most custom of any of the crew. There must therefore +be something in me, or about me, that attracts attention, which is even +mysterious to myself. I can't understand it, and I therefore put all the +facts down, leaving the reader free to take his choice of them. + +On the subject of my style, it is bad enough, in all conscience, to +please critics, if that is what they are after. They are a sort of +vermin, though, that I sha'n't even so much as stop to brush off. If +they want to work on my book, just let them go ahead; and after they are +done, they had better blot out all their criticisms, than to know what +opinion I would express of _them_, and by what sort of a curious name I +would call _them_, if I was standing near them, and looking over their +shoulders. They will, at most, have only their trouble for their pay. +But I rather expect I shall have them on my side. + +But I don't know of any thing in my book to be criticised on by +honourable men. Is it on my spelling?--that's not my trade. Is it on my +grammar?--I hadn't time to learn it, and make no pretensions to it. Is +it on the order and arrangement of my book?--I never wrote one before, +and never read very many; and, of course, know mighty little about that. +Will it be on the authorship of the book?--this I claim, and I'll hang +on to it, like a wax plaster. The whole book is my own, and every +sentiment and sentence in it. I would not be such a fool, or knave +either, as to deny that I have had it hastily run over by a friend or +so, and that some little alterations have been made in the spelling and +grammar; and I am not so sure that it is not the worse of even that, for +I despise this way of spelling contrary to nature. And as for grammar, +it's pretty much a thing of nothing at last, after all the fuss that's +made about it. In some places, I wouldn't suffer either the spelling, or +grammar, or any thing else to be touch'd; and therefore it will be found +in my own way. + +But if any body complains that I have had it looked over, I can only +say to him, her, or them--as the case may be--that while critics were +learning grammar, and learning to spell, I, and "Doctor Jackson, L.L.D." +were fighting in the wars; and if our books, and messages, and +proclamations, and cabinet writings, and so forth, and so on, should +need a little looking over, and a little correcting of the spelling and +the grammar to make them fit for use, its just nobody's business. Big +men have more important matters to attend to than crossing their +_t_'s--, and dotting their _i_'s--, and such like small things. But the +"Government's" name is to the proclamation, and my name's to the book; +and if I didn't write the book, the "Government" didn't write the +proclamation, which no man _dares to deny_! + +But just read for yourself, and my ears for a heel tap, if before you +get through you don't say, with many a good-natured smile and hearty +laugh, "This is truly the very thing itself--the exact image of its +Author, + + DAVID CROCKETT." + + WASHINGTON CITY, + February 1st, 1834. + + + + + NARRATIVE + + OF THE + + LIFE OF DAVID CROCKETT. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + +As the public seem to feel some interest in the history of an individual +so humble as I am, and as that history can be so well known to no person +living as to myself, I have, after so long a time, and under many +pressing solicitations from my friends and acquaintances, at last +determined to put my own hand to it, and lay before the world a +narrative on which they may at least rely as being true. And seeking no +ornament or colouring for a plain, simple tale of truth, I throw aside +all hypocritical and fawning apologies, and, according to my own maxim, +just "_go ahead_." Where I am not known, I might, perhaps, gain some +little credit by having thrown around this volume some of the flowers of +learning; but where I am known, the vile cheatery would soon be +detected, and like the foolish jackdaw, that with a _borrowed_ tail +attempted to play the peacock, I should be justly robbed of my pilfered +ornaments, and sent forth to strut without a tail for the balance of my +time. I shall commence my book with what little I have learned of the +history of my father, as all _great men_ rest many, if not most, of +their hopes on their noble ancestry. Mine was poor, but I hope honest, +and even that is as much as many a man can say. But to my subject. + +My father's name was John Crockett, and he was of Irish descent. He was +either born in Ireland or on a passage from that country to America +across the Atlantic. He was by profession a farmer, and spent the early +part of his life in the state of Pennsylvania. The name of my mother was +Rebecca Hawkins. She was an American woman, born in the state of +Maryland, between York and Baltimore. It is likely I may have heard +where they were married, but if so, I have forgotten. It is, however, +certain that they were, or else the public would never have been +troubled with the history of David Crockett, their son. + +I have an imperfect recollection of the part which I have understood my +father took in the revolutionary war. I personally know nothing about +it, for it happened to be a little before my day; but from himself, and +many others who were well acquainted with its troubles and afflictions, +I have learned that he was a soldier in the revolutionary war, and took +part in that bloody struggle. He fought, according to my information, in +the battle at Kings Mountain against the British and tories, and in some +other engagements of which my remembrance is too imperfect to enable me +to speak with any certainty. At some time, though I cannot say certainly +when, my father, as I have understood, lived in Lincoln county, in the +state of North Carolina. How long, I don't know. But when he removed +from there, he settled in that district of country which is now embraced +in the east division of Tennessee, though it was not then erected into a +state. + +He settled there under dangerous circumstances, both to himself and his +family, as the country was full of Indians, who were at that time very +troublesome. By the Creeks, my grandfather and grandmother Crockett were +both murdered, in their own house, and on the very spot of ground where +Rogersville, in Hawkins county, now stands. At the same time, the +Indians wounded Joseph Crockett, a brother to my father, by a ball, +which broke his arm; and took James a prisoner, who was still a younger +brother than Joseph, and who, from natural defects, was less able to +make his escape, as he was both deaf and dumb. He remained with them for +seventeen years and nine months, when he was discovered and recollected +by my father and his eldest brother, William Crockett; and was purchased +by them from an Indian trader, at a price which I do not now remember; +but so it was, that he was delivered up to them, and they returned him +to his relatives. He now lives in Cumberland county, in the state of +Kentucky, though I have not seen him for many years. + +My father and mother had six sons and three daughters. I was the fifth +son. What a pity I hadn't been the seventh! For then I might have been, +by _common consent_, called _doctor_, as a heap of people get to be +great men. But, like many of them, I stood no chance to become great in +any other way than by accident. As my father was very poor, and living +as he did _far back in the back woods_, he had neither the means nor the +opportunity to give me, or any of the rest of his children, any +learning. + +But before I get on the subject of my own troubles, and a great many +very funny things that have happened to me, like all other historians +and biographers, I should not only inform the public that I was born, +myself, as well as other folks, but that this important event took +place, according to the best information I have received on the subject, +on the 17th of August, in the year 1786; whether by day or night, I +believe I never heard, but if I did I, have forgotten. I suppose, +however, it is not very material to my present purpose, nor to the +world, as the more important fact is well attested, that I was born; +and, indeed, it might be inferred, from my present size and appearance, +that I was pretty _well born_, though I have never yet attached myself +to that numerous and worthy society. + +At that time my father lived at the mouth of Lime Stone, on the +Nola-chucky river; and for the purpose not only of showing what sort of +a man I now am, but also to show how soon I began to be a _sort of a +little man_, I have endeavoured to take the _back track_ of life, in +order to fix on the first thing that I can remember. But even then, as +now, so many things were happening, that as Major Jack Downing would +say, they are all in "a pretty considerable of a snarl," and I find it +"kinder hard" to fix on that thing, among them all, which really +happened first. But I think it likely, I have hit on the outside line +of my recollection; as one thing happened at which I was so badly +scared, that it seems to me I could not have forgotten it, if it had +happened a little time only after I was born. Therefore it furnishes me +with no certain evidence of my age at the time; but I know one thing +very well, and that is, that when it happened, I had no knowledge of the +use of breeches, for I had never had any nor worn any. + +But the circumstance was this: My four elder brothers, and a well-grown +boy of about fifteen years old, by the name of Campbell, and myself, +were all playing on the river's side; when all the rest of them got into +my father's canoe, and put out to amuse themselves on the water, leaving +me on the shore alone. + +Just a little distance below them, there was a fall in the river, which +went slap-right straight down. My brothers, though they were little +fellows, had been used to paddling the canoe, and could have carried it +safely anywhere about there; but this fellow Campbell wouldn't let them +have the paddle, but, fool like, undertook to manage it himself. I +reckon he had never seen a water craft before; and it went just any way +but the way he wanted it. There he paddled, and paddled, and +paddled--all the while going wrong,--until,--in a short time, here they +were all going, straight forward, stern foremost, right plump to the +falls; and if they had only had a fair shake, they would have gone over +as slick as a whistle. It was'ent this, though, that scared me; for I +was so infernal mad that they had left me on the shore, that I had as +soon have seen them all go over the falls a bit, as any other way. But +their danger was seen by a man by the name of Kendall, but I'll be shot +if it was Amos; for I believe I would know him yet if I was to see him. +This man Kendall was working in a field on the bank, and knowing there +was no time to lose, he started full tilt, and here he come like a cane +brake afire; and as he ran, he threw off his coat, and then his jacket, +and then his shirt, for I know when he got to the water he had nothing +on but his breeches. But seeing him in such a hurry, and tearing off his +clothes as he went, I had no doubt but that the devil or something else +was after him--and close on him, too--as he was running within an inch +of his life. This alarmed me, and I screamed out like a young painter. +But Kendall didn't stop for this. He went ahead with all might, and as +full bent on saving the boys, as Amos was on moving the deposites. When +he came to the water he plunged in, and where it was too deep to wade +he would swim, and where it was shallow enough he went bolting on; and +by such exertion as I never saw at any other time in my life, he reached +the canoe, when it was within twenty or thirty feet of the falls; and so +great was the suck, and so swift the current, that poor Kendall had a +hard time of it to stop them at last, as Amos will to stop the mouths of +the people about his stockjobbing. But he hung on to the canoe, till he +got it stop'd, and then draw'd it out of danger. When they got out, I +found the boys were more scared than I had been, and the only thing that +comforted me was, the belief that it was a punishment on them for +leaving me on shore. + +Shortly after this, my father removed, and settled in the same county, +about ten miles above Greenville. + +There another circumstance happened, which made a lasting impression on +my memory, though I was but a small child. Joseph Hawkins, who was a +brother to my mother, was in the woods hunting for deer. He was passing +near a thicket of brush, in which one of our neighbours was gathering +some grapes, as it was in the fall of the year, and the grape season. +The body of the man was hid by the brush, and it was only as he would +raise his hand to pull the bunches, that any part of him could be seen. +It was a likely place for deer; and my uncle, having no suspicion that +it was any human being, but supposing the raising of the hand to be the +occasional twitch of a deer's ear, fired at the lump, and as the devil +would have it, unfortunately shot the man through the body. I saw my +father draw a silk handkerchief through the bullet hole, and entirely +through his body; yet after a while he got well, as little as any one +would have thought it. What become of him, or whether he is dead or +alive, I don't know; but I reckon he did'ent fancy the business of +gathering grapes in an out-of-the-way thicket soon again. + +The next move my father made was to the mouth of Cove creek, where he +and a man by the name of Thomas Galbreath undertook to build a mill in +partnership. They went on very well with their work until it was nigh +done, when there came the second epistle to Noah's fresh, and away went +their mill, shot, lock, and barrel. I remember the water rose so high, +that it got up into the house we lived in, and my father moved us out of +it, to keep us from being drowned. I was now about seven or eight years +old, and have a pretty distinct recollection of every thing that was +going on. From his bad luck in that business, and being ready to wash +out from mill building, my father again removed, and this time settled +in Jefferson county, now in the state of Tennessee; where he opened a +tavern on the road from Abbingdon to Knoxville. + +His tavern was on a small scale, as he was poor; and the principal +accommodations which he kept, were for the waggoners who travelled the +road. Here I remained with him until I was twelve years old; and about +that time, you may guess, if you belong to Yankee land, or reckon, if +like me you belong to the back-woods, that I began to make up my +acquaintance with hard times, and a plenty of them. + +An old Dutchman, by the name of Jacob Siler, who was moving from Knox +county to Rockbridge, in the state of Virginia, in passing, made a stop +at my father's house. He had a large stock of cattle, that he was +carrying on with him; and I suppose made some proposition to my father +to hire some one to assist him. + +Being hard run every way, and having no thought, as I believe, that I +was cut out for a Congressman or the like, young as I was, and as little +as I knew about travelling, or being from home, he hired me to the old +Dutchman, to go four hundred miles on foot, with a perfect stranger that +I never had seen until the evening before. I set out with a heavy heart, +it is true, but I went ahead, until we arrived at the place, which was +three miles from what is called the Natural Bridge, and made a stop at +the house of a Mr. Hartley, who was father-in-law to Mr. Siler, who had +hired me. My Dutch master was very kind to me, and gave me five or six +dollars, being pleased, as he said, with my services. + +This, however, I think was a bait for me, as he persuaded me to stay +with him, and not return any more to my father. I had been taught so +many lessons of obedience by my father, that I at first supposed I was +bound to obey this man, or at least I was afraid openly to disobey him; +and I therefore staid with him, and tried to put on a look of perfect +contentment until I got the family all to believe I was fully satisfied. +I had been there about four or five weeks, when one day myself and two +other boys were playing on the road-side, some distance from the house. +There came along three waggons. One belonged to an old man by the name +of Dunn, and the others to two of his sons. They had each of them a good +team, and were all bound for Knoxville. They had been in the habit of +stopping at my father's as they passed the road, and I knew them. I made +myself known to the old gentleman, and informed him of my situation; I +expressed a wish to get back to my father and mother, if they could fix +any plan for me to do so. They told me that they would stay that night +at a tavern seven miles from there, and that if I could get to them +before day the next morning, they would take me home; and if I was +pursued, they would protect me. This was a Sunday evening; I went back +to the good old Dutchman's house, and as good fortune would have it, he +and the family were out on a visit. I gathered my clothes, and what +little money I had, and put them all together under the head of my bed. +I went to bed early that night, but sleep seemed to be a stranger to me. +For though I was a wild boy, yet I dearly loved my father and mother, +and their images appeared to be so deeply fixed in my mind, that I could +not sleep for thinking of them. And then the fear that when I should +attempt to go out, I should be discovered and called to a halt, filled +me with anxiety; and between my childish love of home, on the one hand, +and the fears of which I have spoken, on the other, I felt mighty queer. + +But so it was, about three hours before day in the morning I got up to +make my start. When I got out, I found it was snowing fast, and that the +snow was then on the ground about eight inches deep. I had not even the +advantage of moonlight, and the whole sky was hid by the falling snow, +so that I had to guess at my way to the big road, which was about a half +mile from the house. I however pushed ahead and soon got to it, and then +pursued it, in the direction to the waggons. + +I could not have pursued the road if I had not guided myself by the +opening it made between the timber, as the snow was too deep to leave +any part of it to be known by either seeing or feeling. + +Before I overtook the waggons, the earth was covered about as deep as my +knees; and my tracks filled so briskly after me, that by daylight, my +Dutch master could have seen no trace which I left. + +I got to the place about an hour before day. I found the waggoners +already stirring, and engaged in feeding and preparing their horses for +a start. Mr. Dunn took me in and treated me with great kindness. My +heart was more deeply impressed by meeting with such a friend, and "at +such a time," than by wading the snow-storm by night, or all the other +sufferings which my mind had endured. I warmed myself by the fire, for I +was very cold, and after an early breakfast, we set out on our journey. +The thoughts of home now began to take the entire possession of my mind, +and I almost numbered the sluggish turns of the wheels, and much more +certainly the miles of our travel, which appeared to me to count mighty +slow. I continued with my kind protectors, until we got to the house of +a Mr. John Cole, on Roanoke, when my impatience became so great, that I +determined to set out on foot and go ahead by myself, as I could travel +twice as fast in that way as the waggons could. + +Mr. Dunn seemed very sorry to part with me, and used many arguments to +prevent me from leaving him. But home, poor as it was, again rushed on +my memory, and it seemed ten times as dear to me as it ever had before. +The reason was, that my parents were there, and all that I had been +accustomed to in the hours of childhood and infancy was there; and there +my anxious little heart panted also to be. We remained at Mr. Coles that +night, and early in the morning I felt that I couldn't stay; so, taking +leave of my friends the waggoners, I went forward on foot, until I was +fortunately overtaken by a gentleman, who was returning from market, to +which he had been with a drove of horses. He had a led horse, with a +bridle and saddle on him, and he kindly offered to let me get on his +horse and ride him. I did so, and was glad of the chance, for I was +tired, and was, moreover, near the first crossing of Roanoke, which I +would have been compelled to wade, cold as the water was, if I had not +fortunately met this good man. I travelled with him in this way, without +any thing turning up worth recording, until we got within fifteen miles +of my father's house. There we parted, and he went on to Kentucky and I +trudged on homeward, which place I reached that evening. The name of +this kind gentleman I have entirely forgotten, and I am sorry for it; +for it deserves a high place in my little book. A remembrance of his +kindness to a little straggling boy, and a stranger to him, has however +a resting place in my heart, and there it will remain as long as I +live. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + +Having gotten home, as I have just related, I remained with my father +until the next fall, at which time he took it into his head to send me +to a little country school, which was kept in the neighbourhood by a man +whose name was Benjamin Kitchen; though I believe he was no way +connected with the cabinet. I went four days, and had just began to +learn my letters a little, when I had an unfortunate falling out with +one of the scholars,--a boy much larger and older than myself. I knew +well enough that though the school-house might do for a still hunt, it +wouldn't do for _a drive_, and so I concluded to wait until I could get +him out, and then I was determined to give him salt and vinegar. I +waited till in the evening, and when the larger scholars were spelling, +I slip'd out, and going some distance along his road, I lay by the +way-side in the bushes, waiting for him to come along. After a while he +and his company came on sure enough, and I pitched out from the bushes +and set on him like a wild cat. I scratched his face all to a flitter +jig, and soon made him cry out for quarters in good earnest. The fight +being over, I went on home, and the next morning was started again to +school; but do you think I went? No, indeed. I was very clear of it; for +I expected the master would lick me up, as bad as I had the boy. So, +instead of going to the school-house, I laid out in the woods all day +until in the evening the scholars were dismissed, and my brothers, who +were also going to school, came along, returning home. I wanted to +conceal this whole business from my father, and I therefore persuaded +them not to tell on me, which they agreed to. + +Things went on in this way for several days; I starting with them to +school in the morning, and returning with them in the evening, but lying +out in the woods all day. At last, however, the master wrote a note to +my father, inquiring why I was not sent to school. When he read this +note, he called me up, and I knew very well that I was in a devil of a +hobble, for my father had been taking a few _horns_, and was in a good +condition to make the fur fly. He called on me to know why I had not +been at school? I told him I was afraid to go, and that the master +would whip me; for I knew quite well if I was turned over to this old +Kitchen, I should be cooked up to a cracklin, in little or no time. But +I soon found that I was not to expect a much better fate at home; for my +father told me, in a very angry manner, that he would whip me an eternal +sight worse than the master, if I didn't start immediately to the +school. I tried again to beg off; but nothing would do, but to go to the +school. Finding me rather too slow about starting, he gathered about a +two year old hickory, and broke after me. I put out with all my might, +and soon we were both up to the top of our speed. We had a tolerable +tough race for about a mile; but mind me, not on the school-house road, +for I was trying to get as far the t'other way as possible. And I yet +believe, if my father and the schoolmaster could both have levied on me +about that time, I should never have been called on to sit in the +councils of the nation, for I think they would have used me up. But +fortunately for me, about this time, I saw just before me a hill, over +which I made headway, like a young steamboat. As soon as I had passed +over it, I turned to one side, and hid myself in the bushes. Here I +waited until the old gentleman passed by, puffing and blowing, as tho' +his steam was high enough to burst his boilers. I waited until he gave +up the hunt, and passed back again: I then cut out, and went to the +house of an acquaintance a few miles off, who was just about to start +with a drove. His name was Jesse Cheek, and I hired myself to go with +him, determining not to return home, as home and the school-house had +both become too hot for me. I had an elder brother, who also hired to go +with the same drove. We set out and went on through Abbingdon, and the +county seat of Withe county, in the state of Virginia; and then through +Lynchburgh, by Orange court-house, and Charlottesville, passing through +what was called Chester Gap, on to a town called Front Royal, where my +employer sold out his drove to a man by the name of Vanmetre; and I was +started homeward again, in company with a brother of the first owner of +the drove, with one horse between us; having left my brother to come on +with the balance of the company. + +I traveled on with my new comrade about three days' journey; but much to +his discredit, as I then thought, and still think, he took care all the +time to ride, but never to tie; at last I told him to go ahead, and I +would come when I got ready. He gave me four dollars to bear my expenses +upwards of four hundred miles, and then cut out and left me. + +I purchased some provisions, and went on slowly, until at length I fell +in with a waggoner, with whom I was disposed to scrape up a hasty +acquaintance. I inquired where he lived, and where he was going, and all +about his affairs. He informed me that he lived in Greenville, +Tennessee, and was on his way to a place called Gerardstown, fifteen +miles below Winchester. He also said, that after he should make his +journey to that place, he would immediately return to Tennessee. His +name was Adam Myers, and a jolly good fellow he seemed to be. On a +little reflection, I determined to turn back and go with him, which I +did; and we journeyed on slowly as waggons commonly do, but merrily +enough. I often thought of home, and, indeed, wished bad enough to be +there; but, when I thought of the school-house, and Kitchen, my master, +and the race with my father, and the big hickory he carried, and of the +fierceness of the storm of wrath that I had left him in, I was afraid to +venture back; for I knew my father's nature so well, that I was certain +his anger would hang on to him like a turkle does to a fisherman's toe, +and that, if I went back in a hurry, he would give me the devil in three +or four ways But I and the waggoner had traveled two days, when we met +my brother, who, I before stated, I had left behind when the drove was +sold out. He persuaded me to go home, but I refused. He pressed me hard, +and brought up a great many mighty strong arguments to induce me to turn +back again. He pictured the pleasure of meeting my mother, and my +sisters, who all loved me dearly, and told me what uneasiness they had +already suffered about me. I could not help shedding tears, which I did +not often do, and my affections all pointed back to those dearest +friends, and as I thought, nearly the only ones I had in the world; but +then the promised whipping--that was the thing. It came right slap down +on every thought of home; and I finally determined that make or break, +hit or miss, I would just hang on to my journey, and go ahead with the +waggoner. My brother was much grieved at our parting, but he went his +way, and so did I. We went on until at last we got to Gerardstown, where +the waggoner tried to get a back load, but he could not without going to +Alexandria. He engaged to go there, and I concluded that I would wait +until he returned. I set in to work for a man by the name of John Gray, +at twenty-five cents per day. My labour, however, was light, such as +ploughing in some small grain, in which I succeeded in pleasing the old +man very well. I continued working for him until the waggoner got back, +and for a good long time afterwards, as he continued to run his team +back and forward, hauling to and from Baltimore. In the next spring, +from the proceeds of my daily labour, small as it was, I was able to get +me some decent clothes, and concluded I would make a trip with the +waggoner to Baltimore, and see what sort of a place that was, and what +sort of folks lived there. I gave him the balance of what money I had +for safe keeping, which, as well as I recollect, was about seven +dollars. We got on well enough until we came near Ellicott's Mills. Our +load consisted of flour, in barrels. Here I got into the waggon for the +purpose of changing my clothing, not thinking that I was in any danger; +but while I was in there we were met by some wheel-barrow men, who were +working on the road, and the horses took a scare and away they went, +like they had seen a ghost. They made a sudden wheel around, and broke +the waggon tongue slap, short off, as a pipe-stem; and snap went both of +the axletrees at the same time, and of all devlish flouncing about of +flour barrels that ever was seen, I reckon this took the beat. Even _a +rat_ would have stood a bad chance in a _straight_ race among them, and +not much better in a crooked one; for he would have been in a good way +to be ground up as fine as ginger by their rolling over him. But this +proved to me, that if a fellow is born to be hung, he will never be +drowned; and, further, that if he is born for a seat in Congress, even +flour barrels can't make a mash of him. All these dangers I escaped +unhurt, though, like most of the office-holders of these times, for a +while I was afraid to say my soul was my own; for I didn't know how soon +I should be knocked into a cocked hat, and get my walking papers for +another country. + +We put our load into another waggon, and hauled ours to a workman's shop +in Baltimore, having delivered the flour, and there we intended to +remain two or three days, which time was necessary to repair the runaway +waggon. While I was there, I went, one day, down to the wharf, and was +much delighted to see the big ships, and their sails all flying; for I +had never seen any such things before, and, indeed, I didn't believe +there were any such things in all nature. After a short time my +curiosity induced me to step aboard of one, where I was met by the +captain, who asked me if I didn't wish to take a voyage to London? I +told him I did, for by this time I had become pretty well weaned from +home, and I cared but little where I was, or where I went, or what +become of me. He said he wanted just such a boy as I was, which I was +glad to hear. I told him I would go and get my clothes, and go with him. +He enquired about my parents, where they lived, and all about them. I +let him know that they lived in Tennessee, many hundred miles off. We +soon agreed about my intended voyage, and I went back to my friend, the +waggoner, and informed him that I was going to London, and wanted my +money and my clothes. He refused to let me have either, and swore that +he would confine me, and take me back to Tennessee. I took it to heart +very much, but he kept so close and constant a watch over me, that I +found it impossible to escape from him, until he had started homeward, +and made several days' journey on the road. He was, during this time, +very ill to me, and threatened me with his waggon whip on several +occasions. At length I resolved to leave him at all hazards; and so, +before day, one morning, I got my clothes out of his waggon, and cut +out, on foot, without a farthing of money to bear my expenses. For all +other friends having failed, I determined then to throw myself on +Providence, and see how that would use me. I had gone, however, only a +few miles when I came up with another waggoner, and such was my +situation, that I felt more than ever the necessity of endeavouring to +find a friend. I therefore concluded I would seek for one in him. He was +going westwardly, and very kindly enquired of me where I was travelling? +My youthful resolution, which had brooked almost every thing else, +rather gave way at this enquiry; for it brought the loneliness of my +situation, and every thing else that was calculated to oppress me, +directly to view. My first answer to his question was in a sprinkle of +tears, for if the world had been given to me, I could not, at that +moment, have helped crying. As soon as the storm of feeling was over, I +told him how I had been treated by the waggoner but a little before, who +kept what little money I had, and left me without a copper to buy even a +morsel of food. + +He became exceedingly angry, and swore that he would make the other +waggoner give up my money, pronouncing him a scoundrel, and many other +hard names. I told him I was afraid to see him, for he had threatened me +with his waggon whip, and I believed he would injure me. But my new +friend was a very large, stout-looking man, and as resolute as a tiger. +He bid me not to be afraid, still swearing he would have my money, or +whip it out of the wretch who had it. + +We turned and went back about two miles, when we reached the place where +he was. I went reluctantly; but I depended on my friend for protection. +When we got there, I had but little to say; but approaching the +waggoner, my friend said to him, "You damn'd rascal, you have treated +this boy badly." To which he replied, it was my fault. He was then +asked, if he did not get seven dollars of my money, which he confessed. +It was then demanded of him; but he declared most solemnly, that he had +not that amount in the world; that he had spent my money, and intended +paying it back to me when we got to Tennessee. I then felt reconciled, +and persuaded my friend to let him alone, and we returned to his waggon, +geared up, and started. His name I shall never forget while my memory +lasts; it was Henry Myers. He lived in Pennsylvania, and I found him +what he professed to be, a faithful friend and a clever fellow. + +We traveled together for several days, but at length I concluded to +endeavour to make my way homeward; and for that purpose set out again on +foot, and alone. But one thing I must not omit. The last night I staid +with Mr. Myers, was at a place where several other waggoners also +staid. He told them, before we parted, that I was a poor little +straggling boy, and how I had been treated; and that I was without +money, though I had a long journey before me, through a land of +strangers, where it was not even a wilderness. + +They were good enough to contribute a sort of money-purse, and presented +me with three dollars. On this amount I travelled as far as Montgomery +court-house, in the state of Virginia, where it gave out. I set in to +work for a man by the name of James Caldwell, a month, for five dollars, +which was about a shilling a day. When this time was out, I bound myself +to a man by the name of Elijah Griffith, by trade a hatter, agreeing to +work for him four years. I remained with him about eighteen months, when +he found himself so involved in debt, that he broke up, and left the +country. For this time I had received nothing, and was, of course, left +without money, and with but very few clothes, and them very indifferent +ones. I, however, set in again, and worked about as I could catch +employment, until I got a little money, and some clothing; and once more +cut out for home. When I reached New River, at the mouth of a small +stream, called Little River, the white caps were flying so, that I +couldn't get any body to attempt to put me across. I argued the case as +well as I could, but they told me there was great danger of being +capsized, and drowned, if I attempted to cross. I told them if I could +get a canoe I would venture, caps or no caps. They tried to persuade me +out of it; but finding they could not, they agreed I might take a canoe, +and so I did, and put off. I tied my clothes to the rope of the canoe, +to have them safe, whatever might happen. But I found it a mighty +ticklish business, I tell you. When I got out fairly on the river, I +would have given the world, if it had belonged to me, to have been back +on shore. But there was no time to lose now, so I just determined to do +the best I could, and the devil take the hindmost. I turned the canoe +across the waves, to do which, I had to turn it nearly up the river, as +the wind came from that way; and I went about two miles before I could +land. When I struck land, my canoe was about half full of water, and I +was as wet as a drowned rat. But I was so much rejoiced, that I scarcely +felt the cold, though my clothes were frozen on me; and in this +situation, I had to go above three miles, before I could find any house, +or fire to warm at. I, however, made out to get to one at last, and then +I thought I would warm the inside a little, as well as the outside, +that there might be no grumbling. + +So I took "a leetle of the creater,"--that warmer of the cold, and +cooler of the hot,--and it made me feel so good that I concluded it was +like the negro's rabbit, "good any way." I passed on until I arrived in +Sullivan county, in the state of Tennessee, and there I met with my +brother, who had gone with me when I started from home with the cattle +drove. + +I staid with him a few weeks, and then went on to my father's, which +place I reached late in the evening. Several waggons were there for the +night, and considerable company about the house. I enquired if I could +stay all night, for I did not intend to make myself known, until I saw +whether any of the family would find me out. I was told that I could +stay, and went in, but had mighty little to say to any body. I had been +gone so long, and had grown so much, that the family did not at first +know me. And another, and perhaps a stronger reason was, they had no +thought or expectation of me, for they all had long given me up for +finally lost. + +After a while, we were all called to supper. I went with the rest. We +had sat down to the table and begun to eat, when my eldest sister +recollected me: she sprung up, ran and seized me around the neck, and +exclaimed, "Here is my lost brother." + +My feelings at this time it would be vain and foolish for me to attempt +to describe. I had often thought I felt before, and I suppose I had, but +sure I am, I never had felt as I then did. The joy of my sisters and my +mother, and, indeed, of all the family, was such that it humbled me, and +made me sorry that I hadn't submitted to a hundred whippings, sooner +than cause so much affliction as they had suffered on my account. I +found the family had never heard a word of me from the time my brother +left me. I was now almost _fifteen_ years old; and my increased age and +size, together with the joy of my father, occasioned by my unexpected +return, I was sure would secure me against my long dreaded whipping; and +so they did. But it will be a source of astonishment to many, who +reflect that I am now a member of the American Congress,--the most +enlightened body of men in the world,--that at so advanced an age, the +age of fifteen, I did not know the first letter in the book. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + +I had remained for some short time at home with my father, when he +informed me that he owed a man, whose name was Abraham Wilson, the sum +of thirty-six dollars, and that if I would set in and work out the note, +so as to lift it for him, he would discharge me from his service, and I +might go free. I agreed to do this, and went immediately to the man who +held my father's note, and contracted with him to work six months for +it. I set in, and worked with all my might, not losing a single day in +the six months. When my time was out, I got my father's note, and then +declined working with the man any longer, though he wanted to hire me +mighty bad. The reason was, it was a place where a heap of bad company +met to drink and gamble, and I wanted to get away from them, for I +know'd very well if I staid there, I should get a bad name, as nobody +could be respectable that would live there. I therefore returned to my +father, and gave him up his paper, which seemed to please him mightily, +for though he was poor, he was an honest man, and always tried mighty +hard to pay off his debts. + +I next went to the house of an honest old Quaker, by the name of John +Kennedy, who had removed from North Carolina, and proposed to hire +myself to him, at two shillings a day. He agreed to take me a week on +trial; at the end of which he appeared pleased with my work, and +informed me that he held a note on my father for forty dollars, and that +he would give me that note if I would work for him six months. I was +certain enough that I should never get any part of the note; but then I +remembered it was my father that owed it, and I concluded it was my duty +as a child to help him along, and ease his lot as much as I could. I +told the Quaker I would take him up at his offer, and immediately went +to work. I never visited my father's house during the whole time of this +engagement, though he lived only fifteen miles off. But when it was +finished, and I had got the note, I borrowed one of my employer's +horses, and, on a Sunday evening, went to pay my parents a visit. Some +time after I got there, I pulled out the note and handed it to my +father, who supposed Mr. Kennedy had sent it for collection. The old man +looked mighty sorry, and said to me he had not the money to pay it, and +didn't know what he should do. I then told him I had paid it for him, +and it was then his own; that it was not presented for collection, but +as a present from me. At this, he shed a heap of tears; and as soon as +he got a little over it, he said he was sorry he couldn't give me any +thing, but he was not able, he was too poor. + +The next day, I went back to my old friend, the Quaker, and set in to +work for him for some clothes; for I had now worked a year without +getting any money at all, and my clothes were nearly all worn out, and +what few I had left were mighty indifferent. I worked in this way for +about two months; and in that time a young woman from North Carolina, +who was the Quaker's niece, came on a visit to his house. And now I am +just getting on a part of my history that I know I never can forget. For +though I have heard people talk about hard loving, yet I reckon no poor +devil in this world was ever cursed with such hard love as mine has +always been, when it came on me. I soon found myself head over heels in +love with this girl, whose name the public could make no use of; and I +thought that if all the hills about there were pure chink, and all +belonged to me, I would give them if I could just talk to her as I +wanted to; but I was afraid to begin, for when I would think of saying +any thing to her, my heart would begin to flutter like a duck in a +puddle; and if I tried to outdo it and speak, it would get right smack +up in my throat, and choak me like a cold potatoe. It bore on my mind in +this way, till at last I concluded I must die if I didn't broach the +subject; and so I determined to begin and hang on a trying to speak, +till my heart would get out of my throat one way or t'other. And so one +day at it I went, and after several trials I could say a little. I told +her how well I loved her; that she was the darling object of my soul and +body; and I must have her, or else I should pine down to nothing, and +just die away with the consumption. + +I found my talk was not disagreeable to her; but she was an honest girl, +and didn't want to deceive nobody. She told me she was engaged to her +cousin, a son of the old Quaker. This news was worse to me than war, +pestilence, or famine; but still I knowed I could not help myself. I saw +quick enough my cake was dough, and I tried to cool off as fast as +possible; but I had hardly safety pipes enough, as my love was so hot +as mighty nigh to burst my boilers. But I didn't press my claims any +more, seeing there was no chance to do any thing. + +I began now to think, that all my misfortunes growed out of my want of +learning. I had never been to school but four days, as the reader has +already seen, and did not yet know a letter. + +I thought I would try to go to school some; and as the Quaker had a +married son, who was living about a mile and a half from him, and +keeping a school, I proposed to him that I would go to school four days +in the week, and work for him the other two, to pay my board and +schooling. He agreed I might come on those terms; and so at it I went, +learning and working back and forwards, until I had been with him nigh +on to six months. In this time I learned to read a little in my primer, +to write my own name, and to cypher some in the three first rules in +figures. And this was all the schooling I ever had in my life, up to +this day. I should have continued longer, if it hadn't been that I +concluded I couldn't do any longer without a wife; and so I cut out to +hunt me one. + +I found a family of very pretty little girls that I had known when very +young. They had lived in the same neighborhood with me, and I had +thought very well of them. I made an offer to one of them, whose name +is nobody's business, no more than the Quaker girl's was, and I found +she took it very well. I still continued paying my respects to her, +until I got to love her as bad as I had the Quaker's niece; and I would +have agreed to fight a whole regiment of wild cats if she would only +have said she would have me. Several months passed in this way, during +all of which time she continued very kind and friendly. At last, the son +of the old Quaker and my first girl had concluded to bring their matter +to a close, and my little queen and myself were called on to wait on +them. We went on the day, and performed our duty as attendants. This +made me worse than ever; and after it was over, I pressed my claim very +hard on her, but she would still give me a sort of an evasive answer. +However, I gave her mighty little peace, till she told me at last she +would have me. I thought this was glorification enough, even without +spectacles. I was then about eighteen years old. We fixed the time to be +married; and I thought if that day come, I should be the happiest man in +the created world, or in the moon, or any where else. + +I had by this time got to be mighty fond of the rifle, and had bought a +capital one. I most generally carried her with me whereever I went, and +though I had got back to the old Quaker's to live, who was a very +particular man, I would sometimes slip out and attend the shooting +matches, where they shot for beef; I always tried, though, to keep it a +secret from him. He had at the same time a bound boy living with him, +who I had gotten into almost as great a notion of the girls as myself. +He was about my own age, and was deeply smitten with the sister to my +intended wife. I know'd it was in vain to try to get the leave of the +old man for my young associate to go with me on any of my courting +frolics; but I thought I could fix a plan to have him along, which would +not injure the Quaker, as we had no notion that he should ever know it. +We commonly slept up-stairs, and at the gable end of the house there was +a window. So one Sunday, when the old man and his family were all gone +to meeting, we went out and cut a long pole, and, taking it to the +house, we set it up on end in the corner, reaching up the chimney as +high as the window. After this we would go up-stairs to bed, and then +putting on our Sunday clothes, would go out at the window, and climb +down the pole, take a horse apiece, and ride about ten miles to where +his sweetheart lived, and the girl I claimed as my wife. I was always +mighty careful to be back before day, so as to escape being found out; +and in this way I continued my attentions very closely until a few days +before I was to be married, or at least thought I was, for I had no fear +that any thing was about to go wrong. + +Just now I heard of a shooting-match in the neighbourhood, right between +where I lived and my girl's house; and I determined to kill two birds +with one stone,--to go to the shooting match first, and then to see her. +I therefore made the Quaker believe I was going to hunt for deer, as +they were pretty plenty about in those parts; but, instead of hunting +them, I went straight on to the shooting-match, where I joined in with a +partner, and we put in several shots for the beef. I was mighty lucky, +and when the match was over I had won the whole beef. This was on a +Saturday, and my success had put me in the finest humour in the world. +So I sold my part of the beef for five dollars in the real grit, for I +believe that was before bank-notes was invented; at least, I had never +heard of any. I now started on to ask for my wife; for, though the next +Thursday was our wedding day, I had never said a word to her parents +about it. I had always dreaded the undertaking so bad, that I had put +the evil hour off as long as possible; and, indeed, I calculated they +knowed me so well, they wouldn't raise any objection to having me for +their son-in-law. I had a great deal better opinion of myself, I found, +than other people had of me; but I moved on with a light heart, and my +five dollars jingling in my pocket, thinking all the time there was but +few greater men in the world than myself. + +In this flow of good humour I went ahead, till I got within about two +miles of the place, when I concluded I would stop awhile at the house of +the girl's uncle; where I might enquire about the family, and so forth, +and so on. I was indeed just about ready to consider her uncle, my +uncle; and her affairs, my affairs. When I went in, tho', I found her +sister there. I asked how all was at home? In a minute I found from her +countenance something was wrong. She looked mortified, and didn't answer +as quick as I thought she ought, being it was her _brother-in-law_ +talking to her. However, I asked her again. She then burst into tears, +and told me her sister was going to deceive me; and that she was to be +married to another man the next day. This was as sudden to me as a clap +of thunder of a bright sunshiny day. It was the cap-stone of all the +afflictions I had ever met with; and it seemed to me, that it was more +than any human creature could endure. It struck me perfectly speechless +for some time, and made me feel so weak, that I thought I should sink +down. I however recovered from my shock after a little, and rose and +started without any ceremony, or even bidding any body good-bye. The +young woman followed me out to the gate, and entreated me to go on to +her father's, and said she would go with me. She said the young man, who +was going to marry her sister, had got his license, and had asked for +her; but she assured me her father and mother both preferred me to him; +and that she had no doubt but that, if I would go on, I could break off +the match. But I found I could go no further. My heart was bruised, and +my spirits were broken down; so I bid her farewell, and turned my +lonesome and miserable steps back again homeward, concluding that I was +only born for hardships, misery, and disappointment. I now began to +think, that in making me, it was entirely forgotten to make my mate; +that I was born odd, and should always remain so, and that nobody would +have me. + +But all these reflections did not satisfy my mind, for I had no peace +day nor night for several weeks. My appetite failed me, and I grew +daily worse and worse. They all thought I was sick; and so I was. And it +was the worst kind of sickness,--a sickness of the heart, and all the +tender parts, produced by disappointed love. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + +I continued in this down-spirited situation for a good long time, until +one day I took my rifle and started a hunting. While out, I made a call +at the house of a Dutch widow, who had a daughter that was well enough +as to smartness, but she was as ugly as a stone fence. She was, however, +quite talkative, and soon begun to laugh at me about my disappointment. + +She seemed disposed, though, to comfort me as much as she could; and, +for that purpose, told me to keep in good heart, that "there was as good +fish in the sea as had ever been caught out of it." I doubted this very +much; but whether or not, I was certain that she was not one of them, +for she was so homely that it almost give me a pain in the eyes to look +at her. + +But I couldn't help thinking, that she had intended what she had said as +a banter for me to court her!!!--the last thing in creation I could +have thought of doing. I felt little inclined to talk on the subject, it +is true; but, to pass off the time, I told her I thought I was born odd, +and that no fellow to me could be found. She protested against this, and +said if I would come to their reaping, which was not far off, she would +show me one of the prettiest little girls there I had ever seen. She +added that the one who had deceived me was nothing to be compared with +her. I didn't believe a word of all this, for I had thought that such a +piece of flesh and blood as she was had never been manufactured, and +never would again. I agreed with her, though, that the little varment +had treated me so bad, that I ought to forget her, and yet I couldn't do +it. I concluded the best way to accomplish it was to cut out again, and +see if I could find any other that would answer me; and so I told the +Dutch girl I would be at the reaping, and would bring as many as I could +with me. + +I employed my time pretty generally in giving information of it, as far +as I could, until the day came; and I then offered to work for my old +friend, the Quaker, two days, if he would let his bound boy go with me +one to the reaping. He refused, and reproved me pretty considerable +roughly for my proposition; and said, if he was in my place he wouldn't +go; that there would be a great deal of bad company there; and that I +had been so good a boy, he would be sorry for me to get a bad name. But +I knowed my promise to the Dutch girl, and I was resolved to fulfil it; +so I shouldered my rifle, and started by myself. When I got to the +place, I found a large company of men and women, and among them an old +Irish woman, who had a great deal to say. I soon found out from my Dutch +girl, that this old lady was the mother of the little girl she had +promised me, though I had not yet seen her. She was in an out-house with +some other youngsters, and had not yet made her appearance. Her mamma, +however, was no way bashful. She came up to me, and began to praise my +red cheeks, and said she had a sweetheart for me. I had no doubt she had +been told what I come for, and all about it. In the evening I was +introduced to her daughter, and I must confess, I was plaguy well +pleased with her from the word go. She had a good countenance, and was +very pretty, and I was full bent on making up an acquaintance with her. + +It was not long before the dancing commenced, and I asked her to join me +in a reel. She very readily consented to do so; and after we had +finished our dance, I took a seat alongside of her, and entered into a +talk. I found her very interesting; while I was setting by her, making +as good a use of my time as I could, her mother came to us, and very +jocularly called me her son-in-law. This rather confused me, but I +looked on it as a joke of the old lady, and tried to turn it off as well +as I could; but I took care to pay as much attention to her through the +evening as I could. I went on the old saying, of salting the cow to +catch the calf. I soon become so much pleased with this little girl, +that I began to think the Dutch girl had told me the truth, when she +said there was still good fish in the sea. + +We continued our frolic till near day, when we joined in some plays, +calculated to amuse youngsters. I had not often spent a more agreeable +night. In the morning, however, we all had to part; and I found my mind +had become much better reconciled than it had been for a long time. I +went home to the Quaker's, and made a bargain to work with his son for a +low-priced horse. He was the first one I had ever owned, and I was to +work six months for him. I had been engaged very closely five or six +weeks, when this little girl run in my mind so, that I concluded I must +go and see her, and find out what sort of people they were at home. I +mounted my horse and away I went to where she lived, and when I got +there I found her father a very clever old man, and the old woman as +talkative as ever. She wanted badly to find out all about me, and as I +thought to see how I would do for her girl. I had not yet seen her +about, and I began to feel some anxiety to know where she was. + +In a short time, however, my impatience was relieved, as she arrived at +home from a meeting to which she had been. There was a young man with +her, who I soon found was disposed to set up claim to her, as he was so +attentive to her that I could hardly get to slip in a word edgeways. I +began to think I was barking up the wrong tree again; but I was +determined to stand up to my rack, fodder or no fodder. And so, to know +her mind a little on the subject, I began to talk about starting, as I +knowed she would then show some sign, from which I could understand +which way the wind blowed. It was then near night, and my distance was +fifteen miles home. At this my little girl soon began to indicate to the +other gentleman that his room would be the better part of his company. +At length she left him, and came to me, and insisted mighty hard that I +should not go that evening; and, indeed, from all her actions and the +attempts she made to get rid of him, I saw that she preferred me all +holler. But it wasn't long before I found trouble enough in another +quarter. Her mother was deeply enlisted for my rival, and I had to fight +against her influence as well as his. But the girl herself was the prize +I was fighting for; and as she welcomed me, I was determined to lay +siege to her, let what would happen. I commenced a close courtship, +having cornered her from her old beau; while he set off, looking on, +like a poor man at a country frolic, and all the time almost gritting +his teeth with pure disappointment. But he didn't dare to attempt any +thing more, for now I had gotten a start, and I looked at him every once +in a while as fierce as a wild-cat. I staid with her until Monday +morning, and then I put out for home. + +It was about two weeks after this that I was sent for to engage in a +wolf hunt, where a great number of men were to meet, with their dogs and +guns, and where the best sort of sport was expected. I went as large as +life, but I had to hunt in strange woods, and in a part of the country +which was very thinly inhabited. While I was out it clouded up, and I +began to get scared; and in a little while I was so much so, that I +didn't know which way home was, nor any thing about it. I set out the +way I thought it was, but it turned out with me, as it always does with +a lost man, I was wrong, and took exactly the contrary direction from +the right one. And for the information of young hunters, I will just +say, in this place, that whenever a fellow gets bad lost, the way home +is just the way he don't think it is. This rule will hit nine times out +of ten. I went ahead, though, about six or seven miles, when I found +night was coming on fast; but at this distressing time I saw a little +woman streaking it along through the woods like all wrath, and so I cut +on too, for I was determined I wouldn't lose sight of her that night any +more. I run on till she saw me, and she stopped; for she was as glad to +see me as I was to see her, as she was lost as well as me. When I came +up to her, who should she be but my little girl, that I had been paying +my respects to. She had been out hunting her father's horses, and had +missed her way, and had no knowledge where she was, or how far it was to +any house, or what way would take us there. She had been travelling all +day, and was mighty tired; and I would have taken her up, and toated +her, if it hadn't been that I wanted her just where I could see her all +the time, for I thought she looked sweeter than sugar; and by this time +I loved her almost well enough to eat her. + +At last I came to a path, that I know'd must go somewhere, and so we +followed it, till we came to a house, at about dark. Here we staid all +night. I set up all night courting; and in the morning we parted. She +went to her home, from which we were distant about seven miles, and I to +mine, which was ten miles off. + +I now turned in to work again; and it was about four weeks before I went +back to see her. I continued to go occasionally, until I had worked long +enough to pay for my horse, by putting in my gun with my work, to the +man I had purchased from; and then I began to count whether I was to be +deceived again or not. At our next meeting we set the day for our +wedding; and I went to my father's, and made arrangements for an infair, +and returned to ask her parents for her. When I got there, the old lady +appeared to be mighty wrathy; and when I broached the subject, she +looked at me as savage as a meat axe. The old man appeared quite +willing, and treated me very clever. But I hadn't been there long, +before the old woman as good as ordered me out of her house. I thought I +would put her in mind of old times, and see how that would go with her. +I told her she had called me her son-in-law before I had attempted to +call her my mother-in-law and I thought she ought to cool off. But her +Irish was up too high to do any thing with her, and so I quit trying. +All I cared for was, to have her daughter on my side, which I knowed was +the case then; but how soon some other fellow might knock my nose out of +joint again, I couldn't tell. I however felt rather insulted at the old +lady, and I thought I wouldn't get married in her house. And so I told +her girl, that I would come the next Thursday, and bring a horse, +bridle, and saddle for her, and she must be ready to go. Her mother +declared I shouldn't have her; but I know'd I should, if somebody else +didn't get her before Thursday. I then started, bidding them good day, +and went by the house of a justice of the peace, who lived on the way to +my father's, and made a bargain with him to marry me. + +When Thursday came, all necessary arrangements were made at my father's +to receive my wife; and so I took my eldest brother and his wife, and +another brother, and a single sister that I had, and two other young men +with me, and cut out to her father's house to get her. We went on, until +we got within two miles of the place, where we met a large company that +had heard of the wedding, and were waiting. Some of that company went on +with my brother and sister, and the young man I had picked out to wait +on me. When they got there, they found the old lady as wrathy as ever. +However the old man filled their bottle, and the young men returned in a +hurry. I then went on with my company, and when I arrived I never +pretended to dismount from my horse, but rode up to the door, and asked +the girl if she was ready; and she said she was. I then told her to +light on the horse I was leading; and she did so. Her father, though, +had gone out to the gate, and when I started he commenced persuading me +to stay and marry there; that he was entirely willing to the match, and +that his wife, like most women, had entirely too much tongue; but that I +oughtn't to mind her. I told him if she would ask me to stay and marry +at her house, I would do so. With that he sent for her, and after they +had talked for some time out by themselves, she came to me and looked at +me mighty good, and asked my pardon for what she had said, and invited +me stay. She said it was the first child she had ever had to marry; and +she couldn't bear to see her go off in that way; that if I would light, +she would do the best she could for us. I couldn't stand every thing, +and so I agreed, and we got down, and went in. I sent off then for my +parson, and got married in a short time; for I was afraid to wait long, +for fear of another defeat. We had as good treatment as could be +expected; and that night all went on well. The next day we cut out for +my father's, where we met a large company of people, that had been +waiting a day and a night for our arrival. We passed the time quite +merrily, until the company broke up; and having gotten my wife, I +thought I was completely made up, and needed nothing more in the whole +world. But I soon found this was all a mistake--for now having a wife, I +wanted every thing else; and, worse than all, I had nothing to give for +it. + +I remained a few days at my father's, and then went back to my new +father-in-law's; where, to my surprise, I found my old Irish mother in +the finest humour in the world. + +She gave us two likely cows and calves, which, though it was a small +marriage-portion, was still better than I had expected, and, indeed, it +was about all I ever got. I rented a small farm and cabin, and went to +work; but I had much trouble to find out a plan to get any thing to put +in my house. At this time, my good old friend the Quaker came forward to +my assistance, and gave me an order to a store for fifteen dollars' +worth of such things as my little wife might choose. With this, we +fixed up pretty grand, as we thought, and allowed to get on very well. +My wife had a good wheel, and knowed exactly how to use it. She was also +a good weaver, as most of the Irish are, whether men or women; and being +very industrious with her wheel, she had, in little or no time, a fine +web of cloth, ready to make up; and she was good at that too, and at +almost any thing else that a woman could do. + +We worked on for some years, renting ground, and paying high rent, until +I found it wan't the thing it was cracked up to be; and that I couldn't +make a fortune at it just at all. So I concluded to quit it, and cut out +for some new country. In this time we had two sons, and I found I was +better at increasing my family than my fortune. It was therefore the +more necessary that I should hunt some better place to get along; and as +I knowed I would have to move at some time, I thought it was better to +do it before my family got too large, that I might have less to carry. + +The Duck and Elk river country was just beginning to settle, and I +determined to try that. I had now one old horse, and a couple of two +year old colts. They were both broke to the halter, and my father-in-law +proposed, that, if I went, he would go with me, and take one horse to +help me move. So we all fixed up, and I packed my two colts with as many +of my things as they could bear; and away we went across the mountains. +We got on well enough, and arrived safely in Lincoln county, on the head +of the Mulberry fork of Elk river. I found this a very rich country, and +so new, that game, of different sorts, was very plenty. It was here that +I began to distinguish myself as a hunter, and to lay the foundation for +all my future greatness; but mighty little did I know of what sort it +was going to be. Of deer and smaller game I killed abundance; but the +bear had been much hunted in those parts before, and were not so plenty +as I could have wished. I lived here in the years 1809 and '10, to the +best of my recollection, and then I moved to Franklin county, and +settled on Beans creek, where I remained till after the close of the +last war. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + +I was living ten miles below Winchester when the Creek war commenced; +and as military men are making so much fuss in the world at this time, I +must give an account of the part I took in the defence of the country. +If it should make me president, why I can't help it; such things will +sometimes happen; and my pluck is, never "to seek, nor decline office." + +It is true, I had a little rather not; but yet, if the government can't +get on without taking another president from Tennessee, to finish the +work of "retrenchment and reform," why, then, I reckon I must go in for +it. But I must begin about the war, and leave the other matter for the +people to begin on. + +The Creek Indians had commenced their open hostilities by a most bloody +butchery at Fort Mimms. There had been no war among us for so long, that +but few, who were not too old to bear arms, knew any thing about the +business. I, for one, had often thought about war, and had often heard +it described; and I did verily believe in my own mind, that I couldn't +fight in that way at all; but my after experience convinced me that this +was all a notion. For when I heard of the mischief which was done at the +fort, I instantly felt like going, and I had none of the dread of dying +that I expected to feel. In a few days a general meeting of the militia +was called for the purpose of raising volunteers; and when the day +arrived for that meeting, my wife, who had heard me say I meant to go to +the war, began to beg me not to turn out. She said she was a stranger in +the parts where we lived, had no connexions living near her, and that +she and our little children would be left in a lonesome and unhappy +situation if I went away. It was mighty hard to go against such +arguments as these; but my countrymen had been murdered, and I knew that +the next thing would be, that the Indians would be scalping the women +and children all about there, if we didn't put a stop to it. I reasoned +the case with her as well as I could, and told her, that if every man +would wait till his wife got willing for him to go to war, there would +be no fighting done, until we would all be killed in our own houses; +that I was as able to go as any man in the world; and that I believed +it was a duty I owed to my country. Whether she was satisfied with this +reasoning or not, she did not tell me; but seeing I was bent on it, all +she did was to cry a little, and turn about to her work. The truth is, +my dander was up, and nothing but war could bring it right again. + +I went to Winchester, where the muster was to be, and a great many +people had collected, for there was as much fuss among the people about +the war as there is now about moving the deposites. When the men were +paraded, a lawyer by the name of Jones addressed us, and closed by +turning out himself, and enquiring, at the same time, who among us felt +like we could fight Indians? This was the same Mr. Jones who afterwards +served in Congress, from the state of Tennessee. He informed us he +wished to raise a company, and that then the men should meet and elect +their own officers. I believe I was about the second or third man that +step'd out; but on marching up and down the regiment a few times, we +found we had a large company. We volunteered for sixty days, as it was +supposed our services would not be longer wanted. A day or two after +this we met and elected Mr. Jones our captain, and also elected our +other officers. We then received orders to start on the next Monday +week; before which time, I had fixed as well as I could to go, and my +wife had equip'd me as well as she was able for the camp. The time +arrived; I took a parting farewell of my wife and my little boys, +mounted my horse, and set sail, to join my company. Expecting to be gone +only a short time, I took no more clothing with me than I supposed would +be necessary, so that if I got into an Indian battle, I might not be +pestered with any unnecessary plunder, to prevent my having a fair shake +with them. We all met and went ahead, till we passed Huntsville, and +camped at a large spring called Beaty's spring. Here we staid for +several days, in which time the troops began to collect from all +quarters. At last we mustered about thirteen hundred strong, all mounted +volunteers, and all determined to fight, judging from myself, for I felt +wolfish all over. I verily believe the whole army was of the real grit. +Our captain didn't want any other sort; and to try them he several times +told his men, that if any of them wanted to go back home, they might do +so at any time, before they were regularly mustered into the service. +But he had the honour to command all his men from first to last, as not +one of them left him. + +Gen'l. Jackson had not yet left Nashville with his old foot volunteers, +that had gone with him to Natchez in 1812, the year before. While we +remained at the spring, a Major Gibson came, and wanted some volunteers +to go with him across the Tennessee river and into the Creek nation, to +find out the movements of the Indians. He came to my captain, and asked +for two of his best woods-men, and such as were best with a rifle. The +captain pointed me out to him, and said he would be security that I +would go as far as the major would himself, or any other man. I +willingly engaged to go with him, and asked him to let me choose my own +mate to go with me, which he said I might do. I chose a young man by the +name of George Russell, a son of old Major Russell, of Tennessee. I +called him up, but Major Gibson said he thought he hadn't beard enough +to please him,--he wanted men, and not boys. I must confess I was a +little nettled at this; for I know'd George Russell, and I know'd there +was no mistake in him; and I didn't think that courage ought to be +measured by the beard, for fear a goat would have the preference over a +man. I told the major he was on the wrong scent; that Russell could go +as far as he could, and I must have him along. He saw I was a little +wrathy, and said I had the best chance of knowing, and agreed that it +should be as I wanted it. He told us to be ready early in the morning +for a start; and so we were. We took our camp equipage, mounted our +horses, and, thirteen in number, including the major, we cut out. We +went on, and crossed the Tennessee river at a place called Ditto's +Landing; and then traveled about seven miles further, and took up camp +for the night. Here a man by the name of John Haynes overtook us. He had +been an Indian trader in that part of the nation, and was well +acquainted with it. He went with us as a pilot. The next morning, +however, Major Gibson and myself concluded we should separate and take +different directions to see what discoveries we could make; so he took +seven of the men, and I five, making thirteen in all, including myself. +He was to go by the house of a Cherokee Indian, named Dick Brown, and I +was to go by Dick's father's; and getting all the information we could, +we were to meet that evening where the roads came together, fifteen +miles the other side of Brown's. At old Mr. Brown's I got a half blood +Cherokee to agree to go with me, whose name was Jack Thompson. He was +not then ready to start, but was to fix that evening, and overtake us at +the fork road where I was to meet Major Gibson. I know'd it wouldn't be +safe to camp right at the road; and so I told Jack, that when he got to +the fork he must holler like an owl, and I would answer him in the same +way; for I know'd it would be night before he got there. I and my men +then started, and went on to the place of meeting, but Major Gibson was +not there. We waited till almost dark, but still he didn't come. We then +left the Indian trace a little distance, and turning into the head of a +hollow, we struck up camp. It was about ten o'clock at night, when I +heard my owl, and I answered him. Jack soon found us, and we determined +to rest there during the night. We staid also next morning till after +breakfast: but in vain, for the major didn't still come. + +I told the men we had set out to hunt a fight, and I wouldn't go back in +that way; that we must go ahead, and see what the red men were at. We +started, and went to a Cherokee town about twenty miles off; and after a +short stay there, we pushed on to the house of a man by the name of +Radcliff. He was a white man, but had married a Creek woman, and lived +just in the edge of the Creek nation. He had two sons, large likely +fellows, and a great deal of potatoes and corn, and, indeed, almost +every thing else to go on; so we fed our horses and got dinner with +him, and seemed to be doing mighty well. But he was bad scared all the +time. He told us there had been ten painted warriors at his house only +an hour before, and if we were discovered there, they would kill us, and +his family with us. I replied to him, that my business was to hunt for +just such fellows as he had described, and I was determined not to go +back until I had done it. Our dinner being over, we saddled up our +horses, and made ready to start. But some of my small company I found +were disposed to return. I told them, if we were to go back then, we +should never hear the last of it; and I was determined to go ahead. I +knowed some of them would go with me, and that the rest were afraid to +go back by themselves; and so we pushed on to the camp of some of the +friendly Creeks, which was distant about eight miles. The moon was about +the full, and the night was clear; we therefore had the benefit of her +light from night to morning, and I knew if we were placed in such danger +as to make a retreat necessary, we could travel by night as well as in +the day time. + +We had not gone very far, when we met two negroes, well mounted on +Indian ponies, and each with a good rifle. They had been taken from +their owners by the Indians, and were running away from them, and trying +to get back to their masters again. They were brothers, both very large +and likely, and could talk Indian as well as English. One of them I sent +on to Ditto's Landing, the other I took back with me. It was after dark +when we got to the camp, where we found about forty men, women, and +children. + +They had bows and arrows, and I turned in to shooting with their boys by +a pine light. In this way we amused ourselves very well for a while; but +at last the negro, who had been talking to the Indians, came to me and +told me they were very much alarmed, for the "red sticks," as they +called the war party of the Creeks, would come and find us there; and, +if so, we should all be killed. I directed him to tell them that I would +watch, and if one would come that night, I would carry the skin of his +head home to make me a mockasin. When he made this communication, the +Indians laughed aloud. At about ten o'clock at night we all concluded to +try to sleep a little; but that our horses might be ready for use, as +the treasurer said of the drafts on the United States' bank, on certain +"contingences," we tied them up with our saddles on them, and every +thing to our hand, if in the night our quarters should get +uncomfortable. We lay down with our guns in our arms, and I had just +gotten into a dose of sleep, when I heard the sharpest scream that ever +escaped the throat of a human creature. It was more like a wrathy +painter than any thing else. The negro understood it, and he sprang to +me; for tho' I heard the noise well enough, yet I wasn't wide awake +enough to get up. So the negro caught me, and said the red sticks was +coming. I rose quicker then, and asked what was the matter? Our negro +had gone and talked with the Indian who had just fetched the scream, as +he come into camp, and learned from him, that the war party had been +crossing the Coosa river all day at the Ten islands; and were going on +to meet Jackson, and this Indian had come as a runner. This news very +much alarmed the friendly Indians in camp, and they were all off in a +few minutes. I felt bound to make this intelligence known as soon as +possible to the army we had left at the landing; and so we all mounted +our horses, and put out in a long lope to make our way back to that +place. We were about sixty-five miles off. We went on to the same +Cherokee town we had visited on our way out, having first called at +Radcliff's, who was off with his family; and at the town we found +large fires burning, but not a single Indian was to be seen. They were +all gone. These circumstances were calculated to lay our dander a +little, as it appeared we must be in great danger; though we could +easily have licked any force of not more than five to one. But we +expected the whole nation would be on us, and against such fearful odds +we were not so rampant for a fight. + +We therefore staid only a short time in the light of the fires about the +town, preferring the light of the moon and the shade of the woods. We +pushed on till we got again to old Mr. Brown's, which was still about +thirty miles from where we had left the main army. When we got there, +the chickens were just at the first crowing for day. We fed our horses, +got a morsel to eat ourselves, and again cut out. About ten o'clock in +the morning we reached the camp, and I reported to Col. Coffee the news. +He didn't seem to mind my report a bit, and this raised my dander higher +than ever; but I knowed I had to be on my best behaviour, and so I kept +it all to myself; though I was so mad that I was burning inside like a +tar-kiln, and I wonder that the smoke hadn't been pouring out of me at +all points. + +Major Gibson hadn't yet returned, and we all began to think he was +killed; and that night they put out a double guard. The next day the +major got in, and brought a worse tale than I had, though he stated the +same facts, so far as I went. This seemed to put our colonel all in a +fidget; and it convinced me, clearly, of one of the hateful ways of the +world. When I made my report, it wasn't believed, because I was no +officer; I was no great man, but just a poor soldier. But when the same +thing was reported by Major Gibson!! why, then, it was all as true as +preaching, and the colonel believed it every word. + +He, therefore, ordered breastworks to be thrown up, near a quarter of a +mile long, and sent an express to Fayetteville, where General Jackson +and his troops was, requesting them to push on like the very mischief, +for fear we should all be cooked up to a cracklin before they could get +there. Old Hickory-face made a forced march on getting the news; and on +the next day, he and his men got into camp, with their feet all +blistered from the effects of their swift journey. The volunteers, +therefore, stood guard altogether, to let them rest. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + +About eight hundred of the volunteers, and of that number I was one, +were now sent back, crossing the Tennessee river, and on through +Huntsville, so as to cross the river again at another place, and to get +on the Indians in another direction. After we passed Huntsville, we +struck on the river at the Muscle Shoals, and at a place on them called +Melton's Bluff. This river is here about two miles wide, and a rough +bottom; so much so, indeed, in many places, as to be dangerous; and in +fording it this time, we left several of the horses belonging to our +men, with their feet fast in the crevices of the rocks. The men, whose +horses were thus left, went ahead on foot. We pushed on till we got to +what was called the Black Warrior's town, which stood near the very spot +where Tuscaloosa now stands, which is the seat of government for the +state of Alabama. + +This Indian town was a large one; but when we arrived we found the +Indians had all left it. There was a large field of corn standing out, +and a pretty good supply in some cribs. There was also a fine quantity +of dried beans, which were very acceptable to us; and without delay we +secured them as well as the corn, and then burned the town to ashes; +after which we left the place. + +In the field where we gathered the corn we saw plenty of fresh Indian +tracks, and we had no doubt they had been scared off by our arrival. + +We then went on to meet the main army at the fork road, where I was +first to have met Major Gibson. We got that evening as far back as the +encampment we had made the night before we reached the Black Warrior's +town, which we had just destroyed. The next day we were entirely out of +meat. I went to Col. Coffee, who was then in command of us, and asked +his leave to hunt as we marched. He gave me leave, but told me to take +mighty good care of myself. I turned aside to hunt, and had not gone far +when I found a deer that had just been killed and skinned, and his flesh +was still warm and smoking. From this I was sure that the Indian who had +killed it had been gone only a very few minutes; and though I was never +much in favour of one hunter stealing from another, yet meat was so +scarce in camp, that I thought I must go in for it. So I just took up +the deer on my horse before me, and carried it on till night. I could +have sold it for almost any price I would have asked; but this wasn't my +rule, neither in peace nor war. Whenever I had any thing, and saw a +fellow being suffering, I was more anxious to relieve him than to +benefit myself. And this is one of the true secrets of my being a poor +man to this day. But it is my way; and while it has often left me with +an empty purse, which is as near the devil as any thing else I have +seen, yet it has never left my heart empty of consolations which money +couldn't buy,--the consolations of having sometimes fed the hungry and +covered the naked. + +I gave all my deer away, except a small part I kept for myself, and just +sufficient to make a good supper for my mess; for meat was getting to be +a rarity to us all. We had to live mostly on parched corn. The next day +we marched on, and at night took up camp near a large cane brake. While +here, I told my mess I would again try for some meat; so I took my rifle +and cut out, but hadn't gone far, when I discovered a large gang of +hogs. I shot one of them down in his tracks, and the rest broke directly +towards the camp. In a few minutes, the guns began to roar, as bad as if +the whole army had been in an Indian battle; and the hogs to squeal as +bad as the pig did, when the devil turned barber. I shouldered my hog, +and went on to the camp; and when I got there I found they had killed a +good many of the hogs, and a fine fat cow into the bargain, that had +broke out of the cane brake. We did very well that night, and the next +morning marched on to a Cherokee town, where our officers stop'd, and +gave the inhabitants an order on Uncle Sam for their cow, and the hogs +we had killed. The next day we met the main army, having had, as we +thought, hard times, and a plenty of them, though we had yet seen hardly +the beginning of trouble. + +After our meeting we went on to Radcliff's, where I had been before +while out as a spy; and when we got there, we found he had hid all his +provisions. We also got into the secret, that he was the very rascal who +had sent the runner to the Indian camp, with the news that the "red +sticks" were crossing at the Ten Islands; and that his object was to +scare me and my men away, and send us back with a false alarm. + +To make some atonement for this, we took the old scroundrell's two big +sons with us, and made them serve in the war. + +We then marched to a place, which we called Camp Wills; and here it was +that Captain Cannon was promoted to a colonel, and Colonel Coffee to a +general. We then marched to the Ten Islands, on the Coosa river, where +we established a fort; and our spy companies were sent out. They soon +made prisoners of Bob Catala and his warriors, and, in a few days +afterwards, we heard of some Indians in a town about eight miles off. So +we mounted our horses, and put out for that town, under the direction of +two friendly Creeks we had taken for pilots. We had also a Cherokee +colonel, Dick Brown, and some of his men with us. When we got near the +town we divided; one of our pilots going with each division. And so we +passed on each side of the town, keeping near to it, until our lines met +on the far side. We then closed up at both ends, so as to surround it +completely; and then we sent Captain Hammond's company of rangers to +bring on the affray. He had advanced near the town, when the Indians saw +him, and they raised the yell, and came running at him like so many red +devils. The main army was now formed in a hollow square around the town, +and they pursued Hammond till they came in reach of us. We then gave +them a fire, and they returned it, and then ran back into their town. We +began to close on the town by making our files closer and closer, and +the Indians soon saw they were our property. So most of them wanted us +to take them prisoners; and their squaws and all would run and take hold +of any of us they could, and give themselves up. I saw seven squaws have +hold of one man, which made me think of the Scriptures. So I hollered +out the Scriptures was fulfilling; that there was seven women holding to +one man's coat tail. But I believe it was a hunting-shirt all the time. +We took them all prisoners that came out to us in this way; but I saw +some warriors run into a house, until I counted forty-six of them. We +pursued them until we got near the house, when we saw a squaw sitting in +the door, and she placed her feet against the bow she had in her hand, +and then took an arrow, and, raising her feet, she drew with all her +might, and let fly at us, and she killed a man, whose name, I believe, +was Moore. He was a lieutenant, and his death so enraged us all, that +she was fired on, and had at least twenty balls blown through her. This +was the first man I ever saw killed with a bow and arrow. We now shot +them like dogs; and then set the house on fire, and burned it up with +the forty-six warriors in it. I recollect seeing a boy who was shot down +near the house. His arm and thigh was broken, and he was so near the +burning house that the grease was stewing out of him. In this situation +he was still trying to crawl along; but not a murmur escaped him, though +he was only about twelve years old. So sullen is the Indian, when his +dander is up, that he had sooner die than make a noise, or ask for +quarters. + +The number that we took prisoners, being added to the number we killed, +amounted to one hundred and eighty-six; though I don't remember the +exact number of either. We had five of our men killed. We then returned +to our camp, at which our fort was erected, and known by the name of +Fort Strother. No provisions had yet reached us, and we had now been for +several days on half rations. However we went back to our Indian town on +the next day, when many of the carcasses of the Indians were still to be +seen. They looked very awful, for the burning had not entirely consumed +them, but given them a very terrible appearance, at least what remained +of them. It was, somehow or other, found out that the house had a +potatoe cellar under it, and an immediate examination was made, for we +were all as hungry as wolves. We found a fine chance of potatoes in it, +and hunger compelled us to eat them, though I had a little rather not, +if I could have helped it, for the oil of the Indians we had burned up +on the day before had run down on them, and they looked like they had +been stewed with fat meat. We then again returned to the army, and +remained there for several days almost starving, as all our beef was +gone. We commenced eating the beef-hides, and continued to eat every +scrap we could lay our hands on. At length an Indian came to our guard +one night, and hollered, and said he wanted to see "Captain Jackson." He +was conducted to the general's markee, into which he entered, and in a +few minutes we received orders to prepare for marching. + +In an hour we were all ready, and took up the line of march. We crossed +the Coosa river, and went on in the direction to Fort Taladega. When we +arrived near the place, we met eleven hundred painted warriors, the very +choice of the Creek nation. They had encamped near the fort, and had +informed the friendly Indians who were in it, that if they didn't come +out, and fight with them against the whites, they would take their fort +and all their ammunition and provision. The friendly party asked three +days to consider of it, and agreed that if on the third day they didn't +come out ready to fight with them, they might take their fort. Thus +they put them off. They then immediately started their runner to General +Jackson, and he and the army pushed over, as I have just before stated. + +The camp of warriors had their spies out, and discovered us coming, some +time before we got to the fort. They then went to the friendly Indians, +and told them Captain Jackson was coming, and had a great many fine +horses, and blankets, and guns, and every thing else; and if they would +come out and help to whip him, and to take his plunder, it should all be +divided with those in the fort. They promised that when Jackson came, +they would then come out and help to whip him. It was about an hour by +sun in the morning, when we got near the fort. We were piloted by +friendly Indians, and divided as we had done on a former occasion, so as +to go to the right and left of the fort, and, consequently, of the +warriors who were camped near it. Our lines marched on, as before, till +they met in front, and then closed in the rear, forming again into a +hollow square. We then sent on old Major Russell, with his spy company, +to bring on the battle; Capt. Evans' company went also. When they got +near the fort, the top of it was lined with the friendly Indians, +crying out as loud as they could roar, "How-dy-do, brother, how-dy-do?" +They kept this up till Major Russel had passed by the fort, and was +moving on towards the warriors. They were all painted as red as scarlet, +and were just as naked as they were born. They had concealed themselves +under the bank of a branch, that ran partly around the fort, in the +manner of a half moon. Russel was going right into their circle, for he +couldn't see them, while the Indians on the top of the fort were trying +every plan to show him his danger. But he couldn't understand them. At +last, two of them jumped from it, and ran, and took his horse by the +bridle, and pointing to where they were, told him there were thousands +of them lying under the bank. This brought them to a halt, and about +this moment the Indians fired on them, and came rushing forth like a +cloud of Egyptian locusts, and screaming like all the young devils had +been turned loose, with the old devil of all at their head. Russel's +company quit their horses, and took into the fort, and their horses ran +up to our line, which was then in full view. The warriors then came +yelling on, meeting us, and continued till they were within shot of us, +when we fired and killed a considerable number of them. They then broke +like a gang of steers, and ran across to our other line, where they +were again fired on; and so we kept them running from one line to the +other, constantly under a heavy fire, until we had killed upwards of +four hundred of them. They fought with guns, and also with their bows +and arrows; but at length they made their escape through a part of our +line, which was made up of drafted militia, which broke ranks, and they +passed. We lost fifteen of our men, as brave fellows as ever lived or +died. We buried them all in one grave, and started back to our fort; but +before we got there, two more of our men died of wounds they had +received; making our total loss seventeen good fellows in that battle. + +We now remained at the fort a few days, but no provision came yet, and +we were all likely to perish. The weather also began to get very cold; +and our clothes were nearly worn out, and horses getting very feeble and +poor. Our officers proposed to Gen'l. Jackson to let us return home and +get fresh horses, and fresh clothing, so as to be better prepared for +another campaign; for our sixty days had long been out, and that was the +time we entered for. + +But the general took "the responsibility" on himself, and refused. We +were, however, determined to go, as I am to put back the deposites, _if +I can_. With this, the general issued his orders against it, as he has +against the bank. But we began to fix for a start, as provisions were +too scarce; just as Clay, and Webster, and myself are preparing to fix +bank matters, on account of the scarcity of money. The general went and +placed his cannon on a bridge we had to cross, and ordered out his +regulars and drafted men to keep us from crossing; just as he has +planted his Globe and K. C. to alarm the bank men, while his regulars +and militia in Congress are to act as artillery men. But when the +militia started to guard the bridge, they would holler back to us to +bring their knapsacks along when we come, for they wanted to go as bad +as we did; just as many a good fellow now wants his political knapsack +brought along, that if, when we come to vote, he sees he has a _fair +shake to go_, he may join in and help us to take back the deposites. + +We got ready and moved on till we came near the bridge, where the +general's men were all strung along on both sides, just like the +office-holders are now, to keep us from getting along to the help of the +country and the people. But we all had our flints ready picked, and our +guns ready primed, that if we were fired on we might fight our way +through, or all die together; just as we are now determined to save the +country from ready ruin, or to sink down with it. When we came still +nearer the bridge we heard the guards cocking their guns, and we did the +same; just as we have had it in Congress, while the "government" +regulars and the people's volunteers have all been setting their +political triggers. But, after all, we marched boldly on, and not a gun +was fired, nor a life lost; just as I hope it will be again, that we +shall not be afraid of the general's Globe, nor his K. C., nor his +regulars, nor their trigger snapping; but just march boldly over the +executive bridge, and take the deposites back where the law placed them, +and where they ought to be. When we had passed, no further attempt was +made to stop us; but the general said, we were "the damned'st volunteers +he had ever seen in his life; that we would volunteer and go out and +fight, and then at our pleasure would _volunteer_ and go home again, in +spite of the devil." But we went on; and near Huntsville we met a +reinforcement who were going on to join the army. It consisted of a +regiment of volunteers, and was under the command of some one whose name +I can't remember. They were sixty-day volunteers. + +We got home pretty safely, and in a short time we had procured fresh +horses and a supply of clothing better suited for the season; and then +we returned to Fort Deposite, where our officers held a sort of a +"_national convention_" on the subject of a message they had received +from General Jackson,--demanding that on our return we should serve out +_six months_. We had already served three months instead of two, which +was the time we had volunteered for. On the next morning the officers +reported to us the conclusions they had come to; and told us, if any of +us felt bound to go on and serve out the six months, we could do so; but +that they intended to go back home. I knowed if I went back home I +couldn't rest, for I felt it my duty to be out; and when out was, +somehow or other, always delighted to be in the very thickest of the +danger. A few of us, therefore, determined to push on and join the army. +The number I do not recollect, but it was very small. + +When we got out there, I joined Major Russel's company of spies. Before +we reached the place, General Jackson had started. We went on likewise, +and overtook him at a place where we established a fort, called Fort +Williams, and leaving men to guard it, we went ahead; intending to go to +a place called the Horse-shoe bend of the Talapoosa river. When we came +near that place, we began to find Indian sign plenty, and we struck up +camp for the night. About two hours before day, we heard our guard +firing, and we were all up in little or no time. We mended up our camp +fires, and then fell back in the dark, expecting to see the Indians +pouring in; and intending, when they should do so, to shoot them by the +light of our own fires. But it happened that they did not rush in as we +had expected, but commenced a fire on us as we were. We were encamped in +a hollow square, and we not only returned the fire, but continued to +shoot as well as we could in the dark, till day broke, when the Indians +disappeared. The only guide we had in shooting was to notice the flash +of their guns, and then shoot as directly at the place as we could +guess. + +In this scrape we had four men killed, and several wounded; but whether +we killed any of the Indians or not we never could tell, for it is their +custom always to carry off their dead, if they can possibly do so. We +buried ours, and then made a large log heap over them, and set it on +fire, so that the place of their deposite might not be known to the +savages, who, we knew, would seek for them, that they might scalp them. +We made some horse litters for our wounded, and took up a retreat. We +moved on till we came to a large creek which we had to cross; and about +half of our men had crossed, when the Indians commenced firing on our +left wing, and they kept it up very warmly. We had left Major Russel and +his brother at the camp we had moved from that morning, to see what +discovery they could make as to the movements of the Indians; and about +this time, while a warm fire was kept up on our left, as I have just +stated, the major came up in our rear, and was closely pursued by a +large number of Indians, who immediately commenced a fire on our +artillery men. They hid themselves behind a large log, and could kill +one of our men almost every shot, they being in open ground and exposed. +The worst of all was, two of our colonels just at this trying moment +left their men, and by _a forced march_, crossed the creek out of the +reach of the fire. Their names, at this late day, would do the world no +good, and my object is history alone, and not the slightest interference +with character. An opportunity was now afforded for Governor Carroll to +distinguish himself, and on this occasion he did so, by greater bravery +than I ever saw any other man display. In truth, I believe, as firmly as +I do that General Jackson is president, that if it hadn't been for +Carroll, we should all have been genteely licked that time, for we were +in a devil of a fix; part of our men on one side of the creek, and part +on the other, and the Indians all the time pouring it on us, as hot as +fresh mustard to a sore shin. I will not say exactly that the old +general was whip'd; but I will say, that if we escaped it at all, it was +like old Henry Snider going to heaven, "mita tam tite squeeze." I think +he would confess himself, that he was nearer whip'd this time than he +was at any other, for I know that all the world couldn't make him +acknowledge that he was _pointedly_ whip'd. I know I was mighty glad +when it was over, and the savages quit us, for I had begun to think +there was one behind every tree in the woods. + +We buried our dead, the number of whom I have also forgotten; and again +made horse litters to carry our wounded, and so we put out, and returned +to Fort Williams, from which place we had started. In the mean time, my +horse had got crippled, and was unfit for service, and as another +reinforcement had arrived, I thought they could get along without me for +a short time; so I got a furlough and went home, for we had had hard +times again on this hunt, and I began to feel as though I had done +Indian fighting enough for one time. I remained at home until after the +army had returned to the Horse-shoe bend, and fought the battle there. +But not being with them at that time, of course no history of that fight +can be expected of me. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + +Soon after this, an army was to be raised to go to Pensacola, and I +determined to go again with them, for I wanted a small taste of British +fighting, and I supposed they would be there. + +Here again the entreaties of my wife were thrown in the way of my going, +but all in vain; for I always had a way of just going ahead, at whatever +I had a mind to. One of my neighbours, hearing I had determined to go, +came to me, and offered me a hundred dollars to go in his place as a +substitute, as he had been drafted. I told him I was better raised than +to hire myself out to be shot at; but that I would go, and he should go +too, and in that way the government would have the services of us both. +But we didn't call General Jackson "the government" in those days, +though we used to go and fight under him in the war. + +I fixed up, and joined old Major Russel again; but we couldn't start +with the main army, but followed on, in a little time, after them. In a +day or two, we had a hundred and thirty men in our company; and we went +over and crossed the Muscle Shoals at the same place where I had crossed +when first out, and when we burned the Black Warriors' town. We passed +through the Choctaw and Chickesaw nations, on to Fort Stephens, and from +thence to what is called the Cut-off, at the junction of the Tom-Bigby +with the Alabama river. This place is near the old Fort Mimms, where the +Indians committed the great butchery at the commencement of the war. + +We were here about two days behind the main army, who had left their +horses at the Cut-off, and taken it on foot; and they did this because +there was no chance for forage between there and Pensacola. We did the +same, leaving men enough to take care of our horses, and cut out on foot +for that place. It was about eighty miles off; but in good heart we +shouldered our guns, blankets, and provisions, and trudged merrily on. +About twelve o'clock the second day, we reached the encampment of the +main army, which was situated on a hill, overlooking the city of +Pensacola. My commander, Major Russel, was a great favourite with Gen'l. +Jackson, and our arrival was hailed with great applause, though we were +a little after the feast; for they had taken the town and fort before we +got there. That evening we went down into the town, and could see the +British fleet lying in sight of the place. We got some liquor, and took +a "horn" or so, and went back to the camp. We remained there that night, +and in the morning we marched back towards the Cut-off. We pursued this +direction till we reached old Fort Mimms, where we remained two or three +days. It was here that Major Russel was promoted from his command, which +was only that of a captain of spies, to the command of a major in the +line. He had been known long before at home as old Major Russel, and so +we all continued to call him in the army. A Major Childs, from East +Tennessee, also commanded a battalion, and his and the one Russel was +now appointed to command, composed a regiment, which, by agreement with +General Jackson, was to quit his army and go to the south, to kill up +the Indians on the Scamby river. + +General Jackson and the main army set out the next morning for New +Orleans, and a Colonel Blue took command of the regiment which I have +before described. We remained, however, a few days after the general's +departure, and then started also on our route. + +As it gave rise to so much war and bloodshed, it may not be improper +here to give a little description of Fort Mimms, and the manner in which +the Indian war commenced. The fort was built right in the middle of a +large old field, and in it the people had been forted so long and so +quietly, that they didn't apprehend any danger at all, and had, +therefore, become quite careless. A small negro boy, whose business it +was to bring up the calves at milking time, had been out for that +purpose, and on coming back, he said he saw a great many Indians. At +this the inhabitants took the alarm, and closed their gates and placed +out their guards, which they continued for a few days. But finding that +no attack was made, they concluded the little negro had lied; and again +threw their gates open, and set all their hands out to work their +fields. The same boy was out again on the same errand, when, returning +in great haste and alarm, he informed them that he had seen the Indians +as thick as trees in the woods. He was not believed, but was tucked up +to receive a flogging for the supposed lie; and was actually getting +badly licked at the very moment when the Indians came in a troop, loaded +with rails, with which they stop'd all the port-holes of the fort on one +side except the bastion; and then they fell in to cutting down the +picketing. Those inside the fort had only the bastion to shoot from, as +all the other holes were spiked up; and they shot several of the +Indians, while engaged in cutting. But as fast as one would fall, +another would seize up the axe and chop away, until they succeeded in +cutting down enough of the picketing to admit them to enter. They then +began to rush through, and continued until they were all in. They +immediately commenced scalping, without regard to age or sex; having +forced the inhabitants up to one side of the fort, where they carried on +the work of death as a butcher would in a slaughter pen. + +The scene was particularly described to me by a young man who was in the +fort when it happened, and subsequently went on with us to Pensacola. He +said that he saw his father, and mother, his four sisters, and the same +number of brothers, all butchered in the most shocking manner, and that +he made his escape by running over the heads of the crowd, who were +against the fort wall, to the top of the fort, and then jumping off, and +taking to the woods. He was closely pursued by several Indians, until he +came to a small byo, across which there was a log. He knew the log was +hollow on the under side, so he slip'd under the log and hid himself. +He said he heard the Indians walk over him several times back and +forward. He remained, nevertheless, still till night, when he came out, +and finished his escape. The name of this young man has entirely escaped +my recollection, though his tale greatly excited my feelings. But to +return to my subject. The regiment marched from where Gen'l. Jackson had +left us to Fort Montgomery, which was distant from Fort Mimms about a +mile and a half, and there we remained for some days. + +Here we supplied ourselves pretty well with beef, by killing wild cattle +which had formerly belonged to the people who perished in the fort, but +had gone wild after their massacre. + +When we marched from Fort Montgomery, we went some distance back towards +Pensacola; then we turned to the left, and passed through a poor piny +country, till we reached the Scamby river, near which we encamped. We +had about one thousand men, and as a part of that number, one hundred +and eighty-six Chickesaw and Choctaw Indians with us. That evening a +boat landed from Pensacola, bringing many articles that were both good +and necessary; such as sugar and coffee, and liquors of all kinds. The +same evening, the Indians we had along proposed to cross the river, and +the officers thinking it might be well for them to do so, consented; and +Major Russell went with them, taking sixteen white men, of which number +I was one. We camped on the opposite bank that night, and early in the +morning we set out. We had not gone far before we came to a place where +the whole country was covered with water, and looked like a sea. We +didn't stop for this, tho', but just put in like so many spaniels, and +waded on, sometimes up to our armpits, until we reached the pine hills, +which made our distance through the water about a mile and a half. Here +we struck up a fire to warm ourselves, for it was cold, and we were +chilled through by being so long in the water. We again moved on, +keeping our spies out; two to our left near the bank of the river, two +straight before us, and two others on our right. We had gone in this way +about six miles up the river, when our spies on the left came to us +leaping the brush like so many old bucks, and informed us that they had +discovered a camp of Creek Indians, and that we must kill them. Here we +paused for a few minutes, and the prophets pow-wowed over their men +awhile, and then got out their paint, and painted them, all according to +their custom when going into battle. They then brought their paint to +old Major Russell, and said to him, that as he was an officer, he must +be painted too. He agreed, and they painted him just as they had done +themselves. We let the Indians understand that we white men would first +fire on the camp, and then fall back, so as to give the Indians a chance +to rush in and scalp them. The Chickasaws marched on our left hand, and +the Choctaws on our right, and we moved on till we got in hearing of the +camp, where the Indians were employed in beating up what they called +chainy briar root. On this they mostly subsisted. On a nearer approach +we found they were on an island, and that we could not get to them. +While we were chatting about this matter, we heard some guns fired, and +in a very short time after a keen whoop, which satisfied us, that +whereever it was, there was war on a small scale. With that we all +broke, like quarter horses, for the firing; and when we got there we +found it was our two front spies, who related to us the following +story:--As they were moving on, they had met with two Creeks who were +out hunting their horses; as they approached each other, there was a +large cluster of green bay bushes exactly between them, so that they +were within a few feet of meeting before either was discovered. Our +spies walked up to them, and speaking in the Shawnee tongue, informed +them that General Jackson was at Pensacola, and they were making their +escape, and wanted to know where they could get something to eat. The +Creeks told them that nine miles up the Conaker, the river they were +then on, there was a large camp of Creeks, and they had cattle and +plenty to eat; and further, that their own camp was on an island about a +mile off, and just below the mouth of the Conaker. They held their +conversation and struck up a fire, and smoked together, and shook hands, +and parted. One of the Creeks had a gun, the other had none; and as soon +as they had parted, our Choctaws turned round and shot down the one that +had the gun, and the other attempted to run off. They snapped several +times at him, but the gun still missing fire, they took after him, and +overtaking him, one of them struck him over the head with his gun, and +followed up his blows till he killed him. + +The gun was broken in the combat, and they then fired off the gun of the +Creek they had killed, and raised the war-whoop. When we reached them, +they had cut off the heads of both the Indians; and each of those +Indians with us would walk up to one of the heads, and taking his war +club would strike on it. This was done by every one of them; and when +they had got done, I took one of their clubs, and walked up as they had +done, and struck it on the head also. At this they all gathered round +me, and patting me on the shoulder, would call me "Warrior--warrior." + +They scalped the heads, and then we moved on a short distance to where +we found a trace leading in towards the river. We took this trace and +pursued it, till we came to where a Spaniard had been killed and +scalped, together with a woman, who we supposed to be his wife, and also +four children. I began to feel mighty ticklish along about this time, +for I knowed if there was no danger then, there had been; and I felt +exactly like there still was. We, however, went on till we struck the +river, and then continued down it till we came opposite to the Indian +camp, where we found they were still beating their roots. + +It was now late in the evening, and they were in a thick cane brake. We +had some few friendly Creeks with us, who said they could decoy them. So +we all hid behind trees and logs, while the attempt was made. The +Indians would not agree that we should fire, but pick'd out some of +their best gunners, and placed them near the river. Our Creeks went down +to the river's side, and hailed the camp in the Creek language. We heard +an answer, and an Indian man started down towards the river, but didn't +come in sight. He went back and again commenced beating his roots, and +sent a squaw. She came down, and talked with our Creeks until dark came +on. They told her they wanted her to bring them a canoe. To which she +replied, that their canoe was on our side; that two of their men had +gone out to hunt their horses and hadn't yet returned. They were the +same two we had killed. The canoe was found, and forty of our picked +Indian warriors were crossed over to take the camp. There was at last +only one man in it, and he escaped; and they took two squaws, and ten +children, but killed none of them, of course. + +We had run nearly out of provisions, and Major Russell had determined to +go up the Conaker to the camp we had heard of from the Indians we had +killed. I was one that he selected to go down the river that night for +provisions, with the canoe, to where we had left our regiment. I took +with me a man by the name of John Guess, and one of the friendly Creeks, +and cut out. It was very dark, and the river was so full that it +overflowed the banks and the adjacent low bottoms. This rendered it very +difficult to keep the channel, and particularly as the river was very +crooked. At about ten o'clock at night we reached the camp, and were to +return by morning to Major Russell, with provisions for his trip up the +river; but on informing Colonel Blue of this arrangement, he vetoed it +as quick as General Jackson did the bank bill; and said, if Major +Russell didn't come back the next day, it would be bad times for him. I +found we were not to go up the Conaker to the Indian camp, and a man of +my company offered to go up in my place to inform Major Russell. I let +him go; and they reached the major, as I was told, about sunrise in the +morning, who immediately returned with those who were with him to the +regiment, and joined us where we crossed the river, as hereafter stated. + +The next morning we all fixed up, and marched down the Scamby to a place +called Miller's Landing, where we swam our horses across, and sent on +two companies down on the side of the bay opposite to Pensacola, where +the Indians had fled when the main army first marched to that place. One +was the company of Captain William Russell, a son of the old major, and +the other was commanded by a Captain Trimble. They went on, and had a +little skirmish with the Indians. They killed some, and took all the +balance prisoners, though I don't remember the numbers. We again met +those companies in a day or two, and sent the prisoners they had taken +on to Fort Montgomery, in charge of some of our Indians. + +I did hear, that after they left us, the Indians killed and scalped all +the prisoners, and I never heard the report contradicted. I cannot +positively say it was true, but I think it entirely probable, for it is +very much like the Indian character. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + +When we made a move from the point where we met the companies, we set +out for Chatahachy, the place for which we had started when we left Fort +Montgomery. At the start we had taken only twenty days' rations of +flour, and eight days' rations of beef; and it was now thirty-four days +before we reached that place. We were, therefore, in extreme suffering +for want of something to eat, and exhausted with our exposure and the +fatigues of our journey. I remember well, that I had not myself tasted +bread but twice in nineteen days. I had bought a pretty good supply of +coffee from the boat that had reached us from Pensacola, on the Scamby, +and on that we chiefly subsisted. At length, one night our spies came +in, and informed us they had found Holm's village on the Chatahachy +river; and we made an immediate push for that place. We traveled all +night, expecting to get something to eat when we got there. We arrived +about sunrise, and near the place prepared for battle. We were all so +furious, that even the certainty of a pretty hard fight could not have +restrained us. We made a furious charge on the town, but to our great +mortification and surprise, there wasn't a human being in it. The +Indians had all run off and left it. We burned the town, however; but, +melancholy to tell, we found no provision whatever. We then turned +about, and went back to the camp we had left the night before, as nearly +starved as any set of poor fellows ever were in the world. + +We staid there only a little while, when we divided our regiment; and +Major Childs, with his men, went back the way we had come for a +considerable distance, and then turned to Baton Rouge, where they joined +General Jackson and the main army on their return from Orleans. Major +Russell and his men struck for Fort Decatur, on the Talapoosa river. +Some of our friendly Indians, who knew the country, went on ahead of us, +as we had no trail except the one they made to follow. With them we sent +some of our ablest horses and men, to get us some provisions, to prevent +us from absolutely starving to death. As the army marched, I hunted +every day, and would kill every hawk, bird, and squirrel that I could +find. Others did the same; and it was a rule with us, that when we +stop'd at night, the hunters would throw all they killed in a pile, and +then we would make a general division among all the men. One evening I +came in, having killed nothing that day. I had a very sick man in my +mess, and I wanted something for him to eat, even if I starved myself. +So I went to the fire of a Captain Cowen, who commanded my company after +the promotion of Major Russell, and informed him that I was on the hunt +of something for a sick man to eat. I knowed the captain was as bad off +as the rest of us, but I found him broiling a turkey's gizzard. He said +he had divided the turkey out among the sick, that Major Smiley had +killed it, and that nothing else had been killed that day. I immediately +went to Smiley's fire, where I found him broiling another gizzard. I +told him, that it was the first turkey I had ever seen have two +gizzards. But so it was, I got nothing for my sick man. And now seeing +that every fellow must shift for himself, I determined that in the +morning, I would come up missing; so I took my mess and cut out to go +ahead of the army. We know'd that nothing more could happen to us if we +went than if we staid, for it looked like it was to be starvation any +way; we therefore determined to go on the old saying, root hog or die. +We passed two camps, at which our men, that had gone on before us, had +killed Indians. At one they had killed nine, and at the other three. +About daylight we came to a small river, which I thought was the Scamby; +but we continued on for three days, killing little or nothing to eat; +till, at last, we all began to get nearly ready to give up the ghost, +and lie down and die; for we had no prospect of provision, and we knew +we couldn't go much further without it. + +We came to a large prairie, that was about six miles across it, and in +this I saw a trail which I knowed was made by bear, deer, and turkeys. +We went on through it till we came to a large creek, and the low grounds +were all set over with wild rye, looking as green as a wheat field. We +here made a halt, unsaddled our horses, and turned them loose to graze. + +One of my companions, a Mr. Vanzant, and myself, then went up the low +grounds to hunt. We had gone some distance, finding nothing; when at +last, I found a squirrel; which I shot, but he got into a hole in the +tree. The game was small, but necessity is not very particular; so I +thought I must have him, and I climbed that tree thirty feet high, +without a limb, and pulled him out of his hole. I shouldn't relate such +small matters, only to show what lengths a hungry man will go to, to +get something to eat. I soon killed two other squirrels, and fired at a +large hawk. At this a large gang of turkeys rose from the cane brake, +and flew across the creek to where my friend was, who had just before +crossed it. He soon fired on a large gobler, and I heard it fall. By +this time my gun was loaded again, and I saw one sitting on my side of +the creek, which had flew over when he fired; so I blazed away, and down +I brought him. I gathered him up, and a fine turkey he was. I now began +to think we had struck a breeze of luck, and almost forgot our past +sufferings, in the prospect of once more having something to eat. I +raised the shout, and my comrade came to me, and we went on to our camp +with the game we had killed. While we were gone, two of our mess had +been out, and each of them had found a bee tree. We turned into cooking +some of our game, but we had neither salt nor bread. Just at this +moment, on looking down the creek, we saw our men, who had gone on +before us for provisions, coming to us. They came up, and measured out +to each man a cupfull of flower. With this, we thickened our soup, when +our turkey was cooked, and our friends took dinner with us, and then +went on. + +We now took our tomahawks, and went and cut our bee-trees, out of which +we got a fine chance of honey; though we had been starving so long that +we feared to eat much at a time, till, like the Irish by hanging, we got +used to it again. We rested that night without moving our camp; and the +next morning myself and Vanzant again turned out to hunt. We had not +gone far, before I wounded a fine buck very badly; and while pursuing +him, I was walking on a large tree that had fallen down, when from the +top of it, a large bear broke out and ran off. I had no dogs, and I was +sorry enough for it; for of all the hunting I ever did, I have always +delighted most in bear hunting. Soon after this, I killed a large buck; +and we had just gotten him to camp, when our poor starved army came up. +They told us, that to lessen their sufferings as much as possible, +Captain William Russell had had his horse led up to be shot for them to +eat, just at the moment that they saw our men returning, who had carried +on the flour. + +We were now about fourteen miles from Fort Decatur, and we gave away all +our meat, and honey, and went on with the rest of the army. When we got +there, they could give us only one ration of meat, but not a mouthful of +bread. I immediately got a canoe, and taking my gun, crossed over the +river, and went to the Big Warrior's town. I had a large hat, and I +offered an Indian a silver dollar for my hat full of corn. He told me +that his corn was all "_shuestea_," which in English means, it was all +gone. But he showed me where an Indian lived, who, he said, had corn. I +went to him, and made the same offer. He could talk a little broken +English, and said to me, "You got any powder? You got bullet?" I told +him I had. He then said, "Me swap my corn, for powder and bullet." I +took out about ten bullets, and showed him; and he proposed to give me a +hat full of corn for them. I took him up, mighty quick. I then offered +to give him ten charges of powder for another hat full of corn. To this +he agreed very willingly. So I took off my hunting-shirt, and tied up my +corn; and though it had cost me very little of my powder and lead, yet I +wouldn't have taken fifty silver dollars for it. I returned to the camp, +and the next morning we started for the Hickory Ground, which was thirty +miles off. It was here that General Jackson met the Indians, and made +peace with the body of the nation. + +We got nothing to eat at this place, and we had yet to go forty-nine +miles, over a rough and wilderness country, to Fort Williams. Parched +corn, and but little even of that, was our daily subsistence. When we +reached Fort Williams, we got one ration of pork and one of flour, which +was our only hope until we could reach Fort Strother. + +The horses were now giving out, and I remember to have seen thirteen +good horses left in one day, the saddles and bridles being thrown away. +It was thirty-nine miles to Fort Strother, and we had to pass directly +by Fort Talladego, where we first had the big Indian battle with the +eleven hundred painted warriors. We went through the old battle ground, +and it looked like a great gourd patch; the sculls of the Indians who +were killed still lay scattered all about, and many of their frames were +still perfect, as the bones had not separated. But about five miles +before we got to this battle ground, I struck a trail, which I followed +until it led me to one of their towns. Here I swap'd some more of my +powder and bullets for a little corn. + +I pursued on, by myself, till some time after night, when I came up with +the rest of the army. That night my company and myself did pretty well, +as I divided out my corn among them. The next morning we met the East +Tennessee troops, who were on their road to Mobile, and my youngest +brother was with them. They had plenty of corn and provisions, and they +gave me what I wanted for myself and my horse. I remained with them +that night, though my company went across the Coosa river to the fort, +where they also had the good fortune to find plenty of provisions. Next +morning, I took leave of my brother and all my old neighbours, for there +were a good many of them with him, and crossed over to my men at the +fort. Here I had enough to go on, and after remaining a few days, cut +out for home. Nothing more, worthy of the reader's attention, transpired +till I was safely landed at home once more with my wife and children. I +found them all well and doing well; and though I was only a rough sort +of a backwoodsman, they seemed mighty glad to see me, however little the +quality folks might suppose it. For I do reckon we love as hard in the +backwood country, as any people in the whole creation. + +But I had been home only a few days, when we received orders to start +again, and go on to the Black Warrior and Cahawba rivers, to see if +there was no Indians there. I know'd well enough there was none, and I +wasn't willing to trust my craw any more where there was neither any +fighting to do, nor any thing to go on; and so I agreed to give a young +man, who wanted to go, the balance of my wages if he would serve out my +time, which was about a month. He did so, and when they returned, sure +enough they hadn't seen an Indian any more than if they had been all the +time chopping wood in my clearing. This closed my career as a warrior, +and I am glad of it, for I like life now a heap better than I did then; +and I am glad all over that I lived to see these times, which I should +not have done if I had kept fooling along in war, and got used up at it. +When I say I am glad, I just mean I am glad I am alive, for there is a +confounded heap of things I an't glad of at all. I an't glad, for +example, that the "government" moved the deposites, and if my military +glory should take such a turn as to make me president after the +general's time, I'll move them back; yes, I, the "government," will +"take the responsibility," and move them back again. If I don't, I wish +I may be shot. + +But I am glad that I am now through war matters, and I reckon the reader +is too, for they have no fun in them at all; and less if he had had to +pass through them first, and then to write them afterwards. But for the +dullness of their narrative, I must try to make amends by relating some +of the curious things that happened to me in private life, and when +_forced_ to become a public man, as I shall have to be again, if ever I +consent to take the presidential chair. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + +I continued at home now, working my farm for two years, as the war +finally closed soon after I quit the service. The battle at New Orleans +had already been fought, and treaties were made with the Indians which +put a stop to their hostilities. + +But in this time, I met with the hardest trial which ever falls to the +lot of man. Death, that cruel leveller of all distinctions,--to whom the +prayers and tears of husbands, and of even helpless infancy, are +addressed in vain,--entered my humble cottage, and tore from my children +an affectionate good mother, and from me a tender and loving wife. + +It is a scene long gone by, and one which it would be supposed I had +almost forgotten; yet when I turn my memory back on it, it seems as but +the work of yesterday. It was the doing of the Almighty, whose ways are +always right, though we sometimes think they fall heavily on us; and as +painful as is even yet the remembrance of her sufferings, and the loss +sustained by my little children and myself, yet I have no wish to lift +up the voice of complaint. I was left with three children; the two +oldest were sons, the youngest a daughter, and, at that time, a mere +infant. It appeared to me, at that moment, that my situation was the +worst in the world. I couldn't bear the thought of scattering my +children, and so I got my youngest brother, who was also married, and +his family to live with me. They took as good care of my children as +they well could, but yet it wasn't all like the care of a mother. And +though their company was to me in every respect like that of a brother +and sister, yet it fell far short of being like that of a wife. So I +came to the conclusion it wouldn't do, but that I must have another +wife. + +There lived in the neighbourhood, a widow lady whose husband had been +killed in the war. She had two children, a son and daughter, and both +quite small, like my own. I began to think, that as we were both in the +same situation, it might be that we could do something for each other; +and I therefore began to hint a little around the matter, as we were +once and a while together. She was a good industrious woman, and owned a +snug little farm, and lived quite comfortable. I soon began to pay my +respects to her in real good earnest; but I was as sly about it as a fox +when he is going to rob a hen-roost. I found that my company wasn't at +all disagreeable to her; and I thought I could treat her children with +so much friendship as to make her a good stepmother to mine, and in this +I wan't mistaken, as we soon bargained, and got married, and then went +ahead. In a great deal of peace we raised our first crop of children, +and they are all married and doing well. But we had a second crop +together; and I shall notice them as I go along, as my wife and myself +both had a hand in them, and they therefore belong to the history of my +second marriage. + +The next fall after this marriage, three of my neighbours and myself +determined to explore a new country. Their names were Robinson, Frazier, +and Rich. We set out for the Creek country, crossing the Tennessee +river; and after having made a day's travel, we stop'd at the house of +one of my old acquaintances, who had settled there after the war. +Resting here a day, Frazier turned out to hunt, being a great hunter; +but he got badly bit by a very poisonous snake, and so we left him and +went on. We passed through a large rich valley, called Jones's valley, +where several other families had settled, and continued our course till +we came near to the place where Tuscaloosa now stands. Here we camped, +as there were no inhabitants, and hobbled out our horses for the night. +About two hours before day, we heard the bells on our horses going back +the way we had come, as they had started to leave us. As soon as it was +daylight, I started in pursuit of them on foot, and carrying my rifle, +which was a very heavy one. I went ahead the whole day, wading creeks +and swamps, and climbing mountains; but I couldn't overtake our horses, +though I could hear of them at every house they passed. I at last found +I couldn't catch up with them, and so I gave up the hunt, and turned +back to the last house I had passed, and staid there till morning. From +the best calculation we could make, I had walked over fifty miles that +day; and the next morning I was so sore, and fatigued, that I felt like +I couldn't walk any more. But I was anxious to get back to where I had +left my company, and so I started and went on, but mighty slowly, till +after the middle of the day. I now began to feel mighty sick, and had a +dreadful head-ache. My rifle was so heavy, and I felt so weak, that I +lay down by the side of the trace, in a perfect wilderness too, to see +if I wouldn't get better. In a short time some Indians came along. They +had some ripe melons, and wanted me to eat some, but I was so sick I +couldn't. They then signed to me, that I would die, and be buried; a +thing I was confoundedly afraid of myself. But I asked them how near it +was to any house? By their signs, again, they made me understand it was +a mile and a half. I got up to go; but when I rose, I reeled about like +a cow with the blind staggers, or a fellow who had taken too many +"horns." One of the Indians proposed to go with me, and carry my gun. I +gave him half a dollar, and accepted his offer. We got to the house, by +which time I was pretty far gone, but was kindly received, and got on to +a bed. The woman did all she could for me with her warm teas, but I +still continued bad enough, with a high fever, and generally out of my +senses. The next day two of my neighbours were passing the road, and +heard of my situation, and came to where I was. They were going nearly +the route I had intended to go, to look at the country; and so they took +me first on one of their horses, and then on the other, till they got me +back to where I had left my company. I expected I would get better, and +be able to go on with them, but, instead of this, I got worse and worse; +and when we got there, I wan't able to sit up at all. I thought now the +jig was mighty nigh up with me, but I determined to keep a stiff upper +lip. They carried me to a house, and each of my comrades bought him a +horse, and they all set out together, leaving me behind. I knew but +little that was going on for about two weeks; but the family treated me +with every possible kindness in their power, and I shall always feel +thankful to them. The man's name was Jesse Jones. At the end of two +weeks I began to mend without the help of a doctor, or of any doctor's +means. In this time, however, as they told me, I was speechless for five +days, and they had no thought that I would ever speak again,--in +Congress or any where else. And so the woman, who had a bottle of +Batesman's draps, thought if they killed me, I would only die any how, +and so she would try it with me. She gave me the whole bottle, which +throwed me into a sweat that continued on me all night; when at last I +seemed to make up, and spoke, and asked her for a drink of water. This +almost alarmed her, for she was looking every minute for me to die. She +gave me the water, and, from that time, I began slowly to mend, and so +kept on till I was able at last to walk about a little. I might easily +have been mistaken for one of the Kitchen Cabinet, I looked so much +like a ghost. I have been particular in giving a history of this +sickness, not because I believe it will interest any body much now, nor, +indeed, do I _certainly_ know that it ever will. But if I should be +forced to take the "white house," then it will be good history; and +every one will look on it as important. And I can't, for my life, help +laughing now, to think, that when all my folks get around me, wanting +good fat offices, how so many of them will say, "What a good thing it +was that that kind woman had the bottle of draps, that saved PRESIDENT +CROCKETT'S life,--the second greatest and best"!!!!! Good, says I, my +noble fellow! You take the post office; or the navy; or the war office; +or may-be the treasury. But if I give him the treasury, there's no devil +if I don't make him agree first to fetch back them deposites. And if +it's even the post office, I'll make him promise to keep his money +'counts without any figuring, as that throws the whole concern heels +over head in debt, in little or no time. + +But when I got so I could travel a little, I got a waggoner who was +passing along to hawl me to where he lived, which was about twenty miles +from my house. I still mended as we went along, and when we got to his +stopping place, I hired one of his horses, and went on home. I was so +pale, and so much reduced, that my face looked like it had been half +soled with brown paper. + +When I got there, it was to the utter astonishment of my wife; for she +supposed I was dead. My neighbours who had started with me had returned +and took my horse home, which they had found with their's; and they +reported that they had seen men who had helped to bury me; and who saw +me draw my last breath. I know'd this was a whapper of a lie, as soon as +I heard it. My wife had hired a man, and sent him out to see what had +become of my money and other things; but I had missed the man as I went +in, and he didn't return until some time after I got home, as he went +all the way to where I lay sick, before he heard that I was still in the +land of the living and a-kicking. + +The place on which I lived was sickly, and I was determined to leave it. +I therefore set out the next fall to look at the country which had been +purchased of the Chickasaw tribe of Indians. I went on to a place called +Shoal Creek, about eighty miles from where I lived, and here again I got +sick. I took the ague and fever, which I supposed was brought on me by +camping out. I remained here for some time, as I was unable to go +farther; and in that time, I became so well pleased with the country +about there, that I resolved to settle in it. It was just only a little +distance in the purchase, and no order had been established there; but I +thought I could get along without order as well as any body else. And so +I moved and settled myself down on the head of Shoal Creek. We remained +here some two or three years, without any law at all; and so many bad +characters began to flock in upon us, that we found it necessary to set +up a sort of temporary government of our own. I don't mean that we made +any president, and called him the "government," but we met and made what +we called a corporation; and I reckon we called _it_ wrong, for it +wa'n't a bank, and hadn't any deposites; and now they call the bank a +corporation. But be this as it may, we lived in the back-woods, and +didn't profess to know much, and no doubt used many wrong words. But we +met, and appointed magistrates and constables to keep order. We didn't +fix any laws for them, tho'; for we supposed they would know law enough, +whoever they might be; and so we left it to themselves to fix the laws. + +I was appointed one of the magistrates; and when a man owed a debt, and +wouldn't pay it, I and my constable ordered our warrant, and then he +would take the man, and bring him before me for trial. I would give +judgment against him, and then an order of an execution would easily +scare the debt out of him. If any one was charged with marking his +neighbour's hogs, or with stealing any thing, which happened pretty +often in those days,--I would have him taken, and if there was tolerable +grounds for the charge, I would have him well whip'd and cleared. We +kept this up till our Legislature added us to the white settlements in +Giles county; and appointed magistrates by law, to organize matters in +the parts where I lived. They appointed nearly every man a magistrate +who had belonged to our corporation. I was then, of course, made a +squire according to law; though now the honour rested more heavily on me +than before. For, at first, whenever I told my constable, says I--"Catch +that fellow, and bring him up for trial"--away he went, and the fellow +must come, dead or alive; for we considered this a good warrant, though +it was only in verbal writings. But after I was appointed by the +assembly, they told me, my warrants must be in real writing, and signed; +and that I must keep a book, and write my proceedings in it. This was a +hard business on me, for I could just barely write my own name; but to +do this, and write the warrants too, was at least a huckleberry over my +persimmon. I had a pretty well informed constable, however; and he aided +me very much in this business. Indeed I had so much confidence in him, +that I told him, when we should happen to be out anywhere, and see that +a warrant was necessary, and would have a good effect, he need'nt take +the trouble to come all the way to me to get one, but he could just fill +out one; and then on the trial I could correct the whole business if he +had committed any error. In this way I got on pretty well, till by care +and attention I improved my handwriting in such manner as to be able to +prepare my warrants, and keep my record book, without much difficulty. +My judgments were never appealed from, and if they had been they would +have stuck like wax, as I gave my decisions on the principles of common +justice and honesty between man and man, and relied on natural born +sense, and not on law, learning to guide me; for I had never read a page +in a law book in all my life. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + +About the time we were getting under good headway in our new government, +a Capt. Matthews came to me and told me he was a candidate for the +office of colonel of a regiment, and that I must run for first major in +the same regiment. I objected to this, telling him that I thought I had +done my share of fighting, and that I wanted nothing to do with military +appointments. + +He still insisted, until at last I agreed, and of course had every +reason to calculate on his support in my election. He was an early +settler in that country, and made rather more corn than the rest of us; +and knowing it would afford him a good opportunity to electioneer a +little, he made a great corn husking, and a great frolic, and gave a +general treat, asking every body over the whole country. Myself and my +family were, of course, invited. When I got there, I found a very large +collection of people, and some friend of mine soon informed me that the +captain's son was going to offer against me for the office of major, +which he had seemed so anxious for me to get. I cared nothing about the +office, but it put my dander up high enough to see, that after he had +pressed me so hard to offer, he was countenancing, if not encouraging, a +secret plan to beat me. I took the old gentleman out, and asked him +about it. He told me it was true his son was going to run as a +candidate, and that he hated worse to run against me than any man in the +county. I told him his son need give himself no uneasiness about that; +that I shouldn't run against him for major, but against his daddy for +colonel. He took me by the hand, and we went into the company. He then +made a speech, and informed the people that I was his opponent. I +mounted up for a speech too. I told the people the cause of my opposing +him, remarking that as I had the whole family to run against any way, I +was determined to levy on the head of the mess. When the time for the +election came, his son was opposed by another man for major; and he and +his daddy were both badly beaten. I just now began to take a rise, as in +a little time I was asked to offer for the Legislature in the counties +of Lawrence and Heckman. + +I offered my name in the month of February, and started about the first +of March with a drove of horses to the lower part of the state of North +Carolina. This was in the year 1821, and I was gone upwards of three +months. I returned, and set out electioneering, which was a bran-fire +new business to me. It now became necessary that I should tell the +people something about the government, and an eternal sight of other +things that I knowed nothing more about than I did about Latin, and law, +and such things as that. I have said before that in those days none of +us called Gen'l. Jackson the government, nor did he seem in as fair a +way to become so as I do now; but I knowed so little about it, that if +any one had told me he was "the government," I should have believed it, +for I had never read even a newspaper in my life, or any thing else, on +the subject. But over all my difficulties, it seems to me I was born for +luck, though it would be hard for any one to guess what sort. I will, +however, explain that hereafter. + +I went first into Heckman county, to see what I could do among the +people as a candidate. Here they told me that they wanted to move their +town nearer to the centre of the county, and I must come out in favour +of it. There's no devil if I knowed what this meant, or how the town was +to be moved; and so I kept dark, going on the identical same plan that I +now find is called "_non-committal_." About this time there was a great +squirrel hunt on Duck river, which was among my people. They were to +hunt two days: then to meet and count the scalps, and have a big +barbecue, and what might be called a tip-top country frolic. The dinner, +and a general treat, was all to be paid for by the party having taken +the fewest scalps. I joined one side, taking the place of one of the +hunters, and got a gun ready for the hunt. I killed a great many +squirrels, and when we counted scalps, my party was victorious. + +The company had every thing to eat and drink that could be furnished in +so new a country, and much fun and good humour prevailed. But before the +regular frolic commenced, I mean the dancing, I was called on to make a +speech as a candidate; which was a business I was as ignorant of as an +outlandish negro. + +A public document I had never seen, nor did I know there were such +things; and how to begin I couldn't tell. I made many apologies, and +tried to get off, for I know'd I had a man to run against who could +speak prime, and I know'd, too, that I wa'n't able to shuffle and cut +with him. He was there, and knowing my ignorance as well as I did +myself, he also urged me to make a speech. The truth is, he thought my +being a candidate was a mere matter of sport; and didn't think, for a +moment, that he was in any danger from an ignorant back-woods bear +hunter. But I found I couldn't get off, and so I determined just to go +ahead, and leave it to chance what I should say. I got up and told the +people, I reckoned they know'd what I come for, but if not, I could tell +them. I had come for their votes, and if they didn't watch mighty close, +I'd get them too. But the worst of all was, that I couldn't tell them +any thing about government. I tried to speak about something, and I +cared very little what, until I choaked up as bad as if my mouth had +been jam'd and cram'd chock full of dry mush. There the people stood, +listening all the while, with their eyes, mouths and ear all open, to +catch every word I would speak. + +At last I told them I was like a fellow I had heard of not long before. +He was beating on the head of an empty barrel near the road-side, when a +traveler, who was passing along, asked him what he was doing that for? +The fellow replied, that there was some cider in that barrel a few days +before, and he was trying to see if there was any then, but if there was +he couldn't get at it. I told them that there had been a little bit of a +speech in me a while ago, but I believed I couldn't get it out. They +all roared out in a mighty laugh, and I told some other anecdotes, +equally amusing to them, and believing I had them in a first-rate way, I +quit and got down, thanking the people for their attention. But I took +care to remark that I was as dry as a powder horn, and that I thought it +was time for us all to wet our whistles a little; and so I put off to +the liquor stand, and was followed by the greater part of the crowd. + +I felt certain this was necessary, for I knowed my competitor could open +government matters to them as easy as he pleased. He had, however, +mighty few left to hear him, as I continued with the crowd, now and then +taking a horn, and telling good humoured stories, till he was done +speaking. I found I was good for the votes at the hunt, and when we +broke up, I went on to the town of Vernon, which was the same they +wanted me to move. Here they pressed me again on the subject, and I +found I could get either party by agreeing with them. But I told them I +didn't know whether it would be right or not, and so couldn't promise +either way. + +Their court commenced on the next Monday, as the barbacue was on a +Saturday, and the candidates for governor and for Congress, as well as +my competitor and myself, all attended. The thought of having to make a +speech made my knees feel mighty weak, and set my heart to fluttering +almost as bad as my first love scrape with the Quaker's niece. But as +good luck would have it, these big candidates spoke nearly all day, and +when they quit, the people were worn out with fatigue, which afforded me +a good apology for not discussing the government. But I listened mighty +close to them, and was learning pretty fast about political matters. +When they were all done, I got up and told some laughable story, and +quit. I found I was safe in those parts, and so I went home, and didn't +go back again till after the election was over. But to cut this matter +short, I was elected, doubling my competitor, and nine votes over. + +A short time after this, I was in Pulaski, where I met with Colonel +Polk, now a member of Congress from Tennessee. He was at that time a +member elected to the Legislature, as well as myself; and in a large +company he said to me, "Well, colonel, I suppose we shall have a radical +change of the judiciary at the next session of the Legislature." "Very +likely, sir," says I, and I put out quicker, for I was afraid some one +would ask me what the judiciary was; and if I knowed I wish I may be +shot. I don't indeed believe I had ever before heard that there was any +such thing in all nature; but still I was not willing that the people +there should know how ignorant I was about it. + +When the time for meeting of the Legislature arrived, I went on, and +before I had been there long, I could have told what the judiciary was, +and what the government was too; and many other things that I had known +nothing about before. + +About this time I met with a very severe misfortune, which I may be +pardoned for naming, as it made a great change in my circumstances, and +kept me back very much in the world. I had built an extensive grist +mill, and powder mill, all connected together, and also a large +distillery. They had cost me upwards of three thousand dollars, more +than I was worth in the world. The first news that I heard after I got +to the Legislature, was, that my mills were--not blown up sky high, as +you would guess, by my powder establishment,--but swept away all to +smash by a large fresh, that came soon after I left home. I had, of +course, to stop my distillery, as my grinding was broken up; and, +indeed, I may say, that the misfortune just made a complete mash of me. +I had some likely negroes, and a good stock of almost every thing about +me, and, best of all, I had an honest wife. She didn't advise me, as is +too fashionable, to smuggle up this, and that, and t'other, to go on at +home; but she told me, says she, "Just pay up, as long as you have a +bit's worth in the world; and then every body will be satisfied, and we +will scuffle for more." This was just such talk as I wanted to hear, for +a man's wife can hold him devlish uneasy, if she begins to scold, and +fret, and perplex him, at a time when he has a full load for a rail-road +car on his mind already. + +And so, you see, I determined not to break full handed, but thought it +better to keep a good conscience with an empty purse, than to get a bad +opinion of myself, with a full one. I therefore gave up all I had, and +took a bran-fire new start. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + +Having returned from the Legislature, I determined to make another move, +and so I took my eldest son with me, and a young man by the name of +Abram Henry, and cut out for the Obion. I selected a spot when I got +there, where I determined to settle; and the nearest house to it was +seven miles, the next nearest was fifteen, and so on to twenty. It was a +complete wilderness, and full of Indians who were hunting. Game was +plenty of almost every kind, which suited me exactly, as I was always +fond of hunting. The house which was nearest me, and which, as I have +already stated, was seven miles off, and on the different side of the +Obion river, belonged to a man by the name of Owens; and I started to go +there. I had taken one horse along, to pack our provision, and when I +got to the water I hobbled him out to graze, until I got back; as there +was no boat to cross the river in, and it was so high that it had +overflowed all the bottoms and low country near it. + +We now took water like so many beavers, notwithstanding it was mighty +cold, and waded on. The water would sometimes be up to our necks, and at +others not so deep; but I went, of course, before, and carried a pole, +with which I would feel along before me, to see how deep it was, and to +guard against falling into a slough, as there was many in our way. When +I would come to one, I would take out my tomahawk and cut a small tree +across it, and then go ahead again. Frequently my little son would have +to swim, even where myself and the young man could wade; but we worked +on till at last we got to the channel of the river, which made it about +half a mile we had waded from where we took water. I saw a large tree +that had fallen into the river from the other side, but it didn't reach +across. One stood on the same bank where we were, that I thought I could +fall, so as to reach the other; and so at it we went with my tomahawk, +cutting away till we got it down; and, as good luck would have it, it +fell right, and made us a way that we could pass. + +When we got over this, it was still a sea of water as far as our eyes +could reach. We took into it again, and went ahead, for about a mile, +hardly ever seeing a single spot of land, and sometimes very deep. At +last we come in sight of land, which was a very pleasing thing; and when +we got out, we went but a little way, before we came in sight of the +house, which was more pleasing than ever; for we were wet all over, and +mighty cold. I felt mighty sorry when I would look at my little boy, and +see him shaking like he had the worst sort of an ague, for there was no +time for fever then. As we got near to the house, we saw Mr. Owens and +several men that were with him, just starting away. They saw us, and +stop'd, but looked much astonished until we got up to them, and I made +myself known. The men who were with him were the owners of a boat which +was the first that ever went that far up the Obion river; and some hands +he had hired to carry it about a hundred miles still further up, by +water, tho' it was only about thirty by land, as the river is very +crooked. + +They all turned back to the house with me, where I found Mrs. Owens, a +fine, friendly old woman; and her kindness to my little boy did me ten +times as much good as any thing she could have done for me, if she had +tried her best. The old gentleman set out his bottle to us, and I +concluded that if a horn wasn't good then, there was no use for its +invention. So I swig'd off about a half pint, and the young man was by +no means bashful in such a case; he took a strong pull at it too. I then +gave my boy some, and in a little time we felt pretty well. We dried +ourselves by the fire, and were asked to go on board of the boat that +evening. I agreed to do so, but left my son with the old lady, and +myself and my young man went to the boat with Mr. Owens and the others. +The boat was loaded with whiskey, flour, sugar, coffee, salt, castings, +and other articles suitable for the country; and they were to receive +five hundred dollars to land the load at M'Lemore's Bluff, beside the +profit they could make on their load. This was merely to show that boats +could get up to that point. We staid all night with them, and had a high +night of it, as I took steam enough to drive out all the cold that was +in me, and about three times as much more. In the morning we concluded +to go on with the boat to where a great _harricane_ had crossed the +river, and blowed all the timber down into it. When we got there, we +found the river was falling fast, and concluded we couldn't get through +the timber without more rise; so we drop'd down opposite Mr. Owens' +again, where they determined to wait for more water. + +The next day it rained rip-roriously, and the river rose pretty +considerable, but not enough yet. And so I got the boatsmen all to go +out with me to where I was going to settle, and we slap'd up a cabin in +little or no time. I got from the boat four barrels of meal, and one of +salt, and about ten gallons of whiskey. + +To pay for these, I agreed to go with the boat up the river to their +landing place. I got also a large middling of bacon, and killed a fine +deer, and left them for my young man and my little boy, who were to stay +at my cabin till I got back; which I expected would be in six or seven +days. We cut out, and moved up to the harricane, where we stop'd for the +night. In the morning I started about daylight, intending to kill a +deer, as I had no thought they would get the boat through the timber +that day. I had gone but a little way before I killed a fine buck, and +started to go back to the boat; but on the way I came on the tracks of a +large gang of elks, and so I took after them. I had followed them only a +little distance when I saw them, and directly after I saw two large +bucks. I shot one down, and the other wouldn't leave him; so I loaded +my gun, and shot him down too. I hung them up, and went ahead again +after my elks. I pursued on till after the middle of the day before I +saw them again; but they took the hint before I got in shooting +distance, and run off. I still pushed on till late in the evening, when +I found I was about four miles from where I had left the boat, and as +hungry as a wolf, for I hadn't eaten a bite that day. + +I started down the edge of the river low grounds, giving out the pursuit +of my elks, and hadn't gone hardly any distance at all, before I saw two +more bucks, very large fellows too. I took a blizzard at one of them, +and up he tumbled. The other ran off a few jumps and stop'd; and stood +there till I loaded again, and fired at him. I knock'd his trotters from +under him, and then I hung them both up. I pushed on again; and about +sunset I saw three other bucks. I down'd with one of them, and the other +two ran off. I hung this one up also, having now killed six that day. I +then pushed on till I got to the harricane, and at the lower edge of it, +about where I expected the boat was. Here I hollered as hard as I could +roar, but could get no answer. I fired off my gun, and the men on the +boat fired one too; but quite contrary to my expectation, they had got +through the timber, and were about two miles above me. It was now dark, +and I had to crawl through the fallen timber the best way I could; and +if the reader don't know it was bad enough, I am sure I do. For the +vines and briers had grown all through it, and so thick, that a good fat +coon couldn't much more than get along. I got through at last, and went +on near to where I had killed my last deer, and once more fired off my +gun, which was again answered from the boat, which was still a little +above me. I moved on as fast as I could, but soon came to water, and not +knowing how deep it was, I halted and hollered till they came to me with +a skiff. I now got to the boat, without further difficulty; but the +briers had worked on me at such a rate, that I felt like I wanted sewing +up, all over. I took a pretty stiff horn, which soon made me feel much +better; but I was so tired that I could hardly work my jaws to eat. + +In the morning, myself and a young man started and brought in the first +buck I had killed; and after breakfast we went and brought in the last +one. The boat then started, but we again went and got the two I had +killed just as I turned down the river in the evening; and we then +pushed on and o'ertook the boat, leaving the other two hanging in the +woods, as we had now as much as we wanted. + +We got up the river very well, but quite slowly; and we landed, on the +eleventh day, at the place the load was to be delivered at. They here +gave me their skiff, and myself and a young man by the name of Flavius +Harris, who had determined to go and live with me, cut out down the +river for my cabin, which we reached safely enough. + +We turned in and cleared a field, and planted our corn; but it was so +late in the spring, we had no time to make rails, and therefore we put +no fence around our field. There was no stock, however, nor any thing +else to disturb our corn, except the wild _varments_, and the old +serpent himself, with a fence to help him, couldn't keep them out. I +made corn enough to do me, and during that spring I killed ten bears, +and a great abundance of deer. But in all this time, we saw the face of +no white person in that country, except Mr. Owens' family, and a very +few passengers, who went out there, looking at the country. Indians, +though, were still plenty enough. Having laid by my crap, I went home, +which was a distance of about a hundred and fifty miles; and when I got +there, I was met by an order to attend a call-session of our +Legislature. I attended it, and served out my time, and then returned, +and took my family and what little plunder I had, and moved to where I +had built my cabin, and made my crap. + +I gathered my corn, and then set out for my Fall's hunt. This was in the +last of October, 1822. I found bear very plenty, and, indeed, all sorts +of game and wild varments, except buffalo. There was none of them. I +hunted on till Christmass, having supplied my family very well all along +with wild meat, at which time my powder gave out; and I had none either +to fire Christmass guns, which is very common in that country, or to +hunt with. I had a brother-in-law who had now moved out and settled +about six miles west of me, on the opposite side of Rutherford's fork of +the Obion river, and he had brought me a keg of powder, but I had never +gotten it home. There had just been another of Noah's freshes, and the +low grounds were flooded all over with water. I know'd the stream was at +least a mile wide which I would have to cross, as the water was from +hill to hill, and yet I determined to go on over in some way or other, +so as to get my powder. I told this to my wife, and she immediately +opposed it with all her might. I still insisted, telling her we had no +powder for Christmass, and, worse than all, we were out of meat. She +said, we had as well starve as for me to freeze to death or to get +drowned, and one or the other was certain if I attempted to go. + +But I didn't believe the half of this; and so I took my woolen wrappers, +and a pair of mockasins, and put them on, and tied up some dry clothes +and a pair of shoes and stockings, and started. But I didn't before know +how much any body could suffer and not die. This, and some of my other +experiments in water, learned me something about it, and I therefore +relate them. + +The snow was about four inches deep when I started; and when I got to +the water, which was only about a quarter of a mile off, it look'd like +an ocean. I put in, and waded on till I come to the channel, where I +crossed that on a high log. I then took water again, having my gun and +all my hunting tools along, and waded till I came to a deep slough, that +was wider than the river itself. I had crossed it often on a log; but, +behold, when I got there, no log was to be seen. I knowed of an island +in the slough, and a sapling stood on it close to the side of that log, +which was now entirely under water. I knowed further, that the water was +about eight or ten feet deep under the log, and I judged it to be about +three feet deep over it. After studying a little what I should do, I +determined to cut a forked sapling, which stood near me, so as to lodge +it against the one that stood on the island, in which I succeeded very +well. I then cut me a pole, and crawled along on my sapling till I got +to the one it was lodged against, which was about six feet above the +water. I then felt about with my pole till I found the log, which was +just about as deep under the water as I had judged. I then crawled back +and got my gun, which I had left at the stump of the sapling I had cut, +and again made my way to the place of lodgement, and then climb'd down +the other sapling so as to get on the log. I then felt my way along with +my feet, in the water, about waist deep, but it was a mighty ticklish +business. However, I got over, and by this time I had very little +feeling in my feet and legs, as I had been all the time in the water, +except what time I was crossing the high log over the river, and +climbing my lodged sapling. + +I went but a short distance before I came to another slough, over which +there was a log, but it was floating on the water. I thought I could +walk it, and so I mounted on it; but when I had got about the middle of +the deep water, somehow or somehow else, it turned over, and in I went +up to my head I waded out of this deep water, and went ahead till I came +to the high-land, where I stop'd to pull off my wet clothes, and put on +the others, which I had held up with my gun, above the water, when I +fell in. I got them on, but my flesh had no feeling in it, I was so +cold. I tied up the wet ones, and hung them up in a bush. I now thought +I would run, so as to warm myself a little, but I couldn't raise a trot +for some time; indeed, I couldn't step more than half the length of my +foot. After a while I got better, and went on five miles to the house of +my brother-in-law, having not even smelt fire from the time I started. I +got there late in the evening, and he was much astonished at seeing me +at such a time. I staid all night, and the next morning was most +piercing cold, and so they persuaded me not to go home that day. I +agreed, and turned out and killed him two deer; but the weather still +got worse and colder, instead of better. I staid that night, and in the +morning they still insisted I couldn't get home. I knowed the water +would be frozen over, but not hard enough to bear me, and so I agreed to +stay that day. I went out hunting again, and pursued a big _he-bear_ all +day, but didn't kill him. The next morning was bitter cold, but I knowed +my family was without meat, and I determined to get home to them, or +die a-trying. + +I took my keg of powder, and all my hunting tools, and cut out. When I +got to the water, it was a sheet of ice as far as I could see. I put on +to it, but hadn't got far before it broke through with me; and so I took +out my tomahawk, and broke my way along before me for a considerable +distance. At last I got to where the ice would bear me for a short +distance, and I mounted on it, and went ahead; but it soon broke in +again, and I had to wade on till I came to my floating log. I found it +so tight this time, that I know'd it couldn't give me another fall, as +it was frozen in with the ice. I crossed over it without much +difficulty, and worked along till I got to my lodged sapling, and my log +under the water. The swiftness of the current prevented the water from +freezing over it, and so I had to wade, just as I did when I crossed it +before. When I got to my sapling, I left my gun and climbed out with my +powder keg first, and then went back and got my gun. By this time I was +nearly frozen to death, but I saw all along before me, where the ice had +been fresh broke, and I thought it must be a bear straggling about in +the water. I, therefore, fresh primed my gun, and, cold as I was, I was +determined to make war on him, if we met. But I followed the trail till +it led me home, and I then found it had been made by my young man that +lived with me, who had been sent by my distressed wife to see, if he +could, what had become of me, for they all believed that I was dead. +When I got home I was'nt quite dead, but mighty nigh it; but I had my +powder, and that was what I went for. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + + +That night there fell a heavy rain, and it turned to a sleet. In the +morning all hands turned out hunting. My young man, and a brother-in-law +who had lately settled close by me, went down the river to hunt for +turkeys; but I was for larger game. I told them, I had dreamed the night +before of having a hard fight with a big black nigger, and I knowed it +was a sign that I was to have a battle with a bear; for in a bear +country, I never know'd such a dream to fail. So I started to go up +above the harricane, determined to have a bear. I had two pretty good +dogs, and an old hound, all of which I took along. I had gone about six +miles up the river, and it was then about four miles across to the main +Obion; so I determined to strike across to that, as I had found nothing +yet to kill. I got on to the river, and turned down it; but the sleet +was still getting worse and worse. The bushes were all bent down, and +locked together with ice, so that it was almost impossible to get +along. In a little time my dogs started a large gang of old turkey +goblers, and I killed two of them, of the biggest sort. I shouldered +them up, and moved on, until I got through the harricane, when I was so +tired that I laid my goblers down to rest, as they were confounded +heavy, and I was mighty tired. While I was resting, my old hound went to +a log, and smelt it awhile, and then raised his eyes toward the sky, and +cried out. Away he went, and my other dogs with him, and I shouldered up +my turkeys again, and followed on as hard as I could drive. They were +soon out of sight, and in a very little time I heard them begin to bark. +When I got to them, they were barking up a tree, but there was no game +there. I concluded it had been a turkey, and that it had flew away. + +When they saw me coming, away they went again; and, after a little time, +began to bark as before. When I got near them, I found they were barking +up the wrong tree again, as there was no game there. They served me in +this way three or four times, until I was so infernal mad, that I +determined, if I could get near enough, to shoot the old hound at least. +With this intention I pushed on the harder, till I came to the edge of +an open parara, and looking on before my dogs, I saw in and about the +biggest bear that ever was seen in America. He looked, at the distance +he was from me, like a large black bull. My dogs were afraid to attack +him, and that was the reason they had stop'd so often, that I might +overtake them. They were now almost up with him, and I took my goblers +from my back and hung them up in a sapling, and broke like a quarter +horse after my bear, for the sight of him had put new springs in me. I +soon got near to them, but they were just getting into a roaring +thicket, and so I couldn't run through it, but had to pick my way along, +and had close work even at that. + +In a little time I saw the bear climbing up a large black oak-tree, and +I crawled on till I got within about eighty yards of him. He was setting +with his breast to me; and so I put fresh priming in my gun, and fired +at him. At this he raised one of his paws and snorted loudly. I loaded +again as quick as I could, and fired as near the same place in his +breast as possible. At the crack of my gun here he came tumbling down; +and the moment he touched the ground, I heard one of my best dogs cry +out. I took my tomahawk in one hand, and my big butcher-knife in the +other, and run up within four or five paces of him, at which he let my +dog go, and fixed his eyes on me. I got back in all sorts of a hurry, +for I know'd if he got hold of me, he would hug me altogether too close +for comfort. I went to my gun and hastily loaded her again, and shot him +the third time, which killed him good. + +I now began to think about getting him home, but I didn't know how far +it was. So I left him and started; and in order to find him again, I +would blaze a sapling every little distance, which would show me the way +back. I continued this till I got within about a mile of home, for there +I know'd very well where I was, and that I could easily find the way +back to my blazes. When I got home, I took my brother-in-law, and my +young man, and four horses, and went back. We got there just before +dark, and struck up a fire, and commenced butchering my bear. It was +some time in the night before we finished it; and I can assert, on my +honour, that I believe he would have weighed six hundred pounds. It was +the second largest I ever saw. I killed one, a few years after, that +weighed six hundred and seventeen pounds. I now felt fully compensated +for my sufferings in going after my powder; and well satisfied that a +dog might sometimes be doing a good business, even when he seemed to be +_barking up the wrong tree_. We got our meat home, and I had the +pleasure to know that we now had plenty, and that of the best; and I +continued through the winter to supply my family abundantly with +bear-meat and venison from the woods. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + +I had on hand a great many skins, and so, in the month of February, I +packed a horse with them, and taking my eldest son along with me, cut +out for a little town called Jackson, situated about forty miles off. We +got there well enough, and I sold my skins, and bought me some coffee, +and sugar, powder, lead, and salt. I packed them all up in readiness for +a start, which I intended to make early the next morning. Morning came, +but I concluded, before I started, I would go and take a horn with some +of my old fellow-soldiers that I had met with at Jackson. + +I did so; and while we were engaged in this, I met with three candidates +for the Legislature; a Doctor Butler, who was, by marriage, a nephew to +General Jackson, a Major Lynn, and a Mr. McEver, all first-rate men. We +all took a horn together, and some person present said to me, "Crockett, +you must offer for the Legislature." I told him I lived at least forty +miles from any white settlement, and had no thought of becoming a +candidate at that time. So we all parted, and I and my little boy went +on home. + +It was about a week or two after this, that a man came to my house, and +told me I was a candidate. I told him not so. But he took out a +newspaper from his pocket, and show'd me where I was announced. I said +to my wife that this was all a burlesque on me, but I was determined to +make it cost the man who had put it there at least the value of the +printing, and of the fun he wanted at my expense. So I hired a young man +to work in my place on my farm, and turned out myself electioneering. I +hadn't been out long, before I found the people began to talk very much +about the bear hunter, the man from the cane; and the three gentlemen, +who I have already named, soon found it necessary to enter into an +agreement to have a sort of caucus at their March court, to determine +which of them was the strongest, and the other two was to withdraw and +support him. As the court came on, each one of them spread himself, to +secure the nomination; but it fell on Dr. Butler, and the rest backed +out. The doctor was a clever fellow, and I have often said he was the +most talented man I ever run against for any office. His being related +to Gen'l. Jackson also helped him on very much; but I was in for it, and +I was determined to push ahead and go through, or stick. Their meeting +was held in Madison county, which was the strongest in the +representative district, which was composed of eleven counties, and they +seemed bent on having the member from there. + +At this time Col. Alexander was a candidate for Congress, and attending +one of his public meetings one day, I walked to where he was treating +the people, and he gave me an introduction to several of his +acquaintances, and informed them that I was out electioneering. In a +little time my competitor, Doctor Butler, came along; he passed by +without noticing me, and I suppose, indeed, he did not recognise me. But +I hailed him, as I was for all sorts of fun; and when he turned to me, I +said to him, "Well, doctor, I suppose they have weighed you out to me; +but I should like to know why they fixed your election for _March_ +instead of _August_? This is," said I, "a branfire new way of doing +business, if a caucus is to make a representative for the people!" He +now discovered who I was, and cried out, "D--n it, Crockett, is that +you?"--"Be sure it is," said I, "but I don't want it understood that I +have come electioneering. I have just crept out of the cane, to see +what discoveries I could make among the white folks." I told him that +when I set out electioneering, I would go prepared to put every man on +as good footing when I left him as I found him on. I would therefore +have me a large buckskin hunting-shirt made, with a couple of pockets +holding about a peck each; and that in one I would carry a great big +twist of tobacco, and in the other my bottle of liquor; for I knowed +when I met a man and offered him a dram, he would throw out his quid of +tobacco to take one, and after he had taken his horn, I would out with +my twist and give him another chaw. And in this way he would not be +worse off than when I found him; and I would be sure to leave him in a +first-rate good humour. He said I could beat him electioneering all +hollow. I told him I would give him better evidence of that before +August, notwithstanding he had many advantages over me, and particularly +in the way of money; but I told him that I would go on the products of +the country; that I had industrious children, and the best of coon dogs, +and they would hunt every night till midnight to support my election; +and when the coon fur wa'n't good, I would myself go a wolfing, and +shoot down a wolf, and skin his head, and his scalp would be good to me +for three dollars, in our state treasury money; and in this way I would +get along on the big string. He stood like he was both amused and +astonished, and the whole crowd was in a roar of laughter. From this +place I returned home, leaving the people in a first-rate way; and I was +sure I would do a good business among them. At any rate, I was +determined to stand up to my lick-log, salt or no salt. + +In a short time there came out two other candidates, a Mr. Shaw and a +Mr. Brown. We all ran the race through; and when the election was over, +it turned out that I beat them all by a majority of two hundred and +forty-seven votes, and was again returned as a member of the Legislature +from a new region of the country, without losing a session. This +reminded me of the old saying--"A fool for luck, and a poor man for +children." + +I now served two years in that body from my new district, which was the +years 1823 and '24. At the session of 1823, I had a small trial of my +independence, and whether I would forsake principle for party, or for +the purpose of following after big men. + +The term of Col. John Williams had expired, who was a senator in +Congress from the state of Tennessee. He was a candidate for another +election, and was opposed by Pleasant M. Miller, Esq., who, it was +believed, would not be able to beat the colonel. Some two or three +others were spoken of, but it was at last concluded that the only man +who could beat him was the present "government," General Jackson. So, a +few days before the election was to come on, he was sent for to come and +run for the senate. He was then in nomination for the presidency; but +sure enough he came, and did run as the opponent of Colonel Williams, +and beat him too, but not by my vote. The vote was, for Jackson, +_thirty-five_; for Williams, _twenty-five_. I thought the colonel had +honestly discharged his duty, and even the mighty name of Jackson +couldn't make me vote against him. + +But voting against the old chief was found a mighty up-hill business to +all of them except myself. I never would, nor never did, acknowledge I +had voted wrong; and I am more certain now that I was right than ever. + +I told the people it was the best vote I ever gave; that I had supported +the public interest, and cleared my conscience in giving it, instead of +gratifying the private ambition of a man. + +I let the people know as early as then, that I wouldn't take a collar +around my neck with the letters engraved on it, + + MY DOG. + + ANDREW JACKSON. + + +During these two sessions of the Legislature, nothing else turned up +which I think it worth while to mention; and, indeed, I am fearful that +I am too particular about many small matters; but if so, my apology is, +that I want the world to understand my true history, and how I worked +along to rise from a cane-brake to my present station in life. + +Col. Alexander was the representative in Congress of the district I +lived in, and his vote on the tariff law of 1824 gave a mighty heap of +dissatisfaction to his people. They therefore began to talk pretty +strong of running me for Congress against him. At last I was called on +by a good many to be a candidate. I told the people that I couldn't +stand that; it was a step above my knowledge, and I know'd nothing about +Congress matters. + +However, I was obliged to agree to run, and myself and two other +gentlemen came out. But Providence was a little against two of us this +hunt, for it was the year that cotton brought twenty-five dollars a +hundred; and so Colonel Alexander would get up and tell the people, it +was all the good effect of this tariff law; that it had raised the price +of their cotton, and that it would raise the price of every thing else +they made to sell. I might as well have sung _salms_ over a dead horse, +as to try to make the people believe otherwise; for they knowed their +cotton had raised, sure enough, and if the colonel hadn't done it, they +didn't know what had. So he rather made a mash of me this time, as he +beat me exactly _two_ votes, as they counted the polls, though I have +always believed that many other things had been as fairly done as that +same count. + +He went on, and served out his term, and at the end of it cotton was +down to _six_ or _eight_ dollars a hundred again; and I concluded I +would try him once more, and see how it would go with cotton at the +common price, and so I became a candidate. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + + +But the reader, I expect, would have no objection to know a little about +my employment during the two years while my competitor was in Congress. +In this space I had some pretty tuff times, and will relate some few +things that happened to me. So here goes, as the boy said when he run by +himself. + +In the fall of 1825, I concluded I would build two large boats, and load +them with pipe staves for market. So I went down to the lake, which was +about twenty-five miles from where I lived, and hired some hands to +assist me, and went to work; some at boat building, and others to +getting staves. I worked on with my hands till the bears got fat, and +then I turned out to hunting, to lay in a supply of meat. I soon killed +and salted down as many as were necessary for my family; but about this +time one of my old neighbours, who had settled down on the lake about +twenty-five miles from me, came to my house and told me he wanted me to +go down and kill some bears about in his parts. He said they were +extremely fat, and very plenty. I know'd that when they were fat, they +were easily taken, for a fat bear can't run fast or long. But I asked a +bear no favours, no way, further than civility, for I now had _eight_ +large dogs, and as fierce as painters; so that a bear stood no chance at +all to get away from them. So I went home with him, and then went on +down towards the Mississippi, and commenced hunting. + +We were out two weeks, and in that time killed fifteen bears. Having now +supplied my friend with plenty of meat, I engaged occasionally again +with my hands in our boat building, and getting staves. But I at length +couldn't stand it any longer without another hunt. So I concluded to +take my little son, and cross over the lake, and take a hunt there. We +got over, and that evening turned out and killed three bears, in little +or no time. The next morning we drove up four forks, and made a sort of +scaffold, on which we salted up our meat, so as to have it out of the +reach of the wolves, for as soon as we would leave our camp, they would +take possession. We had just eat our breakfast, when a company of +hunters came to our camp, who had fourteen dogs, but all so poor, that +when they would bark they would almost have to lean up against a tree +and take a rest. I told them their dogs couldn't run in smell of a bear, +and they had better stay at my camp, and feed them on the bones I had +cut out of my meat. I left them there, and cut out; but I hadn't gone +far, when my dogs took a first-rate start after a very large fat old +_he-bear_, which run right plump towards my camp. I pursued on, but my +other hunters had heard my dogs coming, and met them, and killed the +bear before I got up with him. I gave him to them, and cut out again for +a creek called Big Clover, which wa'n't very far off. Just as I got +there, and was entering a cane brake, my dogs all broke and went ahead, +and, in a little time, they raised a fuss in the cane, and seemed to be +going every way. I listened a while, and found my dogs was in two +companies, and that both was in a snorting fight. I sent my little son +to one, and I broke for t'other. I got to mine first, and found my dogs +had a two-year-old bear down, a-wooling away on him; so I just took out +my big butcher, and went up and slap'd it into him, and killed him +without shooting. There was five of the dogs in my company. In a short +time, I heard my little son fire at his bear; when I went to him he had +killed it too. He had two dogs in his team. Just at this moment we +heard my other dog barking a short distance off, and all the rest +immediately broke to him. We pushed on too, and when we got there, we +found he had still a larger bear than either of them we had killed, +treed by himself. We killed that one also, which made three we had +killed in less than half an hour. We turned in and butchered them, and +then started to hunt for water, and a good place to camp. But we had no +sooner started, than our dogs took a start after another one, and away +they went like a thunder-gust, and was out of hearing in a minute. We +followed the way they had gone for some time, but at length we gave up +the hope of finding them, and turned back. As we were going back, I came +to where a poor fellow was grubbing, and he looked like the very picture +of hard times. I asked him what he was doing away there in the woods by +himself? He said he was grubbing for a man who intended to settle there; +and the reason why he did it was, that he had no meat for his family, +and he was working for a little. + +I was mighty sorry for the poor fellow, for it was not only a hard, but +a very slow way to get meat for a hungry family; so I told him if he +would go with me, I would give him more meat than he could get by +grubbing in a month. I intended to supply him with meat, and also to get +him to assist my little boy in packing in and salting up my bears. He +had never seen a bear killed in his life. I told him I had six killed +then, and my dogs were hard after another. He went off to his little +cabin, which was a short distance in the brush, and his wife was very +anxious he should go with me. So we started and went to where I had left +my three bears, and made a camp. We then gathered my meat and salted, +and scaffled it, as I had done the other. Night now came on, but no word +from my dogs yet. I afterwards found they had treed the bear about five +miles off, near to a man's house, and had barked at it the whole +enduring night. Poor fellows! many a time they looked for me, and +wondered why I didn't come, for they knowed there was no mistake in me, +and I know'd they were as good as ever fluttered. In the morning, as +soon as it was light enough to see, the man took his gun and went to +them, and shot the bear, and killed it. My dogs, however, wouldn't have +any thing to say to this stranger; so they left him, and came early in +the morning back to me. + +We got our breakfast, and cut out again; and we killed four large and +very fat bears that day. We hunted out the week, and in that time we +killed seventeen, all of them first-rate. When we closed our hunt, I +gave the man over a thousand weight of fine fat bear-meat, which pleased +him mightily, and made him feel as rich as a Jew. I saw him the next +fall, and he told me he had plenty of meat to do him the whole year from +his week's hunt. My son and me now went home. This was the week between +Christmass and New-year that we made this hunt. + +When I got home, one of my neighbours was out of meat, and wanted me to +go back, and let him go with me, to take another hunt. I couldn't +refuse; but I told him I was afraid the bear had taken to house by that +time, for after they get very fat in the fall and early part of the +winter, they go into their holes, in large hollow trees, or into hollow +logs, or their cane-houses, or the harricanes; and lie there till +spring, like frozen snakes. And one thing about this will seem mighty +strange to many people. From about the first of January to about the +last of April, these varments lie in their holes altogether. In all that +time they have no food to eat; and yet when they come out, they are not +an ounce lighter than when they went to house. I don't know the cause of +this, and still I know it is a fact; and I leave it for others who have +more learning than myself to account for it. They have not a particle of +food with them, but they just lie and suck the bottom of their paw all +the time. I have killed many of them in their trees, which enables me to +speak positively on this subject. However, my neighbour, whose name was +McDaniel, and my little son and me, went on down to the lake to my +second camp, where I had killed my seventeen bears the week before, and +turned out to hunting. But we hunted hard all day without getting a +single start. We had carried but little provisions with us, and the next +morning was entirely out of meat. I sent my son about three miles off, +to the house of an old friend, to get some. The old gentleman was much +pleased to hear I was hunting in those parts, for the year before the +bears had killed a great many of his hogs. He was that day killing his +bacon hogs, and so he gave my son some meat, and sent word to me that I +must come in to his house that evening, that he would have plenty of +feed for my dogs, and some accommodations for ourselves; but before my +son got back, we had gone out hunting, and in a large cane brake my dogs +found a big bear in a cane-house, which he had fixed for his +winter-quarters, as they sometimes do. + +When my lead dog found him, and raised the yell, all the rest broke to +him, but none of them entered his house until we got up. I encouraged my +dogs, and they knowed me so well, that I could have made them seize the +old serpent himself, with all his horns and heads, and cloven foot and +ugliness into the bargain, if he would only have come to light, so that +they could have seen him. They bulged in, and in an instant the bear +followed them out, and I told my friend to shoot him, as he was mighty +wrathy to kill a bear. He did so, and killed him prime. We carried him +to our camp, by which time my son had returned; and after we got our +dinners we packed up, and cut for the house of my old friend, whose name +was Davidson. + +We got there, and staid with him that night; and the next morning, +having salted up our meat, we left it with him, and started to take a +hunt between the Obion lake and the Red-foot lake; as there had been a +dreadful harricane, which passed between them, and I was sure there must +be a heap of bears in the fallen timber. We had gone about five miles +without seeing any sign at all; but at length we got on some high cany +ridges, and, as we rode along, I saw a hole in a large black oak, and on +examining more closely, I discovered that a bear had clomb the tree. I +could see his tracks going up, but none coming down, and so I was sure +he was in there. A person who is acquainted with bear-hunting, can tell +easy enough when the varment is in the hollow; for as they go up they +don't slip a bit, but as they come down they make long scratches with +their nails. + +My friend was a little ahead of me, but I called him back, and told him +there was a bear in that tree, and I must have him out. So we lit from +our horses, and I found a small tree which I thought I could fall so as +to lodge against my bear tree, and we fell to work chopping it with our +tomahawks. I intended, when we lodged the tree against the other, to let +my little son go up, and look into the hole, for he could climb like a +squirrel. We had chop'd on a little time and stop'd to rest, when I +heard my dogs barking mighty severe at some distance from us, and I told +my friend I knowed they had a bear; for it is the nature of a dog, when +he finds you are hunting bears, to hunt for nothing else; he becomes +fond of the meat, and considers other game as "not worth a notice," as +old Johnson said of the devil. + +We concluded to leave our tree a bit, and went to my dogs, and when we +got there, sure enough they had an eternal great big fat bear up a +tree, just ready for shooting. My friend again petitioned me for +liberty to shoot this one also. I had a little rather not, as the bear +was so big, but I couldn't refuse; and so he blazed away, and down came +the old fellow like some great log had fell. I now missed one of my +dogs, the same that I before spoke of as having treed the bear by +himself sometime before, when I had started the three in the cane break. +I told my friend that my missing dog had a bear somewhere, just as sure +as fate; so I left them to butcher the one we had just killed, and I +went up on a piece of high ground to listen for my dog. I heard him +barking with all his might some distance off, and I pushed ahead for +him. My other dogs hearing him broke to him, and when I got there, sure +enough again he had another bear ready treed; if he hadn't, I wish I may +be shot. I fired on him, and brought him down; and then went back, and +help'd finish butchering the one at which I had left my friend. We then +packed both to our tree where we had left my boy. By this time, the +little fellow had cut the tree down that we intended to lodge, but it +fell the wrong way; he had then feather'd in on the big tree, to cut +that, and had found that it was nothing but a shell on the outside, and +all doted in the middle, as too many of our big men are in these days, +having only an outside appearance. My friend and my son cut away on it, +and I went off about a hundred yards with my dogs to keep them from +running under the tree when it should fall. On looking back at the hole, +I saw the bear's head out of it, looking down at them as they were +cutting. I hollered to them to look up, and they did so; and McDaniel +catched up his gun, but by this time the bear was out, and coming down +the tree. He fired at it, and as soon as it touch'd ground the dogs were +all round it, and they had a roll-and-tumble fight to the foot of the +hill, where they stop'd him. I ran up, and putting my gun against the +bear, fired and killed him. We now had three, and so we made our +scaffold and salted them up. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + + +In the morning I left my son at the camp, and we started on towards the +harricane; and when we had went about a mile, we started a very large +bear, but we got along mighty slow on account of the cracks in the earth +occasioned by the earthquakes. We, however, made out to keep in hearing +of the dogs for about three miles, and then we come to the harricane. +Here we had to quit our horses, as old Nick himself couldn't have got +through it without sneaking it along in the form that he put on, to make +a fool of our old grandmother Eve. By this time several of my dogs had +got tired and come back; but we went ahead on foot for some little time +in the harricane, when we met a bear coming straight to us, and not more +than twenty or thirty yards off. I started my tired dogs after him, and +McDaniel pursued them, and I went on to where my other dogs were. I had +seen the track of the bear they were after, and I knowed he was a +screamer. I followed on to about the middle of the harricane; but my +dogs pursued him so close, that they made him climb an old stump about +twenty feet high. I got in shooting distance of him and fired, but I was +all over in such a flutter from fatigue and running, that I couldn't +hold steady; but, however, I broke his shoulder, and he fell. I run up +and loaded my gun as quick as possible, and shot him again and killed +him. When I went to take out my knife to butcher him, I found I had lost +it in coming through the harricane. The vines and briers was so thick +that I would sometimes have to get down and crawl like a varment to get +through at all; and a vine had, as I supposed, caught in the handle and +pulled it out. While I was standing and studying what to do, my friend +came to me. He had followed my trail through the harricane, and had +found my knife, which was mighty good news to me; as a hunter hates the +worst in the world to lose a good dog, or any part of his hunting-tools. +I now left McDaniel to butcher the bear, and I went after our horses, +and brought them as near as the nature of case would allow. I then took +our bags, and went back to where he was; and when we had skin'd the +bear, we fleeced off the fat and carried it to our horses at several +loads. We then packed it up on our horses, and had a heavy pack of it +on each one. We now started and went on till about sunset, when I +concluded we must be near our camp; so I hollered and my son answered +me, and we moved on in the direction to the camp. We had gone but a +little way when I heard my dogs make a warm start again; and I jumped +down from my horse and gave him up to my friend, and told him I would +follow them. He went on to the camp, and I went ahead after my dogs with +all my might for a considerable distance, till at last night came on. +The woods were very rough and hilly, and all covered over with cane. + +I now was compel'd to move on more slowly; and was frequently falling +over logs, and into the cracks made by the earthquakes, so that I was +very much afraid I would break my gun. However I went on about three +miles, when I came to a good big creek, which I waded. It was very cold, +and the creek was about knee-deep; but I felt no great inconvenience +from it just then, as I was all over wet with sweat from running, and I +felt hot enough. After I got over this creek and out of the cane, which +was very thick on all our creeks, I listened for my dogs. I found they +had either treed or brought the bear to a stop, as they continued +barking in the same place. I pushed on as near in the direction to the +noise as I could, till I found the hill was too steep for me to climb, +and so I backed and went down the creek some distance till I came to a +hollow, and then took up that, till I come to a place where I could +climb up the hill. It was mighty dark, and was difficult to see my way +or any thing else. When I got up the hill, I found I had passed the +dogs; and so I turned and went to them. I found, when I got there, they +had treed the bear in a large forked poplar, and it was setting in the +fork. + +I could see the lump, but not plain enough to shoot with any certainty, +as there was no moonlight; and so I set in to hunting for some dry brush +to make me a light; but I could find none, though I could find that the +ground was torn mightily to pieces by the cracks. + +At last I thought I could shoot by guess, and kill him; so I pointed as +near the lump as I could, and fired away. But the bear didn't come he +only clomb up higher, and got out on a limb, which helped me to see him +better. I now loaded up again and fired, but this time he didn't move at +all. I commenced loading for a third fire, but the first thing I knowed, +the bear was down among my dogs, and they were fighting all around me. +I had my big butcher in my belt, and I had a pair of dressed buckskin +breeches on. So I took out my knife, and stood, determined, if he should +get hold of me, to defend myself in the best way I could. I stood there +for some time, and could now and then see a white dog I had, but the +rest of them, and the bear, which were dark coloured, I couldn't see at +all, it was so miserable dark. They still fought around me, and +sometimes within three feet of me; but, at last, the bear got down into +one of the cracks, that the earthquakes had made in the ground, about +four feet deep, and I could tell the biting end of him by the hollering +of my dogs. So I took my gun and pushed the muzzle of it about, till I +thought I had it against the main part of his body, and fired; but it +happened to be only the fleshy part of his foreleg. With this, he jumped +out of the crack, and he and the dogs had another hard fight around me, +as before. At last, however, they forced him back into the crack again, +as he was when I had shot. + +I had laid down my gun in the dark, and I now began to hunt for it; and, +while hunting, I got hold of a pole, and I concluded I would punch him +awhile with that. I did so, and when I would punch him, the dogs would +jump in on him, when he would bite them badly, and they would jump out +again. I concluded, as he would take punching so patiently, it might be +that he would lie still enough for me to get down in the crack, and feel +slowly along till I could find the right place to give him a dig with my +butcher. So I got down, and my dogs got in before him and kept his head +towards them, till I got along easily up to him; and placing my hand on +his rump, felt for his shoulder, just behind which I intended to stick +him. I made a lounge with my long knife, and fortunately stuck him right +through the heart; at which he just sank down, and I crawled out in a +hurry. In a little time my dogs all come out too, and seemed satisfied, +which was the way they always had of telling me that they had finished +him. + +I suffered very much that night with cold, as my leather breeches, and +every thing else I had on, was wet and frozen. But I managed to get my +bear out of this crack after several hard trials, and so I butchered +him, and laid down to try to sleep. But my fire was very bad, and I +couldn't find any thing that would burn well to make it any better; and +I concluded I should freeze, if I didn't warm myself in some way by +exercise. So I got up, and hollered a while, and then I would just jump +up and down with all my might, and throw myself into all sorts of +motions. But all this wouldn't do; for my blood was now getting cold, +and the chills coming all over me. I was so tired, too, that I could +hardly walk; but I thought I would do the best I could to save my life, +and then, if I died, nobody would be to blame. So I went to a tree about +two feet through, and not a limb on it for thirty feet, and I would +climb up it to the limbs, and then lock my arms together around it, and +slide down to the bottom again. This would make the insides of my legs +and arms feel mighty warm and good. I continued this till daylight in +the morning, and how often I clomb up my tree and slid down I don't +know, but I reckon at least a hundred times. + +In the morning I got my bear hung up so as to be safe, and then set out +to hunt for my camp. I found it after a while, and McDaniel and my son +were very much rejoiced to see me get back, for they were about to give +me up for lost. We got our breakfasts, and then secured our meat by +building a high scaffold, and covering it over. We had no fear of its +spoiling, for the weather was so cold that it couldn't. + +We now started after my other bear, which had caused me so much trouble +and suffering; and before we got him, we got a start after another, and +took him also. We went on to the creek I had crossed the night before +and camped, and then went to where my bear was, that I had killed in the +crack. When we examined the place, McDaniel said he wouldn't have gone +into it, as I did, for all the bears in the woods. + +We took the meat down to our camp and salted it, and also the last one +we had killed; intending, in the morning, to make a hunt in the +harricane again. + +We prepared for resting that night, and I can assure the reader I was in +need of it. We had laid down by our fire, and about ten o'clock there +came a most terrible earthquake, which shook the earth so, that we were +rocked about like we had been in a cradle. We were very much alarmed; +for though we were accustomed to feel earthquakes, we were now right in +the region which had been torn to pieces by them in 1812, and we thought +it might take a notion and swallow us up, like the big fish did Jonah. + +In the morning we packed up and moved to the harricane, where we made +another camp, and turned out that evening and killed a very large bear, +which made _eight_ we had now killed in this hunt. + +The next morning we entered the harricane again, and in little or no +time my dogs were in full cry. We pursued them, and soon came to a thick +cane-brake, in which they had stop'd their bear. We got up close to him, +as the cane was so thick that we couldn't see more than a few feet. Here +I made my friend hold the cane a little open with his gun till I shot +the bear, which was a mighty large one. I killed him dead in his tracks. +We got him out and butchered him, and in a little time started another +and killed him, which now made _ten_ we had killed; and we know'd we +couldn't pack any more home, as we had only five horses along; therefore +we returned to the camp and salted up all our meat, to be ready for a +start homeward next morning. + +The morning came, and we packed our horses with the meat, and had as +much as they could possibly carry, and sure enough cut out for home. It +was about thirty miles, and we reached home the second day. I had now +accommodated my neighbour with meat enough to do him, and had killed in +all, up to that time, fifty-eight bears, during the fall and winter. + +As soon as the time come for them to quit their houses and come out +again in the spring, I took a notion to hunt a little more, and in +about one month I killed forty-seven more, which made one hundred and +five bears I had killed in less than one year from that time. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + + +Having now closed my hunting for that winter, I returned to my hands, +who were engaged about my boats and staves, and made ready for a trip +down the river. I had two boats and about thirty thousand staves, and so +I loaded with them, and set out for New Orleans. I got out of the Obion +river, in which I had loaded my boats, very well; but when I got into +the Mississippi, I found all my hands were bad scared, and in fact I +believe I was scared a little the worst of any; for I had never been +down the river, and I soon discovered that my pilot was as ignorant of +the business as myself. I hadn't gone far before I determined to lash +the two boats together; we did so, but it made them so heavy and +obstinate, that it was next akin to impossible to do any thing at all +with them, or to guide them right in the river. + +That evening we fell in company with some Ohio boats; and about night we +tried to land, but we could not. The Ohio men hollered to us to go on +and run all night. We took their advice, though we had a good deal +rather not; but we couldn't do any other way. In a short distance we got +into what is called the "_Devil's Elbow_;" and if any place in the wide +creation has its own proper name, I thought it was this. Here we had +about the hardest work that I ever was engaged in, in my life, to keep +out of danger; and even then we were in it all the while. We twice +attempted to land at Wood-yards, which we could see, but couldn't reach. + +The people would run out with lights, and try to instruct us how to get +to shore; but all in vain. Our boats were so heavy that we couldn't take +them much any way, except the way they wanted to go, and just the way +the current would carry them. At last we quit trying to land, and +concluded just to go ahead as well as we could, for we found we couldn't +do any better. Some time in the night I was down in the cabin of one of +the boats, sitting by the fire, thinking on what a hobble we had got +into; and how much better bear-hunting was on hard land, than floating +along on the water, when a fellow had to go ahead whether he was exactly +willing or not. + +The hatchway into the cabin came slap down, right through the top of the +boat; and it was the only way out except a small hole in the side, +which we had used for putting our arms through to dip up water before we +lashed the boats together. + +We were now floating sideways, and the boat I was in was the hindmost as +we went. All at once I heard the hands begin to run over the top of the +boat in great confusion, and pull with all their might; and the first +thing I know'd after this we went broadside full tilt against the head +of an island where a large raft of drift timber had lodged. The nature +of such a place would be, as every body knows, to suck the boats down, +and turn them right under this raft; and the uppermost boat would, of +course, be suck'd down and go under first. As soon as we struck, I +bulged for my hatchway, as the boat was turning under sure enough. But +when I got to it, the water was pouring thro' in a current as large as +the hole would let it, and as strong as the weight of the river could +force it. I found I couldn't get out here, for the boat was now turned +down in such a way, that it was steeper than a house-top. I now thought +of the hole in the side, and made my way in a hurry for that. With +difficulty I got to it, and when I got there, I found it was too small +for me to get out by my own dower, and I began to think that I was in a +worse box than ever. But I put my arms through and hollered as loud as I +could roar, as the boat I was in hadn't yet quite filled with water up +to my head, and the hands who were next to the raft, seeing my arms out, +and hearing me holler, seized them, and began to pull. I told them I was +sinking, and to pull my arms off, or force me through, for now I know'd +well enough it was neck or nothing, come out or sink. + +By a violent effort they jerked me through; but I was in a pretty pickle +when I got through. I had been sitting without any clothing over my +shirt: this was torn off, and I was literally skin'd like a rabbit. I +was, however, well pleased to get out in any way, even without shirt or +hide; as before I could straighten myself on the boat next to the raft, +the one they pull'd me out of went entirely under, and I have never seen +it any more to this day. We all escaped on to the raft, where we were +compelled to sit all night, about a mile from land on either side. Four +of my company were bareheaded, and three bare-footed; and of that number +I was one. I reckon I looked like a pretty cracklin ever to get to +Congress!!! + +We had now lost all our loading; and every particle of our clothing, +except what little we had on; but over all this, while I was setting +there, in the night, floating about on the drift, I felt happier and +better off than I ever had in my life before, for I had just made such a +marvellous escape, that I had forgot almost every thing else in that; +and so I felt prime. + +In the morning about sunrise, we saw a boat coming down, and we hailed +her. They sent a large skiff, and took us all on board, and carried us +down as far as Memphis. Here I met with a friend, that I never can +forget as long as I am able to go ahead at any thing; it was a Major +Winchester, a merchant of that place: he let us all have hats, and +shoes, and some little money to go upon, and so we all parted. + +A young man and myself concluded to go on down to Natchez, to see if we +could hear any thing of our boats; for we supposed they would float out +from the raft, and keep on down the river. We got on a boat at Memphis, +that was going down, and so cut out. Our largest boat, we were informed, +had been seen about fifty miles below where we stove, and an attempt had +been made to land her, but without success, as she was as hard-headed as +ever. + +This was the last of my boats, and of my boating; for it went so badly +with me, along at the first, that I hadn't much mind to try it any more. +I now returned home again, and as the next August was the Congressional +election, I began to turn my attention a little to that matter, as it +was beginning to be talked of a good deal among the people. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + + +I have, heretofore, informed the reader that I had determined to run +this race to see what effect _the price of cotton_ could have again on +it. I now had Col. Alexander to run against once more, and also General +William Arnold. + +I had difficulties enough to fight against this time, as every one will +suppose; for I had no money, and a very bad prospect, so far as I +know'd, of getting any to help me along. I had, however, a good friend, +who sent for me to come and see him. I went, and he was good enough to +offer me some money to help me out. I borrowed as much as I thought I +needed at the start, and went ahead. My friend also had a good deal of +business about over the district at the different courts; and if he now +and then slip'd in a good word for me, it is nobody's business. We +frequently met at different places, and, as he thought I needed, he +would occasionally hand me a little more cash; so I was able to buy a +little of "the _creature_," to put my friends in a good humour, as well +as the other gentlemen, for they all treat in that country; not to get +elected, of course--for that would be against the law; but just, as I +before said, to make themselves and their friends feel their keeping a +little. + +Nobody ever did know how I got money to get along on, till after the +election was over, and I had beat my competitors twenty-seven hundred +and forty-eight votes. Even the price of cotton couldn't save my friend +Aleck this time. My rich friend, who had been so good to me in the way +of money, now sent for me, and loaned me a hundred dollars, and told me +to go ahead; that that amount would bear my expenses to Congress, and I +must then shift for myself. I came on to Washington, and draw'd two +hundred and fifty dollars, and purchased with it a check on the bank at +Nashville, and enclosed it to my friend; and I may say, in truth, I sent +this money with a mighty good will, for I reckon nobody in this world +loves a friend better than me, or remembers a kindness longer. + +I have now given the close of the election, but I have skip'd entirely +over the canvass, of which I will say a very few things in this place; +as I know very well how to tell the truth, but not much about placing +them in book order, so as to please critics. + +Col. Alexander was a very clever fellow, and principal surveyor at that +time; so much for one of the men I had to run against. My other +competitor was a major-general in the militia, and an attorney-general +at the law, and quite a smart, clever man also; and so it will be seen I +had war work as well as law trick, to stand up under. Taking both +together, they make a pretty considerable of a load for any one man to +carry. But for war claims, I consider myself behind no man except "the +government," and mighty little, if any, behind him; but this the people +will have to determine hereafter, as I reckon it won't do to quit the +work of "reform and retrenchment" yet for a spell. + +But my two competitors seemed some little afraid of the influence of +each other, but not to think me in their way at all. They, therefore, +were generally working against each other, while I was going ahead for +myself, and mixing among the people in the best way I could. I was as +cunning as a little red fox, and wouldn't risk my tail in a "committal" +trap. + +I found the sign was good, almost everywhere I went. On one occasion, +while we were in the eastern counties of the district, it happened that +we all had to make a speech, and it fell on me to make the first one. I +did so after my manner, and it turned pretty much on the old saying, "A +short horse is soon curried," as I spoke not very long. Colonel +Alexander followed me, and then General Arnold come on. + +The general took much pains to reply to Alexander, but didn't so much as +let on that there was any such candidate as myself at all. He had been +speaking for a considerable time, when a large flock of guinea-fowls +came very near to where he was, and set up the most unmerciful +chattering that ever was heard, for they are a noisy little brute any +way. They so confused the general, that he made a stop, and requested +that they might be driven away. I let him finish his speech, and then +walking up to him, said aloud, "Well, colonel, you are the first man I +ever saw that understood the language of fowls." I told him that he had +not had the politeness to name me in his speech, and that when my little +friends, the guinea-fowls, had come up and began to holler "Crockett, +Crockett, Crockett," he had been ungenerous enough to stop, and drive +_them_ all away. This raised a universal shout among the people for me, +and the general seemed mighty bad plagued. But he got more plagued than +this at the polls in August, as I have stated before. + +This election was in 1827, and I can say, on my conscience, that I was, +without disguise, the friend and supporter of General Jackson, upon his +principles as he laid them down, and as "_I understood them_," before +his election as president. During my two first sessions in Congress, Mr. +Adams was president, and I worked along with what was called the Jackson +party pretty well. I was re-elected to Congress, in 1829, by an +overwhelming majority; and soon after the commencement of this second +term, I saw, or thought I did, that it was expected of me that I was to +bow to the name of Andrew Jackson, and follow him in all his motions, +and mindings, and turnings, even at the expense of my conscience and +judgment. Such a thing was new to me, and a total stranger to my +principles. I know'd well enough, though, that if I didn't "hurra" for +his name, the hue and cry was to be raised against me, and I was to be +sacrificed, if possible. His famous, or rather I should say his +in-_famous_, Indian bill was brought forward, and I opposed it from the +purest motives in the world. Several of my colleagues got around me, and +told me how well they loved me, and that I was ruining myself. They +said this was a favourite measure of the president, and I ought to go +for it. I told them I believed it was a wicked, unjust measure, and that +I should go against it, let the cost to myself be what it might; that I +was willing to go with General Jackson in every thing that I believed +was honest and right; but, further than this, I wouldn't go for him, or +any other man in the whole creation; that I would sooner be honestly and +politically d--nd, than hypocritically immortalized. I had been elected +by a majority of three thousand five hundred and eighty-five votes, and +I believed they were honest men, and wouldn't want me to vote for any +unjust notion, to please Jackson or any one else; at any rate, I was of +age, and was determined to trust them. I voted against this Indian bill, +and my conscience yet tells me that I gave a good honest vote, and one +that I believe will not make me ashamed in the day of judgment. I served +out my term, and though many amusing things happened, I am not disposed +to swell my narrative by inserting them. + +When it closed, and I returned home, I found the storm had raised +against me sure enough; and it was echoed from side to side, and from +end to end of my district, that I had turned against Jackson. This was +considered the unpardonable sin. I was hunted down like a wild varment, +and in this hunt every little newspaper in the district, and every +little pin-hook lawyer was engaged. Indeed, they were ready to print any +and every thing that the ingenuity of man could invent against me. Each +editor was furnished with the journals of Congress from head-quarters; +and hunted out every vote I had missed in four sessions, whether from +sickness or not, no matter, and each one was charged against me at +_eight_ dollars. In all I had missed about _seventy_ votes, which they +made amount to five hundred and sixty dollars; and they contended I had +swindled the government out of this sum, as I had received my pay, as +other members do. I was now again a candidate in 1830, while all the +attempts were making against me; and every one of these little papers +kept up a constant war on me, fighting with every scurrilous report they +could catch. + +Over all I should have been elected, if it hadn't been, that but a few +weeks before the election, the little four-pence-ha'penny limbs of the +law fell on a plan to defeat me, which had the desired effect. They +agreed to spread out over the district, and make appointments for me to +speak, almost everywhere, to clear up the Jackson question. They would +give me no notice of these appointments, and the people would meet in +great crowds to hear what excuse Crockett had to make for quitting +Jackson. + +But instead of Crockett's being there, this small-fry of lawyers would +be there, with their saddle-bags full of the little newspapers and their +journals of Congress; and would get up and speak, and read their +scurrilous attacks on me, and would then tell the people that I was +afraid to attend; and in this way would turn many against me. All this +intrigue was kept a profound secret from me, till it was too late to +counteract it; and when the election came, I had a majority in seventeen +counties, putting all their votes together, but the eighteenth beat me; +and so I was left out of Congress during those two years. The people of +my district were induced, by these tricks, to take a stay on me for that +time; but they have since found out that they were imposed on, and on +re-considering my case, have reversed that decision; which, as the +Dutchman said, "is as fair a ding as eber was." + +When I last declared myself a candidate, I knew that the district would +be divided by the Legislature before the election would come on; and I +moreover knew, that from the geographical situation of the country, the +county of Madison, which was very strong, and which was the county that +had given the majority that had beat me in the former race, should be +left off from my district. + +But when the Legislature met, as I have been informed, and I have no +doubt of the fact, Mr. Fitzgerald, my competitor, went up, and informed +his friends in that body, that if Madison county was left off, he +wouldn't run; for "that Crockett could beat Jackson himself in those +parts, in any way they could fix it." + +The liberal Legislature you know, of course, gave him that county; and +it is too clear to admit of dispute, that it was done to make a mash of +me. In order to make my district in this way, they had to form the +southern district of a string of counties around three sides of mine, or +very nearly so. Had my old district been properly divided, it would have +made two nice ones, in convenient nice form. But as it is, they are +certainly the most unreasonably laid off of any in the state, or perhaps +in the nation, or even in the te-total creation. + +However, when the election came on, the people of the district, and of +Madison county among the rest, seemed disposed to prove to Mr. +Fitzgerald and the Jackson Legislature, that they were not to be +transferred like hogs, and horses, and cattle in the market; and they +determined that I shouldn't be broke down, though I had to carry +Jackson, and the enemies of the bank, and the legislative works all at +once. I had Mr. Fitzgerald, it is true, for my open competitor, but he +was helped along by all his little lawyers again, headed by old Black +Hawk, as he is sometimes called, (alias) Adam Huntsman, with all his +talents for writing "_Chronicles_," and such like foolish stuff. + +But one good thing was, and I must record it, the papers in the district +were now beginning to say "fair play a little," and they would publish +on both sides of the question. The contest was a warm one, and the +battle well-fought; but I gained the day, and the Jackson horse was left +a little behind. When the polls were compared, it turned out I had beat +Fitz just two hundred and two votes, having made a mash of all their +intrigues. After all this, the reader will perceive that I am now here +in Congress, this 28th day of January, in the year of our Lord one +thousand eight hundred and thirty-four; and that, what is more agreeable +to my feelings as a freeman, I am at liberty to vote as my conscience +and judgment dictates to be right, without the yoke of any party on me, +or the driver at my heels, with his whip in hand, commanding me to +ge-wo-haw, just at his pleasure. Look at my arms, you will find no +party hand-cuff on them! Look at my neck, you will not find there any +collar, with the engraving + + MY DOG. + + ANDREW JACKSON. + + +But you will find me standing up to my rack, as the people's faithful +representative, and the public's most obedient, very humble servant, + + DAVID CROCKETT. + + + + + THE END. + + + + +CHESNUT STREET, + MARCH, 1834. + +NEW WORKS + + LATELY PUBLISHED, + AND + PREPARING FOR PUBLICATION, + BY + E. L. CAREY & A. HART, PHILAD. + AND + CAREY, HART & Co. BALTIMORE, + AND FOR SALE BY ALL BOOKSELLERS. + + + In two Volumes, 12mo. + CONSTANCE; + + By Mrs. A. T. THOMSON, + Author of the Life of Henry VIII. + +"One of the most touching and exquisitely natural tales that many +seasons have produced. It developes an intimate knowledge of the +human heart, and a remarkable power in the delineation of +character."--_Atlas._ + +"This novel, in its sketches of English country society, is most +successful; its portraits are very happy, its scenes very +amusing."--_Spectator._ + +"A picture of real life, drawn with equal truth, gaiety and feeling--the +three graces of fiction."--_Literary Gazette._ + +"The dramatic ability displayed in the management of this story is of +the very highest order."--_Atlas._ + + + In one Volume, 12mo. + CARWELL; + +By Mrs. SHERIDAN, Author of "AIMS AND ENDS." + +"A story which for minute fidelity to truth, for high tragic conception, +both of plot and character, has few equals in modern fiction." + +"But everywhere you see that rarest of all literary beauties, a +beautiful mind--an intimate persuasion of the fine and great truths of +the human heart--a delicate and quick perception of the lovely and the +honest--an intellect that profits by experience, and a disposition which +that experience cannot corrupt."--_The Author of Pelham._ + + + In one Volume, 12mo. + THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. + +"It is very clever and very entertaining--replete with pleasantry and +humour: quite as imaginative as any German diablerie, and far more +amusing than most productions of its class. It is a very whimsical and +well devised jeu d'esprit."--_Literary Gazette._ + + +NEW WORKS PUBLISHED BY + + +In two Volumes, 12mo. + +TRAITS AND STORIES OF THE IRISH PEASANTRY. + +THIRD SERIES. + + "This work has been most extravagantly praised by the English + critics: and several extracts from it have been extensively + published in our newspapers. It is altogether a better work than + any of the kind which has yet appeared--replete with humour, both + broad and delicate--and with occasional touches of pathos, which + have not been excelled by any writer of the present day. An + Edinburgh critic says that 'neither Miss Edgeworth, nor the author + of the O'Hara tales, could have written any thing more powerful + than this.'"--_Baltimore American._ + + "There seems to be a strong unanimity of opinion in favour of the + new British work entitled 'Traits and Stories of the Irish + Peasantry.' The work is proclaimed in the British journals, and + pronounced by readers in our country, to be equal in racy humour + and graphic delineation, to the very best sketches that have + appeared of Irish character, life, and manners."--_National + Gazette._ + + +In two Volumes, 12mo. + +THE AFFIANCED ONE; + +By the Author of "GERTRUDE." + + "Evidently the production of a woman of taste and refinement. It + abounds with lively sketches of society, and sparkling + anecdote."--_Belle Assemblee._ + + +In one Volume, 8vo. + +MEMOIRS OF VIDOCQ, + +THE CELEBRATED AGENT OF THE FRENCH POLICE. + + This is a most entertaining work. Vidocq stood long and deservedly + at the head of the French police. It is well written, and is full + of anecdote. + + +In three Volumes, 12mo. + +PETER SIMPLE; + +OR, ADVENTURES OF A MIDSHIPMAN. + +COMPLETE. + +By the Author of the "KING'S OWN," "NAVAL OFFICER," &c. + +"The quiet humour which pervades the work is irresistibly amusing, +and the fund of anecdote and description which it contains, +entertaining. The humour sometimes approaches to downright +burlesque, and the incident to extravagance, if not improbability; +but, altogether, as a book of amusement, it is +excellent."--_Baltimore Gazette._ + + +In Two Volumes, 12mo. + +THE FAIR OF MAY FAIR. + +By the Author of "PIN MONEY," &c. + +"Mrs. Gore certainly stands at the head of the female novelists of the +day. But we subjoin the opinion of Mr. Bulwer."--_U. S. Gazette._ + +"She is the consummator of that undefinable species of wit, which we +should call (if we did not know the word might be deemed offensive, in +which sense we do not mean it) the _slang_ of good society. + +"But few people ever painted, with so felicitous a hand, the scenery of +worldly life, without any apparent satire. She brings before you the +hollowness, the manoeuvres, and the intrigues of the world, with the +brilliancy of sarcasm, but with the quiet of simple narrative. Her men +and women, in her graver tales, are of a noble and costly clay; their +objects are great; their minds are large, their passions intense and +pure. The walks upon the stage of the world of fashion, and her +characters, have grown dwarfed as if by enchantment. The air of +frivolity has blighted their stature; their colours are pale and +languid; they have no generous ambition; they are _little people!_ they +are fine people! This it is that makes her novel of our social life so +natural, and so clear a transcript of the original."--_The Author of +Pelham._ + + +In Two Volumes, 12mo. + +THE INVISIBLE GENTLEMAN. + +By the Author of "CHARTLEY," "THE FATALIST," etc. etc. + +"It is a novel which may be termed the whimsically +supernatural."--_Athenæum._ + +"The present narrative is one of the most entertaining fictions we have +met with for a long time; the idea is very original, and brought into +play with a lively air of truth, which gives a dramatic reality even to +the supernatural."--_Literary Gazette._ + +"The adventures follow each other with delightful rapidity and variety; +occasionally there is a deep and thrilling touch of pathos, which we +feel not a bit the less acutely, because the trouble and wo of the +parties have originated in the familiar and somewhat laughable act of +pulling an ear."--_Court Magazine._ + + +In Two Volumes, 12mo. + +MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS. + +"The best novel of the season--a faithful, exact, and withal spirited +picture of the aristocracy of this country--an admirable description of +what is called high life, and full of a more enlarged knowledge of human +nature."--_Spectator._ + +"A very lively and amusing panorama of actual life."--_Lit. Gazette._ + +"A very interesting work, full of well-described scenes and characters, +and altogether deserving of being classed with the first-rate novels of +the day."--_Courier._ + +"It would be difficult to lay down such a book until every chapter has +been perused. Elegance and force of style--highly but faithfully drawn +pictures of society--are merits scarcely secondary to those we have +enumerated: and they are equally displayed throughout. 'Mothers and +Daughters' must find its way rapidly into every circle."--_Bulwer's New +Monthly Magazine._ + + +In one Volume, 12mo. + +A SUBALTERN IN AMERICA; + + COMPRISING HIS NARRATIVE OF THE CAMPAIGNS OF THE BRITISH ARMY AT + BALTIMORE, WASHINGTON, ETC. DURING THE LATE WAR. + +"The Subaltern is a man of sense, acuteness, and good feeling, who +writes with spirit and good taste.--Considering that he is an Englishman +and an English officer writing about America, his book is tolerably +fair--and makes fewer insulting comments upon things which he did not +understand, than has been customary with that kind of authors. + +"The 'Subaltern' is nevertheless a very agreeable, well written book, +and we are glad to see it republished here. No doubt an American would +have written some portions of it differently, but we can profit, we +trust, by observing how opposite accounts can be fairly given of the +same transactions, and learn something of the trouble in which history +is written." + +_Baltimore American._ + +"THE SUBALTERN IN AMERICA.--Under this title, Messrs. Carey, Hart & Co. +have recently published a work in one volume, comprising a full +narrative of the campaigns of the British army, at Baltimore, +Washington, New Orleans, &c. during the late war. The incidents of the +war, as related in the American papers, are probably familiar to most +persons, through that channel. Yet the ends of truth, and the means of +forming a just judgment, may require that one should hear the statement +of the adverse party, as well as that most favourable to our side of the +question. There is, moreover, two ways of telling even the truth. They +who feel an interest in the details of this important struggle between +kindred nations, have, in the book before us, an opportunity of hearing +them, as shaped out by one of the adverse party. The 'Subaltern' bore an +active share in the several campaigns, of which he professes to give an +account; and if his narrations are somewhat partial to his own side of +the question, it is but the indulgence of a very common foible, which +may be the more readily excused, as the means of correction are at +hand."--_Baltimore Patriot._ + + +In two Volumes, 12mo. + +PIN MONEY; + +BY MRS. CHARLES GORE, + +Authoress of "HUNGARIAN TALES," "POLISH TALES," etc. + +"Her writings have that originality which wit gives to reality, and wit +is the great characteristic of her pages."--_Bulwer's New Monthly +Magazine._ + +"Light spirited and clever, the characters are drawn with truth and +vigour. Keen in observation, lively in detail, and with a peculiar and +piquant style, Mrs. Charles Gore gives to the novel that charm which +makes the fascination of the best French memoir writers."--_London +Literary Gazette._ + + +In one Volume, 12mo. + +LEGENDS AND TALES OF IRELAND + +BY SAMUEL LOVER. + + +E. L. CAREY AND A. HART + +In two Volumes, 12mo. + +THE MAN-OF-WAR'S-MAN; + +By the Author of "TOM CRINGLE'S LOG." + +"No stories of adventures are more exciting than those of seamen. +The author of Tom Cringle's Log is the most popular writer of that +class, and those sketches collected not long since into a volume by +the same publishers, in this city, were universally read. A large +edition was soon exhausted. The present is, we believe, an earlier +production, and has many of the same merits."--_Baltimore Gazette._ + +"Messrs. Carey & Hart have published, in two volumes, 'The +Man-of-War's-Man.' The success which attended the publication of +'Tom Cringle's Log,' might well induce its ingenious author to +undertake a continuous narrative, having for the subject of +illustration the manners and customs of seamen. The work now before +us is of the kind, well imagined, and executed with all the tact +and clearness that distinguished the 'Log Book' of Master Cringle, +with the advantages of a more regular plot and interesting +denouement."--_U. S. Gazette._ + +"Nobody needs be told what sort of a book Tom Cringle can +write--that humorous and most admirable of sailors! We may just +remark that the reader will find in the present volume the same +power of description and knowledge of the world--the same stirring +adventures, phrases, dialects, and incidents which rendered his +last work so extravagantly popular. The printing is uncommonly good +for a novel." + + +In one Volume, 8vo. + +THE AMERICAN + +FLOWER GARDEN DIRECTORY, + +CONTAINING PRACTICAL DIRECTIONS FOR THE CULTURE OF PLANTS IN THE + +HOT-HOUSE, GARDEN-HOUSE, FLOWER-GARDEN, AND ROOMS OR PARLOURS, + +For every month in the year; with a description of the plants most +desirable in each, the nature of the soil and situation best +adapted to their growth, the proper season for transplanting, &c.; +instructions for erecting a + +HOT-HOUSE, GREEN-HOUSE, AND LAYING OUT A FLOWER-GARDEN. + +Also, table of soils most congenial to the plants contained in the +work. The whole adapted to either large or small gardens, with +lists of annuals, bienniels, and ornamental shrubs, contents, a +general index, and a frontispiece of Camellia Fimbriata. + +BY HIBBERT AND BUIST, + +EXOTIC NURSERYMEN AND FLORISTS. + + +In two Volumes, 12mo. + +JACOB FAITHFUL; + +By the Author of PETER SIMPLE, &c. &c. + + +In Two Vols. 12mo. + +FIRST LOVE, A NOVEL. + +"Its style is elegant, and its information that of a lady of amiable +feelings and motives, who well understands her sex."--_Spectator._ + +"The whole of the story, but particularly the dawning of that early +dawning of life's morning, First Love, and the subsequent progress of +that passion, are indeed delightfully sketched."--_Morning Post._ + + +In Two Volumes, 12mo. + +TRAITS AND STORIES OF THE IRISH PEASANTRY + +FIRST SERIES. + +"Admirable--truly, intensely Irish: never were the outrageous +whimsicalities of that strange, wild, imaginative people so +characteristically described; nor amidst all the fun, frolic, and folly, +is there any dearth of poetry, pathos, and passion. The author's a +jewel."--_Glasgow Journal._ + +"To those who have a relish for a few tit-bits of rale Irish +story-telling,--whether partaking of the tender or the facetious, +or the grotesque,--let them purchase these characteristic +sketches."--_Sheffield Iris._ + +"The sister country has never furnished such sterling genius, such +irresistibly humorous, yet faithful sketches of character among the +lower ranks of Patlanders, as are to be met with in the pages of these +delightful volumes."--_Bristol Journal._ + +"This is a capital book, full of fun and humour, and most +characteristically Irish."--_New Monthly Magazine._ + +"Neither Miss Edgeworth, nor the author of the O'Hara Tales, could have +written any thing more powerful than this."--_Edinburgh Literary +Gazette._ + +"We do not hesitate to say, that for a minute and accurate sketching of +the character, manners, and language of the lower orders of the Irish, +no book was ever published at all equal to this."--_Spectator._ + + +In Two Volumes, 12mo. + +TRAITS AND STORIES OF THE IRISH PEASANTRY. + +SECOND SERIES. + +"Traits and Stories of Irish Peasantry.--The whole story is one of that +mirth-inspiring nature, that those who read it without hearty laughter +must be either miserable or very imperturbable."--_Metropolitan, edited +by T. Campbell._ + +"There is strength, vigour--and above all--truth, in every story, in +every sentence, every line he writes. The statesman ought to read such +books as these; they would tell him more of the true state of the +country than he has ever heard from the lips of her orators, or the +despatches of the 'Castle Hacks.' We wish Mr. Carlton would send forth a +cheap edition, that 'Traits and Stories' of Irish peasants might be in +the hands of people as well as peers."--_Bulwer's New Monthly +Magazine._ + + +In Two Volumes, 12mo. + +THE STAFF-OFFICER. OR, THE SOLDIER OF FORTUNE. + +A TALE OF REAL LIFE. + +"The web of life is of a mingled yarn, good and ill together; our +virtues would be proud if our faults whipped them not, and our crimes +would despair if they were not cherished by our virtues." + + +BY OLIVER MOORE. + +"We are prepared to admit that our extracts do not do justice to the +work: the writer's power is in discriminating _female_ character; but as +he judiciously makes it develope itself by incident, to illustrate this +would require scenes and pages to be transferred to our columns. As a +whole, this novel will be read with interest: it is light and pleasant; +with many very natural scenes, many excellent and well-drawn characters, +and without one line or word of affectation or pretence."--_Athenæum._ + +"This is a most entertaining work: it is written with great spirit, +elegance, and candour. The delineation of character (particularly that +of many distinguished individuals officially connected with Ireland +during the Pitt administration) is skilfully and vividly drawn; and the +multifarious incidents--several of which are of a highly _piquant_ +description--are given with a tact and delicacy creditable to the +judgment and talent of the author. We can say with truth, that we have +fairly gone through this tale of real life without being cloyed or +wearied for a single moment; but that it excited, and kept up, an +interest in our minds which few volumes designed for mere amusement have +been able to inspire."--_Brighton Herald._ + + +In Two Volumes, 12mo. + +THE NAVAL OFFICER; + +OR, SCENES AND ADVENTURES IN THE LIFE OF FRANK MILDMAY. + +By the Author of "PETER SIMPLE," "THE KING'S OWN," etc. + +"This is the most seaman-like composition that has yet issued from the +press. We recommend it to all who 'live at home at ease,' and need +scarcely say, that no man-of-wars man should remain an hour without +it."--_Atlas._ + +The following beautiful and judicious compliment to the genius of +Captain Marryatt, author of the Naval Officer, is from the pen of Mr. +Bulwer, who, it will be acknowledged, is no inexperienced or unobserving +critic: + +"Far remote from the eastern and the voluptuous--from the visionary and +refining--from the pale colouring of drawing-room life, and the subtle +delicacies of female sentiment and wit, the genius of Captain Marryatt +embodies itself in the humour, the energy, the robust and masculine +vigour of bustling and actual existence; it has been braced by the sea +breezes; it walks abroad in the mart of busy men, with a firm step and a +cheerful and healthy air. Not, indeed, that he is void of a certain +sentiment, and an intuition into the more hidden sources of mental +interest; but these are not his forte, or his appropriate element. He is +best in a rich and various humour--rich, for there is nothing poor or +threadbare in his materials. His characters are not, as Scott's, after +all, mere delineations of one oddity, uttering the same eternal +phraseology, from the 'prodigious' of Dominie Sampson, to 'provant' of +Major Dalgetty--a laughable, but somewhat poor invention: they are +formed of compound and complex characteristics, and evince no trifling +knowledge of the metaphysics of social life." + + +In Two Volumes, 12mo. + +THE CONTRAST A NOVEL. + +By EARL MULGRAVE, Author of "MATILDA," "YES AND NO," etc. + +"'Yes and No' contained the best _tableaux_ of actual--human--English +society in the nineteenth century, of any novel we know of. The same +characteristics that distinguished the most agreeable novel are equally +remarkable in its successors."--_Bulwer's New Monthly Magazine._ + +"'Contrast' cannot fail to prove interesting."--_Court Journal._ + +"These volumes possess the rather uncommon merit of a very interesting +story. The design is to paint a man whose strong feelings are curbed by +an over-fastidiousness--what the French so happily term un-homme +difficile."--_London Literary Gazette._ + +"Messrs. Carey and Hart have republished, in two neat volumes, Earl +Mulgrave's novel of the 'Contrast,' which has been so favourably +received in England. It is said to be one of the best novels of the +kind, that has issued from the press for years."--_Philadelphia +Inquirer._ + +"'Pelham,' and 'Yes and No,' are perhaps the only paintings of the +present time which are drawn with the accuracy of knowledge, and the +vivacity of talent. Were we to be asked by a foreigner to recommend +those novels which, founded on truth, gave the most just delineation of +the higher classes in England, it is to the above mentioned works we +should refer. _The present volumes, however, are an infinite improvement +on their predecessor._"--_London Literary Gazette._ + + +In One Volume, 8vo. + +MEMOIRS OF MARSHAL NEY, + +COMPILED FROM PAPERS IN THE POSSESSION OF HIS FAMILY. + +The work has been put together under the direction and management of the +Duke of Elchingen, Marshal Ney's second son, who has affixed his +signature to every sheet sent to press. + +"They may be regarded as the Ney Papers, connected together by an +interesting biography; the anecdotes with which they are interspersed +have plainly been collected with great pains from all the early friends +of that illustrious warrior."--_Blackwood's Magazine._ + +"The memoirs before us are founded upon the papers and documents which +he left behind him at his death, consisting of anecdotic and +biographical fragments, accounts of his divers missions and campaigns, +and the substance of many extraordinary secrets intrusted to him as a +general and a statesman. All these materials throw great light upon the +history of the French empire, as the details given in the memoirs +possess the strongest interest."--_Pennsylvania Inquirer._ + + +In One Volume, 12mo. + +CONVERSATIONS ON VEGETABLE PHYSIOLOGY; + + COMPREHENDING THE ELEMENTS OF BOTANY, WITH THEIR APPLICATION TO + AGRICULTURE. + +By the Author of "CONVERSATIONS ON CHEMISTRY," &c. &c. + +Adapted to the use of schools by J. L. BLAKE, A. M. + +Third American Edition, with coloured plates. + + +IN PREPARATION, + +THE GIFT; A CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR'S PRESENT, FOR 1835. + +Edited by MISS LESLIE, author of "PENCIL SKETCHES," &c. + +The publishers have the promise of articles from many of the most +popular authors of the day. The ILLUSTRATIONS are in the hands of some +of the most eminent engravers, and no expense will be spared to render +the work in every respect equal to the foreign productions of the same +class. + + +MATHEMATICS FOR PRACTICAL MEN; BEING A COMMON-PLACE BOOK OF PRINCIPLES, +THEOREMS, RULES AND TABLES, IN VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS OF PURE AND MIXED +MATHEMATICS, + + With their applications; especially to the pursuits of surveyors, + architects, mechanics, and civil engineers. With numerous + engravings. + +BY OLINTHUS GREGORY, LL.D., F.R.A.S. + +SECOND EDITION, CORRECTED AND IMPROVED. + +"Only let men awake, and fix their eyes, one while on the nature of +things, another while on the application of them to the use and service +of mankind."--_Lord Bacon._ + + +In One Volume, 18mo. + +COLMAN'S BROAD GRINS. + +A NEW EDITION, WITH ADDITIONS. + +"'This is a little volume of the comic,' which we recollect to have +laughed over many a time, in our boyish days, and since. It is old +standard fun,--a comic classic."--_Baltimore Gazette._ + + +ENGLISH EDITIONS. + +Price 37-1/2 cents each number. + + +CUVIER'S ANIMAL KINGDOM; + +Now in course of publication in London. The Animal Kingdom, arranged +according to its organization, serving as a foundation for the natural +history of animals, and an introduction to comparative anatomy, with +figures designed and coloured after nature. The Crustacea, Arachnides +Insecta, by Latreille, translated from the latest French edition, with +additional notes and illustrations, by nearly five hundred additional +plates, to be completed in thirty-six monthly numbers, at 37-1/2 cents +each. + +Six numbers have already been received. The attention of the public is +particularly requested to this work, as it is, without question, by far +the cheapest and most beautiful edition of the "Animal Kingdom" of +Cuvier that has yet appeared. + + +LANDSCAPE AND PORTRAIT ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE WAVERLEY NOVELS. + +NEW EDITION; + +Containing one hundred and twenty superb engravings. + +The above work is complete in _twenty-four_ numbers, and supplied at the +moderate price of _seventy-five cents per number_. The former edition +sold at _double the price_. + + +ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE POETICAL WORKS OF SIR WALTER SCOTT; + +Now in course of publication in England; to be complete in _twelve_ +monthly numbers, four of which have already appeared. Price 75 cents +each. + + +FINDEN'S LANDSCAPE ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE LIFE AND WORKS OF LORD BYRON. + +Price 75 cents per number. + + To be completed in 24 numbers, 18 of which have already appeared. + Each number contains five highly-finished engravings. + + +A WHISPER TO A NEWLY-MARRIED PAIR. + +"Hail, wedded love! by gracious Heaven design'd, +At once the source and glory of mankind." + +"We solicit the attention of our readers to this publication, as one, +though small, of infinite value."--_Baltimore Minerva._ + +"'The Whisper' is fully deserving the compliments bestowed upon it, and +we join heartily in recommending it to our friends, whether married or +single--for much useful instruction may be gathered from its +pages."--_Lady's Book._ + +"The work contains some original suggestions that are just, and many +excellent quotations; some of her hints to the ladies should have been +_whispered_ in a tone too low to be overheard by the men."--_Daily +Chronicle._ + + +In One Volume, 18mo. + + PRINCIPLES OF THE ART OF MODERN HORSEMANSHIP FOR LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, + IN WHICH ALL THE LATE IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLIED TO PRACTICE. + +Translated from the French, by DANIEL J. DESMOND. + +THE ART OF HORSEMANSHIP.--This is the title of a neat little work +translated from the French of Mr. Lebeaud, by Daniel J. Desmond, Esq. of +this city, and just published by Carey & Hart. It gives full and +explicit directions for breaking and managing a horse, and goes into +detail on the proper mode of mounting, the posture in the saddle, the +treatment of the animal under exercise, &c. An appendix is added, +containing instructions for the _ladies_, in mounting and dismounting. + +The Philadelphia public are under obligations to Mr. Desmond for this +translation. We have long needed a manual of horsemanship, to correct +the inelegant habits in which many of our riders indulge, and to produce +uniformity in the art of equitation. We see daily in our streets, +mounted men, who totter in their seats as if suffering under an +ague-fit; others who whip, spur, and rant, as if charging an enemy in +battle; and again others, of slovenly habits, with cramped knees, and +toes projecting outwards, who occupy a position utterly devoid of every +thing like ease, grace, or beauty. These things are discreditable to our +community, and earnestly do we hope, that this book will have many +attentive readers.--_Philadelphia Gazette._ + + +In One Volume, 12mo + +TWO HUNDRED RECEIPTS IN DOMESTIC FRENCH COOKERY. + +By MISS LESLIE, Author of the "SEVENTY-FIVE RECEIPTS." + +Price 50 cents. + +"'The 200 Receipts by Miss Leslie,' published by Carey and Hart of +Philadelphia, has been much praised, and we think deservedly. The +selection of subjects made by the accomplished writer is of a most +tempting and tasteful description, and we must do her the justice to +say, that she has treated them in such an eloquent and forcible manner, +as to raise in the minds of all dispassionate readers the most tender +and pleasurable associations. We commend her to the careful perusal and +respect of all thrifty housewives."--_New York Mirror._ + + +In One Volume, 12mo. + +THE PAINTER'S AND COLOURMAN'S COMPLETE GUIDE; + +Being a Practical Treatise on the Preparation of Colours, and their +application to the different kinds of Painting; in which is particularly +described the WHOLE ART OF HOUSE PAINTING. By P. F. TINGRY, Professor of +Chymistry, Natural History, and Mineralogy, in the Academy of Geneva. +First American, from the third London Edition, corrected and +considerably improved by a practical chymist. + + +In One Volume, 18mo. + +THE FAMILY DYER AND SCOURER; + +Being a Complete Treatise on the Arts of Dying and Cleaning every +article of Dress, whether made of Wool, Cotton, Silk, Flax, or Hair; +also Bed and Window Furniture, Carpets, Hearth-rugs, Counterpanes, +Bonnets, Feathers, &c. By WILLIAM TUCKER, Dyer and Scourer in the +Metropolis. + + +ELEMENTS OF MORALITY FOR THE INSTRUCTION OF YOUTH. + +WITH SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES. + +Translated by A. BOLMAR, and E. K. PRICE + +Half bound. Price 19 cents. + +In One Volume, 12mo. + +PICTURE OF PHILADELPHIA; + +Or a brief account of the various institutions and public objects in +this Metropolis, forming a Guide for Strangers, accompanied by a new +Plan of the city. In a neat pocket volume. + + +In One Volume, 12mo. + +THE HORSE IN ALL HIS VARIETIES AND USES; + +His breeding, rearing, and management, whether in labour or rest; with +RULES occasionally interspersed, for his PRESERVATION from disease. By +JOHN LAWRENCE, author of "The History of the Horse," etc. + +"Independently of the practical value of the book, and it is really +and extensively valuable, it is one of the most amusing the reader +will meet with in a thousand, complete and unique, embracing every +possible subject that can be connected with the horse."--_Monthly +Magazine._ + + +CHESNUT STREET, +OCTOBER, 1833. + +NEW WORKS PUBLISHED AND PREPARING FOR PUBLICATION, + +BY E. L. CAREY & A. HART, PHILAD. + + +In two Volumes, 12mo. + +THE ROUÉ + +By the author of the "OXONIANS." + + +In one Volume, 8vo. + +A TREATISE ON LESSER SURGERY; OR THE MINOR SURGICAL OPERATIONS. + +BY BOURGERY, D. M. P. + +Author of "A Complete Treatise on Human Anatomy, comprising +Operative Medicine," translated from the French, with notes, and an +appendix; by + +WILLIAM C. ROBERTS AND JAS. B. KISSAM. + + +In two Volumes, 12mo. + +MANNERS OF THE DAY. A NOVEL. + + +In one Volume, 12mo. + +MAGENDIE'S FORMULARY. + +A new Edition, revised and corrected. + + +In two Volumes, 12mo. + +TALES OF THE MUNSTER FESTIVALS. + +By the Author of the "COLLEGIANS." + + +In Two Volumes, 12mo. + + TRAVELS IN VARIOUS PARTS OF PERU; INCLUDING A YEAR'S RESIDENCE IN + POTOSI. + + By EDMUND TEMPLE, Kt. of the Royal and distinguished Order of CHARLES + III. + +"These travels in Peru will long maintain their reputation for the +accuracy of detail, the spirit of the style, and the utility of the +information they contain. The professional matter is very +valuable."--_Bulwer's New Monthly Magazine._ + +"There is much to instruct, and a great deal to amuse. Amid the details +of personal adventures, there is a great deal of shrewd and strong +observation."--_London Monthly Magazine._ + +"We have met with no volumes of travels in that country with which, upon +the whole, we have been so much pleased as the one before +us."--_Baltimore Gazette._ + +"This is an instructive and entertaining work."--_National Gazette._ + +"This book is one of the most entertaining that has been issued from the +press for some time."--_Pennsylvania Inquirer._ + + +In Two Volumes, 12mo. + +SYDENHAM; OR, MEMOIRS OF A MAN OF THE WORLD. + +"A new novel of fashionable life, under the title of 'Sydenham, or +Memoirs of a Man of the World,' will shortly be given to the public. It +exhibits the history of a young man of rank and fortune, who, being of a +decidedly satirical turn, resolves to gratify his favourite penchant to +ascertain the internal state of fashionable society, and minutely to +observe human nature under every variety of shade and circumstance. +Among other characters with whom he comes in contact, is the celebrated +BRUMMEL, who figures under the name of Beaumont: this gentleman arrests +his peculiar attention, and serves him for a complete study. The work +is, moreover, illustrative of those sets or circles in the world of ton +which have never been depicted in the pages of fiction, and respecting +which so much curiosity has long been felt."--_New Monthly Magazine._ + +"Each of these volumes is in fact a separate work--each in a different +style and spirit--each aspiring to a different fame in composition. +'Sydenham' is a capital work, which, without the trouble of puffing, +must make a great stir in the upper and political circles."--_London +Lit. Gaz._ + +"Sydenham is well written, and contains much pleasant and some severe +satire. The present Whig ministers in England are handled without +gloves, and a number of distinguished personages occupy more conspicuous +places than they would have been likely to choose, had the matter been +referred to themselves."--_Courier._ + +"The work before us is one of the most powerful of its class; it bears +intrinsic evidence of a new writer. The portrait of Brummel, the 'arch +dandy,' is excellent; and all the scenes in which he is engaged are +managed with skill and tact. There is, in fact, sufficient material in +this book for three or four novels."--_New Monthly Magazine._ + +"All the personages are of course real, though under fictitious names; +these pages are, in reality, memoirs of the intrigues of the times, full +of keen observation, graphic sketches of character, biting sarcasm, one +page of which would make the fortune of a pamphlet."--_London Gazette._ + + +In Two Volumes, 12mo. + + RECORDS OF TRAVELS IN TURKEY, GREECE, &c. IN THE YEARS 1829, 1830, AND + 1831; AND OF A CRUISE IN THE BLACK SEA, WITH THE CAPTAIN PASHA. + +BY ADOLPHUS SLADE, ESQ. + +"One of the most valuable and interesting works which has yet been +placed in our hands, on the domestic state of Turkey."--_Monthly +Review._ + +"We do not know when we have met with two volumes more amusing--they are +full of highly entertaining and curious matter."--_Court Jour._ + +"The work before us supplies the best description of this remarkable +nation."--_Courier._ + +"One of the most amusing and interesting of oriental travellers, none +having ever equalled him in a thorough knowledge of the true state of +society, and the true character of the Turks."--_Spectator._ + +"We can warmly recommend this book for perusal, it is not only very +amusing but very valuable."--_Metropolitan._ + +"We can assure our readers that no records of travels in modern times, +with which we are acquainted, presents so many features of general +attraction as the volumes before us."--_London Monthly Review._ + +"Mr. Slade has produced, without any trace of pretension, one of the +most sensible and agreeable books of travel we have ever had the +pleasure to peruse."--_United Service Journal._ + + +In Two Volumes, 12mo. + +LEGENDS OF THE RHINE. + +By T. C. GRATTAN, Esq. Author of "HIGH-WAYS AND BY-WAYS." + +"We are well content to pass an hour once more with the lively and +entertaining author of 'High-ways and By-ways." The hour has not yet +gone by, and we have not completed the perusal of the two volumes; but +the tales we have observed are worthy the repute in which the writer is +held, and are even of a higher order--more chaste in language and +perfect in style."--_Boston Traveller._ + +"Messrs. Carey and Hart have just issued 'Legends of the Rhine,' by the +author of 'High-ways and By-ways.' To those who recollect Mr. Grattan's +former writings, (and who among novel readers does not?) it is only +necessary to say, that the present 'Legends' are, in no respect, +inferior to their predecessors. The traditions which he has here wrought +into shape are all said to have an existence among the dwellers near the +mighty river; and it is certain they are full of romantic interest. The +'Legends' are twelve in number, and, though not equal in all respects, +there is no one of them that does not possess a strong claim to +admiration."--_Saturday Courier._ + +"Few sets of stories, published within the last ten years, have been +more popular than those called 'High-ways and By-ways.' The author of +these, after having produced two or three successful works of a +different sort, has given us two volumes of tales, with the title +'Legends of the Rhine,' which are to be published to-morrow, we +understand, by Carey and Hart. The author professes, seriously, to have +founded his narratives on traditions yet extant among those who live +near the banks of the great German river; and many of them end so +tragically that we can hardly suspect the writer of having invented them +for his own amusement or that of his readers. They are all interesting, +though not all skilfully framed; and each of them contains pages that +may be placed in a competition with the most shining passages of any +other living novel writer." + + +In Two Volumes, 12mo. + +STANLEY BUXTON; OR, THE SCHOOLFELLOWS. + + By JOHN GALT, Esq., Author of "ANNALS OF THE PARISH," "LAWRIE TODD," + "EBEN ERSKINE," etc. + +"While guile is guiltless, and life's business play, +Friendships are formed that never know decay." + +"Oh, that all novels were like this piece of admirable +fiction."--_Spectator._ + +"We must say this work is in Mr. Galt's best style, the volume before us +contains samples of his tastes and of his powers."--_Bulwer's New +Monthly Magazine._ + +"Mr. Galt's new novel is on our table, and we regret we have not space +to go further into the arcana of 'Stanley Buxton,' in which the author +has aimed at painting natural feelings in situations not common, and +with much success. Some of his descriptions are also deserving of +special praise. Two episodes in the second volume add to the general +interest, and further recommend the work to public favour."--_London +Literary Gazette._ + +"We find in this work the force of conception, and the full execution +which distinguish the 'Annals of the Parish,' and 'Lawrie +Todd.'"--_Sun._ + +"The new novel, 'Stanley Buxton,' just published by Carey and Hart, may +be called one of the very best of Mr. Galt's productions."--_Daily +Chronicle._ + +"In 'Stanley Buxton' there is the same delightful freshness, the same +striking originality of purpose, the same easy and flowing, yet racy +and spirited manner which characterized the 'Annals of the +Parish.'"--_Saturday Courier._ + +"For touching the heart, for keen knowledge of nature, and for quiet and +beautiful descriptions, like the still life in a painter's sketch, Galt +possesses a vision and a power, that are not often surpassed, except by +Bulwer. The author of 'Stanley Buxton' is infinitely superior to +D'Israeli, whose imagination is as excursive and capricious as the wing +of a sea-fowl."--_Chronicle._ + +"Mr. Galt is a writer so well known and so deservedly admired, that the +announcement of a new novel from his pen is sufficient to awaken general +curiosity."--_Gazette._ + + +In Two Volumes, 12mo. + +FITZ GEORGE. + +A NOVEL. + +"Smiles without mirth, and pastimes without pleasure, +Youth without honour, age without respect."--_Byron._ + +"There are scenes in it which must awaken attention and interest; it is +evidently written by a powerful and accustomed hand."--_Athenæum._ + +"Fitz George is a production of great talent."--_Weekly Despatch._ + +"If all novels were like this, they would soon be in the hands of +philosophers as well as fashionables."--_True Sun._ + +"Should a library be formed in Buckingham Palace, these volumes should +have a shelf in it to themselves."--_Bell's New Weekly Messenger._ + +"The whole book abounds with the most stirring interest."--_National +Omnibus._ + + +In Two Volumes, 12mo. + +OUR ISLAND. + +COMPRISING _FORGERY, A TALE_; _AND_, _THE LUNATIC, A TALE_. + +"There is a great share of talent in these pages, which have also the +merit of being laid chiefly among scenes new to a large portion of our +readers."--_Literary Gazette._ + +"_The Lunatic._--This is indeed an excellent tale--well told--with +variety of incidents and character, and with much humour. Not to speak +in disparagement of the first tale, we must confess that we have been +highly pleased with the second, and we think our readers' time will be +amply repaid by a perusal of both."--_London Monthly Magazine._ + +"This work is of a generally interesting character, and we feel it our +duty to encourage the publication of such productions as these tales, +since they point attention to errors of legislation."--_Weekly +Despatch._ + + +In Two Volumes, 12mo. + +PETER SIMPLE; OR, ADVENTURES OF A MIDSHIPMAN. + +By the Author of "THE KING'S OWN." + + +In Two Volumes, 12mo. + +TOM CRINGLE'S LOG. + +"The scenes are chiefly nautical, and we can safely say, that no author +of the present day, not even excepting our own Cooper, has surpassed him +in his element."--_U. S. Gazette._ + +"The sketches are not only replete with entertainment, but useful, as +affording an accurate and vivid description of scenery, and of life and +manners in the West Indies."--_Boston Traveller._ + +"We think none who have read this work will deny that the author is the +best nautical writer who has yet appeared. He is not Smollett, he is not +Cooper; but he is far superior to them both."--_Boston Transcript._ + +"The scenes are chiefly nautical, and are described in a style of beauty +and interest never surpassed by any writer."--_Baltimore Gazette._ + +"The author has been justly compared with Cooper, and many of his +sketches are in fact equal to any from the pen of our celebrated +countryman."--_Saturday Evening Post._ + + +In Two Volumes, 12mo. + +TOM CRINGLE'S LOG. SECOND SERIES. + + +In Three Volumes, 12mo. + +TOM CRINGLE'S LOG. FIRST AND SECOND SERIES. + +A NEW EDITION COMPLETE. + + +In One Volume, 8vo. + +_HALL ON THE LOSS OF BLOOD._ + +RESEARCHES + +PRINCIPALLY RELATIVE TO + +THE MORBID AND CURATIVE EFFECTS OF LOSS OF BLOOD. + +BY MARSHALL HALL, M.D., F.R.S.E., &c. &c. + +"It will be seen that we have been much pleased with Dr. Hall's work +generally; we think it is calculated to do much good in placing the +subject of the due institution of blood-letting on a practical basis. +Dr. Hall has subjoined a plan of a Register of Cases of Blood-letting, +which would be a most useful record, if properly kept; and we cannot +recommend such a detail of facts, to practitioners, in too high +terms."--_American Journal of Medical Sciences, No. XI._ + +"It is not for us to say how large may have been the number of +sufferers, but we know some have perished from direct exhaustion +complicated with reaction, who might have been saved, if the principles +and practice of our author had been known and understood."--_N. A. Med. +and Surg. Journal, No. XX. for October, 1830._ + + +In One Volume, 8vo. + +_TEALE ON NEURALGIC DISEASES._ + +A TREATISE ON NEURALGIC DISEASES, + + Dependent upon Irritation of the Spinal Marrow and Ganglia of the + Sympathetic Nerve. + +By THOMAS PRIDGIN TEALE. + +Member of the Royal College of Surgeons in London, of the Royal Medical +Society of Edinburgh, Senior Surgeon to the Leeds Public Dispensary. + +Price 31 cents. + +"It is a source of genuine gratification to meet with a work of this +character, when it is so often our lot to be obliged to labour hard to +winnow a few grains of information from the great mass of dullness, +ignorance, and misstatement with which we are beset, and cannot too +highly recommend it to the attention of the profession."--_American +Journal of the Medical Sciences, No. X._ + + +In One Volume, 8vo. + +SELECT SPEECHES OF JOHN SERGEANT OF PENNSYLVANIA. + + +SELECT MEDICO-CHIRURGICAL TRANSACTIONS. + +A collection of the most valuable Memoirs read to the Medico-Chirurgical +Societies of London and Edinburgh; the Association of Fellows and +Licentiates of the King and Queen's College of Physicians in Ireland; +the Royal Academy of Medicine of Paris; the Royal Societies of London +and Edinburgh; the Royal Academy of Turin; the Medical and Anatomical +Societies of Paris, &c. &c. &c. + +Edited by ISAAC HAYS, M.D. + + +In One Volume, 8vo. + +A PRACTICAL COMPENDIUM OF MIDWIFERY: + + Being the course of Lectures on Midwifery, and on the Diseases of + Women and Infants, delivered at St. Bartholemew's Hospital. + +By the late ROBERT GOOCH, M.D. + +"As it abounds, however, in valuable and original suggestions, it will +be found a useful book of reference."--_Drake's Western Journal._ + + +In One Volume, 8vo. + +AN ACCOUNT OF SOME OF THE MOST IMPORTANT DISEASES PECULIAR TO WOMEN; + +BY ROBERT GOOCH, M.D. + +"In this volume Dr. Gooch has made a valuable contribution to practical +medicine. It is the result of the observation and experience of a +strong, sagacious, and disciplined mind."--_Transylvania Journal of +Medicine._ + +"This work, which is now for the first time presented to the profession +in the United States, comes to them with high claims to their +notice."--_Drake's Western Journal._ + + +In Two Volumes, 12mo + +FRESCATIS; OR, SCENES IN PARIS. + + +In One Volume, 18mo. + +COLMAN'S BROAD GRINS. + +A NEW EDITION, WITH ADDITIONS. + + +In One Volume, 12mo. + +THE GROOM'S ORACLE, AND POCKET STABLE DIRECTORY. + +In which the Management of Horses generally, as to Health, Dieting, and +Exercise, is considered, in a Series of Familiar Dialogues between two +Grooms engaged in training Horses to their work, as well for the Road as +the Chase and Turf. By JOHN HINDS, V.S., Author of the "Veterinary +Surgeon." Embellished with an elegant Frontispiece, by S. ALKEN. First +American, from the second London Edition. With considerable additions, +and an appendix, including the RECEIPT BOOK OF JOHN HINDS, V.S. + +"This enlarged edition of the 'Groom's Oracle' contains a good +number of new points connected with training prime horses; and the +owners of working cattle, also, will find their profit in +consulting the practical remarks that are applicable to their +teams; on the principle that _health preserved_ is better than +_disease removed_." + +"THE GROOM'S ORACLE, by J. HINDS, is among the most valuable of our +recent publications; it ought to be in the possession of every +gentleman, who either has in possession, or has a chance of +possessing, the noble animal to whose proper treatment the author +has directed his enlightened researches."--_Taunton Courier, 1830._ + + +REFLECTIONS ON EVERY DAY IN THE WEEK, WITH OCCASIONAL THOUGHTS. + +BY CATHARINE TALBOT. + +Neatly done up in paper with gilt edges. Price 20 cents. + +"Catherine Talbot's _Reflections on every Day of the Week_ have been +published, in a neat and popular form, by Messrs. Carey and Hart. They +are simple, and applicable to every reader, and distinguished not less +by eloquent thought, than by sound and correct judgment. The little work +will be read by no one without profit."--_Saturday Evening Post._ + + +In One Volume, 8vo. + +_TATE ON HYSTERIA._ + +A TREATISE ON "HYSTERIA." + +BY GEORGE TATE, M.D. + +"As public journalists, we take this occasion to return him our hearty +thanks for the pains he has taken to shed a new light on an obscure and +much-neglected topic."--_North Amer. Med. and Surg. Journ. No. XIX._ + + +In One Volume, 12mo. + + A SUBALTERN IN AMERICA; COMPRISING HIS NARRATIVE OF THE CAMPAIGNS OF THE + BRITISH ARMY AT BALTIMORE, WASHINGTON, ETC. DURING THE LATE WAR. + + +In Two Volumes, 12mo. + +NIGHTS-AT-MESS. + + +In Two Volumes, 8vo. + +NATURE DISPLAYED IN HER MODE OF TEACHING LANGUAGE TO MAN; + +Being a new and infallible method of acquiring languages with +unparalleled rapidity; deduced from the Analysis of the human Mind, and +consequently suited to every capacity; adapted to the French, + +BY N. G. DUFIEF. + +To which is prefixed a development of the author's plan of tuition: +differing entirely from every other; so powerful in its operation and so +very economical, that a liberal education can be afforded even to the +poorest of mankind. + +EIGHTH EDITION, ENLARGED AND IMPROVED. + + +In Two Volumes, 8vo. + +DUFIEF'S SPANISH NATURE DISPLAYED. + + +In Two Volumes, 8vo. + + A NEW UNIVERSAL AND PRONOUNCING DICTIONARY OF THE FRENCH AND ENGLISH + LANGUAGES. + +Containing above _fifty thousand_ terms and names not to be found in the +Dictionaries of Boyer, Perry, Nugent, &c. &c.; to which is added a vast +fund of other information equally beneficial and instructive. + +BY N. G. DUFIEF. + +A new Edition, revised and corrected by the Author. + + +In One Volume, 18mo. + +_THE SURGEON-DENTIST'S MANUAL._ + +THE SURGEON-DENTIST'S ANATOMICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL MANUAL. + +By G. WAIT. + +Member of the Royal College of Surgeons in London, &c. &c. + +"The work cannot fail, we think, to answer well the purpose for which it +was designed, of a manual for the practical dentist; and in the notes +will be found many useful hints respecting the diseases of these +structures."--_Boston Med. and Surg. Journ. 1830._ + + +MANUAL OF SURGICAL OPERATIONS. + +CONTAINING THE NEW METHOD OF OPERATING + +DEVISED BY LISFRANC. + +Followed by two Synoptic Tables of Natural and Instrumental Labours. + +By J. COSTER, M.D. and P. of the University of Turin. + +"Dr. John D. Godman, Lecturer on Anatomy, in this city, a gentleman of +distinguished professional and literary talents, having translated this +small, but valuable volume, for the benefit of the students who may +honour our University by their attendance, I shall merely refer to that +work. I have more pleasure in recommending, inasmuch as a short system +of operative surgery has been a desideratum."--_Gibson's Surgery, Vol. +II. page 541._ + + +In One Volume, 8vo. + +_SAISSY ON THE EAR._ + +DISEASES OF THE INTERNAL EAR. + +BY J. A. SAISSY. + + Member of the Royal Academy of Sciences, Literature, and Arts in + Lyons, Fellow of the Medical Society of the same city, and of the + Medical Societies of Bordeaux, Orleans, Marseilles, &c. Honoured + with a premium by the Medical Society of Bordeaux, and since + enlarged by the author. + +Translated from the French by NATHAN R. SMITH, Professor of Surgery in +the University of Maryland, with a Supplement on Diseases of the +External Ear, by the Translator. + + +FROISSART AND HIS TIMES. + +BY THE LATE BARRY ST. LEGER. + + + + * * * * * + + Transcriber Notes + + Obvious punctuation and spelling errors have been corrected. + + The following are as in the original: + + Major Russell and Major Russel are used interchangeably in the + book. + + Page4 original: and the trick he has played off on the publick. + + Page 10 its versus it's original: use, its just nobody's business. Big + men + + Page 86 (scroundrell's) original: old scroundrell's two big sons + with us, and made + + Page 119 flower is old english for flour original: man a cupfull of + flower. With this, we thickened + + Page 168 bran-fire and branfire original: This is," said I, "a + branfire new way of doing - clearly not hypenated in this line. + + + The following changes have been made: + + Page 17 original: bioagraphers, I should not only inform the public + + replacement: biographers, I should not only inform the public + + Page 141 original: and years all open, to catch every word I would + + replacement: and ears all open, to catch every word I would + + Page 158 original: where I stop'd to pull of my wet clothes, and + put + + replacement: where I stop'd to pull off my wet clothes, and put + + + Page 230 original: and mistatement with which we are beset, + + replacement: and misstatement with which we are beset, + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of A Narrative of the Life of David +Crockett, of the State of Tennessee., by Davy Crockett + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A NARRATIVE OF THE LIFE OF *** + +***** This file should be named 37925-8.txt or 37925-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/7/9/2/37925/ + +Produced by Dianna Adair, allspice and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/37925-8.zip b/37925-8.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..74855c5 --- /dev/null +++ b/37925-8.zip diff --git a/37925-h.zip b/37925-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ec50e68 --- /dev/null +++ b/37925-h.zip diff --git a/37925-h/37925-h.htm b/37925-h/37925-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..401039d --- /dev/null +++ b/37925-h/37925-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,7394 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <title> + NARRATIVE OF THE LIFE OF DAVID CROCKETT, OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, by David Crocket - A Project Gutenberg eBook. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> + + p { margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + h1,h2,h3 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; + } /* page numbers */ + + hr.r15 {width: 15%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em;} + hr.r65 {width: 65%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em;} + .extraspacetop {padding-top: 2em; } + .extraspace3top {padding-top: 3em; } + .extraspacebot {padding-bottom: 2em; } + + .blockquote {margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%;} + .blockquotesm {margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%;} + .blockquotetn {margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 5%;} + + .bl {border-left: solid 2px; margin-left: 15%;} + .br {border-right: solid 2px; margin-right: 55%;} + .bbox {border: solid 2px;} + + .center {text-align: center;} + .left {text-align: left;} + .right {text-align: right;} + .rightinside {text-align: right; margin-right: 15%;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of A Narrative of the Life of David Crockett, +of the State of Tennessee., by Davy Crockett + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: A Narrative of the Life of David Crockett, of the State of Tennessee. + +Author: Davy Crockett + +Release Date: November 5, 2011 [EBook #37925] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A NARRATIVE OF THE LIFE OF *** + + + + +Produced by Dianna Adair, allspice and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + + +<h1> +NARRATIVE<br /> +<small>OF THE</small><br /> +LIFE OF DAVID CROCKETT,<br /> +<small>OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE</small>.</h1> +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="blockquotesm">I leave this rule for others when I'm dead, +Be always sure you're right—<span class="smcap">THEN GO AHEAD</span>!</p> + +<p class="blockquote right smcap">The Author.</p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="extraspace3top center">WRITTEN BY HIMSELF.</p> + +<p class="extraspace3top center">SIXTH EDITION.</p> + +<p class="extraspace3top center">PHILADELPHIA.<br /> +E. L. CAREY AND A. HART.<br /> +BALTIMORE:<br /> +CAREY, HART & CO.</p> + +<p class="extraspacetop center">1834.</p> + +<p class="extraspace3top center"> +Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1834,<br /> +<span class="smcap">By David Crockett</span>,<br /> +In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Columbia.<br /> +<br /> +STEREOTYPED BY L. JOHNSON,<br /> +PHILADELPHIA.<br /> +</p> + +<hr class="r65" /> + +<h2>PREFACE.</h2> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span></p> + +<p class="extraspace3top">Fashion is a thing I care mighty little +about, except when it happens to run just +exactly according to my own notion; and +I was mighty nigh sending out my book +without any preface at all, until a notion +struck me, that perhaps it was necessary to +explain a little the reason why and wherefore +I had written it.</p> + +<p>Most of authors seek fame, but I seek for +justice,—a holier impulse than ever entered +into the ambitious struggles of the votaries +of that <i>fickle</i>, <i>flirting</i> goddess.</p> + +<p>A publication has been made to the +world, which has done me much injustice; +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span>and the catchpenny errors which it +contains, have been already too long sanctioned +by my silence. I don't know the +author of the book—and indeed I don't +want to know him; for after he has taken +such a liberty with my name, and made +such an effort to hold me up to public +ridicule, he cannot calculate on any thing +but my displeasure. If he had been content +to have written his opinions about me, +however contemptuous they might have +been, I should have had less reason to complain. +But when he professes to give my +narrative (as he often does) in my own +language, and then puts into my mouth +such language as would disgrace even an +outlandish African, he must himself be +sensible of the injustice he has done me, +and the trick he has played off on the publick. +I have met with hundreds, if not with +thousands of people, who have formed their +opinions of my appearance, habits, language,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span> +and every thing else from that deceptive +work.</p> + +<p>They have almost in every instance expressed +the most profound astonishment at +finding me in human shape, and with the +<i>countenance</i>, <i>appearance</i>, and <i>common feelings</i> +of a human being. It is to correct all +these false notions, and to do justice to myself, +that I have written.</p> + +<p>It is certain that the writer of the book +alluded to has gathered up many imperfect +scraps of information concerning me, as in +parts of his work there is some little semblance +of truth. But I ask him, if this +notice should ever reach his eye, how +would he have liked it, if I had treated <i>him</i> +so?—if I had put together such a bundle of +ridiculous stuff, and headed it with <i>his</i> +name, and sent it out upon the world without +ever even condescending to ask <i>his</i> permission? +To these questions, all upright<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span> +men must give the same answer. It was +wrong; and the desire to make money +by it, is no apology for such injustice to a +fellow man.</p> + +<p>But I let him pass; as my wish is greatly +more to vindicate myself, than to condemn +him.</p> + +<p>In the following pages I have endeavoured +to give the reader a plain, honest, homespun +account of my state in life, and some +few of the difficulties which have attended +me along its journey, down to this time. +I am perfectly aware, that I have related +many small and, as I fear, uninteresting +circumstances; but if so, my apology is, +that it was rendered necessary by a desire +to link the different periods of my life together, +as they have passed, from my childhood +onward, and thereby to enable the +reader to select such parts of it as he may +relish most, if, indeed, there is any thing in +it which may suit his palate.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span></p> + +<p>I have also been operated on by another +consideration. It is this:—I know, that +obscure as I am, my name is making a considerable +deal of fuss in the world. I can't +tell why it is, nor in what it is to end. Go +where I will, everybody seems anxious to +get a peep at me; and it would be hard to +tell which would have the advantage, if +I, and the "Government," and "Black +Hawk," and a great eternal big caravan of +<i>wild varments</i> were all to be showed at the +same time in four different parts of any of +the big cities in the nation. I am not so +sure that I shouldn't get the most custom +of any of the crew. There must therefore +be something in me, or about me, that attracts +attention, which is even mysterious +to myself. I can't understand it, and I +therefore put all the facts down, leaving +the reader free to take his choice of +them.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span></p> + +<p>On the subject of my style, it is bad +enough, in all conscience, to please critics, +if that is what they are after. They are a +sort of vermin, though, that I sha'n't even +so much as stop to brush off. If they want +to work on my book, just let them go +ahead; and after they are done, they had +better blot out all their criticisms, than to +know what opinion I would express of +<i>them</i>, and by what sort of a curious name +I would call <i>them</i>, if I was standing near +them, and looking over their shoulders. +They will, at most, have only their trouble +for their pay. But I rather expect I shall +have them on my side.</p> + +<p>But I don't know of any thing in my +book to be criticised on by honourable men. +Is it on my spelling?—that's not my trade. +Is it on my grammar?—I hadn't time to +learn it, and make no pretensions to it. Is +it on the order and arrangement of my<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span> +book?—I never wrote one before, and never +read very many; and, of course, know +mighty little about that. Will it be on +the authorship of the book?—this I claim, +and I'll hang on to it, like a wax plaster. +The whole book is my own, and every +sentiment and sentence in it. I would not +be such a fool, or knave either, as to deny +that I have had it hastily run over by a +friend or so, and that some little alterations +have been made in the spelling and grammar; +and I am not so sure that it is not +the worse of even that, for I despise this +way of spelling contrary to nature. And as +for grammar, it's pretty much a thing of +nothing at last, after all the fuss that's +made about it. In some places, I wouldn't +suffer either the spelling, or grammar, or +any thing else to be touch'd; and therefore +it will be found in my own way.</p> + +<p>But if any body complains that I have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span> +had it looked over, I can only say to him, +her, or them—as the case may be—that while +critics were learning grammar, and learning +to spell, I, and "Doctor Jackson, +L.L.D." were fighting in the wars; and +if our books, and messages, and proclamations, +and cabinet writings, and so forth, +and so on, should need a little looking +over, and a little correcting of the spelling +and the grammar to make them fit for +use, its just nobody's business. Big men +have more important matters to attend +to than crossing their <i>t</i>'s—, and dotting +their <i>i</i>'s—, and such like small things. +But the "Government's" name is to the +proclamation, and my name's to the book; +and if I didn't write the book, the "Government" +didn't write the proclamation, +which no man <i>dares to deny</i>!</p> + +<p>But just read for yourself, and my ears +for a heel tap, if before you get through<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span> +you don't say, with many a good-natured +smile and hearty laugh, "This is truly +the very thing itself—the exact image of +its Author,</p> + +<p class="rightinside"> +DAVID CROCKETT."</p> + +<p class="extraspace3top smcap left"> Washington City,</p> +<p>February 1st, 1834.</p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span></p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span></p> + + + +<h1> +<small>NARRATIVE<br /> +OF THE<br /> +LIFE OF DAVID CROCKETT.</small> +</h1> + + + +<hr class="r65" /> +<h2>CHAPTER I.</h2> + + +<p>As the public seem to feel some interest in the +history of an individual so humble as I am, and +as that history can be so well known to no person +living as to myself, I have, after so long a time, +and under many pressing solicitations from my +friends and acquaintances, at last determined to +put my own hand to it, and lay before the world +a narrative on which they may at least rely as +being true. And seeking no ornament or colouring +for a plain, simple tale of truth, I throw aside +all hypocritical and fawning apologies, and, according +to my own maxim, just "<i>go ahead</i>." +Where I am not known, I might, perhaps, gain +some little credit by having thrown around this +volume some of the flowers of learning; but<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span> +where I am known, the vile cheatery would soon +be detected, and like the foolish jackdaw, that +with a <i>borrowed</i> tail attempted to play the peacock, +I should be justly robbed of my pilfered +ornaments, and sent forth to strut without a tail +for the balance of my time. I shall commence +my book with what little I have learned of the +history of my father, as all <i>great men</i> rest many, +if not most, of their hopes on their noble ancestry. +Mine was poor, but I hope honest, and even that +is as much as many a man can say. But to my +subject.</p> + +<p>My father's name was John Crockett, and he +was of Irish descent. He was either born in +Ireland or on a passage from that country to America +across the Atlantic. He was by profession a +farmer, and spent the early part of his life in the +state of Pennsylvania. The name of my mother +was Rebecca Hawkins. She was an American +woman, born in the state of Maryland, between +York and Baltimore. It is likely I may have +heard where they were married, but if so, I have +forgotten. It is, however, certain that they were, +or else the public would never have been troubled +with the history of David Crockett, their son.</p> + +<p>I have an imperfect recollection of the part +which I have understood my father took in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span> +revolutionary war. I personally know nothing +about it, for it happened to be a little before my +day; but from himself, and many others who +were well acquainted with its troubles and afflictions, +I have learned that he was a soldier in the +revolutionary war, and took part in that bloody +struggle. He fought, according to my information, +in the battle at Kings Mountain against the British +and tories, and in some other engagements of +which my remembrance is too imperfect to enable +me to speak with any certainty. At some time, +though I cannot say certainly when, my father, as +I have understood, lived in Lincoln county, in the +state of North Carolina. How long, I don't know. +But when he removed from there, he settled in +that district of country which is now embraced in +the east division of Tennessee, though it was not +then erected into a state.</p> + +<p>He settled there under dangerous circumstances, +both to himself and his family, as the country +was full of Indians, who were at that time very +troublesome. By the Creeks, my grandfather and +grandmother Crockett were both murdered, in +their own house, and on the very spot of ground +where Rogersville, in Hawkins county, now stands. +At the same time, the Indians wounded Joseph +Crockett, a brother to my father, by a ball, which<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> +broke his arm; and took James a prisoner, who +was still a younger brother than Joseph, and who, +from natural defects, was less able to make his escape, +as he was both deaf and dumb. He remained +with them for seventeen years and nine months, +when he was discovered and recollected by my +father and his eldest brother, William Crockett; +and was purchased by them from an Indian +trader, at a price which I do not now remember; +but so it was, that he was delivered up to them, +and they returned him to his relatives. He now +lives in Cumberland county, in the state of Kentucky, +though I have not seen him for many +years.</p> + +<p>My father and mother had six sons and three +daughters. I was the fifth son. What a pity I +hadn't been the seventh! For then I might have +been, by <i>common consent</i>, called <i>doctor</i>, as a +heap of people get to be great men. But, like +many of them, I stood no chance to become great +in any other way than by accident. As my father +was very poor, and living as he did <i>far back in +the back woods</i>, he had neither the means nor the +opportunity to give me, or any of the rest of his +children, any learning.</p> + +<p>But before I get on the subject of my own troubles, +and a great many very funny things that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span> +have happened to me, like all other historians and +biographers, I should not only inform the public +that I was born, myself, as well as other folks, but +that this important event took place, according to +the best information I have received on the subject, +on the 17th of August, in the year 1786; +whether by day or night, I believe I never heard, +but if I did I, have forgotten. I suppose, however, +it is not very material to my present purpose, nor +to the world, as the more important fact is well +attested, that I was born; and, indeed, it might be +inferred, from my present size and appearance, that +I was pretty <i>well born</i>, though I have never yet +attached myself to that numerous and worthy +society.</p> + +<p>At that time my father lived at the mouth of +Lime Stone, on the Nola-chucky river; and for +the purpose not only of showing what sort of a +man I now am, but also to show how soon I began +to be a <i>sort of a little man</i>, I have endeavoured +to take the <i>back track</i> of life, in order to fix on +the first thing that I can remember. But even +then, as now, so many things were happening, +that as Major Jack Downing would say, they are all +in "a pretty considerable of a snarl," and I find it +"kinder hard" to fix on that thing, among them +all, which really happened first. But I think it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span> +likely, I have hit on the outside line of my recollection; +as one thing happened at which I was so +badly scared, that it seems to me I could not have +forgotten it, if it had happened a little time only +after I was born. Therefore it furnishes me with +no certain evidence of my age at the time; but I +know one thing very well, and that is, that when +it happened, I had no knowledge of the use of +breeches, for I had never had any nor worn any.</p> + +<p>But the circumstance was this: My four elder +brothers, and a well-grown boy of about fifteen +years old, by the name of Campbell, and myself, +were all playing on the river's side; when all the +rest of them got into my father's canoe, and put +out to amuse themselves on the water, leaving me +on the shore alone.</p> + +<p>Just a little distance below them, there was a +fall in the river, which went slap-right straight +down. My brothers, though they were little fellows, +had been used to paddling the canoe, and +could have carried it safely anywhere about there; +but this fellow Campbell wouldn't let them +have the paddle, but, fool like, undertook to manage +it himself. I reckon he had never seen a +water craft before; and it went just any way but +the way he wanted it. There he paddled, and +paddled, and paddled—all the while going wrong,—until,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span>—in +a short time, here they were all going, +straight forward, stern foremost, right plump to +the falls; and if they had only had a fair shake, +they would have gone over as slick as a whistle. +It was'ent this, though, that scared me; for I was +so infernal mad that they had left me on the shore, +that I had as soon have seen them all go over the +falls a bit, as any other way. But their danger +was seen by a man by the name of Kendall, but I'll +be shot if it was Amos; for I believe I would +know him yet if I was to see him. This man +Kendall was working in a field on the bank, and +knowing there was no time to lose, he started full +tilt, and here he come like a cane brake afire; +and as he ran, he threw off his coat, and then his +jacket, and then his shirt, for I know when he got +to the water he had nothing on but his breeches. +But seeing him in such a hurry, and tearing off +his clothes as he went, I had no doubt but that the +devil or something else was after him—and close +on him, too—as he was running within an inch of +his life. This alarmed me, and I screamed out +like a young painter. But Kendall didn't stop +for this. He went ahead with all might, and as +full bent on saving the boys, as Amos was on +moving the deposites. When he came to the water +he plunged in, and where it was too deep to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span> +wade he would swim, and where it was shallow +enough he went bolting on; and by such exertion +as I never saw at any other time in my life, +he reached the canoe, when it was within twenty +or thirty feet of the falls; and so great was the +suck, and so swift the current, that poor Kendall +had a hard time of it to stop them at last, +as Amos will to stop the mouths of the people +about his stockjobbing. But he hung on to the +canoe, till he got it stop'd, and then draw'd it +out of danger. When they got out, I found the +boys were more scared than I had been, and the +only thing that comforted me was, the belief +that it was a punishment on them for leaving +me on shore.</p> + +<p>Shortly after this, my father removed, and +settled in the same county, about ten miles above +Greenville.</p> + +<p>There another circumstance happened, which +made a lasting impression on my memory, +though I was but a small child. Joseph Hawkins, +who was a brother to my mother, was +in the woods hunting for deer. He was passing +near a thicket of brush, in which one of our +neighbours was gathering some grapes, as it was +in the fall of the year, and the grape season. +The body of the man was hid by the brush,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span> +and it was only as he would raise his hand to +pull the bunches, that any part of him could be +seen. It was a likely place for deer; and my +uncle, having no suspicion that it was any human +being, but supposing the raising of the hand to +be the occasional twitch of a deer's ear, fired at +the lump, and as the devil would have it, unfortunately +shot the man through the body. I +saw my father draw a silk handkerchief through +the bullet hole, and entirely through his body; +yet after a while he got well, as little as any one +would have thought it. What become of him, +or whether he is dead or alive, I don't know; +but I reckon he did'ent fancy the business of gathering +grapes in an out-of-the-way thicket soon +again.</p> + +<p>The next move my father made was to the +mouth of Cove creek, where he and a man by the +name of Thomas Galbreath undertook to build a +mill in partnership. They went on very well +with their work until it was nigh done, when +there came the second epistle to Noah's fresh, and +away went their mill, shot, lock, and barrel. I +remember the water rose so high, that it got up +into the house we lived in, and my father moved +us out of it, to keep us from being drowned. I +was now about seven or eight years old, and have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span> +a pretty distinct recollection of every thing that +was going on. From his bad luck in that business, +and being ready to wash out from mill +building, my father again removed, and this time +settled in Jefferson county, now in the state of +Tennessee; where he opened a tavern on the road +from Abbingdon to Knoxville.</p> + +<p>His tavern was on a small scale, as he was poor; +and the principal accommodations which he kept, +were for the waggoners who travelled the road. +Here I remained with him until I was twelve +years old; and about that time, you may guess, if +you belong to Yankee land, or reckon, if like me +you belong to the back-woods, that I began to +make up my acquaintance with hard times, and a +plenty of them.</p> + +<p>An old Dutchman, by the name of Jacob Siler, +who was moving from Knox county to Rockbridge, +in the state of Virginia, in passing, made a +stop at my father's house. He had a large stock +of cattle, that he was carrying on with him; and I +suppose made some proposition to my father to +hire some one to assist him.</p> + +<p>Being hard run every way, and having no +thought, as I believe, that I was cut out for a +Congressman or the like, young as I was, and as +little as I knew about travelling, or being from<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span> +home, he hired me to the old Dutchman, to go +four hundred miles on foot, with a perfect stranger +that I never had seen until the evening before. I +set out with a heavy heart, it is true, but I went +ahead, until we arrived at the place, which was +three miles from what is called the Natural Bridge, +and made a stop at the house of a Mr. Hartley, +who was father-in-law to Mr. Siler, who had +hired me. My Dutch master was very kind to +me, and gave me five or six dollars, being pleased, +as he said, with my services.</p> + +<p>This, however, I think was a bait for me, as he +persuaded me to stay with him, and not return +any more to my father. I had been taught so +many lessons of obedience by my father, that I +at first supposed I was bound to obey this man, +or at least I was afraid openly to disobey him; and +I therefore staid with him, and tried to put on a +look of perfect contentment until I got the family +all to believe I was fully satisfied. I had been +there about four or five weeks, when one day myself +and two other boys were playing on the road-side, +some distance from the house. There came +along three waggons. One belonged to an old +man by the name of Dunn, and the others to two +of his sons. They had each of them a good team, +and were all bound for Knoxville. They had been<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span> +in the habit of stopping at my father's as they +passed the road, and I knew them. I made myself +known to the old gentleman, and informed +him of my situation; I expressed a wish to get +back to my father and mother, if they could fix +any plan for me to do so. They told me that +they would stay that night at a tavern seven +miles from there, and that if I could get to them +before day the next morning, they would take me +home; and if I was pursued, they would protect +me. This was a Sunday evening; I went back +to the good old Dutchman's house, and as good +fortune would have it, he and the family were out +on a visit. I gathered my clothes, and what little +money I had, and put them all together under the +head of my bed. I went to bed early that night, +but sleep seemed to be a stranger to me. For +though I was a wild boy, yet I dearly loved my +father and mother, and their images appeared to +be so deeply fixed in my mind, that I could not +sleep for thinking of them. And then the fear +that when I should attempt to go out, I should be +discovered and called to a halt, filled me with +anxiety; and between my childish love of home, +on the one hand, and the fears of which I have +spoken, on the other, I felt mighty queer.</p> + +<p>But so it was, about three hours before day in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span> +the morning I got up to make my start. When I +got out, I found it was snowing fast, and that the +snow was then on the ground about eight inches +deep. I had not even the advantage of moonlight, +and the whole sky was hid by the falling snow, +so that I had to guess at my way to the big road, +which was about a half mile from the house. +I however pushed ahead and soon got to it, and +then pursued it, in the direction to the waggons.</p> + +<p>I could not have pursued the road if I had not +guided myself by the opening it made between +the timber, as the snow was too deep to leave any +part of it to be known by either seeing or feeling.</p> + +<p>Before I overtook the waggons, the earth was +covered about as deep as my knees; and my +tracks filled so briskly after me, that by daylight, +my Dutch master could have seen no trace which +I left.</p> + +<p>I got to the place about an hour before day. I +found the waggoners already stirring, and engaged +in feeding and preparing their horses for a start. +Mr. Dunn took me in and treated me with great +kindness. My heart was more deeply impressed +by meeting with such a friend, and "at such a +time," than by wading the snow-storm by night, +or all the other sufferings which my mind had +endured. I warmed myself by the fire, for I was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span> +very cold, and after an early breakfast, we set out +on our journey. The thoughts of home now began +to take the entire possession of my mind, and +I almost numbered the sluggish turns of the +wheels, and much more certainly the miles of our +travel, which appeared to me to count mighty +slow. I continued with my kind protectors, +until we got to the house of a Mr. John Cole, on +Roanoke, when my impatience became so great, +that I determined to set out on foot and go ahead +by myself, as I could travel twice as fast in that +way as the waggons could.</p> + +<p>Mr. Dunn seemed very sorry to part with me, +and used many arguments to prevent me from +leaving him. But home, poor as it was, again +rushed on my memory, and it seemed ten times +as dear to me as it ever had before. The reason +was, that my parents were there, and all that I +had been accustomed to in the hours of childhood +and infancy was there; and there my anxious +little heart panted also to be. We remained at +Mr. Coles that night, and early in the morning I +felt that I couldn't stay; so, taking leave of my +friends the waggoners, I went forward on foot, until +I was fortunately overtaken by a gentleman, who +was returning from market, to which he had been +with a drove of horses. He had a led horse, with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> +a bridle and saddle on him, and he kindly offered +to let me get on his horse and ride him. I did so, +and was glad of the chance, for I was tired, and +was, moreover, near the first crossing of Roanoke, +which I would have been compelled to wade, +cold as the water was, if I had not fortunately met +this good man. I travelled with him in this way, +without any thing turning up worth recording, +until we got within fifteen miles of my father's +house. There we parted, and he went on to +Kentucky and I trudged on homeward, which place +I reached that evening. The name of this kind +gentleman I have entirely forgotten, and I am +sorry for it; for it deserves a high place in my +little book. A remembrance of his kindness to a +little straggling boy, and a stranger to him, has +however a resting place in my heart, and there it +will remain as long as I live.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span></p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span></p> + + +<hr class="r15" /> +<h2>CHAPTER II.</h2> + + +<p>Having gotten home, as I have just related, I +remained with my father until the next fall, at +which time he took it into his head to send me +to a little country school, which was kept in the +neighbourhood by a man whose name was Benjamin +Kitchen; though I believe he was no way +connected with the cabinet. I went four days, +and had just began to learn my letters a little, +when I had an unfortunate falling out with one +of the scholars,—a boy much larger and older +than myself. I knew well enough that though +the school-house might do for a still hunt, it +wouldn't do for <i>a drive</i>, and so I concluded to +wait until I could get him out, and then I was +determined to give him salt and vinegar. I waited +till in the evening, and when the larger scholars +were spelling, I slip'd out, and going some distance +along his road, I lay by the way-side in the +bushes, waiting for him to come along. After a +while he and his company came on sure enough,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span> +and I pitched out from the bushes and set on +him like a wild cat. I scratched his face all to +a flitter jig, and soon made him cry out for quarters +in good earnest. The fight being over, I +went on home, and the next morning was started +again to school; but do you think I went? +No, indeed. I was very clear of it; for I expected +the master would lick me up, as bad as I +had the boy. So, instead of going to the school-house, +I laid out in the woods all day until in +the evening the scholars were dismissed, and my +brothers, who were also going to school, came +along, returning home. I wanted to conceal this +whole business from my father, and I therefore +persuaded them not to tell on me, which they +agreed to.</p> + +<p>Things went on in this way for several days; I +starting with them to school in the morning, and +returning with them in the evening, but lying out +in the woods all day. At last, however, the master +wrote a note to my father, inquiring why I +was not sent to school. When he read this note, +he called me up, and I knew very well that I was +in a devil of a hobble, for my father had been +taking a few <i>horns</i>, and was in a good condition to +make the fur fly. He called on me to know why +I had not been at school? I told him I was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span> +afraid to go, and that the master would whip me; +for I knew quite well if I was turned over to this +old Kitchen, I should be cooked up to a cracklin, +in little or no time. But I soon found that I was +not to expect a much better fate at home; for +my father told me, in a very angry manner, +that he would whip me an eternal sight worse +than the master, if I didn't start immediately to +the school. I tried again to beg off; but nothing +would do, but to go to the school. Finding me +rather too slow about starting, he gathered about a +two year old hickory, and broke after me. I put +out with all my might, and soon we were both up +to the top of our speed. We had a tolerable tough +race for about a mile; but mind me, not on the +school-house road, for I was trying to get as far +the t'other way as possible. And I yet believe, if +my father and the schoolmaster could both have +levied on me about that time, I should never have +been called on to sit in the councils of the nation, +for I think they would have used me up. +But fortunately for me, about this time, I saw just +before me a hill, over which I made headway, +like a young steamboat. As soon as I had passed +over it, I turned to one side, and hid myself in the +bushes. Here I waited until the old gentleman +passed by, puffing and blowing, as tho' his steam<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span> +was high enough to burst his boilers. I waited +until he gave up the hunt, and passed back again: +I then cut out, and went to the house of an acquaintance +a few miles off, who was just about to +start with a drove. His name was Jesse Cheek, +and I hired myself to go with him, determining +not to return home, as home and the school-house +had both become too hot for me. I had an elder +brother, who also hired to go with the same drove. +We set out and went on through Abbingdon, and +the county seat of Withe county, in the state of +Virginia; and then through Lynchburgh, by +Orange court-house, and Charlottesville, passing +through what was called Chester Gap, on to a +town called Front Royal, where my employer sold +out his drove to a man by the name of Vanmetre; +and I was started homeward again, in company +with a brother of the first owner of the drove, +with one horse between us; having left my brother +to come on with the balance of the company.</p> + +<p>I traveled on with my new comrade about three +days' journey; but much to his discredit, as I then +thought, and still think, he took care all the time +to ride, but never to tie; at last I told him to go +ahead, and I would come when I got ready. He +gave me four dollars to bear my expenses upwards<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span> +of four hundred miles, and then cut out and +left me.</p> + +<p>I purchased some provisions, and went on +slowly, until at length I fell in with a waggoner, +with whom I was disposed to scrape up a hasty +acquaintance. I inquired where he lived, and +where he was going, and all about his affairs. He +informed me that he lived in Greenville, Tennessee, +and was on his way to a place called Gerardstown, +fifteen miles below Winchester. He also said, +that after he should make his journey to that +place, he would immediately return to Tennessee. +His name was Adam Myers, and a jolly good fellow +he seemed to be. On a little reflection, I determined +to turn back and go with him, which I +did; and we journeyed on slowly as waggons commonly +do, but merrily enough. I often thought +of home, and, indeed, wished bad enough to be +there; but, when I thought of the school-house, +and Kitchen, my master, and the race with my +father, and the big hickory he carried, and of the +fierceness of the storm of wrath that I had left +him in, I was afraid to venture back; for I knew +my father's nature so well, that I was certain his +anger would hang on to him like a turkle does to a +fisherman's toe, and that, if I went back in a hurry, +he would give me the devil in three or four ways<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span> +But I and the waggoner had traveled two days, +when we met my brother, who, I before stated, I +had left behind when the drove was sold out. +He persuaded me to go home, but I refused. He +pressed me hard, and brought up a great many +mighty strong arguments to induce me to turn +back again. He pictured the pleasure of meeting +my mother, and my sisters, who all loved me +dearly, and told me what uneasiness they had already +suffered about me. I could not help shedding +tears, which I did not often do, and my affections +all pointed back to those dearest friends, and as I +thought, nearly the only ones I had in the world; +but then the promised whipping—that was the +thing. It came right slap down on every thought +of home; and I finally determined that make or +break, hit or miss, I would just hang on to my +journey, and go ahead with the waggoner. My +brother was much grieved at our parting, but he +went his way, and so did I. We went on until +at last we got to Gerardstown, where the waggoner +tried to get a back load, but he could not without +going to Alexandria. He engaged to go there, +and I concluded that I would wait until he returned. +I set in to work for a man by the name +of John Gray, at twenty-five cents per day. My +labour, however, was light, such as ploughing in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span> +some small grain, in which I succeeded in pleasing +the old man very well. I continued working +for him until the waggoner got back, and for a +good long time afterwards, as he continued to run +his team back and forward, hauling to and from +Baltimore. In the next spring, from the proceeds +of my daily labour, small as it was, I was able to +get me some decent clothes, and concluded I +would make a trip with the waggoner to Baltimore, +and see what sort of a place that was, and +what sort of folks lived there. I gave him the +balance of what money I had for safe keeping, +which, as well as I recollect, was about seven dollars. +We got on well enough until we came near +Ellicott's Mills. Our load consisted of flour, in +barrels. Here I got into the waggon for the purpose +of changing my clothing, not thinking that I +was in any danger; but while I was in there we +were met by some wheel-barrow men, who were +working on the road, and the horses took a scare +and away they went, like they had seen a ghost. +They made a sudden wheel around, and broke the +waggon tongue slap, short off, as a pipe-stem; and +snap went both of the axletrees at the same time, +and of all devlish flouncing about of flour barrels +that ever was seen, I reckon this took the beat. +Even <i>a rat</i> would have stood a bad chance in a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span> +<i>straight</i> race among them, and not much better +in a crooked one; for he would have been in a +good way to be ground up as fine as ginger by +their rolling over him. But this proved to me, +that if a fellow is born to be hung, he will never +be drowned; and, further, that if he is born for a +seat in Congress, even flour barrels can't make a +mash of him. All these dangers I escaped unhurt, +though, like most of the office-holders of these +times, for a while I was afraid to say my soul was +my own; for I didn't know how soon I should +be knocked into a cocked hat, and get my walking +papers for another country.</p> + +<p>We put our load into another waggon, and hauled +ours to a workman's shop in Baltimore, having +delivered the flour, and there we intended to remain +two or three days, which time was necessary +to repair the runaway waggon. While I was +there, I went, one day, down to the wharf, and +was much delighted to see the big ships, and their +sails all flying; for I had never seen any such +things before, and, indeed, I didn't believe there +were any such things in all nature. After a short +time my curiosity induced me to step aboard of +one, where I was met by the captain, who asked +me if I didn't wish to take a voyage to London? I +told him I did, for by this time I had become<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span> +pretty well weaned from home, and I cared but +little where I was, or where I went, or what become +of me. He said he wanted just such a boy +as I was, which I was glad to hear. I told him I +would go and get my clothes, and go with him. +He enquired about my parents, where they lived, +and all about them. I let him know that they +lived in Tennessee, many hundred miles off. We +soon agreed about my intended voyage, and I went +back to my friend, the waggoner, and informed +him that I was going to London, and wanted my +money and my clothes. He refused to let me +have either, and swore that he would confine me, +and take me back to Tennessee. I took it to heart +very much, but he kept so close and constant a +watch over me, that I found it impossible to escape +from him, until he had started homeward, +and made several days' journey on the road. He +was, during this time, very ill to me, and threatened +me with his waggon whip on several occasions. +At length I resolved to leave him at all hazards; +and so, before day, one morning, I got my clothes +out of his waggon, and cut out, on foot, without a +farthing of money to bear my expenses. For all +other friends having failed, I determined then to +throw myself on Providence, and see how that +would use me. I had gone, however, only a few<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span> +miles when I came up with another waggoner, and +such was my situation, that I felt more than ever +the necessity of endeavouring to find a friend. I +therefore concluded I would seek for one in him. +He was going westwardly, and very kindly enquired +of me where I was travelling? My youthful +resolution, which had brooked almost every +thing else, rather gave way at this enquiry; for it +brought the loneliness of my situation, and every +thing else that was calculated to oppress me, directly +to view. My first answer to his question +was in a sprinkle of tears, for if the world had +been given to me, I could not, at that moment, +have helped crying. As soon as the storm of +feeling was over, I told him how I had been treated +by the waggoner but a little before, who kept what +little money I had, and left me without a copper +to buy even a morsel of food.</p> + +<p>He became exceedingly angry, and swore that +he would make the other waggoner give up my +money, pronouncing him a scoundrel, and many +other hard names. I told him I was afraid to see +him, for he had threatened me with his waggon +whip, and I believed he would injure me. But +my new friend was a very large, stout-looking +man, and as resolute as a tiger. He bid me +not to be afraid, still swearing he would have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span> +my money, or whip it out of the wretch who +had it.</p> + +<p>We turned and went back about two miles, +when we reached the place where he was. I went +reluctantly; but I depended on my friend for protection. +When we got there, I had but little to +say; but approaching the waggoner, my friend +said to him, "You damn'd rascal, you have treated +this boy badly." To which he replied, it was my +fault. He was then asked, if he did not get +seven dollars of my money, which he confessed. +It was then demanded of him; but he declared +most solemnly, that he had not that amount in +the world; that he had spent my money, and intended +paying it back to me when we got to Tennessee. +I then felt reconciled, and persuaded my +friend to let him alone, and we returned to his +waggon, geared up, and started. His name I shall +never forget while my memory lasts; it was +Henry Myers. He lived in Pennsylvania, and +I found him what he professed to be, a faithful +friend and a clever fellow.</p> + +<p>We traveled together for several days, but at +length I concluded to endeavour to make my way +homeward; and for that purpose set out again on +foot, and alone. But one thing I must not omit. +The last night I staid with Mr. Myers, was at a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span> +place where several other waggoners also staid. +He told them, before we parted, that I was a poor +little straggling boy, and how I had been treated; +and that I was without money, though I had a +long journey before me, through a land of strangers, +where it was not even a wilderness.</p> + +<p>They were good enough to contribute a sort of +money-purse, and presented me with three dollars. +On this amount I travelled as far as Montgomery +court-house, in the state of Virginia, +where it gave out. I set in to work for a man by +the name of James Caldwell, a month, for five +dollars, which was about a shilling a day. When +this time was out, I bound myself to a man by the +name of Elijah Griffith, by trade a hatter, agreeing +to work for him four years. I remained with +him about eighteen months, when he found himself +so involved in debt, that he broke up, and +left the country. For this time I had received +nothing, and was, of course, left without money, +and with but very few clothes, and them very +indifferent ones. I, however, set in again, and +worked about as I could catch employment, until +I got a little money, and some clothing; and once +more cut out for home. When I reached New +River, at the mouth of a small stream, called Little +River, the white caps were flying so, that I couldn't<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span> +get any body to attempt to put me across. +I argued the case as well as I could, but they +told me there was great danger of being capsized, +and drowned, if I attempted to cross. I told them +if I could get a canoe I would venture, caps or +no caps. They tried to persuade me out of it; +but finding they could not, they agreed I might +take a canoe, and so I did, and put off. I tied +my clothes to the rope of the canoe, to have them +safe, whatever might happen. But I found it a +mighty ticklish business, I tell you. When I got +out fairly on the river, I would have given the +world, if it had belonged to me, to have been +back on shore. But there was no time to lose +now, so I just determined to do the best I could, +and the devil take the hindmost. I turned the +canoe across the waves, to do which, I had to turn +it nearly up the river, as the wind came from that +way; and I went about two miles before I could +land. When I struck land, my canoe was about +half full of water, and I was as wet as a drowned +rat. But I was so much rejoiced, that I scarcely +felt the cold, though my clothes were frozen on +me; and in this situation, I had to go above three +miles, before I could find any house, or fire to +warm at. I, however, made out to get to one at +last, and then I thought I would warm the inside<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span> +a little, as well as the outside, that there might be +no grumbling.</p> + +<p>So I took "a leetle of the creater,"—that warmer +of the cold, and cooler of the hot,—and it made me +feel so good that I concluded it was like the negro's +rabbit, "good any way." I passed on until I arrived +in Sullivan county, in the state of Tennessee, +and there I met with my brother, who had gone +with me when I started from home with the cattle +drove.</p> + +<p>I staid with him a few weeks, and then went on +to my father's, which place I reached late in the +evening. Several waggons were there for the +night, and considerable company about the house. +I enquired if I could stay all night, for I did not +intend to make myself known, until I saw whether +any of the family would find me out. I was told +that I could stay, and went in, but had mighty +little to say to any body. I had been gone so +long, and had grown so much, that the family did +not at first know me. And another, and perhaps a +stronger reason was, they had no thought or expectation +of me, for they all had long given me up +for finally lost.</p> + +<p>After a while, we were all called to supper. I +went with the rest. We had sat down to the table +and begun to eat, when my eldest sister recollected<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span> +me: she sprung up, ran and seized me around the +neck, and exclaimed, "Here is my lost brother."</p> + +<p>My feelings at this time it would be vain and +foolish for me to attempt to describe. I had often +thought I felt before, and I suppose I had, but sure +I am, I never had felt as I then did. The joy of +my sisters and my mother, and, indeed, of all the +family, was such that it humbled me, and made +me sorry that I hadn't submitted to a hundred +whippings, sooner than cause so much affliction as +they had suffered on my account. I found the +family had never heard a word of me from the +time my brother left me. I was now almost <i>fifteen</i> +years old; and my increased age and size, +together with the joy of my father, occasioned by +my unexpected return, I was sure would secure me +against my long dreaded whipping; and so they +did. But it will be a source of astonishment to +many, who reflect that I am now a member of the +American Congress,—the most enlightened body +of men in the world,—that at so advanced an age, +the age of fifteen, I did not know the first letter in +the book.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span></p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span></p> + + +<hr class="r15" /> +<h2>CHAPTER III.</h2> + + +<p>I had remained for some short time at home +with my father, when he informed me that he +owed a man, whose name was Abraham Wilson, +the sum of thirty-six dollars, and that if I would +set in and work out the note, so as to lift it for +him, he would discharge me from his service, and +I might go free. I agreed to do this, and went +immediately to the man who held my father's +note, and contracted with him to work six months +for it. I set in, and worked with all my might, +not losing a single day in the six months. When +my time was out, I got my father's note, and then +declined working with the man any longer, though +he wanted to hire me mighty bad. The reason +was, it was a place where a heap of bad company +met to drink and gamble, and I wanted to get +away from them, for I know'd very well if I staid +there, I should get a bad name, as nobody could +be respectable that would live there. I therefore +returned to my father, and gave him up his paper,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span> +which seemed to please him mightily, for though +he was poor, he was an honest man, and always +tried mighty hard to pay off his debts.</p> + +<p>I next went to the house of an honest old Quaker, +by the name of John Kennedy, who had removed +from North Carolina, and proposed to +hire myself to him, at two shillings a day. He +agreed to take me a week on trial; at the end of +which he appeared pleased with my work, and informed +me that he held a note on my father for +forty dollars, and that he would give me that note +if I would work for him six months. I was certain +enough that I should never get any part of the +note; but then I remembered it was my father +that owed it, and I concluded it was my duty as +a child to help him along, and ease his lot as much +as I could. I told the Quaker I would take him +up at his offer, and immediately went to work. +I never visited my father's house during the +whole time of this engagement, though he lived +only fifteen miles off. But when it was finished, +and I had got the note, I borrowed one of my employer's +horses, and, on a Sunday evening, went to +pay my parents a visit. Some time after I got +there, I pulled out the note and handed it to my +father, who supposed Mr. Kennedy had sent it for +collection. The old man looked mighty sorry,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span> +and said to me he had not the money to pay it, +and didn't know what he should do. I then told +him I had paid it for him, and it was then his own; +that it was not presented for collection, but as a +present from me. At this, he shed a heap of +tears; and as soon as he got a little over it, he said +he was sorry he couldn't give me any thing, but +he was not able, he was too poor.</p> + +<p>The next day, I went back to my old friend, +the Quaker, and set in to work for him for some +clothes; for I had now worked a year without +getting any money at all, and my clothes were +nearly all worn out, and what few I had left +were mighty indifferent. I worked in this way +for about two months; and in that time a young +woman from North Carolina, who was the Quaker's +niece, came on a visit to his house. And +now I am just getting on a part of my history that +I know I never can forget. For though I have +heard people talk about hard loving, yet I reckon +no poor devil in this world was ever cursed with +such hard love as mine has always been, when it +came on me. I soon found myself head over +heels in love with this girl, whose name the public +could make no use of; and I thought that if all +the hills about there were pure chink, and all belonged<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span> +to me, I would give them if I could just +talk to her as I wanted to; but I was afraid to +begin, for when I would think of saying any thing +to her, my heart would begin to flutter like a duck +in a puddle; and if I tried to outdo it and speak, it +would get right smack up in my throat, and choak +me like a cold potatoe. It bore on my mind in +this way, till at last I concluded I must die if I didn't +broach the subject; and so I determined to begin +and hang on a trying to speak, till my heart would +get out of my throat one way or t'other. And so +one day at it I went, and after several trials I +could say a little. I told her how well I loved +her; that she was the darling object of my soul +and body; and I must have her, or else I should +pine down to nothing, and just die away with the +consumption.</p> + +<p>I found my talk was not disagreeable to her; +but she was an honest girl, and didn't want to +deceive nobody. She told me she was engaged +to her cousin, a son of the old Quaker. This news +was worse to me than war, pestilence, or famine; +but still I knowed I could not help myself. I +saw quick enough my cake was dough, and I +tried to cool off as fast as possible; but I had +hardly safety pipes enough, as my love was so hot<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span> +as mighty nigh to burst my boilers. But I didn't +press my claims any more, seeing there was no +chance to do any thing.</p> + +<p>I began now to think, that all my misfortunes +growed out of my want of learning. I had never +been to school but four days, as the reader has +already seen, and did not yet know a letter.</p> + +<p>I thought I would try to go to school some; and +as the Quaker had a married son, who was living +about a mile and a half from him, and keeping a +school, I proposed to him that I would go to +school four days in the week, and work for him +the other two, to pay my board and schooling. +He agreed I might come on those terms; and so at +it I went, learning and working back and forwards, +until I had been with him nigh on to six months. +In this time I learned to read a little in my primer, +to write my own name, and to cypher some in +the three first rules in figures. And this was all +the schooling I ever had in my life, up to this +day. I should have continued longer, if it hadn't +been that I concluded I couldn't do any longer +without a wife; and so I cut out to hunt me one.</p> + +<p>I found a family of very pretty little girls that +I had known when very young. They had lived +in the same neighborhood with me, and I had +thought very well of them. I made an offer to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> +one of them, whose name is nobody's business, +no more than the Quaker girl's was, and I found +she took it very well. I still continued paying +my respects to her, until I got to love her as bad +as I had the Quaker's niece; and I would have +agreed to fight a whole regiment of wild cats if +she would only have said she would have me. +Several months passed in this way, during all of +which time she continued very kind and friendly. +At last, the son of the old Quaker and my first +girl had concluded to bring their matter to a +close, and my little queen and myself were called +on to wait on them. We went on the day, and +performed our duty as attendants. This made me +worse than ever; and after it was over, I pressed +my claim very hard on her, but she would still +give me a sort of an evasive answer. However, I +gave her mighty little peace, till she told me at +last she would have me. I thought this was glorification +enough, even without spectacles. I was +then about eighteen years old. We fixed the time +to be married; and I thought if that day come, I +should be the happiest man in the created world, +or in the moon, or any where else.</p> + +<p>I had by this time got to be mighty fond of +the rifle, and had bought a capital one. I most +generally carried her with me whereever I went,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span> +and though I had got back to the old Quaker's to +live, who was a very particular man, I would +sometimes slip out and attend the shooting +matches, where they shot for beef; I always +tried, though, to keep it a secret from him. He +had at the same time a bound boy living with +him, who I had gotten into almost as great a +notion of the girls as myself. He was about my +own age, and was deeply smitten with the sister +to my intended wife. I know'd it was in vain to +try to get the leave of the old man for my young +associate to go with me on any of my courting +frolics; but I thought I could fix a plan to have +him along, which would not injure the Quaker, as +we had no notion that he should ever know it. +We commonly slept up-stairs, and at the gable +end of the house there was a window. So one +Sunday, when the old man and his family were +all gone to meeting, we went out and cut a long +pole, and, taking it to the house, we set it up on +end in the corner, reaching up the chimney as +high as the window. After this we would go up-stairs +to bed, and then putting on our Sunday +clothes, would go out at the window, and climb +down the pole, take a horse apiece, and ride about +ten miles to where his sweetheart lived, and the +girl I claimed as my wife. I was always mighty<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span> +careful to be back before day, so as to escape +being found out; and in this way I continued my +attentions very closely until a few days before I +was to be married, or at least thought I was, +for I had no fear that any thing was about to go +wrong.</p> + +<p>Just now I heard of a shooting-match in the +neighbourhood, right between where I lived and +my girl's house; and I determined to kill two birds +with one stone,—to go to the shooting match first, +and then to see her. I therefore made the Quaker +believe I was going to hunt for deer, as they were +pretty plenty about in those parts; but, instead of +hunting them, I went straight on to the shooting-match, +where I joined in with a partner, and we +put in several shots for the beef. I was mighty +lucky, and when the match was over I had won +the whole beef. This was on a Saturday, and my +success had put me in the finest humour in the +world. So I sold my part of the beef for five +dollars in the real grit, for I believe that was +before bank-notes was invented; at least, I had +never heard of any. I now started on to ask for +my wife; for, though the next Thursday was our +wedding day, I had never said a word to her parents +about it. I had always dreaded the undertaking +so bad, that I had put the evil hour off as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span> +long as possible; and, indeed, I calculated they +knowed me so well, they wouldn't raise any objection +to having me for their son-in-law. I had +a great deal better opinion of myself, I found, +than other people had of me; but I moved on +with a light heart, and my five dollars jingling +in my pocket, thinking all the time there was +but few greater men in the world than myself.</p> + +<p>In this flow of good humour I went ahead, till +I got within about two miles of the place, when I +concluded I would stop awhile at the house of the +girl's uncle; where I might enquire about the +family, and so forth, and so on. I was indeed +just about ready to consider her uncle, my uncle; +and her affairs, my affairs. When I went in, tho', +I found her sister there. I asked how all was at +home? In a minute I found from her countenance +something was wrong. She looked mortified, and +didn't answer as quick as I thought she ought, +being it was her <i>brother-in-law</i> talking to her. +However, I asked her again. She then burst into +tears, and told me her sister was going to deceive +me; and that she was to be married to another +man the next day. This was as sudden to me as +a clap of thunder of a bright sunshiny day. It +was the cap-stone of all the afflictions I had ever<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span> +met with; and it seemed to me, that it was more +than any human creature could endure. It struck +me perfectly speechless for some time, and made +me feel so weak, that I thought I should sink +down. I however recovered from my shock after +a little, and rose and started without any ceremony, +or even bidding any body good-bye. The +young woman followed me out to the gate, and +entreated me to go on to her father's, and said she +would go with me. She said the young man, +who was going to marry her sister, had got his +license, and had asked for her; but she assured +me her father and mother both preferred me to +him; and that she had no doubt but that, if I +would go on, I could break off the match. But I +found I could go no further. My heart was +bruised, and my spirits were broken down; so I +bid her farewell, and turned my lonesome and +miserable steps back again homeward, concluding +that I was only born for hardships, misery, and +disappointment. I now began to think, that in +making me, it was entirely forgotten to make my +mate; that I was born odd, and should always +remain so, and that nobody would have me.</p> + +<p>But all these reflections did not satisfy my +mind, for I had no peace day nor night for several<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span> +weeks. My appetite failed me, and I grew daily +worse and worse. They all thought I was sick; +and so I was. And it was the worst kind of sickness,—a +sickness of the heart, and all the tender +parts, produced by disappointed love.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span></p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span></p> + + +<hr class="r15" /> +<h2>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + + +<p>I continued in this down-spirited situation +for a good long time, until one day I took my +rifle and started a hunting. While out, I made a +call at the house of a Dutch widow, who had a +daughter that was well enough as to smartness, but +she was as ugly as a stone fence. She was, however, +quite talkative, and soon begun to laugh at +me about my disappointment.</p> + +<p>She seemed disposed, though, to comfort me as +much as she could; and, for that purpose, told +me to keep in good heart, that "there was as good +fish in the sea as had ever been caught out of it." +I doubted this very much; but whether or not, I +was certain that she was not one of them, for she +was so homely that it almost give me a pain in +the eyes to look at her.</p> + +<p>But I couldn't help thinking, that she had intended +what she had said as a banter for me to +court her!!!—the last thing in creation I could<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span> +have thought of doing. I felt little inclined to +talk on the subject, it is true; but, to pass off the +time, I told her I thought I was born odd, and +that no fellow to me could be found. She protested +against this, and said if I would come to +their reaping, which was not far off, she would +show me one of the prettiest little girls there I +had ever seen. She added that the one who had +deceived me was nothing to be compared with +her. I didn't believe a word of all this, for I +had thought that such a piece of flesh and blood +as she was had never been manufactured, and never +would again. I agreed with her, though, that the +little varment had treated me so bad, that I ought +to forget her, and yet I couldn't do it. I concluded +the best way to accomplish it was to cut +out again, and see if I could find any other that +would answer me; and so I told the Dutch girl I +would be at the reaping, and would bring as many +as I could with me.</p> + +<p>I employed my time pretty generally in giving +information of it, as far as I could, until the day +came; and I then offered to work for my old +friend, the Quaker, two days, if he would let his +bound boy go with me one to the reaping. He +refused, and reproved me pretty considerable +roughly for my proposition; and said, if he was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span> +in my place he wouldn't go; that there would +be a great deal of bad company there; and that I +had been so good a boy, he would be sorry for me +to get a bad name. But I knowed my promise to +the Dutch girl, and I was resolved to fulfil it; so +I shouldered my rifle, and started by myself. +When I got to the place, I found a large company +of men and women, and among them an old Irish +woman, who had a great deal to say. I soon found +out from my Dutch girl, that this old lady was the +mother of the little girl she had promised me, +though I had not yet seen her. She was in an out-house +with some other youngsters, and had not +yet made her appearance. Her mamma, however, +was no way bashful. She came up to me, and +began to praise my red cheeks, and said she had +a sweetheart for me. I had no doubt she had +been told what I come for, and all about it. In +the evening I was introduced to her daughter, and +I must confess, I was plaguy well pleased with +her from the word go. She had a good countenance, +and was very pretty, and I was full bent +on making up an acquaintance with her.</p> + +<p>It was not long before the dancing commenced, +and I asked her to join me in a reel. She very +readily consented to do so; and after we had +finished our dance, I took a seat alongside of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span> +her, and entered into a talk. I found her very +interesting; while I was setting by her, making +as good a use of my time as I could, her mother +came to us, and very jocularly called me her son-in-law. +This rather confused me, but I looked on +it as a joke of the old lady, and tried to turn it off +as well as I could; but I took care to pay as +much attention to her through the evening as I +could. I went on the old saying, of salting the +cow to catch the calf. I soon become so much +pleased with this little girl, that I began to think +the Dutch girl had told me the truth, when she +said there was still good fish in the sea.</p> + +<p>We continued our frolic till near day, when +we joined in some plays, calculated to amuse +youngsters. I had not often spent a more agreeable +night. In the morning, however, we all had to +part; and I found my mind had become much better +reconciled than it had been for a long time. +I went home to the Quaker's, and made a bargain +to work with his son for a low-priced horse. He +was the first one I had ever owned, and I was to +work six months for him. I had been engaged +very closely five or six weeks, when this little +girl run in my mind so, that I concluded I must +go and see her, and find out what sort of people +they were at home. I mounted my horse and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span> +away I went to where she lived, and when I got +there I found her father a very clever old man, +and the old woman as talkative as ever. She +wanted badly to find out all about me, and as I +thought to see how I would do for her girl. I had +not yet seen her about, and I began to feel some +anxiety to know where she was.</p> + +<p>In a short time, however, my impatience was +relieved, as she arrived at home from a meeting to +which she had been. There was a young man +with her, who I soon found was disposed to set up +claim to her, as he was so attentive to her that I +could hardly get to slip in a word edgeways. I +began to think I was barking up the wrong tree +again; but I was determined to stand up to my +rack, fodder or no fodder. And so, to know her +mind a little on the subject, I began to talk about +starting, as I knowed she would then show some +sign, from which I could understand which way +the wind blowed. It was then near night, and +my distance was fifteen miles home. At this my +little girl soon began to indicate to the other gentleman +that his room would be the better part of +his company. At length she left him, and came +to me, and insisted mighty hard that I should not +go that evening; and, indeed, from all her actions +and the attempts she made to get rid of him, I saw<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span> +that she preferred me all holler. But it wasn't +long before I found trouble enough in another +quarter. Her mother was deeply enlisted for my +rival, and I had to fight against her influence as +well as his. But the girl herself was the prize I +was fighting for; and as she welcomed me, I was +determined to lay siege to her, let what would +happen. I commenced a close courtship, having +cornered her from her old beau; while he set off, +looking on, like a poor man at a country frolic, +and all the time almost gritting his teeth with +pure disappointment. But he didn't dare to attempt +any thing more, for now I had gotten a +start, and I looked at him every once in a while as +fierce as a wild-cat. I staid with her until Monday +morning, and then I put out for home.</p> + +<p>It was about two weeks after this that I was +sent for to engage in a wolf hunt, where a great +number of men were to meet, with their dogs and +guns, and where the best sort of sport was expected. +I went as large as life, but I had to hunt in strange +woods, and in a part of the country which was very +thinly inhabited. While I was out it clouded up, +and I began to get scared; and in a little while I +was so much so, that I didn't know which way +home was, nor any thing about it. I set out the +way I thought it was, but it turned out with me,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span> +as it always does with a lost man, I was wrong, +and took exactly the contrary direction from the +right one. And for the information of young +hunters, I will just say, in this place, that whenever +a fellow gets bad lost, the way home is just +the way he don't think it is. This rule will hit +nine times out of ten. I went ahead, though, about +six or seven miles, when I found night was coming +on fast; but at this distressing time I saw a little +woman streaking it along through the woods like all +wrath, and so I cut on too, for I was determined +I wouldn't lose sight of her that night any more. +I run on till she saw me, and she stopped; for she +was as glad to see me as I was to see her, as she +was lost as well as me. When I came up to her, +who should she be but my little girl, that I had +been paying my respects to. She had been out +hunting her father's horses, and had missed her +way, and had no knowledge where she was, or +how far it was to any house, or what way would +take us there. She had been travelling all day, +and was mighty tired; and I would have taken +her up, and toated her, if it hadn't been that I +wanted her just where I could see her all the +time, for I thought she looked sweeter than sugar; +and by this time I loved her almost well enough +to eat her.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span></p> + +<p>At last I came to a path, that I know'd must go +somewhere, and so we followed it, till we came to +a house, at about dark. Here we staid all night. I +set up all night courting; and in the morning +we parted. She went to her home, from which +we were distant about seven miles, and I to mine, +which was ten miles off.</p> + +<p>I now turned in to work again; and it was +about four weeks before I went back to see her. I +continued to go occasionally, until I had worked +long enough to pay for my horse, by putting in +my gun with my work, to the man I had purchased +from; and then I began to count whether +I was to be deceived again or not. At our next +meeting we set the day for our wedding; and I +went to my father's, and made arrangements for an +infair, and returned to ask her parents for her. +When I got there, the old lady appeared to be +mighty wrathy; and when I broached the subject, +she looked at me as savage as a meat axe. The +old man appeared quite willing, and treated me +very clever. But I hadn't been there long, before +the old woman as good as ordered me out of +her house. I thought I would put her in mind of +old times, and see how that would go with her. I +told her she had called me her son-in-law before I +had attempted to call her my mother-in-law<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span> +and I thought she ought to cool off. But her +Irish was up too high to do any thing with her, +and so I quit trying. All I cared for was, to have +her daughter on my side, which I knowed was +the case then; but how soon some other fellow +might knock my nose out of joint again, I couldn't +tell. I however felt rather insulted at the old +lady, and I thought I wouldn't get married in her +house. And so I told her girl, that I would come +the next Thursday, and bring a horse, bridle, and +saddle for her, and she must be ready to go. Her +mother declared I shouldn't have her; but I +know'd I should, if somebody else didn't get her +before Thursday. I then started, bidding them +good day, and went by the house of a justice of the +peace, who lived on the way to my father's, and +made a bargain with him to marry me.</p> + +<p>When Thursday came, all necessary arrangements +were made at my father's to receive my +wife; and so I took my eldest brother and his +wife, and another brother, and a single sister +that I had, and two other young men with me, +and cut out to her father's house to get her. We +went on, until we got within two miles of the +place, where we met a large company that had +heard of the wedding, and were waiting. Some +of that company went on with my brother and sister,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span> +and the young man I had picked out to wait +on me. When they got there, they found the old +lady as wrathy as ever. However the old man +filled their bottle, and the young men returned in +a hurry. I then went on with my company, and +when I arrived I never pretended to dismount from +my horse, but rode up to the door, and asked the +girl if she was ready; and she said she was. I +then told her to light on the horse I was leading; +and she did so. Her father, though, had gone out +to the gate, and when I started he commenced +persuading me to stay and marry there; that he +was entirely willing to the match, and that his +wife, like most women, had entirely too much +tongue; but that I oughtn't to mind her. I told +him if she would ask me to stay and marry at her +house, I would do so. With that he sent for her, +and after they had talked for some time out by +themselves, she came to me and looked at me +mighty good, and asked my pardon for what she +had said, and invited me stay. She said it was the +first child she had ever had to marry; and she +couldn't bear to see her go off in that way; that +if I would light, she would do the best she could +for us. I couldn't stand every thing, and so I +agreed, and we got down, and went in. I sent off +then for my parson, and got married in a short<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span> +time; for I was afraid to wait long, for fear of +another defeat. We had as good treatment as +could be expected; and that night all went on +well. The next day we cut out for my father's, +where we met a large company of people, that had +been waiting a day and a night for our arrival. We +passed the time quite merrily, until the company +broke up; and having gotten my wife, I thought I +was completely made up, and needed nothing +more in the whole world. But I soon found this +was all a mistake—for now having a wife, I +wanted every thing else; and, worse than all, I had +nothing to give for it.</p> + +<p>I remained a few days at my father's, and then +went back to my new father-in-law's; where, to +my surprise, I found my old Irish mother in the +finest humour in the world.</p> + +<p>She gave us two likely cows and calves, which, +though it was a small marriage-portion, was still +better than I had expected, and, indeed, it was +about all I ever got. I rented a small farm and +cabin, and went to work; but I had much trouble +to find out a plan to get any thing to put in my +house. At this time, my good old friend the +Quaker came forward to my assistance, and gave +me an order to a store for fifteen dollars' worth of +such things as my little wife might choose. With<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span> +this, we fixed up pretty grand, as we thought, and +allowed to get on very well. My wife had a good +wheel, and knowed exactly how to use it. She +was also a good weaver, as most of the Irish are, +whether men or women; and being very industrious +with her wheel, she had, in little or no time, +a fine web of cloth, ready to make up; and she +was good at that too, and at almost any thing else +that a woman could do.</p> + +<p>We worked on for some years, renting ground, +and paying high rent, until I found it wan't +the thing it was cracked up to be; and that +I couldn't make a fortune at it just at all. So I +concluded to quit it, and cut out for some new +country. In this time we had two sons, and I +found I was better at increasing my family than +my fortune. It was therefore the more necessary +that I should hunt some better place to get along; +and as I knowed I would have to move at some +time, I thought it was better to do it before my +family got too large, that I might have less to +carry.</p> + +<p>The Duck and Elk river country was just beginning +to settle, and I determined to try that. +I had now one old horse, and a couple of two +year old colts. They were both broke to the +halter, and my father-in-law proposed, that, if I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span> +went, he would go with me, and take one horse to +help me move. So we all fixed up, and I packed my +two colts with as many of my things as they could +bear; and away we went across the mountains. +We got on well enough, and arrived safely in +Lincoln county, on the head of the Mulberry fork +of Elk river. I found this a very rich country, +and so new, that game, of different sorts, was very +plenty. It was here that I began to distinguish +myself as a hunter, and to lay the foundation for +all my future greatness; but mighty little did I +know of what sort it was going to be. Of deer +and smaller game I killed abundance; but the bear +had been much hunted in those parts before, and +were not so plenty as I could have wished. I +lived here in the years 1809 and '10, to the best +of my recollection, and then I moved to Franklin +county, and settled on Beans creek, where I remained +till after the close of the last war.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span></p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span></p> + + +<hr class="r15" /> +<h2>CHAPTER V.</h2> + + +<p>I was living ten miles below Winchester when +the Creek war commenced; and as military men +are making so much fuss in the world at this time, +I must give an account of the part I took in the +defence of the country. If it should make me +president, why I can't help it; such things will +sometimes happen; and my pluck is, never "to +seek, nor decline office."</p> + +<p>It is true, I had a little rather not; but yet, if +the government can't get on without taking another +president from Tennessee, to finish the work of +"retrenchment and reform," why, then, I reckon +I must go in for it. But I must begin about the +war, and leave the other matter for the people to +begin on.</p> + +<p>The Creek Indians had commenced their open +hostilities by a most bloody butchery at Fort +Mimms. There had been no war among us for +so long, that but few, who were not too old to +bear arms, knew any thing about the business. I,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span> +for one, had often thought about war, and had +often heard it described; and I did verily believe +in my own mind, that I couldn't fight in +that way at all; but my after experience convinced +me that this was all a notion. For when I +heard of the mischief which was done at the fort, +I instantly felt like going, and I had none of the +dread of dying that I expected to feel. In a few +days a general meeting of the militia was called +for the purpose of raising volunteers; and when +the day arrived for that meeting, my wife, who +had heard me say I meant to go to the war, began +to beg me not to turn out. She said she was +a stranger in the parts where we lived, had no +connexions living near her, and that she and our +little children would be left in a lonesome and +unhappy situation if I went away. It was mighty +hard to go against such arguments as these; but +my countrymen had been murdered, and I knew +that the next thing would be, that the Indians +would be scalping the women and children all +about there, if we didn't put a stop to it. I reasoned +the case with her as well as I could, and +told her, that if every man would wait till his +wife got willing for him to go to war, there would +be no fighting done, until we would all be killed +in our own houses; that I was as able to go as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span> +any man in the world; and that I believed it was +a duty I owed to my country. Whether she was +satisfied with this reasoning or not, she did not +tell me; but seeing I was bent on it, all she did +was to cry a little, and turn about to her work. +The truth is, my dander was up, and nothing but +war could bring it right again.</p> + +<p>I went to Winchester, where the muster was to +be, and a great many people had collected, for +there was as much fuss among the people about +the war as there is now about moving the deposites. +When the men were paraded, a lawyer +by the name of Jones addressed us, and closed +by turning out himself, and enquiring, at the same +time, who among us felt like we could fight Indians? +This was the same Mr. Jones who afterwards +served in Congress, from the state of Tennessee. +He informed us he wished to raise a +company, and that then the men should meet and +elect their own officers. I believe I was about the +second or third man that step'd out; but on +marching up and down the regiment a few times, +we found we had a large company. We volunteered +for sixty days, as it was supposed our +services would not be longer wanted. A day or +two after this we met and elected Mr. Jones our +captain, and also elected our other officers. We<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span> +then received orders to start on the next Monday +week; before which time, I had fixed as well as I +could to go, and my wife had equip'd me as well +as she was able for the camp. The time arrived; +I took a parting farewell of my wife and my little +boys, mounted my horse, and set sail, to join +my company. Expecting to be gone only a short +time, I took no more clothing with me than I +supposed would be necessary, so that if I got into +an Indian battle, I might not be pestered with any +unnecessary plunder, to prevent my having a fair +shake with them. We all met and went ahead, +till we passed Huntsville, and camped at a large +spring called Beaty's spring. Here we staid for +several days, in which time the troops began to +collect from all quarters. At last we mustered +about thirteen hundred strong, all mounted volunteers, +and all determined to fight, judging from +myself, for I felt wolfish all over. I verily believe +the whole army was of the real grit. Our +captain didn't want any other sort; and to try +them he several times told his men, that if any of +them wanted to go back home, they might do so +at any time, before they were regularly mustered +into the service. But he had the honour to command +all his men from first to last, as not one of +them left him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span></p> + +<p>Gen'l. Jackson had not yet left Nashville with +his old foot volunteers, that had gone with him to +Natchez in 1812, the year before. While we remained +at the spring, a Major Gibson came, and +wanted some volunteers to go with him across the +Tennessee river and into the Creek nation, to find +out the movements of the Indians. He came to +my captain, and asked for two of his best woods-men, +and such as were best with a rifle. The captain +pointed me out to him, and said he would be +security that I would go as far as the major would +himself, or any other man. I willingly engaged +to go with him, and asked him to let me choose +my own mate to go with me, which he said I might +do. I chose a young man by the name of George +Russell, a son of old Major Russell, of Tennessee. +I called him up, but Major Gibson said he thought +he hadn't beard enough to please him,—he wanted +men, and not boys. I must confess I was a little +nettled at this; for I know'd George Russell, +and I know'd there was no mistake in him; and +I didn't think that courage ought to be measured +by the beard, for fear a goat would have the preference +over a man. I told the major he was on the +wrong scent; that Russell could go as far as he +could, and I must have him along. He saw I was +a little wrathy, and said I had the best chance of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span> +knowing, and agreed that it should be as I wanted +it. He told us to be ready early in the morning +for a start; and so we were. We took our camp +equipage, mounted our horses, and, thirteen in +number, including the major, we cut out. We +went on, and crossed the Tennessee river at a +place called Ditto's Landing; and then traveled +about seven miles further, and took up camp for +the night. Here a man by the name of John +Haynes overtook us. He had been an Indian +trader in that part of the nation, and was well acquainted +with it. He went with us as a pilot. The +next morning, however, Major Gibson and myself +concluded we should separate and take different +directions to see what discoveries we could make; +so he took seven of the men, and I five, making +thirteen in all, including myself. He was to go by +the house of a Cherokee Indian, named Dick +Brown, and I was to go by Dick's father's; and +getting all the information we could, we were to +meet that evening where the roads came together, +fifteen miles the other side of Brown's. At old +Mr. Brown's I got a half blood Cherokee to agree +to go with me, whose name was Jack Thompson. +He was not then ready to start, but was to +fix that evening, and overtake us at the fork road +where I was to meet Major Gibson. I know'd it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span> +wouldn't be safe to camp right at the road; +and so I told Jack, that when he got to the +fork he must holler like an owl, and I would +answer him in the same way; for I know'd +it would be night before he got there. I and +my men then started, and went on to the +place of meeting, but Major Gibson was not there. +We waited till almost dark, but still he didn't +come. We then left the Indian trace a little distance, +and turning into the head of a hollow, we +struck up camp. It was about ten o'clock at night, +when I heard my owl, and I answered him. Jack +soon found us, and we determined to rest there +during the night. We staid also next morning till +after breakfast: but in vain, for the major didn't +still come.</p> + +<p>I told the men we had set out to hunt a fight, +and I wouldn't go back in that way; that we +must go ahead, and see what the red men were at. +We started, and went to a Cherokee town about +twenty miles off; and after a short stay there, we +pushed on to the house of a man by the name of +Radcliff. He was a white man, but had married +a Creek woman, and lived just in the edge of the +Creek nation. He had two sons, large likely fellows, +and a great deal of potatoes and corn, and, +indeed, almost every thing else to go on; so we<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span> +fed our horses and got dinner with him, and +seemed to be doing mighty well. But he was +bad scared all the time. He told us there had +been ten painted warriors at his house only an +hour before, and if we were discovered there, they +would kill us, and his family with us. I replied +to him, that my business was to hunt for just +such fellows as he had described, and I was determined +not to go back until I had done it. Our +dinner being over, we saddled up our horses, and +made ready to start. But some of my small +company I found were disposed to return. I told +them, if we were to go back then, we should +never hear the last of it; and I was determined +to go ahead. I knowed some of them would go +with me, and that the rest were afraid to go back +by themselves; and so we pushed on to the camp +of some of the friendly Creeks, which was distant +about eight miles. The moon was about the +full, and the night was clear; we therefore had +the benefit of her light from night to morning, +and I knew if we were placed in such danger as +to make a retreat necessary, we could travel by +night as well as in the day time.</p> + +<p>We had not gone very far, when we met two +negroes, well mounted on Indian ponies, and each +with a good rifle. They had been taken from<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span> +their owners by the Indians, and were running +away from them, and trying to get back to their +masters again. They were brothers, both very +large and likely, and could talk Indian as well as +English. One of them I sent on to Ditto's Landing, +the other I took back with me. It was after +dark when we got to the camp, where we found +about forty men, women, and children.</p> + +<p>They had bows and arrows, and I turned in to +shooting with their boys by a pine light. In this +way we amused ourselves very well for a while; +but at last the negro, who had been talking to the +Indians, came to me and told me they were very +much alarmed, for the "red sticks," as they called +the war party of the Creeks, would come and find +us there; and, if so, we should all be killed. I +directed him to tell them that I would watch, and +if one would come that night, I would carry the +skin of his head home to make me a mockasin. +When he made this communication, the Indians +laughed aloud. At about ten o'clock at night we +all concluded to try to sleep a little; but that our +horses might be ready for use, as the treasurer said +of the drafts on the United States' bank, on certain +"contingences," we tied them up with our +saddles on them, and every thing to our hand, if +in the night our quarters should get uncomfortable.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span> +We lay down with our guns in our arms, +and I had just gotten into a dose of sleep, when I +heard the sharpest scream that ever escaped the +throat of a human creature. It was more like a +wrathy painter than any thing else. The negro +understood it, and he sprang to me; for tho' I +heard the noise well enough, yet I wasn't wide +awake enough to get up. So the negro caught +me, and said the red sticks was coming. I rose +quicker then, and asked what was the matter? +Our negro had gone and talked with the Indian +who had just fetched the scream, as he come into +camp, and learned from him, that the war party +had been crossing the Coosa river all day at the +Ten islands; and were going on to meet Jackson, +and this Indian had come as a runner. This +news very much alarmed the friendly Indians in +camp, and they were all off in a few minutes. I +felt bound to make this intelligence known as +soon as possible to the army we had left at the +landing; and so we all mounted our horses, and +put out in a long lope to make our way back to +that place. We were about sixty-five miles off. +We went on to the same Cherokee town we had +visited on our way out, having first called at Radcliff's, +who was off with his family; and at the +town we found large fires burning, but not a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span> +single Indian was to be seen. They were all gone. +These circumstances were calculated to lay our +dander a little, as it appeared we must be in great +danger; though we could easily have licked any +force of not more than five to one. But we expected +the whole nation would be on us, and +against such fearful odds we were not so rampant +for a fight.</p> + +<p>We therefore staid only a short time in the light +of the fires about the town, preferring the light of +the moon and the shade of the woods. We pushed +on till we got again to old Mr. Brown's, which +was still about thirty miles from where we had +left the main army. When we got there, the +chickens were just at the first crowing for day. +We fed our horses, got a morsel to eat ourselves, +and again cut out. About ten o'clock in the +morning we reached the camp, and I reported to +Col. Coffee the news. He didn't seem to mind +my report a bit, and this raised my dander higher +than ever; but I knowed I had to be on my best +behaviour, and so I kept it all to myself; though +I was so mad that I was burning inside like a tar-kiln, +and I wonder that the smoke hadn't been +pouring out of me at all points.</p> + +<p>Major Gibson hadn't yet returned, and we all +began to think he was killed; and that night they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span> +put out a double guard. The next day the major +got in, and brought a worse tale than I had, though +he stated the same facts, so far as I went. This +seemed to put our colonel all in a fidget; and it +convinced me, clearly, of one of the hateful ways +of the world. When I made my report, it wasn't +believed, because I was no officer; I was no great +man, but just a poor soldier. But when the same +thing was reported by Major Gibson!! why, then, +it was all as true as preaching, and the colonel believed +it every word.</p> + +<p>He, therefore, ordered breastworks to be thrown +up, near a quarter of a mile long, and sent an express +to Fayetteville, where General Jackson and +his troops was, requesting them to push on like the +very mischief, for fear we should all be cooked up +to a cracklin before they could get there. Old +Hickory-face made a forced march on getting the +news; and on the next day, he and his men got +into camp, with their feet all blistered from the +effects of their swift journey. The volunteers, +therefore, stood guard altogether, to let them rest.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr class="r15" /> +<h2>CHAPTER VI.</h2> + + +<p>About eight hundred of the volunteers, and of +that number I was one, were now sent back, crossing +the Tennessee river, and on through Huntsville, +so as to cross the river again at another place, +and to get on the Indians in another direction. +After we passed Huntsville, we struck on the +river at the Muscle Shoals, and at a place on them +called Melton's Bluff. This river is here about +two miles wide, and a rough bottom; so much +so, indeed, in many places, as to be dangerous; +and in fording it this time, we left several of the +horses belonging to our men, with their feet fast in +the crevices of the rocks. The men, whose horses +were thus left, went ahead on foot. We pushed +on till we got to what was called the Black Warrior's +town, which stood near the very spot where +Tuscaloosa now stands, which is the seat of government +for the state of Alabama.</p> + +<p>This Indian town was a large one; but when +we arrived we found the Indians had all left it.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span> +There was a large field of corn standing out, and +a pretty good supply in some cribs. There was +also a fine quantity of dried beans, which were +very acceptable to us; and without delay we secured +them as well as the corn, and then burned +the town to ashes; after which we left the place.</p> + +<p>In the field where we gathered the corn we +saw plenty of fresh Indian tracks, and we had no +doubt they had been scared off by our arrival.</p> + +<p>We then went on to meet the main army at the +fork road, where I was first to have met Major +Gibson. We got that evening as far back as the +encampment we had made the night before we +reached the Black Warrior's town, which we had +just destroyed. The next day we were entirely +out of meat. I went to Col. Coffee, who was then +in command of us, and asked his leave to hunt as +we marched. He gave me leave, but told me +to take mighty good care of myself. I turned +aside to hunt, and had not gone far when I found +a deer that had just been killed and skinned, and +his flesh was still warm and smoking. From this +I was sure that the Indian who had killed it had +been gone only a very few minutes; and though I +was never much in favour of one hunter stealing +from another, yet meat was so scarce in camp, that +I thought I must go in for it. So I just took up<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span> +the deer on my horse before me, and carried it +on till night. I could have sold it for almost any +price I would have asked; but this wasn't my +rule, neither in peace nor war. Whenever I had +any thing, and saw a fellow being suffering, I was +more anxious to relieve him than to benefit myself. +And this is one of the true secrets of my +being a poor man to this day. But it is my way; +and while it has often left me with an empty purse, +which is as near the devil as any thing else I have +seen, yet it has never left my heart empty of consolations +which money couldn't buy,—the consolations +of having sometimes fed the hungry and +covered the naked.</p> + +<p>I gave all my deer away, except a small part I +kept for myself, and just sufficient to make a good +supper for my mess; for meat was getting to be +a rarity to us all. We had to live mostly on +parched corn. The next day we marched on, and +at night took up camp near a large cane brake. +While here, I told my mess I would again try for +some meat; so I took my rifle and cut out, +but hadn't gone far, when I discovered a large +gang of hogs. I shot one of them down in his +tracks, and the rest broke directly towards the +camp. In a few minutes, the guns began to roar, +as bad as if the whole army had been in an Indian<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span> +battle; and the hogs to squeal as bad as the +pig did, when the devil turned barber. I shouldered +my hog, and went on to the camp; and +when I got there I found they had killed a good +many of the hogs, and a fine fat cow into the +bargain, that had broke out of the cane brake. +We did very well that night, and the next morning +marched on to a Cherokee town, where our +officers stop'd, and gave the inhabitants an order +on Uncle Sam for their cow, and the hogs we had +killed. The next day we met the main army, +having had, as we thought, hard times, and a +plenty of them, though we had yet seen hardly +the beginning of trouble.</p> + +<p>After our meeting we went on to Radcliff's, +where I had been before while out as a spy; and +when we got there, we found he had hid all his +provisions. We also got into the secret, that he +was the very rascal who had sent the runner to +the Indian camp, with the news that the "red +sticks" were crossing at the Ten Islands; and +that his object was to scare me and my men away, +and send us back with a false alarm.</p> + +<p>To make some atonement for this, we took the +old scroundrell's two big sons with us, and made +them serve in the war.</p> + +<p>We then marched to a place, which we called<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span> +Camp Wills; and here it was that Captain Cannon +was promoted to a colonel, and Colonel Coffee to +a general. We then marched to the Ten Islands, +on the Coosa river, where we established a fort; +and our spy companies were sent out. They soon +made prisoners of Bob Catala and his warriors, +and, in a few days afterwards, we heard of some +Indians in a town about eight miles off. So we +mounted our horses, and put out for that town, +under the direction of two friendly Creeks we had +taken for pilots. We had also a Cherokee colonel, +Dick Brown, and some of his men with us. When +we got near the town we divided; one of our +pilots going with each division. And so we +passed on each side of the town, keeping near +to it, until our lines met on the far side. We +then closed up at both ends, so as to surround +it completely; and then we sent Captain Hammond's +company of rangers to bring on the affray. +He had advanced near the town, when the +Indians saw him, and they raised the yell, and +came running at him like so many red devils. +The main army was now formed in a hollow +square around the town, and they pursued Hammond +till they came in reach of us. We then +gave them a fire, and they returned it, and then +ran back into their town. We began to close on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span> +the town by making our files closer and closer, +and the Indians soon saw they were our property. +So most of them wanted us to take them +prisoners; and their squaws and all would run +and take hold of any of us they could, and give +themselves up. I saw seven squaws have hold +of one man, which made me think of the Scriptures. +So I hollered out the Scriptures was fulfilling; +that there was seven women holding to +one man's coat tail. But I believe it was a hunting-shirt +all the time. We took them all prisoners +that came out to us in this way; but I saw some +warriors run into a house, until I counted forty-six +of them. We pursued them until we got near +the house, when we saw a squaw sitting in the door, +and she placed her feet against the bow she had in +her hand, and then took an arrow, and, raising her +feet, she drew with all her might, and let fly at us, and +she killed a man, whose name, I believe, was Moore. +He was a lieutenant, and his death so enraged +us all, that she was fired on, and had at least +twenty balls blown through her. This was the +first man I ever saw killed with a bow and arrow. +We now shot them like dogs; and then +set the house on fire, and burned it up with the +forty-six warriors in it. I recollect seeing a +boy who was shot down near the house. His<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span> +arm and thigh was broken, and he was so near +the burning house that the grease was stewing +out of him. In this situation he was still trying +to crawl along; but not a murmur escaped him, +though he was only about twelve years old. So +sullen is the Indian, when his dander is up, that +he had sooner die than make a noise, or ask for +quarters.</p> + +<p>The number that we took prisoners, being +added to the number we killed, amounted to one +hundred and eighty-six; though I don't remember +the exact number of either. We had five +of our men killed. We then returned to our +camp, at which our fort was erected, and known +by the name of Fort Strother. No provisions +had yet reached us, and we had now been for +several days on half rations. However we went +back to our Indian town on the next day, when +many of the carcasses of the Indians were still to +be seen. They looked very awful, for the burning +had not entirely consumed them, but given +them a very terrible appearance, at least what remained +of them. It was, somehow or other, +found out that the house had a potatoe cellar under +it, and an immediate examination was made, for +we were all as hungry as wolves. We found a +fine chance of potatoes in it, and hunger compelled<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span> +us to eat them, though I had a little rather not, +if I could have helped it, for the oil of the Indians +we had burned up on the day before had run +down on them, and they looked like they had +been stewed with fat meat. We then again returned +to the army, and remained there for several +days almost starving, as all our beef was gone. +We commenced eating the beef-hides, and continued +to eat every scrap we could lay our hands +on. At length an Indian came to our guard one +night, and hollered, and said he wanted to see +"Captain Jackson." He was conducted to the +general's markee, into which he entered, and in +a few minutes we received orders to prepare for +marching.</p> + +<p>In an hour we were all ready, and took up the +line of march. We crossed the Coosa river, and +went on in the direction to Fort Taladega. When +we arrived near the place, we met eleven hundred +painted warriors, the very choice of the Creek nation. +They had encamped near the fort, and had +informed the friendly Indians who were in it, that +if they didn't come out, and fight with them +against the whites, they would take their fort and +all their ammunition and provision. The friendly +party asked three days to consider of it, and agreed +that if on the third day they didn't come out<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span> +ready to fight with them, they might take their +fort. Thus they put them off. They then immediately +started their runner to General Jackson, +and he and the army pushed over, as I have just +before stated.</p> + +<p>The camp of warriors had their spies out, and +discovered us coming, some time before we got to +the fort. They then went to the friendly Indians, +and told them Captain Jackson was coming, and +had a great many fine horses, and blankets, and +guns, and every thing else; and if they would +come out and help to whip him, and to take his +plunder, it should all be divided with those in the +fort. They promised that when Jackson came, +they would then come out and help to whip him. +It was about an hour by sun in the morning, when +we got near the fort. We were piloted by friendly +Indians, and divided as we had done on a former +occasion, so as to go to the right and left of the +fort, and, consequently, of the warriors who were +camped near it. Our lines marched on, as before, +till they met in front, and then closed in the rear, +forming again into a hollow square. We then +sent on old Major Russell, with his spy company, +to bring on the battle; Capt. Evans' company +went also. When they got near the fort, the top +of it was lined with the friendly Indians, crying<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span> +out as loud as they could roar, "How-dy-do, +brother, how-dy-do?" They kept this up till Major +Russel had passed by the fort, and was moving +on towards the warriors. They were all painted +as red as scarlet, and were just as naked as they +were born. They had concealed themselves under +the bank of a branch, that ran partly around the +fort, in the manner of a half moon. Russel was +going right into their circle, for he couldn't see +them, while the Indians on the top of the fort were +trying every plan to show him his danger. But +he couldn't understand them. At last, two of +them jumped from it, and ran, and took his horse +by the bridle, and pointing to where they were, +told him there were thousands of them lying under +the bank. This brought them to a halt, and about +this moment the Indians fired on them, and came +rushing forth like a cloud of Egyptian locusts, and +screaming like all the young devils had been +turned loose, with the old devil of all at their +head. Russel's company quit their horses, and +took into the fort, and their horses ran up to our +line, which was then in full view. The warriors +then came yelling on, meeting us, and continued +till they were within shot of us, when we fired +and killed a considerable number of them. They +then broke like a gang of steers, and ran across to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span> +our other line, where they were again fired on; and +so we kept them running from one line to the +other, constantly under a heavy fire, until we had +killed upwards of four hundred of them. They +fought with guns, and also with their bows and +arrows; but at length they made their escape +through a part of our line, which was made up of +drafted militia, which broke ranks, and they passed. +We lost fifteen of our men, as brave fellows as +ever lived or died. We buried them all in one +grave, and started back to our fort; but before we +got there, two more of our men died of wounds +they had received; making our total loss seventeen +good fellows in that battle.</p> + +<p>We now remained at the fort a few days, but +no provision came yet, and we were all likely to +perish. The weather also began to get very cold; +and our clothes were nearly worn out, and horses +getting very feeble and poor. Our officers proposed +to Gen'l. Jackson to let us return home and +get fresh horses, and fresh clothing, so as to be +better prepared for another campaign; for our +sixty days had long been out, and that was the +time we entered for.</p> + +<p>But the general took "the responsibility" on +himself, and refused. We were, however, determined +to go, as I am to put back the deposites, <i>if<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span> +I can</i>. With this, the general issued his orders +against it, as he has against the bank. But we +began to fix for a start, as provisions were too +scarce; just as Clay, and Webster, and myself are +preparing to fix bank matters, on account of the +scarcity of money. The general went and placed +his cannon on a bridge we had to cross, and ordered +out his regulars and drafted men to keep +us from crossing; just as he has planted his Globe +and K. C. to alarm the bank men, while his regulars +and militia in Congress are to act as artillery +men. But when the militia started to guard the +bridge, they would holler back to us to bring +their knapsacks along when we come, for they +wanted to go as bad as we did; just as many a +good fellow now wants his political knapsack +brought along, that if, when we come to vote, he +sees he has a <i>fair shake to go</i>, he may join in +and help us to take back the deposites.</p> + +<p>We got ready and moved on till we came near +the bridge, where the general's men were all +strung along on both sides, just like the office-holders +are now, to keep us from getting along +to the help of the country and the people. But +we all had our flints ready picked, and our guns +ready primed, that if we were fired on we might +fight our way through, or all die together; just<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span> +as we are now determined to save the country +from ready ruin, or to sink down with it. +When we came still nearer the bridge we heard +the guards cocking their guns, and we did the +same; just as we have had it in Congress, while +the "government" regulars and the people's volunteers +have all been setting their political triggers. +But, after all, we marched boldly on, and +not a gun was fired, nor a life lost; just as I hope +it will be again, that we shall not be afraid of +the general's Globe, nor his K. C., nor his regulars, +nor their trigger snapping; but just march +boldly over the executive bridge, and take the +deposites back where the law placed them, and +where they ought to be. When we had passed, +no further attempt was made to stop us; but the +general said, we were "the damned'st volunteers +he had ever seen in his life; that we would volunteer +and go out and fight, and then at our +pleasure would <i>volunteer</i> and go home again, in +spite of the devil." But we went on; and near +Huntsville we met a reinforcement who were +going on to join the army. It consisted of a regiment +of volunteers, and was under the command +of some one whose name I can't remember. +They were sixty-day volunteers.</p> + +<p>We got home pretty safely, and in a short time<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span> +we had procured fresh horses and a supply of +clothing better suited for the season; and then we +returned to Fort Deposite, where our officers held +a sort of a "<i>national convention</i>" on the subject +of a message they had received from General +Jackson,—demanding that on our return we +should serve out <i>six months</i>. We had already +served three months instead of two, which was +the time we had volunteered for. On the next +morning the officers reported to us the conclusions +they had come to; and told us, if any of us felt +bound to go on and serve out the six months, we +could do so; but that they intended to go back +home. I knowed if I went back home I couldn't +rest, for I felt it my duty to be out; and when out +was, somehow or other, always delighted to be in +the very thickest of the danger. A few of us, +therefore, determined to push on and join the +army. The number I do not recollect, but it was +very small.</p> + +<p>When we got out there, I joined Major Russel's +company of spies. Before we reached the place, +General Jackson had started. We went on likewise, +and overtook him at a place where we established +a fort, called Fort Williams, and leaving +men to guard it, we went ahead; intending to go +to a place called the Horse-shoe bend of the Talapoosa<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span> +river. When we came near that place, we +began to find Indian sign plenty, and we struck +up camp for the night. About two hours before +day, we heard our guard firing, and we were all +up in little or no time. We mended up our camp +fires, and then fell back in the dark, expecting to +see the Indians pouring in; and intending, when +they should do so, to shoot them by the light of +our own fires. But it happened that they did not +rush in as we had expected, but commenced a fire on +us as we were. We were encamped in a hollow +square, and we not only returned the fire, but +continued to shoot as well as we could in the +dark, till day broke, when the Indians disappeared. +The only guide we had in shooting was +to notice the flash of their guns, and then shoot as +directly at the place as we could guess.</p> + +<p>In this scrape we had four men killed, and several +wounded; but whether we killed any of +the Indians or not we never could tell, for it is +their custom always to carry off their dead, if +they can possibly do so. We buried ours, and +then made a large log heap over them, and set it +on fire, so that the place of their deposite might +not be known to the savages, who, we knew, +would seek for them, that they might scalp them. +We made some horse litters for our wounded, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span> +took up a retreat. We moved on till we came to +a large creek which we had to cross; and about +half of our men had crossed, when the Indians +commenced firing on our left wing, and they +kept it up very warmly. We had left Major +Russel and his brother at the camp we had moved +from that morning, to see what discovery they +could make as to the movements of the Indians; +and about this time, while a warm fire was kept +up on our left, as I have just stated, the major +came up in our rear, and was closely pursued by +a large number of Indians, who immediately +commenced a fire on our artillery men. They +hid themselves behind a large log, and could kill +one of our men almost every shot, they being in +open ground and exposed. The worst of all was, +two of our colonels just at this trying moment +left their men, and by <i>a forced march</i>, crossed +the creek out of the reach of the fire. Their +names, at this late day, would do the world no +good, and my object is history alone, and not the +slightest interference with character. An opportunity +was now afforded for Governor Carroll to +distinguish himself, and on this occasion he did +so, by greater bravery than I ever saw any other +man display. In truth, I believe, as firmly as I +do that General Jackson is president, that if it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span> +hadn't been for Carroll, we should all have been +genteely licked that time, for we were in a devil +of a fix; part of our men on one side of the +creek, and part on the other, and the Indians all +the time pouring it on us, as hot as fresh mustard +to a sore shin. I will not say exactly that the old +general was whip'd; but I will say, that if we escaped +it at all, it was like old Henry Snider going to +heaven, "mita tam tite squeeze." I think he would +confess himself, that he was nearer whip'd this +time than he was at any other, for I know that +all the world couldn't make him acknowledge that +he was <i>pointedly</i> whip'd. I know I was mighty +glad when it was over, and the savages quit us, +for I had begun to think there was one behind +every tree in the woods.</p> + +<p>We buried our dead, the number of whom I +have also forgotten; and again made horse litters +to carry our wounded, and so we put out, and returned +to Fort Williams, from which place we had +started. In the mean time, my horse had got crippled, +and was unfit for service, and as another reinforcement +had arrived, I thought they could get +along without me for a short time; so I got a furlough +and went home, for we had had hard times again +on this hunt, and I began to feel as though I had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span> +done Indian fighting enough for one time. I remained +at home until after the army had returned +to the Horse-shoe bend, and fought the battle +there. But not being with them at that time, of +course no history of that fight can be expected +of me.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr class="r15" /> +<h2>CHAPTER VII.</h2> + + +<p>Soon after this, an army was to be raised to go +to Pensacola, and I determined to go again with +them, for I wanted a small taste of British fighting, +and I supposed they would be there.</p> + +<p>Here again the entreaties of my wife were +thrown in the way of my going, but all in vain; +for I always had a way of just going ahead, at +whatever I had a mind to. One of my neighbours, +hearing I had determined to go, came to +me, and offered me a hundred dollars to go in +his place as a substitute, as he had been drafted. +I told him I was better raised than to hire myself +out to be shot at; but that I would go, and he +should go too, and in that way the government +would have the services of us both. But we +didn't call General Jackson "the government" in +those days, though we used to go and fight under +him in the war.</p> + +<p>I fixed up, and joined old Major Russel again; +but we couldn't start with the main army, but<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span> +followed on, in a little time, after them. In a +day or two, we had a hundred and thirty men +in our company; and we went over and crossed +the Muscle Shoals at the same place where I had +crossed when first out, and when we burned the +Black Warriors' town. We passed through the +Choctaw and Chickesaw nations, on to Fort Stephens, +and from thence to what is called the +Cut-off, at the junction of the Tom-Bigby with +the Alabama river. This place is near the old +Fort Mimms, where the Indians committed the +great butchery at the commencement of the war.</p> + +<p>We were here about two days behind the main +army, who had left their horses at the Cut-off, +and taken it on foot; and they did this because +there was no chance for forage between there +and Pensacola. We did the same, leaving men +enough to take care of our horses, and cut out +on foot for that place. It was about eighty miles +off; but in good heart we shouldered our guns, +blankets, and provisions, and trudged merrily on. +About twelve o'clock the second day, we reached +the encampment of the main army, which was +situated on a hill, overlooking the city of Pensacola. +My commander, Major Russel, was a +great favourite with Gen'l. Jackson, and our arrival +was hailed with great applause, though we<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span> +were a little after the feast; for they had taken +the town and fort before we got there. That evening +we went down into the town, and could see +the British fleet lying in sight of the place. We +got some liquor, and took a "horn" or so, and +went back to the camp. We remained there that +night, and in the morning we marched back towards +the Cut-off. We pursued this direction till we +reached old Fort Mimms, where we remained two +or three days. It was here that Major Russel was +promoted from his command, which was only that +of a captain of spies, to the command of a major +in the line. He had been known long before at +home as old Major Russel, and so we all continued +to call him in the army. A Major Childs, +from East Tennessee, also commanded a battalion, +and his and the one Russel was now appointed to +command, composed a regiment, which, by agreement +with General Jackson, was to quit his army +and go to the south, to kill up the Indians on the +Scamby river.</p> + +<p>General Jackson and the main army set out +the next morning for New Orleans, and a Colonel +Blue took command of the regiment which I +have before described. We remained, however, +a few days after the general's departure, and then +started also on our route.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span></p> + +<p>As it gave rise to so much war and bloodshed, +it may not be improper here to give a little +description of Fort Mimms, and the manner in +which the Indian war commenced. The fort was +built right in the middle of a large old field, and +in it the people had been forted so long and so +quietly, that they didn't apprehend any danger at +all, and had, therefore, become quite careless. A +small negro boy, whose business it was to bring +up the calves at milking time, had been out for +that purpose, and on coming back, he said he saw +a great many Indians. At this the inhabitants +took the alarm, and closed their gates and placed +out their guards, which they continued for a few +days. But finding that no attack was made, they +concluded the little negro had lied; and again +threw their gates open, and set all their hands out +to work their fields. The same boy was out again +on the same errand, when, returning in great +haste and alarm, he informed them that he had +seen the Indians as thick as trees in the woods. +He was not believed, but was tucked up to receive +a flogging for the supposed lie; and was actually +getting badly licked at the very moment when +the Indians came in a troop, loaded with rails, +with which they stop'd all the port-holes of the +fort on one side except the bastion; and then they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span> +fell in to cutting down the picketing. Those inside +the fort had only the bastion to shoot from, +as all the other holes were spiked up; and they +shot several of the Indians, while engaged in cutting. +But as fast as one would fall, another would +seize up the axe and chop away, until they succeeded +in cutting down enough of the picketing +to admit them to enter. They then began to rush +through, and continued until they were all in. +They immediately commenced scalping, without +regard to age or sex; having forced the inhabitants +up to one side of the fort, where they carried +on the work of death as a butcher would in a +slaughter pen.</p> + +<p>The scene was particularly described to me by +a young man who was in the fort when it happened, +and subsequently went on with us to Pensacola. +He said that he saw his father, and mother, +his four sisters, and the same number of brothers, +all butchered in the most shocking manner, and +that he made his escape by running over the heads +of the crowd, who were against the fort wall, to +the top of the fort, and then jumping off, and +taking to the woods. He was closely pursued by +several Indians, until he came to a small byo, +across which there was a log. He knew the log +was hollow on the under side, so he slip'd under<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span> +the log and hid himself. He said he heard the +Indians walk over him several times back and +forward. He remained, nevertheless, still till +night, when he came out, and finished his escape. +The name of this young man has entirely escaped +my recollection, though his tale greatly excited +my feelings. But to return to my subject. The +regiment marched from where Gen'l. Jackson had +left us to Fort Montgomery, which was distant +from Fort Mimms about a mile and a half, and +there we remained for some days.</p> + +<p>Here we supplied ourselves pretty well with +beef, by killing wild cattle which had formerly +belonged to the people who perished in the fort, +but had gone wild after their massacre.</p> + +<p>When we marched from Fort Montgomery, we +went some distance back towards Pensacola; then +we turned to the left, and passed through a poor +piny country, till we reached the Scamby river, +near which we encamped. We had about one +thousand men, and as a part of that number, one +hundred and eighty-six Chickesaw and Choctaw +Indians with us. That evening a boat landed +from Pensacola, bringing many articles that were +both good and necessary; such as sugar and coffee, +and liquors of all kinds. The same evening, the +Indians we had along proposed to cross the river,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span> +and the officers thinking it might be well for them +to do so, consented; and Major Russell went +with them, taking sixteen white men, of which +number I was one. We camped on the opposite +bank that night, and early in the morning we set +out. We had not gone far before we came to a +place where the whole country was covered with +water, and looked like a sea. We didn't stop for +this, tho', but just put in like so many spaniels, +and waded on, sometimes up to our armpits, until +we reached the pine hills, which made our distance +through the water about a mile and a half. +Here we struck up a fire to warm ourselves, for it +was cold, and we were chilled through by being +so long in the water. We again moved on, keeping +our spies out; two to our left near the bank of +the river, two straight before us, and two others on +our right. We had gone in this way about six miles +up the river, when our spies on the left came to +us leaping the brush like so many old bucks, and +informed us that they had discovered a camp of +Creek Indians, and that we must kill them. Here +we paused for a few minutes, and the prophets +pow-wowed over their men awhile, and then got +out their paint, and painted them, all according to +their custom when going into battle. They then +brought their paint to old Major Russell, and said<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span> +to him, that as he was an officer, he must be painted +too. He agreed, and they painted him just as +they had done themselves. We let the Indians +understand that we white men would first fire on +the camp, and then fall back, so as to give the Indians +a chance to rush in and scalp them. The +Chickasaws marched on our left hand, and the +Choctaws on our right, and we moved on till we +got in hearing of the camp, where the Indians +were employed in beating up what they called +chainy briar root. On this they mostly subsisted. +On a nearer approach we found they were +on an island, and that we could not get to them. +While we were chatting about this matter, we +heard some guns fired, and in a very short time +after a keen whoop, which satisfied us, that whereever +it was, there was war on a small scale. With +that we all broke, like quarter horses, for the +firing; and when we got there we found it was +our two front spies, who related to us the following +story:—As they were moving on, they had met +with two Creeks who were out hunting their +horses; as they approached each other, there was a +large cluster of green bay bushes exactly between +them, so that they were within a few feet of meeting +before either was discovered. Our spies +walked up to them, and speaking in the Shawnee<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span> +tongue, informed them that General Jackson was +at Pensacola, and they were making their escape, +and wanted to know where they could get something +to eat. The Creeks told them that nine +miles up the Conaker, the river they were then +on, there was a large camp of Creeks, and they +had cattle and plenty to eat; and further, that +their own camp was on an island about a mile off, +and just below the mouth of the Conaker. They +held their conversation and struck up a fire, and +smoked together, and shook hands, and parted. +One of the Creeks had a gun, the other had none; +and as soon as they had parted, our Choctaws turned +round and shot down the one that had the gun, +and the other attempted to run off. They snapped +several times at him, but the gun still missing fire, +they took after him, and overtaking him, one of +them struck him over the head with his gun, and +followed up his blows till he killed him.</p> + +<p>The gun was broken in the combat, and they +then fired off the gun of the Creek they had killed, +and raised the war-whoop. When we reached +them, they had cut off the heads of both the Indians; +and each of those Indians with us would +walk up to one of the heads, and taking his war +club would strike on it. This was done by every +one of them; and when they had got done, I took<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span> +one of their clubs, and walked up as they had +done, and struck it on the head also. At this they +all gathered round me, and patting me on the +shoulder, would call me "Warrior—warrior."</p> + +<p>They scalped the heads, and then we moved on +a short distance to where we found a trace leading +in towards the river. We took this trace and +pursued it, till we came to where a Spaniard had +been killed and scalped, together with a woman, +who we supposed to be his wife, and also four +children. I began to feel mighty ticklish along +about this time, for I knowed if there was no danger +then, there had been; and I felt exactly like +there still was. We, however, went on till we +struck the river, and then continued down it till +we came opposite to the Indian camp, where we +found they were still beating their roots.</p> + +<p>It was now late in the evening, and they were +in a thick cane brake. We had some few friendly +Creeks with us, who said they could decoy them. +So we all hid behind trees and logs, while the attempt +was made. The Indians would not agree +that we should fire, but pick'd out some of their +best gunners, and placed them near the river. +Our Creeks went down to the river's side, and +hailed the camp in the Creek language. We heard +an answer, and an Indian man started down towards<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span> +the river, but didn't come in sight. He +went back and again commenced beating his roots, +and sent a squaw. She came down, and talked +with our Creeks until dark came on. They told +her they wanted her to bring them a canoe. To +which she replied, that their canoe was on our +side; that two of their men had gone out to hunt +their horses and hadn't yet returned. They were +the same two we had killed. The canoe was +found, and forty of our picked Indian warriors +were crossed over to take the camp. There was +at last only one man in it, and he escaped; and +they took two squaws, and ten children, but +killed none of them, of course.</p> + +<p>We had run nearly out of provisions, and Major +Russell had determined to go up the Conaker +to the camp we had heard of from the Indians we +had killed. I was one that he selected to go down +the river that night for provisions, with the canoe, +to where we had left our regiment. I took with +me a man by the name of John Guess, and one +of the friendly Creeks, and cut out. It was very +dark, and the river was so full that it overflowed +the banks and the adjacent low bottoms. This +rendered it very difficult to keep the channel, and +particularly as the river was very crooked. At +about ten o'clock at night we reached the camp,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span> +and were to return by morning to Major Russell, +with provisions for his trip up the river; but on +informing Colonel Blue of this arrangement, he +vetoed it as quick as General Jackson did the +bank bill; and said, if Major Russell didn't come +back the next day, it would be bad times for him. +I found we were not to go up the Conaker to the +Indian camp, and a man of my company offered to +go up in my place to inform Major Russell. I let +him go; and they reached the major, as I was told, +about sunrise in the morning, who immediately +returned with those who were with him to the +regiment, and joined us where we crossed the +river, as hereafter stated.</p> + +<p>The next morning we all fixed up, and marched +down the Scamby to a place called Miller's Landing, +where we swam our horses across, and sent +on two companies down on the side of the bay +opposite to Pensacola, where the Indians had fled +when the main army first marched to that place. +One was the company of Captain William Russell, +a son of the old major, and the other was commanded +by a Captain Trimble. They went on, and +had a little skirmish with the Indians. They killed +some, and took all the balance prisoners, though +I don't remember the numbers. We again met +those companies in a day or two, and sent the prisoners<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span> +they had taken on to Fort Montgomery, +in charge of some of our Indians.</p> + +<p>I did hear, that after they left us, the Indians +killed and scalped all the prisoners, and I never +heard the report contradicted. I cannot positively +say it was true, but I think it entirely probable, +for it is very much like the Indian character.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span></p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span></p> + + +<hr class="r15" /> +<h2>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> + + +<p>When we made a move from the point where +we met the companies, we set out for Chatahachy, +the place for which we had started when we left +Fort Montgomery. At the start we had taken +only twenty days' rations of flour, and eight days' +rations of beef; and it was now thirty-four days +before we reached that place. We were, therefore, +in extreme suffering for want of something to eat, +and exhausted with our exposure and the fatigues +of our journey. I remember well, that I had not +myself tasted bread but twice in nineteen days. +I had bought a pretty good supply of coffee from +the boat that had reached us from Pensacola, on +the Scamby, and on that we chiefly subsisted. +At length, one night our spies came in, and informed +us they had found Holm's village on the +Chatahachy river; and we made an immediate +push for that place. We traveled all night, expecting +to get something to eat when we got +there. We arrived about sunrise, and near the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span> +place prepared for battle. We were all so furious, +that even the certainty of a pretty hard fight +could not have restrained us. We made a furious +charge on the town, but to our great mortification +and surprise, there wasn't a human being in it. +The Indians had all run off and left it. We +burned the town, however; but, melancholy to +tell, we found no provision whatever. We then +turned about, and went back to the camp we had +left the night before, as nearly starved as any set +of poor fellows ever were in the world.</p> + +<p>We staid there only a little while, when we +divided our regiment; and Major Childs, with +his men, went back the way we had come for a +considerable distance, and then turned to Baton Rouge, +where they joined General Jackson and +the main army on their return from Orleans. +Major Russell and his men struck for Fort Decatur, +on the Talapoosa river. Some of our friendly +Indians, who knew the country, went on ahead of +us, as we had no trail except the one they made +to follow. With them we sent some of our ablest +horses and men, to get us some provisions, to prevent +us from absolutely starving to death. As +the army marched, I hunted every day, and would +kill every hawk, bird, and squirrel that I could +find. Others did the same; and it was a rule<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span> +with us, that when we stop'd at night, the hunters +would throw all they killed in a pile, and then +we would make a general division among all the +men. One evening I came in, having killed nothing +that day. I had a very sick man in my +mess, and I wanted something for him to eat, even +if I starved myself. So I went to the fire of a +Captain Cowen, who commanded my company +after the promotion of Major Russell, and informed +him that I was on the hunt of something for a +sick man to eat. I knowed the captain was as +bad off as the rest of us, but I found him broiling +a turkey's gizzard. He said he had divided the +turkey out among the sick, that Major Smiley had +killed it, and that nothing else had been killed +that day. I immediately went to Smiley's fire, +where I found him broiling another gizzard. I +told him, that it was the first turkey I had ever +seen have two gizzards. But so it was, I got +nothing for my sick man. And now seeing that +every fellow must shift for himself, I determined +that in the morning, I would come up missing; +so I took my mess and cut out to go ahead of the +army. We know'd that nothing more could +happen to us if we went than if we staid, for +it looked like it was to be starvation any way; +we therefore determined to go on the old saying,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span> +root hog or die. We passed two camps, at which +our men, that had gone on before us, had killed +Indians. At one they had killed nine, and at +the other three. About daylight we came to a +small river, which I thought was the Scamby; but +we continued on for three days, killing little or +nothing to eat; till, at last, we all began to get +nearly ready to give up the ghost, and lie down +and die; for we had no prospect of provision, and +we knew we couldn't go much further without it.</p> + +<p>We came to a large prairie, that was about six +miles across it, and in this I saw a trail which I +knowed was made by bear, deer, and turkeys. +We went on through it till we came to a large +creek, and the low grounds were all set over with +wild rye, looking as green as a wheat field. We +here made a halt, unsaddled our horses, and turned +them loose to graze.</p> + +<p>One of my companions, a Mr. Vanzant, and myself, +then went up the low grounds to hunt. We +had gone some distance, finding nothing; when +at last, I found a squirrel; which I shot, but he +got into a hole in the tree. The game was small, +but necessity is not very particular; so I thought +I must have him, and I climbed that tree thirty +feet high, without a limb, and pulled him out of +his hole. I shouldn't relate such small matters,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span> +only to show what lengths a hungry man will go +to, to get something to eat. I soon killed two +other squirrels, and fired at a large hawk. At +this a large gang of turkeys rose from the cane +brake, and flew across the creek to where my +friend was, who had just before crossed it. He +soon fired on a large gobler, and I heard it fall. +By this time my gun was loaded again, and I saw +one sitting on my side of the creek, which had +flew over when he fired; so I blazed away, and +down I brought him. I gathered him up, and a +fine turkey he was. I now began to think we had +struck a breeze of luck, and almost forgot our past +sufferings, in the prospect of once more having +something to eat. I raised the shout, and my +comrade came to me, and we went on to our +camp with the game we had killed. While we +were gone, two of our mess had been out, and +each of them had found a bee tree. We turned +into cooking some of our game, but we had neither +salt nor bread. Just at this moment, on +looking down the creek, we saw our men, who +had gone on before us for provisions, coming to +us. They came up, and measured out to each +man a cupfull of flower. With this, we thickened +our soup, when our turkey was cooked, and our +friends took dinner with us, and then went on.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span></p> + +<p>We now took our tomahawks, and went and cut +our bee-trees, out of which we got a fine chance +of honey; though we had been starving so long +that we feared to eat much at a time, till, like the +Irish by hanging, we got used to it again. We +rested that night without moving our camp; and +the next morning myself and Vanzant again +turned out to hunt. We had not gone far, before +I wounded a fine buck very badly; and while pursuing +him, I was walking on a large tree that had +fallen down, when from the top of it, a large bear +broke out and ran off. I had no dogs, and I was +sorry enough for it; for of all the hunting I ever +did, I have always delighted most in bear hunting. +Soon after this, I killed a large buck; and we had +just gotten him to camp, when our poor starved +army came up. They told us, that to lessen their +sufferings as much as possible, Captain William +Russell had had his horse led up to be shot for +them to eat, just at the moment that they saw our +men returning, who had carried on the flour.</p> + +<p>We were now about fourteen miles from Fort +Decatur, and we gave away all our meat, and +honey, and went on with the rest of the army. +When we got there, they could give us only one +ration of meat, but not a mouthful of bread. I immediately +got a canoe, and taking my gun, crossed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span> +over the river, and went to the Big Warrior's +town. I had a large hat, and I offered an Indian +a silver dollar for my hat full of corn. He told +me that his corn was all "<i>shuestea</i>," which in +English means, it was all gone. But he showed +me where an Indian lived, who, he said, had corn. +I went to him, and made the same offer. He could +talk a little broken English, and said to me, "You +got any powder? You got bullet?" I told him I +had. He then said, "Me swap my corn, for +powder and bullet." I took out about ten bullets, +and showed him; and he proposed to give me a +hat full of corn for them. I took him up, mighty +quick. I then offered to give him ten charges of +powder for another hat full of corn. To this he +agreed very willingly. So I took off my hunting-shirt, +and tied up my corn; and though it had +cost me very little of my powder and lead, yet I +wouldn't have taken fifty silver dollars for it. I returned +to the camp, and the next morning we started +for the Hickory Ground, which was thirty miles +off. It was here that General Jackson met the Indians, +and made peace with the body of the nation.</p> + +<p>We got nothing to eat at this place, and we had +yet to go forty-nine miles, over a rough and wilderness +country, to Fort Williams. Parched corn, +and but little even of that, was our daily subsistence.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span> +When we reached Fort Williams, we got +one ration of pork and one of flour, which was +our only hope until we could reach Fort Strother.</p> + +<p>The horses were now giving out, and I remember +to have seen thirteen good horses left in one +day, the saddles and bridles being thrown away. +It was thirty-nine miles to Fort Strother, and we +had to pass directly by Fort Talladego, where we +first had the big Indian battle with the eleven +hundred painted warriors. We went through the +old battle ground, and it looked like a great gourd +patch; the sculls of the Indians who were killed +still lay scattered all about, and many of their +frames were still perfect, as the bones had not +separated. But about five miles before we got to +this battle ground, I struck a trail, which I followed +until it led me to one of their towns. Here I swap'd +some more of my powder and bullets for a little corn.</p> + +<p>I pursued on, by myself, till some time after +night, when I came up with the rest of the army. +That night my company and myself did pretty +well, as I divided out my corn among them. The +next morning we met the East Tennessee troops, +who were on their road to Mobile, and my youngest +brother was with them. They had plenty of +corn and provisions, and they gave me what I +wanted for myself and my horse. I remained<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span> +with them that night, though my company went +across the Coosa river to the fort, where they also +had the good fortune to find plenty of provisions. +Next morning, I took leave of my brother and all +my old neighbours, for there were a good many of +them with him, and crossed over to my men at +the fort. Here I had enough to go on, and after +remaining a few days, cut out for home. Nothing +more, worthy of the reader's attention, transpired +till I was safely landed at home once more with +my wife and children. I found them all well and +doing well; and though I was only a rough +sort of a backwoodsman, they seemed mighty glad +to see me, however little the quality folks might +suppose it. For I do reckon we love as hard in +the backwood country, as any people in the whole +creation.</p> + +<p>But I had been home only a few days, when we +received orders to start again, and go on to the +Black Warrior and Cahawba rivers, to see if there +was no Indians there. I know'd well enough there +was none, and I wasn't willing to trust my craw +any more where there was neither any fighting to +do, nor any thing to go on; and so I agreed to give +a young man, who wanted to go, the balance of my +wages if he would serve out my time, which was +about a month. He did so, and when they returned,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span> +sure enough they hadn't seen an Indian any more +than if they had been all the time chopping wood +in my clearing. This closed my career as a warrior, +and I am glad of it, for I like life now a heap better +than I did then; and I am glad all over that I +lived to see these times, which I should not +have done if I had kept fooling along in war, and +got used up at it. When I say I am glad, I just +mean I am glad I am alive, for there is a confounded +heap of things I an't glad of at all. I an't glad, +for example, that the "government" moved the +deposites, and if my military glory should take +such a turn as to make me president after the general's +time, I'll move them back; yes, I, the +"government," will "take the responsibility," +and move them back again. If I don't, I wish I +may be shot.</p> + +<p>But I am glad that I am now through war matters, +and I reckon the reader is too, for they have no +fun in them at all; and less if he had had to pass +through them first, and then to write them afterwards. +But for the dullness of their narrative, I must try +to make amends by relating some of the curious +things that happened to me in private life, and +when <i>forced</i> to become a public man, as I shall +have to be again, if ever I consent to take the +presidential chair.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr class="r15" /> +<h2>CHAPTER IX.</h2> + + +<p>I continued at home now, working my farm +for two years, as the war finally closed soon +after I quit the service. The battle at New +Orleans had already been fought, and treaties +were made with the Indians which put a stop to +their hostilities.</p> + +<p>But in this time, I met with the hardest trial +which ever falls to the lot of man. Death, that +cruel leveller of all distinctions,—to whom the +prayers and tears of husbands, and of even helpless +infancy, are addressed in vain,—entered my +humble cottage, and tore from my children an affectionate +good mother, and from me a tender and +loving wife.</p> + +<p>It is a scene long gone by, and one which it +would be supposed I had almost forgotten; yet +when I turn my memory back on it, it seems as but +the work of yesterday. It was the doing of the +Almighty, whose ways are always right, though +we sometimes think they fall heavily on us; and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span> +as painful as is even yet the remembrance of her +sufferings, and the loss sustained by my little children +and myself, yet I have no wish to lift up the +voice of complaint. I was left with three children; +the two oldest were sons, the youngest a +daughter, and, at that time, a mere infant. It appeared +to me, at that moment, that my situation +was the worst in the world. I couldn't bear the +thought of scattering my children, and so I got +my youngest brother, who was also married, and +his family to live with me. They took as good +care of my children as they well could, but yet it +wasn't all like the care of a mother. And though +their company was to me in every respect like +that of a brother and sister, yet it fell far short of +being like that of a wife. So I came to the conclusion +it wouldn't do, but that I must have another +wife.</p> + +<p>There lived in the neighbourhood, a widow lady +whose husband had been killed in the war. She +had two children, a son and daughter, and both +quite small, like my own. I began to think, that +as we were both in the same situation, it might be +that we could do something for each other; and I +therefore began to hint a little around the matter, +as we were once and a while together. She was a +good industrious woman, and owned a snug little<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span> +farm, and lived quite comfortable. I soon began +to pay my respects to her in real good earnest; +but I was as sly about it as a fox when he is going +to rob a hen-roost. I found that my company +wasn't at all disagreeable to her; and I thought I +could treat her children with so much friendship +as to make her a good stepmother to mine, and in +this I wan't mistaken, as we soon bargained, and +got married, and then went ahead. In a great +deal of peace we raised our first crop of children, +and they are all married and doing well. But +we had a second crop together; and I shall notice +them as I go along, as my wife and myself both +had a hand in them, and they therefore belong to +the history of my second marriage.</p> + +<p>The next fall after this marriage, three of my +neighbours and myself determined to explore a +new country. Their names were Robinson, Frazier, +and Rich. We set out for the Creek country, +crossing the Tennessee river; and after having +made a day's travel, we stop'd at the house of one +of my old acquaintances, who had settled there +after the war. Resting here a day, Frazier turned +out to hunt, being a great hunter; but he got +badly bit by a very poisonous snake, and so we +left him and went on. We passed through a large +rich valley, called Jones's valley, where several<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span> +other families had settled, and continued our +course till we came near to the place where Tuscaloosa +now stands. Here we camped, as there +were no inhabitants, and hobbled out our horses +for the night. About two hours before day, we +heard the bells on our horses going back the way +we had come, as they had started to leave us. +As soon as it was daylight, I started in pursuit of +them on foot, and carrying my rifle, which was a +very heavy one. I went ahead the whole day, +wading creeks and swamps, and climbing mountains; +but I couldn't overtake our horses, though +I could hear of them at every house they passed. +I at last found I couldn't catch up with them, and +so I gave up the hunt, and turned back to the last +house I had passed, and staid there till morning. +From the best calculation we could make, I had +walked over fifty miles that day; and the next +morning I was so sore, and fatigued, that I felt +like I couldn't walk any more. But I was anxious +to get back to where I had left my company, and +so I started and went on, but mighty slowly, till +after the middle of the day. I now began to +feel mighty sick, and had a dreadful head-ache. +My rifle was so heavy, and I felt so weak, that I +lay down by the side of the trace, in a perfect +wilderness too, to see if I wouldn't get better.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span> +In a short time some Indians came along. They +had some ripe melons, and wanted me to eat +some, but I was so sick I couldn't. They then +signed to me, that I would die, and be buried; +a thing I was confoundedly afraid of myself. +But I asked them how near it was to any house? +By their signs, again, they made me understand it +was a mile and a half. I got up to go; but when +I rose, I reeled about like a cow with the blind +staggers, or a fellow who had taken too many +"horns." One of the Indians proposed to go +with me, and carry my gun. I gave him half a +dollar, and accepted his offer. We got to the +house, by which time I was pretty far gone, but +was kindly received, and got on to a bed. The +woman did all she could for me with her warm +teas, but I still continued bad enough, with a high +fever, and generally out of my senses. The next +day two of my neighbours were passing the road, +and heard of my situation, and came to where I +was. They were going nearly the route I had +intended to go, to look at the country; and so +they took me first on one of their horses, and +then on the other, till they got me back to where +I had left my company. I expected I would get +better, and be able to go on with them, but, instead +of this, I got worse and worse; and when we got<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span> +there, I wan't able to sit up at all. I thought +now the jig was mighty nigh up with me, but I +determined to keep a stiff upper lip. They carried +me to a house, and each of my comrades +bought him a horse, and they all set out together, +leaving me behind. I knew but little that was +going on for about two weeks; but the family +treated me with every possible kindness in their +power, and I shall always feel thankful to them. +The man's name was Jesse Jones. At the end of +two weeks I began to mend without the help of a +doctor, or of any doctor's means. In this time, +however, as they told me, I was speechless for +five days, and they had no thought that I would +ever speak again,—in Congress or any where else. +And so the woman, who had a bottle of Batesman's +draps, thought if they killed me, I would +only die any how, and so she would try it with +me. She gave me the whole bottle, which +throwed me into a sweat that continued on me +all night; when at last I seemed to make up, and +spoke, and asked her for a drink of water. This +almost alarmed her, for she was looking every +minute for me to die. She gave me the water, +and, from that time, I began slowly to mend, and +so kept on till I was able at last to walk about a +little. I might easily have been mistaken for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span> +one of the Kitchen Cabinet, I looked so much +like a ghost. I have been particular in giving a +history of this sickness, not because I believe it +will interest any body much now, nor, indeed, +do I <i>certainly</i> know that it ever will. But if I +should be forced to take the "white house," then +it will be good history; and every one will look +on it as important. And I can't, for my life, help +laughing now, to think, that when all my folks +get around me, wanting good fat offices, how so +many of them will say, "What a good thing it +was that that kind woman had the bottle of draps, +that saved <span class="smcap">President Crockett's</span> life,—the second +greatest and best"!!!!! Good, says I, +my noble fellow! You take the post office; or +the navy; or the war office; or may-be the +treasury. But if I give him the treasury, there's +no devil if I don't make him agree first to fetch +back them deposites. And if it's even the post office, +I'll make him promise to keep his money +'counts without any figuring, as that throws the +whole concern heels over head in debt, in little +or no time.</p> + +<p>But when I got so I could travel a little, I got +a waggoner who was passing along to hawl me +to where he lived, which was about twenty miles +from my house. I still mended as we went along,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span> +and when we got to his stopping place, I hired +one of his horses, and went on home. I was so +pale, and so much reduced, that my face looked +like it had been half soled with brown paper.</p> + +<p>When I got there, it was to the utter astonishment +of my wife; for she supposed I was dead. +My neighbours who had started with me had returned +and took my horse home, which they +had found with their's; and they reported that +they had seen men who had helped to bury me; +and who saw me draw my last breath. I know'd +this was a whapper of a lie, as soon as I heard it. +My wife had hired a man, and sent him out to see +what had become of my money and other things; +but I had missed the man as I went in, and he +didn't return until some time after I got home, +as he went all the way to where I lay sick, before +he heard that I was still in the land of the living +and a-kicking.</p> + +<p>The place on which I lived was sickly, and I +was determined to leave it. I therefore set out +the next fall to look at the country which had +been purchased of the Chickasaw tribe of Indians. +I went on to a place called Shoal Creek, about +eighty miles from where I lived, and here again +I got sick. I took the ague and fever, which I +supposed was brought on me by camping out. I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span> +remained here for some time, as I was unable to +go farther; and in that time, I became so well +pleased with the country about there, that I resolved +to settle in it. It was just only a little distance +in the purchase, and no order had been established +there; but I thought I could get along +without order as well as any body else. And so I +moved and settled myself down on the head of +Shoal Creek. We remained here some two or +three years, without any law at all; and so many +bad characters began to flock in upon us, that we +found it necessary to set up a sort of temporary +government of our own. I don't mean that we +made any president, and called him the "government," +but we met and made what we called a +corporation; and I reckon we called <i>it</i> wrong, +for it wa'n't a bank, and hadn't any deposites; +and now they call the bank a corporation. But +be this as it may, we lived in the back-woods, and +didn't profess to know much, and no doubt used +many wrong words. But we met, and appointed +magistrates and constables to keep order. We +didn't fix any laws for them, tho'; for we supposed +they would know law enough, whoever +they might be; and so we left it to themselves to +fix the laws.</p> + +<p>I was appointed one of the magistrates; and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span> +when a man owed a debt, and wouldn't pay +it, I and my constable ordered our warrant, and +then he would take the man, and bring him before +me for trial. I would give judgment against +him, and then an order of an execution would +easily scare the debt out of him. If any one was +charged with marking his neighbour's hogs, or +with stealing any thing, which happened pretty +often in those days,—I would have him taken, and +if there was tolerable grounds for the charge, I +would have him well whip'd and cleared. We +kept this up till our Legislature added us to +the white settlements in Giles county; and appointed +magistrates by law, to organize matters in +the parts where I lived. They appointed nearly +every man a magistrate who had belonged to our +corporation. I was then, of course, made a squire +according to law; though now the honour rested +more heavily on me than before. For, at first, +whenever I told my constable, says I—"Catch that +fellow, and bring him up for trial"—away he went, +and the fellow must come, dead or alive; for we +considered this a good warrant, though it was only +in verbal writings. But after I was appointed +by the assembly, they told me, my warrants must +be in real writing, and signed; and that I must +keep a book, and write my proceedings in it.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span> +This was a hard business on me, for I could just +barely write my own name; but to do this, and +write the warrants too, was at least a huckleberry +over my persimmon. I had a pretty +well informed constable, however; and he aided +me very much in this business. Indeed I had so +much confidence in him, that I told him, when we +should happen to be out anywhere, and see that +a warrant was necessary, and would have a good +effect, he need'nt take the trouble to come all +the way to me to get one, but he could just fill +out one; and then on the trial I could correct the +whole business if he had committed any error. In +this way I got on pretty well, till by care and attention +I improved my handwriting in such manner +as to be able to prepare my warrants, and keep +my record book, without much difficulty. My +judgments were never appealed from, and if they +had been they would have stuck like wax, as I +gave my decisions on the principles of common +justice and honesty between man and man, and +relied on natural born sense, and not on law, +learning to guide me; for I had never read a +page in a law book in all my life.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span></p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span></p> + + +<hr class="r15" /> +<h2>CHAPTER X.</h2> + + +<p>About the time we were getting under good +headway in our new government, a Capt. Matthews +came to me and told me he was a candidate +for the office of colonel of a regiment, and that I +must run for first major in the same regiment. I +objected to this, telling him that I thought I had +done my share of fighting, and that I wanted nothing +to do with military appointments.</p> + +<p>He still insisted, until at last I agreed, and of +course had every reason to calculate on his support +in my election. He was an early settler in that +country, and made rather more corn than the rest +of us; and knowing it would afford him a good +opportunity to electioneer a little, he made a great +corn husking, and a great frolic, and gave a general +treat, asking every body over the whole country. +Myself and my family were, of course, invited. +When I got there, I found a very large collection +of people, and some friend of mine soon +informed me that the captain's son was going to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span> +offer against me for the office of major, which he +had seemed so anxious for me to get. I cared +nothing about the office, but it put my dander up +high enough to see, that after he had pressed me +so hard to offer, he was countenancing, if not encouraging, +a secret plan to beat me. I took the +old gentleman out, and asked him about it. He +told me it was true his son was going to run +as a candidate, and that he hated worse to run +against me than any man in the county. I told +him his son need give himself no uneasiness about +that; that I shouldn't run against him for major, +but against his daddy for colonel. He took me +by the hand, and we went into the company. He +then made a speech, and informed the people that +I was his opponent. I mounted up for a speech +too. I told the people the cause of my opposing +him, remarking that as I had the whole family to +run against any way, I was determined to levy on +the head of the mess. When the time for the election +came, his son was opposed by another man for +major; and he and his daddy were both badly +beaten. I just now began to take a rise, as in a +little time I was asked to offer for the Legislature +in the counties of Lawrence and Heckman.</p> + +<p>I offered my name in the month of February, +and started about the first of March with a drove<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span> +of horses to the lower part of the state of North +Carolina. This was in the year 1821, and I was +gone upwards of three months. I returned, and +set out electioneering, which was a bran-fire new +business to me. It now became necessary that I +should tell the people something about the government, +and an eternal sight of other things that I +knowed nothing more about than I did about Latin, +and law, and such things as that. I have said before +that in those days none of us called Gen'l. +Jackson the government, nor did he seem in as +fair a way to become so as I do now; but I knowed +so little about it, that if any one had told me he +was "the government," I should have believed it, +for I had never read even a newspaper in my life, +or any thing else, on the subject. But over all my +difficulties, it seems to me I was born for luck, +though it would be hard for any one to guess what +sort. I will, however, explain that hereafter.</p> + +<p>I went first into Heckman county, to see what I +could do among the people as a candidate. Here +they told me that they wanted to move their town +nearer to the centre of the county, and I must +come out in favour of it. There's no devil if I +knowed what this meant, or how the town was to +be moved; and so I kept dark, going on the identical +same plan that I now find is called "<i>non-committal</i>."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span> +About this time there was a great +squirrel hunt on Duck river, which was among my +people. They were to hunt two days: then to +meet and count the scalps, and have a big barbecue, +and what might be called a tip-top country +frolic. The dinner, and a general treat, was all to +be paid for by the party having taken the fewest +scalps. I joined one side, taking the place of one +of the hunters, and got a gun ready for the hunt. +I killed a great many squirrels, and when we +counted scalps, my party was victorious.</p> + +<p>The company had every thing to eat and drink +that could be furnished in so new a country, and +much fun and good humour prevailed. But before +the regular frolic commenced, I mean the +dancing, I was called on to make a speech as a candidate; +which was a business I was as ignorant of +as an outlandish negro.</p> + +<p>A public document I had never seen, nor did I +know there were such things; and how to begin I +couldn't tell. I made many apologies, and tried to +get off, for I know'd I had a man to run against +who could speak prime, and I know'd, too, that I +wa'n't able to shuffle and cut with him. He was +there, and knowing my ignorance as well as I did +myself, he also urged me to make a speech. The +truth is, he thought my being a candidate was a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span> +mere matter of sport; and didn't think, for a moment, +that he was in any danger from an ignorant +back-woods bear hunter. But I found I couldn't +get off, and so I determined just to go ahead, and +leave it to chance what I should say. I got up +and told the people, I reckoned they know'd what +I come for, but if not, I could tell them. I had +come for their votes, and if they didn't watch +mighty close, I'd get them too. But the worst +of all was, that I couldn't tell them any thing about +government. I tried to speak about something, +and I cared very little what, until I choaked up as +bad as if my mouth had been jam'd and cram'd +chock full of dry mush. There the people stood, +listening all the while, with their eyes, mouths +and ear all open, to catch every word I would +speak.</p> + +<p>At last I told them I was like a fellow I had +heard of not long before. He was beating on the +head of an empty barrel near the road-side, when +a traveler, who was passing along, asked him what +he was doing that for? The fellow replied, that +there was some cider in that barrel a few days before, +and he was trying to see if there was any then, +but if there was he couldn't get at it. I told them +that there had been a little bit of a speech in me a +while ago, but I believed I couldn't get it out.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span> +They all roared out in a mighty laugh, and I told +some other anecdotes, equally amusing to them, +and believing I had them in a first-rate way, I quit +and got down, thanking the people for their attention. +But I took care to remark that I was as dry +as a powder horn, and that I thought it was time +for us all to wet our whistles a little; and so I put +off to the liquor stand, and was followed by the +greater part of the crowd.</p> + +<p>I felt certain this was necessary, for I knowed +my competitor could open government matters to +them as easy as he pleased. He had, however, +mighty few left to hear him, as I continued with +the crowd, now and then taking a horn, and telling +good humoured stories, till he was done speaking. +I found I was good for the votes at the hunt, and +when we broke up, I went on to the town of Vernon, +which was the same they wanted me to move. +Here they pressed me again on the subject, and I +found I could get either party by agreeing with +them. But I told them I didn't know whether it +would be right or not, and so couldn't promise +either way.</p> + +<p>Their court commenced on the next Monday, as +the barbacue was on a Saturday, and the candidates +for governor and for Congress, as well as my +competitor and myself, all attended.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span> +The thought of having to make a speech made +my knees feel mighty weak, and set my heart to +fluttering almost as bad as my first love scrape with +the Quaker's niece. But as good luck would have +it, these big candidates spoke nearly all day, and +when they quit, the people were worn out with +fatigue, which afforded me a good apology for not +discussing the government. But I listened mighty +close to them, and was learning pretty fast about +political matters. When they were all done, I got +up and told some laughable story, and quit. I +found I was safe in those parts, and so I went +home, and didn't go back again till after the +election was over. But to cut this matter short, +I was elected, doubling my competitor, and nine +votes over.</p> + +<p>A short time after this, I was in Pulaski, where +I met with Colonel Polk, now a member of Congress +from Tennessee. He was at that time a +member elected to the Legislature, as well as myself; +and in a large company he said to me, +"Well, colonel, I suppose we shall have a radical +change of the judiciary at the next session of the +Legislature." "Very likely, sir," says I, and I +put out quicker, for I was afraid some one would +ask me what the judiciary was; and if I knowed +I wish I may be shot. I don't indeed believe I had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span> +ever before heard that there was any such thing +in all nature; but still I was not willing that the +people there should know how ignorant I was +about it.</p> + +<p>When the time for meeting of the Legislature +arrived, I went on, and before I had been there +long, I could have told what the judiciary was, +and what the government was too; and many +other things that I had known nothing about before.</p> + +<p>About this time I met with a very severe misfortune, +which I may be pardoned for naming, as +it made a great change in my circumstances, and +kept me back very much in the world. I had +built an extensive grist mill, and powder mill, all +connected together, and also a large distillery. +They had cost me upwards of three thousand +dollars, more than I was worth in the world. +The first news that I heard after I got to the +Legislature, was, that my mills were—not blown +up sky high, as you would guess, by my powder +establishment,—but swept away all to smash by a +large fresh, that came soon after I left home. I +had, of course, to stop my distillery, as my grinding +was broken up; and, indeed, I may say, that +the misfortune just made a complete mash of me. +I had some likely negroes, and a good stock of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span> +almost every thing about me, and, best of all, I +had an honest wife. She didn't advise me, as is +too fashionable, to smuggle up this, and that, and +t'other, to go on at home; but she told me, +says she, "Just pay up, as long as you have a bit's +worth in the world; and then every body will +be satisfied, and we will scuffle for more." This +was just such talk as I wanted to hear, for a +man's wife can hold him devlish uneasy, if she +begins to scold, and fret, and perplex him, at a +time when he has a full load for a rail-road car +on his mind already.</p> + +<p>And so, you see, I determined not to break full +handed, but thought it better to keep a good conscience +with an empty purse, than to get a bad +opinion of myself, with a full one. I therefore +gave up all I had, and took a bran-fire new start.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span></p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span></p> + + +<hr class="r15" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XI.</h2> + + +<p>Having returned from the Legislature, I determined +to make another move, and so I took my +eldest son with me, and a young man by the name +of Abram Henry, and cut out for the Obion. I selected +a spot when I got there, where I determined +to settle; and the nearest house to it +was seven miles, the next nearest was fifteen, +and so on to twenty. It was a complete wilderness, +and full of Indians who were hunting. Game +was plenty of almost every kind, which suited +me exactly, as I was always fond of hunting. +The house which was nearest me, and which, as I +have already stated, was seven miles off, and on +the different side of the Obion river, belonged to +a man by the name of Owens; and I started to +go there. I had taken one horse along, to pack +our provision, and when I got to the water I hobbled +him out to graze, until I got back; as there +was no boat to cross the river in, and it was so<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span> +high that it had overflowed all the bottoms and +low country near it.</p> + +<p>We now took water like so many beavers, notwithstanding +it was mighty cold, and waded on. +The water would sometimes be up to our necks, +and at others not so deep; but I went, of course, +before, and carried a pole, with which I would feel +along before me, to see how deep it was, and to +guard against falling into a slough, as there was +many in our way. When I would come to one, +I would take out my tomahawk and cut a small +tree across it, and then go ahead again. Frequently +my little son would have to swim, even +where myself and the young man could wade; +but we worked on till at last we got to the channel +of the river, which made it about half a mile +we had waded from where we took water. I +saw a large tree that had fallen into the river +from the other side, but it didn't reach across. +One stood on the same bank where we were, that +I thought I could fall, so as to reach the other; +and so at it we went with my tomahawk, cutting +away till we got it down; and, as good luck +would have it, it fell right, and made us a way +that we could pass.</p> + +<p>When we got over this, it was still a sea of +water as far as our eyes could reach. We took<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span> +into it again, and went ahead, for about a mile, +hardly ever seeing a single spot of land, and +sometimes very deep. At last we come in sight +of land, which was a very pleasing thing; and +when we got out, we went but a little way, before +we came in sight of the house, which was +more pleasing than ever; for we were wet all +over, and mighty cold. I felt mighty sorry when +I would look at my little boy, and see him shaking +like he had the worst sort of an ague, for +there was no time for fever then. As we got +near to the house, we saw Mr. Owens and several +men that were with him, just starting away. +They saw us, and stop'd, but looked much astonished +until we got up to them, and I made myself +known. The men who were with him +were the owners of a boat which was the first +that ever went that far up the Obion river; +and some hands he had hired to carry it about +a hundred miles still further up, by water, tho' +it was only about thirty by land, as the river is +very crooked.</p> + +<p>They all turned back to the house with me, +where I found Mrs. Owens, a fine, friendly old +woman; and her kindness to my little boy did +me ten times as much good as any thing she +could have done for me, if she had tried her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span> +best. The old gentleman set out his bottle to +us, and I concluded that if a horn wasn't good +then, there was no use for its invention. So I +swig'd off about a half pint, and the young man +was by no means bashful in such a case; he took +a strong pull at it too. I then gave my boy some, +and in a little time we felt pretty well. We dried +ourselves by the fire, and were asked to go on +board of the boat that evening. I agreed to do +so, but left my son with the old lady, and myself +and my young man went to the boat with +Mr. Owens and the others. The boat was loaded +with whiskey, flour, sugar, coffee, salt, castings, +and other articles suitable for the country; +and they were to receive five hundred dollars to +land the load at M'Lemore's Bluff, beside the +profit they could make on their load. This was +merely to show that boats could get up to that +point. We staid all night with them, and had a +high night of it, as I took steam enough to drive +out all the cold that was in me, and about three +times as much more. In the morning we concluded +to go on with the boat to where a great +<i>harricane</i> had crossed the river, and blowed all +the timber down into it. When we got there, +we found the river was falling fast, and concluded +we couldn't get through the timber without<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span> +more rise; so we drop'd down opposite Mr. +Owens' again, where they determined to wait for +more water.</p> + +<p>The next day it rained rip-roriously, and the +river rose pretty considerable, but not enough yet. +And so I got the boatsmen all to go out with me to +where I was going to settle, and we slap'd up a +cabin in little or no time. I got from the boat +four barrels of meal, and one of salt, and about ten +gallons of whiskey.</p> + +<p>To pay for these, I agreed to go with the boat +up the river to their landing place. I got also a +large middling of bacon, and killed a fine deer, +and left them for my young man and my little +boy, who were to stay at my cabin till I got back; +which I expected would be in six or seven days. +We cut out, and moved up to the harricane, where +we stop'd for the night. In the morning I started +about daylight, intending to kill a deer, as I had +no thought they would get the boat through the +timber that day. I had gone but a little way before +I killed a fine buck, and started to go back to +the boat; but on the way I came on the tracks of a +large gang of elks, and so I took after them. I had +followed them only a little distance when I saw +them, and directly after I saw two large bucks. I +shot one down, and the other wouldn't leave him;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span> +so I loaded my gun, and shot him down too. I +hung them up, and went ahead again after my elks. +I pursued on till after the middle of the day before +I saw them again; but they took the hint before +I got in shooting distance, and run off. I still +pushed on till late in the evening, when I found I +was about four miles from where I had left the boat, +and as hungry as a wolf, for I hadn't eaten a bite +that day.</p> + +<p>I started down the edge of the river low grounds, +giving out the pursuit of my elks, and hadn't gone +hardly any distance at all, before I saw two more +bucks, very large fellows too. I took a blizzard +at one of them, and up he tumbled. The other +ran off a few jumps and stop'd; and stood there +till I loaded again, and fired at him. I knock'd +his trotters from under him, and then I hung +them both up. I pushed on again; and about +sunset I saw three other bucks. I down'd with +one of them, and the other two ran off. I hung +this one up also, having now killed six that day. +I then pushed on till I got to the harricane, and +at the lower edge of it, about where I expected +the boat was. Here I hollered as hard as I could +roar, but could get no answer. I fired off my gun, +and the men on the boat fired one too; but quite +contrary to my expectation, they had got through<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span> +the timber, and were about two miles above me. +It was now dark, and I had to crawl through +the fallen timber the best way I could; and if +the reader don't know it was bad enough, I am +sure I do. For the vines and briers had grown +all through it, and so thick, that a good fat coon +couldn't much more than get along. I got +through at last, and went on near to where I +had killed my last deer, and once more fired off +my gun, which was again answered from the boat, +which was still a little above me. I moved on as +fast as I could, but soon came to water, and not +knowing how deep it was, I halted and hollered +till they came to me with a skiff. I now got to the +boat, without further difficulty; but the briers had +worked on me at such a rate, that I felt like I +wanted sewing up, all over. I took a pretty stiff +horn, which soon made me feel much better; but +I was so tired that I could hardly work my jaws +to eat.</p> + +<p>In the morning, myself and a young man started +and brought in the first buck I had killed; and +after breakfast we went and brought in the last +one. The boat then started, but we again went +and got the two I had killed just as I turned +down the river in the evening; and we then +pushed on and o'ertook the boat, leaving the other<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span> +two hanging in the woods, as we had now as much +as we wanted.</p> + +<p>We got up the river very well, but quite +slowly; and we landed, on the eleventh day, at +the place the load was to be delivered at. They +here gave me their skiff, and myself and a young +man by the name of Flavius Harris, who had determined +to go and live with me, cut out down +the river for my cabin, which we reached safely +enough.</p> + +<p>We turned in and cleared a field, and planted +our corn; but it was so late in the spring, we had +no time to make rails, and therefore we put no +fence around our field. There was no stock, however, +nor any thing else to disturb our corn, except +the wild <i>varments</i>, and the old serpent himself, +with a fence to help him, couldn't keep them +out. I made corn enough to do me, and during +that spring I killed ten bears, and a great abundance +of deer. But in all this time, we saw the +face of no white person in that country, except +Mr. Owens' family, and a very few passengers, +who went out there, looking at the country. Indians, +though, were still plenty enough. Having +laid by my crap, I went home, which was a distance +of about a hundred and fifty miles; and +when I got there, I was met by an order to attend<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span> +a call-session of our Legislature. I attended it, +and served out my time, and then returned, and +took my family and what little plunder I had, +and moved to where I had built my cabin, and +made my crap.</p> + +<p>I gathered my corn, and then set out for my +Fall's hunt. This was in the last of October, 1822. +I found bear very plenty, and, indeed, all sorts of +game and wild varments, except buffalo. There +was none of them. I hunted on till Christmass, +having supplied my family very well all along +with wild meat, at which time my powder gave +out; and I had none either to fire Christmass guns, +which is very common in that country, or to hunt +with. I had a brother-in-law who had now moved +out and settled about six miles west of me, on the +opposite side of Rutherford's fork of the Obion +river, and he had brought me a keg of powder, +but I had never gotten it home. There had just +been another of Noah's freshes, and the low +grounds were flooded all over with water. I +know'd the stream was at least a mile wide which +I would have to cross, as the water was from hill +to hill, and yet I determined to go on over in some +way or other, so as to get my powder. I told this +to my wife, and she immediately opposed it with +all her might. I still insisted, telling her we had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span> +no powder for Christmass, and, worse than all, we +were out of meat. She said, we had as well starve +as for me to freeze to death or to get drowned, and +one or the other was certain if I attempted to go.</p> + +<p>But I didn't believe the half of this; and so I +took my woolen wrappers, and a pair of mockasins, +and put them on, and tied up some dry clothes and +a pair of shoes and stockings, and started. But I +didn't before know how much any body could +suffer and not die. This, and some of my other +experiments in water, learned me something about +it, and I therefore relate them.</p> + +<p>The snow was about four inches deep when I +started; and when I got to the water, which was +only about a quarter of a mile off, it look'd like an +ocean. I put in, and waded on till I come to the +channel, where I crossed that on a high log. I then +took water again, having my gun and all my +hunting tools along, and waded till I came to a +deep slough, that was wider than the river itself. +I had crossed it often on a log; but, behold, when I +got there, no log was to be seen. I knowed of an +island in the slough, and a sapling stood on it +close to the side of that log, which was now entirely +under water. I knowed further, that the +water was about eight or ten feet deep under the +log, and I judged it to be about three feet deep<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span> +over it. After studying a little what I should do, +I determined to cut a forked sapling, which stood +near me, so as to lodge it against the one that +stood on the island, in which I succeeded very +well. I then cut me a pole, and crawled along on +my sapling till I got to the one it was lodged +against, which was about six feet above the water. +I then felt about with my pole till I found the log, +which was just about as deep under the water as I +had judged. I then crawled back and got my +gun, which I had left at the stump of the sapling I +had cut, and again made my way to the place of +lodgement, and then climb'd down the other sapling +so as to get on the log. I then felt my way +along with my feet, in the water, about waist deep, +but it was a mighty ticklish business. However, +I got over, and by this time I had very little feeling +in my feet and legs, as I had been all the time +in the water, except what time I was crossing +the high log over the river, and climbing my lodged +sapling.</p> + +<p>I went but a short distance before I came to +another slough, over which there was a log, but +it was floating on the water. I thought I could +walk it, and so I mounted on it; but when I had +got about the middle of the deep water, somehow +or somehow else, it turned over, and in I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span> +went up to my head I waded out of this deep +water, and went ahead till I came to the high-land, +where I stop'd to pull off my wet clothes, and put +on the others, which I had held up with my gun, +above the water, when I fell in. I got them on, +but my flesh had no feeling in it, I was so cold. +I tied up the wet ones, and hung them up in a bush. +I now thought I would run, so as to warm myself +a little, but I couldn't raise a trot for some time; +indeed, I couldn't step more than half the length +of my foot. After a while I got better, and went +on five miles to the house of my brother-in-law, +having not even smelt fire from the time I started. +I got there late in the evening, and he was much +astonished at seeing me at such a time. I staid +all night, and the next morning was most piercing +cold, and so they persuaded me not to go +home that day. I agreed, and turned out and +killed him two deer; but the weather still got +worse and colder, instead of better. I staid that +night, and in the morning they still insisted I +couldn't get home. I knowed the water would +be frozen over, but not hard enough to bear me, +and so I agreed to stay that day. I went out hunting +again, and pursued a big <i>he-bear</i> all day, but +didn't kill him. The next morning was bitter +cold, but I knowed my family was without meat,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span> +and I determined to get home to them, or die +a-trying.</p> + +<p>I took my keg of powder, and all my hunting +tools, and cut out. When I got to the water, it +was a sheet of ice as far as I could see. I put on +to it, but hadn't got far before it broke through +with me; and so I took out my tomahawk, and +broke my way along before me for a considerable +distance. At last I got to where the ice would +bear me for a short distance, and I mounted on it, +and went ahead; but it soon broke in again, and +I had to wade on till I came to my floating log. +I found it so tight this time, that I know'd it +couldn't give me another fall, as it was frozen in +with the ice. I crossed over it without much +difficulty, and worked along till I got to my +lodged sapling, and my log under the water. +The swiftness of the current prevented the water +from freezing over it, and so I had to wade, just +as I did when I crossed it before. When I got +to my sapling, I left my gun and climbed out with +my powder keg first, and then went back and got +my gun. By this time I was nearly frozen to +death, but I saw all along before me, where the +ice had been fresh broke, and I thought it must +be a bear straggling about in the water. I, therefore, +fresh primed my gun, and, cold as I was, I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span> +was determined to make war on him, if we met. +But I followed the trail till it led me home, and +I then found it had been made by my young +man that lived with me, who had been sent by +my distressed wife to see, if he could, what had +become of me, for they all believed that I was dead. +When I got home I was'nt quite dead, but mighty +nigh it; but I had my powder, and that was what +I went for.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr class="r15" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XII.</h2> + + +<p>That night there fell a heavy rain, and it +turned to a sleet. In the morning all hands +turned out hunting. My young man, and a +brother-in-law who had lately settled close by +me, went down the river to hunt for turkeys; +but I was for larger game. I told them, I had +dreamed the night before of having a hard fight +with a big black nigger, and I knowed it was a +sign that I was to have a battle with a bear; for +in a bear country, I never know'd such a dream +to fail. So I started to go up above the harricane, +determined to have a bear. I had two pretty +good dogs, and an old hound, all of which I took +along. I had gone about six miles up the river, +and it was then about four miles across to the +main Obion; so I determined to strike across to +that, as I had found nothing yet to kill. I got on +to the river, and turned down it; but the sleet +was still getting worse and worse. The bushes +were all bent down, and locked together with ice,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span> +so that it was almost impossible to get along. In +a little time my dogs started a large gang of old +turkey goblers, and I killed two of them, of the +biggest sort. I shouldered them up, and moved +on, until I got through the harricane, when I was +so tired that I laid my goblers down to rest, as they +were confounded heavy, and I was mighty tired. +While I was resting, my old hound went to a log, +and smelt it awhile, and then raised his eyes toward +the sky, and cried out. Away he went, +and my other dogs with him, and I shouldered up +my turkeys again, and followed on as hard as I +could drive. They were soon out of sight, and +in a very little time I heard them begin to bark. +When I got to them, they were barking up a tree, +but there was no game there. I concluded it had +been a turkey, and that it had flew away.</p> + +<p>When they saw me coming, away they went +again; and, after a little time, began to bark as +before. When I got near them, I found they +were barking up the wrong tree again, as there +was no game there. They served me in this way +three or four times, until I was so infernal mad, +that I determined, if I could get near enough, to +shoot the old hound at least. With this intention +I pushed on the harder, till I came to the edge of +an open parara, and looking on before my dogs, I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span> +saw in and about the biggest bear that ever was +seen in America. He looked, at the distance he +was from me, like a large black bull. My dogs +were afraid to attack him, and that was the reason +they had stop'd so often, that I might overtake +them. They were now almost up with him, and +I took my goblers from my back and hung them +up in a sapling, and broke like a quarter horse +after my bear, for the sight of him had put new +springs in me. I soon got near to them, but they +were just getting into a roaring thicket, and so I +couldn't run through it, but had to pick my way +along, and had close work even at that.</p> + +<p>In a little time I saw the bear climbing up a +large black oak-tree, and I crawled on till I got +within about eighty yards of him. He was setting +with his breast to me; and so I put fresh priming +in my gun, and fired at him. At this he raised +one of his paws and snorted loudly. I loaded +again as quick as I could, and fired as near the +same place in his breast as possible. At the +crack of my gun here he came tumbling down; +and the moment he touched the ground, I heard +one of my best dogs cry out. I took my tomahawk +in one hand, and my big butcher-knife in +the other, and run up within four or five paces of +him, at which he let my dog go, and fixed his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span> +eyes on me. I got back in all sorts of a hurry, +for I know'd if he got hold of me, he would hug +me altogether too close for comfort. I went to +my gun and hastily loaded her again, and shot +him the third time, which killed him good.</p> + +<p>I now began to think about getting him home, +but I didn't know how far it was. So I left him +and started; and in order to find him again, I +would blaze a sapling every little distance, which +would show me the way back. I continued this +till I got within about a mile of home, for there I +know'd very well where I was, and that I could +easily find the way back to my blazes. When I got +home, I took my brother-in-law, and my young +man, and four horses, and went back. We got +there just before dark, and struck up a fire, and +commenced butchering my bear. It was some +time in the night before we finished it; and I +can assert, on my honour, that I believe he would +have weighed six hundred pounds. It was the +second largest I ever saw. I killed one, a few +years after, that weighed six hundred and seventeen +pounds. I now felt fully compensated for +my sufferings in going after my powder; and well +satisfied that a dog might sometimes be doing a +good business, even when he seemed to be <i>barking +up the wrong tree</i>. We got our meat home,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span> +and I had the pleasure to know that we now had +plenty, and that of the best; and I continued +through the winter to supply my family abundantly +with bear-meat and venison from the +woods.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr class="r15" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> + + +<p>I had on hand a great many skins, and so, in the +month of February, I packed a horse with them, +and taking my eldest son along with me, cut out +for a little town called Jackson, situated about +forty miles off. We got there well enough, and +I sold my skins, and bought me some coffee, and +sugar, powder, lead, and salt. I packed them all +up in readiness for a start, which I intended to +make early the next morning. Morning came, +but I concluded, before I started, I would go and +take a horn with some of my old fellow-soldiers +that I had met with at Jackson.</p> + +<p>I did so; and while we were engaged in this, +I met with three candidates for the Legislature; +a Doctor Butler, who was, by marriage, a nephew +to General Jackson, a Major Lynn, and a +Mr. McEver, all first-rate men. We all took a +horn together, and some person present said to me, +"Crockett, you must offer for the Legislature." I +told him I lived at least forty miles from any<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span> +white settlement, and had no thought of becoming +a candidate at that time. So we all parted, +and I and my little boy went on home.</p> + +<p>It was about a week or two after this, that a +man came to my house, and told me I was a candidate. +I told him not so. But he took out a +newspaper from his pocket, and show'd me +where I was announced. I said to my wife that +this was all a burlesque on me, but I was determined +to make it cost the man who had put +it there at least the value of the printing, and of +the fun he wanted at my expense. So I hired +a young man to work in my place on my farm, +and turned out myself electioneering. I hadn't +been out long, before I found the people began +to talk very much about the bear hunter, the +man from the cane; and the three gentlemen, +who I have already named, soon found it necessary +to enter into an agreement to have a +sort of caucus at their March court, to determine +which of them was the strongest, and +the other two was to withdraw and support +him. As the court came on, each one of them +spread himself, to secure the nomination; but +it fell on Dr. Butler, and the rest backed out. +The doctor was a clever fellow, and I have +often said he was the most talented man I ever<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span> +run against for any office. His being related to +Gen'l. Jackson also helped him on very much; but +I was in for it, and I was determined to push +ahead and go through, or stick. Their meeting +was held in Madison county, which was the +strongest in the representative district, which was +composed of eleven counties, and they seemed +bent on having the member from there.</p> + +<p>At this time Col. Alexander was a candidate for +Congress, and attending one of his public meetings +one day, I walked to where he was treating the +people, and he gave me an introduction to several +of his acquaintances, and informed them that I was +out electioneering. In a little time my competitor, +Doctor Butler, came along; he passed by +without noticing me, and I suppose, indeed, he did +not recognise me. But I hailed him, as I was for +all sorts of fun; and when he turned to me, I said +to him, "Well, doctor, I suppose they have weighed +you out to me; but I should like to know why +they fixed your election for <i>March</i> instead of <i>August</i>? +This is," said I, "a branfire new way of doing +business, if a caucus is to make a representative +for the people!" He now discovered who I was, +and cried out, "D—n it, Crockett, is that you?"—"Be +sure it is," said I, "but I don't want it understood +that I have come electioneering. I have just<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span> +crept out of the cane, to see what discoveries I could +make among the white folks." I told him that +when I set out electioneering, I would go prepared +to put every man on as good footing when I left +him as I found him on. I would therefore have +me a large buckskin hunting-shirt made, with a +couple of pockets holding about a peck each; +and that in one I would carry a great big +twist of tobacco, and in the other my bottle of liquor; +for I knowed when I met a man and offered +him a dram, he would throw out his quid of tobacco +to take one, and after he had taken his horn, +I would out with my twist and give him another +chaw. And in this way he would not be worse +off than when I found him; and I would be sure +to leave him in a first-rate good humour. He said +I could beat him electioneering all hollow. I told +him I would give him better evidence of that before +August, notwithstanding he had many advantages +over me, and particularly in the way of money; +but I told him that I would go on the products +of the country; that I had industrious children, +and the best of coon dogs, and they would +hunt every night till midnight to support my election; +and when the coon fur wa'n't good, I would +myself go a wolfing, and shoot down a wolf, and +skin his head, and his scalp would be good to me<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span> +for three dollars, in our state treasury money; and +in this way I would get along on the big string. +He stood like he was both amused and astonished, +and the whole crowd was in a roar of laughter. +From this place I returned home, leaving the people +in a first-rate way; and I was sure I would +do a good business among them. At any rate, I +was determined to stand up to my lick-log, salt or +no salt.</p> + +<p>In a short time there came out two other candidates, +a Mr. Shaw and a Mr. Brown. We all ran +the race through; and when the election was over, +it turned out that I beat them all by a majority of +two hundred and forty-seven votes, and was again +returned as a member of the Legislature from a +new region of the country, without losing a session. +This reminded me of the old saying—"A +fool for luck, and a poor man for children."</p> + +<p>I now served two years in that body from my +new district, which was the years 1823 and '24. +At the session of 1823, I had a small trial of my +independence, and whether I would forsake principle +for party, or for the purpose of following +after big men.</p> + +<p>The term of Col. John Williams had expired, who +was a senator in Congress from the state of Tennessee. +He was a candidate for another election,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span> +and was opposed by Pleasant M. Miller, Esq., +who, it was believed, would not be able to beat +the colonel. Some two or three others were +spoken of, but it was at last concluded that the only +man who could beat him was the present "government," +General Jackson. So, a few days before +the election was to come on, he was sent for +to come and run for the senate. He was then in +nomination for the presidency; but sure enough +he came, and did run as the opponent of Colonel +Williams, and beat him too, but not by my vote. +The vote was, for Jackson, <i>thirty-five</i>; for Williams, +<i>twenty-five</i>. I thought the colonel had +honestly discharged his duty, and even the mighty +name of Jackson couldn't make me vote against +him.</p> + +<p>But voting against the old chief was found a +mighty up-hill business to all of them except myself. +I never would, nor never did, acknowledge +I had voted wrong; and I am more certain now +that I was right than ever.</p> + +<p>I told the people it was the best vote I ever +gave; that I had supported the public interest, and +cleared my conscience in giving it, instead of +gratifying the private ambition of a man.</p> + +<p>I let the people know as early as then, that I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span> +wouldn't take a collar around my neck with the +letters engraved on it,</p> + +<div class="bbox bl br extraspacetop"> +MY DOG. +<p class="smcap extraspace3top right">Andrew Jackson.</p> +</div> + +<p>During these two sessions of the Legislature, nothing +else turned up which I think it worth while +to mention; and, indeed, I am fearful that I am +too particular about many small matters; but if so, +my apology is, that I want the world to understand +my true history, and how I worked along +to rise from a cane-brake to my present station +in life.</p> + +<p>Col. Alexander was the representative in Congress +of the district I lived in, and his vote on the +tariff law of 1824 gave a mighty heap of dissatisfaction +to his people. They therefore began to +talk pretty strong of running me for Congress +against him. At last I was called on by a good +many to be a candidate. I told the people that I +couldn't stand that; it was a step above my knowledge, +and I know'd nothing about Congress +matters.</p> + +<p>However, I was obliged to agree to run, and myself +and two other gentlemen came out. But Providence<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span> +was a little against two of us this hunt, for it +was the year that cotton brought twenty-five dollars +a hundred; and so Colonel Alexander would get +up and tell the people, it was all the good effect of +this tariff law; that it had raised the price of their +cotton, and that it would raise the price of every +thing else they made to sell. I might as well have +sung <i>salms</i> over a dead horse, as to try to make +the people believe otherwise; for they knowed +their cotton had raised, sure enough, and if the +colonel hadn't done it, they didn't know what +had. So he rather made a mash of me this time, +as he beat me exactly <i>two</i> votes, as they counted +the polls, though I have always believed that many +other things had been as fairly done as that same +count.</p> + +<p>He went on, and served out his term, and at +the end of it cotton was down to <i>six</i> or <i>eight</i> +dollars a hundred again; and I concluded I would +try him once more, and see how it would go +with cotton at the common price, and so I became +a candidate.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr class="r15" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XIV.</h2> + + +<p>But the reader, I expect, would have no objection +to know a little about my employment during +the two years while my competitor was in Congress. +In this space I had some pretty tuff times, +and will relate some few things that happened to +me. So here goes, as the boy said when he run +by himself.</p> + +<p>In the fall of 1825, I concluded I would build +two large boats, and load them with pipe staves +for market. So I went down to the lake, which +was about twenty-five miles from where I lived, +and hired some hands to assist me, and went to +work; some at boat building, and others to getting +staves. I worked on with my hands till the +bears got fat, and then I turned out to hunting, to +lay in a supply of meat. I soon killed and salted +down as many as were necessary for my family; +but about this time one of my old neighbours, who +had settled down on the lake about twenty-five +miles from me, came to my house and told me<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span> +he wanted me to go down and kill some bears +about in his parts. He said they were extremely +fat, and very plenty. I know'd that when they +were fat, they were easily taken, for a fat bear +can't run fast or long. But I asked a bear no favours, +no way, further than civility, for I now +had <i>eight</i> large dogs, and as fierce as painters; +so that a bear stood no chance at all to get away +from them. So I went home with him, and then +went on down towards the Mississippi, and commenced +hunting.</p> + +<p>We were out two weeks, and in that time killed +fifteen bears. Having now supplied my friend +with plenty of meat, I engaged occasionally again +with my hands in our boat building, and getting +staves. But I at length couldn't stand it any +longer without another hunt. So I concluded to +take my little son, and cross over the lake, and +take a hunt there. We got over, and that evening +turned out and killed three bears, in little or no +time. The next morning we drove up four forks, +and made a sort of scaffold, on which we salted +up our meat, so as to have it out of the reach of +the wolves, for as soon as we would leave our +camp, they would take possession. We had just +eat our breakfast, when a company of hunters +came to our camp, who had fourteen dogs, but all<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span> +so poor, that when they would bark they would +almost have to lean up against a tree and take +a rest. I told them their dogs couldn't run in +smell of a bear, and they had better stay at my +camp, and feed them on the bones I had cut out +of my meat. I left them there, and cut out; but +I hadn't gone far, when my dogs took a first-rate +start after a very large fat old <i>he-bear</i>, which run +right plump towards my camp. I pursued on, +but my other hunters had heard my dogs coming, +and met them, and killed the bear before I got up +with him. I gave him to them, and cut out again +for a creek called Big Clover, which wa'n't very +far off. Just as I got there, and was entering a +cane brake, my dogs all broke and went ahead, +and, in a little time, they raised a fuss in the cane, +and seemed to be going every way. I listened a +while, and found my dogs was in two companies, +and that both was in a snorting fight. I sent my +little son to one, and I broke for t'other. I got to +mine first, and found my dogs had a two-year-old +bear down, a-wooling away on him; so I just +took out my big butcher, and went up and slap'd +it into him, and killed him without shooting. +There was five of the dogs in my company. In +a short time, I heard my little son fire at his bear; +when I went to him he had killed it too. He<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span> +had two dogs in his team. Just at this moment +we heard my other dog barking a short distance +off, and all the rest immediately broke to him. +We pushed on too, and when we got there, we +found he had still a larger bear than either of them +we had killed, treed by himself. We killed that +one also, which made three we had killed in less +than half an hour. We turned in and butchered +them, and then started to hunt for water, and a +good place to camp. But we had no sooner +started, than our dogs took a start after another +one, and away they went like a thunder-gust, and +was out of hearing in a minute. We followed the +way they had gone for some time, but at length +we gave up the hope of finding them, and turned +back. As we were going back, I came to where +a poor fellow was grubbing, and he looked like +the very picture of hard times. I asked him +what he was doing away there in the woods by +himself? He said he was grubbing for a man who +intended to settle there; and the reason why he +did it was, that he had no meat for his family, +and he was working for a little.</p> + +<p>I was mighty sorry for the poor fellow, for +it was not only a hard, but a very slow way to +get meat for a hungry family; so I told him if he +would go with me, I would give him more meat<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span> +than he could get by grubbing in a month. I intended +to supply him with meat, and also to get +him to assist my little boy in packing in and salting +up my bears. He had never seen a bear killed +in his life. I told him I had six killed then, +and my dogs were hard after another. He went +off to his little cabin, which was a short distance +in the brush, and his wife was very anxious he +should go with me. So we started and went to +where I had left my three bears, and made a camp. +We then gathered my meat and salted, and scaffled +it, as I had done the other. Night now came +on, but no word from my dogs yet. I afterwards +found they had treed the bear about five miles +off, near to a man's house, and had barked at it +the whole enduring night. Poor fellows! many +a time they looked for me, and wondered why I +didn't come, for they knowed there was no mistake +in me, and I know'd they were as good as +ever fluttered. In the morning, as soon as it was +light enough to see, the man took his gun and +went to them, and shot the bear, and killed it. My +dogs, however, wouldn't have any thing to say to +this stranger; so they left him, and came early in +the morning back to me.</p> + +<p>We got our breakfast, and cut out again; and +we killed four large and very fat bears that day.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span> +We hunted out the week, and in that time we +killed seventeen, all of them first-rate. When +we closed our hunt, I gave the man over a +thousand weight of fine fat bear-meat, which +pleased him mightily, and made him feel as +rich as a Jew. I saw him the next fall, and he +told me he had plenty of meat to do him the +whole year from his week's hunt. My son and +me now went home. This was the week between +Christmass and New-year that we made this hunt.</p> + +<p>When I got home, one of my neighbours was +out of meat, and wanted me to go back, and +let him go with me, to take another hunt. I +couldn't refuse; but I told him I was afraid the +bear had taken to house by that time, for after +they get very fat in the fall and early part of the +winter, they go into their holes, in large hollow +trees, or into hollow logs, or their cane-houses, +or the harricanes; and lie there till spring, like +frozen snakes. And one thing about this will +seem mighty strange to many people. From +about the first of January to about the last of +April, these varments lie in their holes altogether. +In all that time they have no food to eat; and yet +when they come out, they are not an ounce lighter +than when they went to house. I don't know the +cause of this, and still I know it is a fact; and I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span> +leave it for others who have more learning than +myself to account for it. They have not a particle +of food with them, but they just lie and suck the +bottom of their paw all the time. I have killed +many of them in their trees, which enables me to +speak positively on this subject. However, my +neighbour, whose name was McDaniel, and my +little son and me, went on down to the lake to +my second camp, where I had killed my seventeen +bears the week before, and turned out to hunting. +But we hunted hard all day without getting a single +start. We had carried but little provisions with +us, and the next morning was entirely out of meat. +I sent my son about three miles off, to the house +of an old friend, to get some. The old gentleman +was much pleased to hear I was hunting in those +parts, for the year before the bears had killed a +great many of his hogs. He was that day killing +his bacon hogs, and so he gave my son some meat, +and sent word to me that I must come in to his +house that evening, that he would have plenty of +feed for my dogs, and some accommodations for +ourselves; but before my son got back, we had +gone out hunting, and in a large cane brake my +dogs found a big bear in a cane-house, which he +had fixed for his winter-quarters, as they sometimes +do.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span></p> + +<p>When my lead dog found him, and raised +the yell, all the rest broke to him, but none of +them entered his house until we got up. I encouraged +my dogs, and they knowed me so well, +that I could have made them seize the old serpent +himself, with all his horns and heads, and cloven +foot and ugliness into the bargain, if he would +only have come to light, so that they could have +seen him. They bulged in, and in an instant the +bear followed them out, and I told my friend to +shoot him, as he was mighty wrathy to kill a bear. +He did so, and killed him prime. We carried him +to our camp, by which time my son had returned; +and after we got our dinners we packed up, and +cut for the house of my old friend, whose name +was Davidson.</p> + +<p>We got there, and staid with him that night; +and the next morning, having salted up our meat, +we left it with him, and started to take a hunt between +the Obion lake and the Red-foot lake; as +there had been a dreadful harricane, which passed +between them, and I was sure there must be a +heap of bears in the fallen timber. We had gone +about five miles without seeing any sign at all; +but at length we got on some high cany ridges, +and, as we rode along, I saw a hole in a large +black oak, and on examining more closely, I discovered<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span> +that a bear had clomb the tree. I could +see his tracks going up, but none coming down, +and so I was sure he was in there. A person who is +acquainted with bear-hunting, can tell easy enough +when the varment is in the hollow; for as they +go up they don't slip a bit, but as they come down +they make long scratches with their nails.</p> + +<p>My friend was a little ahead of me, but I called +him back, and told him there was a bear in that +tree, and I must have him out. So we lit from +our horses, and I found a small tree which I +thought I could fall so as to lodge against my bear +tree, and we fell to work chopping it with our +tomahawks. I intended, when we lodged the tree +against the other, to let my little son go up, and +look into the hole, for he could climb like a squirrel. +We had chop'd on a little time and stop'd to +rest, when I heard my dogs barking mighty severe +at some distance from us, and I told my friend +I knowed they had a bear; for it is the nature +of a dog, when he finds you are hunting bears, +to hunt for nothing else; he becomes fond of the +meat, and considers other game as "not worth a +notice," as old Johnson said of the devil.</p> + +<p>We concluded to leave our tree a bit, and went +to my dogs, and when we got there, sure enough +they had an eternal great big fat bear up a tree,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span> +just ready for shooting. My friend again petitioned +me for liberty to shoot this one also. I had +a little rather not, as the bear was so big, but I +couldn't refuse; and so he blazed away, and down +came the old fellow like some great log had fell. +I now missed one of my dogs, the same that I before +spoke of as having treed the bear by himself +sometime before, when I had started the three in +the cane break. I told my friend that my missing +dog had a bear somewhere, just as sure as fate; so +I left them to butcher the one we had just killed, +and I went up on a piece of high ground to listen +for my dog. I heard him barking with all his +might some distance off, and I pushed ahead for +him. My other dogs hearing him broke to him, +and when I got there, sure enough again he had +another bear ready treed; if he hadn't, I wish +I may be shot. I fired on him, and brought +him down; and then went back, and help'd +finish butchering the one at which I had left +my friend. We then packed both to our tree +where we had left my boy. By this time, the little +fellow had cut the tree down that we intended +to lodge, but it fell the wrong way; he had then +feather'd in on the big tree, to cut that, and had +found that it was nothing but a shell on the outside, +and all doted in the middle, as too many of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span> +our big men are in these days, having only an outside +appearance. My friend and my son cut away +on it, and I went off about a hundred yards with +my dogs to keep them from running under the +tree when it should fall. On looking back at the +hole, I saw the bear's head out of it, looking down +at them as they were cutting. I hollered to them +to look up, and they did so; and McDaniel catched +up his gun, but by this time the bear was out, +and coming down the tree. He fired at it, and as +soon as it touch'd ground the dogs were all round +it, and they had a roll-and-tumble fight to the foot +of the hill, where they stop'd him. I ran up, and +putting my gun against the bear, fired and killed +him. We now had three, and so we made our +scaffold and salted them up.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr class="r15" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XV.</h2> + + +<p>In the morning I left my son at the camp, and +we started on towards the harricane; and when +we had went about a mile, we started a very large +bear, but we got along mighty slow on account of +the cracks in the earth occasioned by the earthquakes. +We, however, made out to keep in hearing +of the dogs for about three miles, and then +we come to the harricane. Here we had to quit +our horses, as old Nick himself couldn't have got +through it without sneaking it along in the form +that he put on, to make a fool of our old grandmother +Eve. By this time several of my dogs +had got tired and come back; but we went ahead +on foot for some little time in the harricane, when +we met a bear coming straight to us, and not +more than twenty or thirty yards off. I started +my tired dogs after him, and McDaniel pursued +them, and I went on to where my other dogs +were. I had seen the track of the bear they were +after, and I knowed he was a screamer. I followed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span> +on to about the middle of the harricane; +but my dogs pursued him so close, that they made +him climb an old stump about twenty feet high. +I got in shooting distance of him and fired, but +I was all over in such a flutter from fatigue and +running, that I couldn't hold steady; but, however, +I broke his shoulder, and he fell. I run up +and loaded my gun as quick as possible, and shot +him again and killed him. When I went to take +out my knife to butcher him, I found I had lost +it in coming through the harricane. The vines +and briers was so thick that I would sometimes +have to get down and crawl like a varment to get +through at all; and a vine had, as I supposed, +caught in the handle and pulled it out. While I +was standing and studying what to do, my friend +came to me. He had followed my trail through +the harricane, and had found my knife, which was +mighty good news to me; as a hunter hates the +worst in the world to lose a good dog, or any +part of his hunting-tools. I now left McDaniel +to butcher the bear, and I went after our horses, +and brought them as near as the nature of case +would allow. I then took our bags, and went back +to where he was; and when we had skin'd the +bear, we fleeced off the fat and carried it to our +horses at several loads. We then packed it up<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span> +on our horses, and had a heavy pack of it on +each one. We now started and went on till about +sunset, when I concluded we must be near our +camp; so I hollered and my son answered me, +and we moved on in the direction to the camp. +We had gone but a little way when I heard my +dogs make a warm start again; and I jumped +down from my horse and gave him up to my +friend, and told him I would follow them. He +went on to the camp, and I went ahead after my +dogs with all my might for a considerable distance, +till at last night came on. The woods were +very rough and hilly, and all covered over with +cane.</p> + +<p>I now was compel'd to move on more slowly; +and was frequently falling over logs, and into the +cracks made by the earthquakes, so that I was +very much afraid I would break my gun. However +I went on about three miles, when I came to +a good big creek, which I waded. It was very +cold, and the creek was about knee-deep; but I +felt no great inconvenience from it just then, as I +was all over wet with sweat from running, and I +felt hot enough. After I got over this creek and +out of the cane, which was very thick on all our +creeks, I listened for my dogs. I found they had +either treed or brought the bear to a stop, as they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span> +continued barking in the same place. I pushed on +as near in the direction to the noise as I could, till +I found the hill was too steep for me to climb, +and so I backed and went down the creek some +distance till I came to a hollow, and then took up +that, till I come to a place where I could climb up +the hill. It was mighty dark, and was difficult to +see my way or any thing else. When I got up +the hill, I found I had passed the dogs; and so I +turned and went to them. I found, when I got +there, they had treed the bear in a large forked +poplar, and it was setting in the fork.</p> + +<p>I could see the lump, but not plain enough to +shoot with any certainty, as there was no moonlight; +and so I set in to hunting for some dry +brush to make me a light; but I could find none, +though I could find that the ground was torn +mightily to pieces by the cracks.</p> + +<p>At last I thought I could shoot by guess, and kill +him; so I pointed as near the lump as I could, and +fired away. But the bear didn't come he only +clomb up higher, and got out on a limb, which +helped me to see him better. I now loaded up +again and fired, but this time he didn't move at +all. I commenced loading for a third fire, but the +first thing I knowed, the bear was down among +my dogs, and they were fighting all around me.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span> +I had my big butcher in my belt, and I had a pair +of dressed buckskin breeches on. So I took out +my knife, and stood, determined, if he should get +hold of me, to defend myself in the best way I +could. I stood there for some time, and could +now and then see a white dog I had, but the rest +of them, and the bear, which were dark coloured, +I couldn't see at all, it was so miserable dark. +They still fought around me, and sometimes +within three feet of me; but, at last, the bear got +down into one of the cracks, that the earthquakes +had made in the ground, about four feet deep, and +I could tell the biting end of him by the hollering +of my dogs. So I took my gun and pushed the +muzzle of it about, till I thought I had it against +the main part of his body, and fired; but it happened +to be only the fleshy part of his foreleg. +With this, he jumped out of the crack, and he +and the dogs had another hard fight around me, +as before. At last, however, they forced him +back into the crack again, as he was when I had +shot.</p> + +<p>I had laid down my gun in the dark, and I now +began to hunt for it; and, while hunting, I got +hold of a pole, and I concluded I would punch +him awhile with that. I did so, and when I +would punch him, the dogs would jump in on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span> +him, when he would bite them badly, and they +would jump out again. I concluded, as he would +take punching so patiently, it might be that he +would lie still enough for me to get down in the +crack, and feel slowly along till I could find the +right place to give him a dig with my butcher. +So I got down, and my dogs got in before him +and kept his head towards them, till I got along +easily up to him; and placing my hand on his +rump, felt for his shoulder, just behind which +I intended to stick him. I made a lounge with +my long knife, and fortunately stuck him right +through the heart; at which he just sank down, +and I crawled out in a hurry. In a little time +my dogs all come out too, and seemed satisfied, +which was the way they always had of telling +me that they had finished him.</p> + +<p>I suffered very much that night with cold, as +my leather breeches, and every thing else I had +on, was wet and frozen. But I managed to get +my bear out of this crack after several hard trials, +and so I butchered him, and laid down to try to +sleep. But my fire was very bad, and I couldn't +find any thing that would burn well to make it +any better; and I concluded I should freeze, if I +didn't warm myself in some way by exercise. +So I got up, and hollered a while, and then I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span> +would just jump up and down with all my might, +and throw myself into all sorts of motions. But +all this wouldn't do; for my blood was now +getting cold, and the chills coming all over me. +I was so tired, too, that I could hardly walk; but I +thought I would do the best I could to save my +life, and then, if I died, nobody would be to +blame. So I went to a tree about two feet through, +and not a limb on it for thirty feet, and I would +climb up it to the limbs, and then lock my arms +together around it, and slide down to the bottom +again. This would make the insides of my legs +and arms feel mighty warm and good. I continued +this till daylight in the morning, and how often I +clomb up my tree and slid down I don't know, +but I reckon at least a hundred times.</p> + +<p>In the morning I got my bear hung up so as to +be safe, and then set out to hunt for my camp. I +found it after a while, and McDaniel and my son +were very much rejoiced to see me get back, for +they were about to give me up for lost. We got +our breakfasts, and then secured our meat by +building a high scaffold, and covering it over. +We had no fear of its spoiling, for the weather was +so cold that it couldn't.</p> + +<p>We now started after my other bear, which had +caused me so much trouble and suffering; and before<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span> +we got him, we got a start after another, and +took him also. We went on to the creek I had +crossed the night before and camped, and then +went to where my bear was, that I had killed in +the crack. When we examined the place, McDaniel +said he wouldn't have gone into it, as I did, +for all the bears in the woods.</p> + +<p>We took the meat down to our camp and salted +it, and also the last one we had killed; intending, +in the morning, to make a hunt in the harricane +again.</p> + +<p>We prepared for resting that night, and I can +assure the reader I was in need of it. We had +laid down by our fire, and about ten o'clock there +came a most terrible earthquake, which shook the +earth so, that we were rocked about like we had +been in a cradle. We were very much alarmed; +for though we were accustomed to feel earthquakes, +we were now right in the region which +had been torn to pieces by them in 1812, and we +thought it might take a notion and swallow us up, +like the big fish did Jonah.</p> + +<p>In the morning we packed up and moved to the +harricane, where we made another camp, and +turned out that evening and killed a very large +bear, which made <i>eight</i> we had now killed in +this hunt.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span></p> + +<p>The next morning we entered the harricane +again, and in little or no time my dogs were in +full cry. We pursued them, and soon came to a +thick cane-brake, in which they had stop'd their +bear. We got up close to him, as the cane was +so thick that we couldn't see more than a few +feet. Here I made my friend hold the cane a +little open with his gun till I shot the bear, +which was a mighty large one. I killed him +dead in his tracks. We got him out and butchered +him, and in a little time started another +and killed him, which now made <i>ten</i> we had +killed; and we know'd we couldn't pack any +more home, as we had only five horses along; +therefore we returned to the camp and salted up +all our meat, to be ready for a start homeward +next morning.</p> + +<p>The morning came, and we packed our horses +with the meat, and had as much as they could possibly +carry, and sure enough cut out for home. It +was about thirty miles, and we reached home the +second day. I had now accommodated my neighbour +with meat enough to do him, and had killed +in all, up to that time, fifty-eight bears, during the +fall and winter.</p> + +<p>As soon as the time come for them to quit +their houses and come out again in the spring,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span> +I took a notion to hunt a little more, and in +about one month I killed forty-seven more, which +made one hundred and five bears I had killed in +less than one year from that time.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr class="r15" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XVI.</h2> + + +<p>Having now closed my hunting for that winter, +I returned to my hands, who were engaged about +my boats and staves, and made ready for a trip +down the river. I had two boats and about +thirty thousand staves, and so I loaded with them, +and set out for New Orleans. I got out of the +Obion river, in which I had loaded my boats, +very well; but when I got into the Mississippi, I +found all my hands were bad scared, and in fact I believe +I was scared a little the worst of any; for +I had never been down the river, and I soon discovered +that my pilot was as ignorant of the business +as myself. I hadn't gone far before I determined to +lash the two boats together; we did so, but it made +them so heavy and obstinate, that it was next akin +to impossible to do any thing at all with them, or +to guide them right in the river.</p> + +<p>That evening we fell in company with some +Ohio boats; and about night we tried to land, but +we could not. The Ohio men hollered to us to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span> +go on and run all night. We took their advice, +though we had a good deal rather not; but we +couldn't do any other way. In a short distance we +got into what is called the "<i>Devil's Elbow</i>;" and +if any place in the wide creation has its own proper +name, I thought it was this. Here we had about +the hardest work that I ever was engaged in, in +my life, to keep out of danger; and even then +we were in it all the while. We twice attempted +to land at Wood-yards, which we could see, but +couldn't reach.</p> + +<p>The people would run out with lights, and try +to instruct us how to get to shore; but all in vain. +Our boats were so heavy that we couldn't take +them much any way, except the way they wanted +to go, and just the way the current would carry +them. At last we quit trying to land, and concluded +just to go ahead as well as we could, for +we found we couldn't do any better. Some time +in the night I was down in the cabin of one of +the boats, sitting by the fire, thinking on what a +hobble we had got into; and how much better +bear-hunting was on hard land, than floating along +on the water, when a fellow had to go ahead +whether he was exactly willing or not.</p> + +<p>The hatchway into the cabin came slap down, +right through the top of the boat; and it was the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span> +only way out except a small hole in the side, +which we had used for putting our arms through +to dip up water before we lashed the boats together.</p> + +<p>We were now floating sideways, and the boat I +was in was the hindmost as we went. All at once +I heard the hands begin to run over the top of the +boat in great confusion, and pull with all their +might; and the first thing I know'd after this +we went broadside full tilt against the head of an +island where a large raft of drift timber had lodged. +The nature of such a place would be, as every +body knows, to suck the boats down, and turn +them right under this raft; and the uppermost +boat would, of course, be suck'd down and go under +first. As soon as we struck, I bulged for my +hatchway, as the boat was turning under sure +enough. But when I got to it, the water was pouring +thro' in a current as large as the hole would +let it, and as strong as the weight of the river +could force it. I found I couldn't get out here, +for the boat was now turned down in such a way, +that it was steeper than a house-top. I now +thought of the hole in the side, and made my +way in a hurry for that. With difficulty I got to +it, and when I got there, I found it was too small +for me to get out by my own dower, and I began<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span> +to think that I was in a worse box than ever. +But I put my arms through and hollered as loud +as I could roar, as the boat I was in hadn't yet +quite filled with water up to my head, and the +hands who were next to the raft, seeing my arms +out, and hearing me holler, seized them, and began +to pull. I told them I was sinking, and to +pull my arms off, or force me through, for now I +know'd well enough it was neck or nothing, come +out or sink.</p> + +<p>By a violent effort they jerked me through; +but I was in a pretty pickle when I got through. +I had been sitting without any clothing over my +shirt: this was torn off, and I was literally +skin'd like a rabbit. I was, however, well pleased +to get out in any way, even without shirt or +hide; as before I could straighten myself on the +boat next to the raft, the one they pull'd me out +of went entirely under, and I have never seen it +any more to this day. We all escaped on to the +raft, where we were compelled to sit all night, +about a mile from land on either side. Four of +my company were bareheaded, and three bare-footed; +and of that number I was one. I reckon +I looked like a pretty cracklin ever to get to +Congress!!!</p> + +<p>We had now lost all our loading; and every<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span> +particle of our clothing, except what little we had +on; but over all this, while I was setting there, +in the night, floating about on the drift, I felt happier +and better off than I ever had in my life before, +for I had just made such a marvellous escape, +that I had forgot almost every thing else in that; +and so I felt prime.</p> + +<p>In the morning about sunrise, we saw a boat +coming down, and we hailed her. They sent a +large skiff, and took us all on board, and carried us +down as far as Memphis. Here I met with a +friend, that I never can forget as long as I am able +to go ahead at any thing; it was a Major Winchester, +a merchant of that place: he let us all +have hats, and shoes, and some little money to go +upon, and so we all parted.</p> + +<p>A young man and myself concluded to go on +down to Natchez, to see if we could hear any thing +of our boats; for we supposed they would float +out from the raft, and keep on down the river. +We got on a boat at Memphis, that was going +down, and so cut out. Our largest boat, we were +informed, had been seen about fifty miles below +where we stove, and an attempt had been made +to land her, but without success, as she was as hard-headed +as ever.</p> + +<p>This was the last of my boats, and of my boating;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span> +for it went so badly with me, along at the +first, that I hadn't much mind to try it any +more. I now returned home again, and as the +next August was the Congressional election, I began +to turn my attention a little to that matter, as +it was beginning to be talked of a good deal among +the people.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr class="r15" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XVII.</h2> + + +<p>I have, heretofore, informed the reader that I +had determined to run this race to see what effect +<i>the price of cotton</i> could have again on it. I now +had Col. Alexander to run against once more, and +also General William Arnold.</p> + +<p>I had difficulties enough to fight against this +time, as every one will suppose; for I had no +money, and a very bad prospect, so far as I know'd, +of getting any to help me along. I had, however, +a good friend, who sent for me to come and see +him. I went, and he was good enough to offer +me some money to help me out. I borrowed +as much as I thought I needed at the start, and +went ahead. My friend also had a good deal of +business about over the district at the different +courts; and if he now and then slip'd in a +good word for me, it is nobody's business. +We frequently met at different places, and, +as he thought I needed, he would occasionally +hand me a little more cash; so I was able to buy<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span> +a little of "the <i>creature</i>," to put my friends in a +good humour, as well as the other gentlemen, for +they all treat in that country; not to get elected, +of course—for that would be against the law; but +just, as I before said, to make themselves and their +friends feel their keeping a little.</p> + +<p>Nobody ever did know how I got money to +get along on, till after the election was over, and +I had beat my competitors twenty-seven hundred +and forty-eight votes. Even the price of +cotton couldn't save my friend Aleck this time. +My rich friend, who had been so good to me in +the way of money, now sent for me, and loaned +me a hundred dollars, and told me to go ahead; +that that amount would bear my expenses to Congress, +and I must then shift for myself. I came +on to Washington, and draw'd two hundred and +fifty dollars, and purchased with it a check on the +bank at Nashville, and enclosed it to my friend; +and I may say, in truth, I sent this money with a +mighty good will, for I reckon nobody in this +world loves a friend better than me, or remembers +a kindness longer.</p> + +<p>I have now given the close of the election, but +I have skip'd entirely over the canvass, of which +I will say a very few things in this place; as I +know very well how to tell the truth, but not much<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span> +about placing them in book order, so as to please +critics.</p> + +<p>Col. Alexander was a very clever fellow, and +principal surveyor at that time; so much for one of +the men I had to run against. My other competitor +was a major-general in the militia, and an attorney-general +at the law, and quite a smart, clever +man also; and so it will be seen I had war work +as well as law trick, to stand up under. Taking +both together, they make a pretty considerable +of a load for any one man to carry. But for +war claims, I consider myself behind no man +except "the government," and mighty little, if +any, behind him; but this the people will have +to determine hereafter, as I reckon it won't do +to quit the work of "reform and retrenchment" +yet for a spell.</p> + +<p>But my two competitors seemed some little +afraid of the influence of each other, but not to +think me in their way at all. They, therefore, +were generally working against each other, while +I was going ahead for myself, and mixing among +the people in the best way I could. I was as cunning +as a little red fox, and wouldn't risk my tail +in a "committal" trap.</p> + +<p>I found the sign was good, almost everywhere +I went. On one occasion, while we were in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span> +eastern counties of the district, it happened that +we all had to make a speech, and it fell on me to +make the first one. I did so after my manner, +and it turned pretty much on the old saying, "A +short horse is soon curried," as I spoke not very +long. Colonel Alexander followed me, and then +General Arnold come on.</p> + +<p>The general took much pains to reply to Alexander, +but didn't so much as let on that there was +any such candidate as myself at all. He had +been speaking for a considerable time, when a +large flock of guinea-fowls came very near to +where he was, and set up the most unmerciful +chattering that ever was heard, for they are a noisy +little brute any way. They so confused the general, +that he made a stop, and requested that they +might be driven away. I let him finish his speech, +and then walking up to him, said aloud, "Well, +colonel, you are the first man I ever saw that understood +the language of fowls." I told him that +he had not had the politeness to name me in his +speech, and that when my little friends, the guinea-fowls, +had come up and began to holler "Crockett, +Crockett, Crockett," he had been ungenerous +enough to stop, and drive <i>them</i> all away. This +raised a universal shout among the people for me, +and the general seemed mighty bad plagued. But<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span> +he got more plagued than this at the polls in August, +as I have stated before.</p> + +<p>This election was in 1827, and I can say, on +my conscience, that I was, without disguise, the +friend and supporter of General Jackson, upon +his principles as he laid them down, and as "<i>I +understood them</i>," before his election as president. +During my two first sessions in Congress, +Mr. Adams was president, and I worked along +with what was called the Jackson party pretty +well. I was re-elected to Congress, in 1829, by +an overwhelming majority; and soon after the +commencement of this second term, I saw, or +thought I did, that it was expected of me that I +was to bow to the name of Andrew Jackson, and +follow him in all his motions, and mindings, and +turnings, even at the expense of my conscience +and judgment. Such a thing was new to me, and +a total stranger to my principles. I know'd well +enough, though, that if I didn't "hurra" for his +name, the hue and cry was to be raised against +me, and I was to be sacrificed, if possible. His +famous, or rather I should say his in-<i>famous</i>, Indian +bill was brought forward, and I opposed it +from the purest motives in the world. Several +of my colleagues got around me, and told me how +well they loved me, and that I was ruining my<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span>self. +They said this was a favourite measure of +the president, and I ought to go for it. I told +them I believed it was a wicked, unjust measure, +and that I should go against it, let the cost to myself +be what it might; that I was willing to go +with General Jackson in every thing that I believed +was honest and right; but, further than +this, I wouldn't go for him, or any other man in +the whole creation; that I would sooner be honestly +and politically d—nd, than hypocritically +immortalized. I had been elected by a majority +of three thousand five hundred and eighty-five +votes, and I believed they were honest men, and +wouldn't want me to vote for any unjust notion, +to please Jackson or any one else; at any rate, +I was of age, and was determined to trust them. +I voted against this Indian bill, and my conscience +yet tells me that I gave a good honest vote, and +one that I believe will not make me ashamed in +the day of judgment. I served out my term, and +though many amusing things happened, I am not +disposed to swell my narrative by inserting them.</p> + +<p>When it closed, and I returned home, I found +the storm had raised against me sure enough; +and it was echoed from side to side, and from end +to end of my district, that I had turned against +Jackson. This was considered the unpardonable<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span> +sin. I was hunted down like a wild varment, and +in this hunt every little newspaper in the district, +and every little pin-hook lawyer was engaged. +Indeed, they were ready to print any and every +thing that the ingenuity of man could invent +against me. Each editor was furnished with the +journals of Congress from head-quarters; and +hunted out every vote I had missed in four sessions, +whether from sickness or not, no matter, +and each one was charged against me at <i>eight</i> +dollars. In all I had missed about <i>seventy</i> votes, +which they made amount to five hundred and +sixty dollars; and they contended I had swindled +the government out of this sum, as I had received +my pay, as other members do. I was now again +a candidate in 1830, while all the attempts were +making against me; and every one of these little +papers kept up a constant war on me, fighting +with every scurrilous report they could catch.</p> + +<p>Over all I should have been elected, if it hadn't +been, that but a few weeks before the election, the +little four-pence-ha'penny limbs of the law fell on +a plan to defeat me, which had the desired effect. +They agreed to spread out over the district, and +make appointments for me to speak, almost everywhere, +to clear up the Jackson question. They +would give me no notice of these appointments,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span> +and the people would meet in great crowds to +hear what excuse Crockett had to make for quitting +Jackson.</p> + +<p>But instead of Crockett's being there, this +small-fry of lawyers would be there, with their +saddle-bags full of the little newspapers and their +journals of Congress; and would get up and +speak, and read their scurrilous attacks on me, +and would then tell the people that I was afraid +to attend; and in this way would turn many +against me. All this intrigue was kept a profound +secret from me, till it was too late to counteract +it; and when the election came, I had a majority +in seventeen counties, putting all their votes together, +but the eighteenth beat me; and so I was +left out of Congress during those two years. The +people of my district were induced, by these tricks, +to take a stay on me for that time; but they have +since found out that they were imposed on, and +on re-considering my case, have reversed that decision; +which, as the Dutchman said, "is as fair a +ding as eber was."</p> + +<p>When I last declared myself a candidate, I +knew that the district would be divided by the +Legislature before the election would come on; +and I moreover knew, that from the geographical +situation of the country, the county of Madison,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span> +which was very strong, and which was the +county that had given the majority that had beat +me in the former race, should be left off from my +district.</p> + +<p>But when the Legislature met, as I have been +informed, and I have no doubt of the fact, Mr. +Fitzgerald, my competitor, went up, and informed +his friends in that body, that if Madison county +was left off, he wouldn't run; for "that Crockett +could beat Jackson himself in those parts, in any +way they could fix it."</p> + +<p>The liberal Legislature you know, of course, +gave him that county; and it is too clear to admit +of dispute, that it was done to make a mash of me. +In order to make my district in this way, they had +to form the southern district of a string of counties +around three sides of mine, or very nearly so. +Had my old district been properly divided, it +would have made two nice ones, in convenient nice +form. But as it is, they are certainly the most +unreasonably laid off of any in the state, or perhaps +in the nation, or even in the te-total creation.</p> + +<p>However, when the election came on, the people +of the district, and of Madison county among +the rest, seemed disposed to prove to Mr. Fitzgerald +and the Jackson Legislature, that they were not +to be transferred like hogs, and horses, and cattle<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span> +in the market; and they determined that I shouldn't +be broke down, though I had to carry Jackson, and +the enemies of the bank, and the legislative works +all at once. I had Mr. Fitzgerald, it is true, for +my open competitor, but he was helped along by +all his little lawyers again, headed by old Black +Hawk, as he is sometimes called, (alias) Adam +Huntsman, with all his talents for writing "<i>Chronicles</i>," +and such like foolish stuff.</p> + +<p class="extraspacebot">But one good thing was, and I must record it, +the papers in the district were now beginning to +say "fair play a little," and they would publish +on both sides of the question. The contest was a +warm one, and the battle well-fought; but I gained +the day, and the Jackson horse was left a little +behind. When the polls were compared, it turned +out I had beat Fitz just two hundred and two +votes, having made a mash of all their intrigues. +After all this, the reader will perceive that I am +now here in Congress, this 28th day of January, +in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred +and thirty-four; and that, what is more +agreeable to my feelings as a freeman, I am at +liberty to vote as my conscience and judgment +dictates to be right, without the yoke of any party +on me, or the driver at my heels, with his whip in +hand, commanding me to ge-wo-haw, just at his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span> +pleasure. Look at my arms, you will find no +party hand-cuff on them! Look at my neck, you +will not find there any collar, with the engraving</p> + +<div class="bbox bl br extraspacetop"> +MY DOG. +<p class="smcap extraspace3top right">Andrew Jackson.</p> +</div> + + +<p class="extraspace3top">But you will find me standing up to my rack, +as the people's faithful representative, and the public's +most obedient, very humble servant,</p> + +<p class="rightinside"> +DAVID CROCKETT.</p> + + + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span></p> +<h2>THE END.</h2> +<hr class="r65" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span></p> + +<hr class="r65" /> + +<p class="rightinside"> +CHESNUT STREET,<br /> +MARCH, 1834. +</p> + +<p class="center extraspacetop"> +NEW WORKS<br /> +<br /> +LATELY PUBLISHED,<br /> +AND<br /> +PREPARING FOR PUBLICATION,<br /> +<small>BY</small><br /> +E. L. CAREY & A. HART, PHILAD.<br /> +<small>AND</small><br /> +CAREY, HART & Co. BALTIMORE,<br /> +<small>AND FOR SALE BY ALL BOOKSELLERS</small>.<br /> +</p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center"> +In two Volumes, 12mo.<br /> +CONSTANCE;<br /> +<br /> +By Mrs. <span class="smcap">A. T. Thomson</span>,<br /> +Author of the Life of Henry VIII.<br /> +</p> + + +<p class="blockquote">"One of the most touching and exquisitely natural tales that many +seasons have produced. It developes an intimate knowledge of the human +heart, and a remarkable power in the delineation of character."—<i>Atlas.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"This novel, in its sketches of English country society, is most successful; +its portraits are very happy, its scenes very amusing."—<i>Spectator.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"A picture of real life, drawn with equal truth, gaiety and feeling—the +three graces of fiction."—<i>Literary Gazette.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"The dramatic ability displayed in the management of this story is of +the very highest order."—<i>Atlas.</i></p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center"> +In one Volume, 12mo.<br /> +CARWELL;<br /> +<br /> +By Mrs. <span class="smcap">Sheridan</span>, Author of "<span class="smcap">Aims and Ends</span>."<br /> +</p> + +<p class="blockquote">"A story which for minute fidelity to truth, for high tragic conception, +both of plot and character, has few equals in modern fiction."</p> + +<p class="blockquote">"But everywhere you see that rarest of all literary beauties, a beautiful +mind—an intimate persuasion of the fine and great truths of the +human heart—a delicate and quick perception of the lovely and the honest—an +intellect that profits by experience, and a disposition which that +experience cannot corrupt."—<i>The Author of Pelham.</i></p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center"> +In one Volume, 12mo.<br /> +THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. +</p> + +<p class="blockquote">"It is very clever and very entertaining—replete with pleasantry and +humour: quite as imaginative as any German diablerie, and far more +amusing than most productions of its class. It is a very whimsical and +well devised jeu d'esprit."—<i>Literary Gazette.</i><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span></p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">In two Volumes, 12mo.</p> + +<p class="center">TRAITS AND STORIES OF THE +IRISH PEASANTRY.</p> + +<p class="center">THIRD SERIES.</p> + +<p class="blockquote">"This work has been most extravagantly praised by the English critics: +and several extracts from it have been extensively published in our newspapers. +It is altogether a better work than any of the kind which has +yet appeared—replete with humour, both broad and delicate—and with +occasional touches of pathos, which have not been excelled by any writer +of the present day. An Edinburgh critic says that 'neither Miss Edgeworth, +nor the author of the O'Hara tales, could have written any thing +more powerful than this.'"—<i>Baltimore American.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"There seems to be a strong unanimity of opinion in favour of the new +British work entitled 'Traits and Stories of the Irish Peasantry.' The +work is proclaimed in the British journals, and pronounced by readers in +our country, to be equal in racy humour and graphic delineation, to the +very best sketches that have appeared of Irish character, life, and manners."—<i>National +Gazette.</i></p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">In two Volumes, 12mo.</p> + +<p class="center">THE AFFIANCED ONE;</p> + +<p class="center">By the Author of "<span class="smcap">Gertrude</span>."</p> + +<p class="blockquote">"Evidently the production of a woman of taste and refinement. It +abounds with lively sketches of society, and sparkling anecdote."—<i>Belle +Assemblee.</i></p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">In one Volume, 8vo.</p> + +<p class="center">MEMOIRS OF VIDOCQ,</p> + +<p class="center">THE CELEBRATED AGENT OF THE FRENCH POLICE.</p> + +<p class="blockquote">This is a most entertaining work. Vidocq stood long and deservedly at +the head of the French police. It is well written, and is full of anecdote.</p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">In three Volumes, 12mo.</p> + +<p class="center">PETER SIMPLE;<br /> + +<small>OR, ADVENTURES OF A MIDSHIPMAN.</small><br /> + +<small>COMPLETE.</small></p> + +<p class="center">By the Author of the "<span class="smcap">King's Own</span>," "<span class="smcap">Naval Officer</span>," &c.</p> + +<p class="blockquote">"The quiet humour which pervades the work is irresistibly amusing, +and the fund of anecdote and description which it contains, entertaining. +The humour sometimes approaches to downright burlesque, and the incident +to extravagance, if not improbability; but, altogether, as a book of +amusement, it is excellent."—<i>Baltimore Gazette.</i><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span></p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">In Two Volumes, 12mo.</p> + +<p class="center">THE FAIR OF MAY FAIR.</p> + +<p class="center">By the Author of "<span class="smcap">Pin Money</span>," &c.</p> + +<p class="blockquote">"Mrs. Gore certainly stands at the head of the female novelists of the +day. But we subjoin the opinion of Mr. Bulwer."—<i>U. S. Gazette.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"She is the consummator of that undefinable species of wit, which we +should call (if we did not know the word might be deemed offensive, in +which sense we do not mean it) the <i>slang</i> of good society.</p> + +<p class="blockquote">"But few people ever painted, with so felicitous a hand, the scenery of +worldly life, without any apparent satire. She brings before you the hollowness, +the manœuvres, and the intrigues of the world, with the brilliancy +of sarcasm, but with the quiet of simple narrative. Her men and +women, in her graver tales, are of a noble and costly clay; their objects +are great; their minds are large, their passions intense and pure. The +walks upon the stage of the world of fashion, and her characters, have +grown dwarfed as if by enchantment. The air of frivolity has blighted +their stature; their colours are pale and languid; they have no generous +ambition; they are <i>little people!</i> they are fine people! This it is that makes +her novel of our social life so natural, and so clear a transcript of the +original."—<i>The Author of Pelham.</i></p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">In Two Volumes, 12mo.</p> + +<p class="center">THE INVISIBLE GENTLEMAN.</p> + +<p class="center">By the Author of "<span class="smcap">Chartley</span>," "<span class="smcap">The Fatalist</span>," etc. etc.</p> + +<p class="blockquote">"It is a novel which may be termed the whimsically supernatural."—<i>Athenæum.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"The present narrative is one of the most entertaining fictions we have +met with for a long time; the idea is very original, and brought into play +with a lively air of truth, which gives a dramatic reality even to the supernatural."—<i>Literary +Gazette.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"The adventures follow each other with delightful rapidity and variety; +occasionally there is a deep and thrilling touch of pathos, which we feel +not a bit the less acutely, because the trouble and wo of the parties have +originated in the familiar and somewhat laughable act of pulling an ear."—<i>Court +Magazine.</i></p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">In Two Volumes, 12mo.</p> + +<p class="center">MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS.</p> + +<p class="blockquote">"The best novel of the season—a faithful, exact, and withal spirited +picture of the aristocracy of this country—an admirable description of +what is called high life, and full of a more enlarged knowledge of human +nature."—<i>Spectator.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"A very lively and amusing panorama of actual life."—<i>Lit. Gazette.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"A very interesting work, full of well-described scenes and characters, +and altogether deserving of being classed with the first-rate novels of the +day."—<i>Courier.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"It would be difficult to lay down such a book until every chapter has +been perused. Elegance and force of style—highly but faithfully drawn +pictures of society—are merits scarcely secondary to those we have enumerated: +and they are equally displayed throughout. 'Mothers and Daughters' +must find its way rapidly into every circle."—<i>Bulwer's New Monthly +Magazine.</i><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span></p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">In one Volume, 12mo.</p> + +<p class="center">A SUBALTERN IN AMERICA;</p> + +<p class="center">COMPRISING HIS NARRATIVE OF THE CAMPAIGNS OF THE BRITISH ARMY AT +BALTIMORE, WASHINGTON, ETC. DURING THE LATE WAR.</p> + +<p class="blockquote">"The Subaltern is a man of sense, acuteness, and good feeling, who +writes with spirit and good taste.—Considering that he is an Englishman +and an English officer writing about America, his book is tolerably fair—and +makes fewer insulting comments upon things which he did not understand, +than has been customary with that kind of authors.</p> + +<p class="blockquote">"The 'Subaltern' is nevertheless a very agreeable, well written book, +and we are glad to see it republished here. No doubt an American would +have written some portions of it differently, but we can profit, we trust, +by observing how opposite accounts can be fairly given of the same transactions, +and learn something of the trouble in which history is written." <i>Baltimore American.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"<span class="smcap">The Subaltern in America.</span>—Under this title, Messrs. Carey, Hart & +Co. have recently published a work in one volume, comprising a full narrative +of the campaigns of the British army, at Baltimore, Washington, +New Orleans, &c. during the late war. The incidents of the war, as related +in the American papers, are probably familiar to most persons, +through that channel. Yet the ends of truth, and the means of forming +a just judgment, may require that one should hear the statement of the +adverse party, as well as that most favourable to our side of the question. +There is, moreover, two ways of telling even the truth. They who feel +an interest in the details of this important struggle between kindred +nations, have, in the book before us, an opportunity of hearing them, as +shaped out by one of the adverse party. The 'Subaltern' bore an active +share in the several campaigns, of which he professes to give an account; +and if his narrations are somewhat partial to his own side of the question, +it is but the indulgence of a very common foible, which may be the +more readily excused, as the means of correction are at hand."—<i>Baltimore +Patriot.</i></p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">In two Volumes, 12mo.</p> + +<p class="center">PIN MONEY;<br /> + +<small>BY MRS. CHARLES GORE</small>,</p> + +<p class="center">Authoress of "<span class="smcap">Hungarian Tales</span>," "<span class="smcap">Polish Tales</span>," etc.</p> + +<p class="blockquote">"Her writings have that originality which wit gives to reality, and wit +is the great characteristic of her pages."—<i>Bulwer's New Monthly Magazine.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"Light spirited and clever, the characters are drawn with truth and +vigour. Keen in observation, lively in detail, and with a peculiar and +piquant style, Mrs. Charles Gore gives to the novel that charm which +makes the fascination of the best French memoir writers."—<i>London Literary +Gazette.</i></p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">In one Volume, 12mo.</p> + +<p class="center">LEGENDS AND TALES OF IRELAND</p> + +<p class="center">BY SAMUEL LOVER.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span></p> + +<p class="center">In two Volumes, 12mo.</p> + +<p class="center">THE MAN-OF-WAR'S-MAN;</p> + +<p class="center">By the Author of "<span class="smcap">Tom Cringle's Log</span>."</p> + +<p class="blockquote">"No stories of adventures are more exciting than those of seamen. The +author of Tom Cringle's Log is the most popular writer of that class, and +those sketches collected not long since into a volume by the same publishers, +in this city, were universally read. A large edition was soon exhausted. +The present is, we believe, an earlier production, and has many +of the same merits."—<i>Baltimore Gazette.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"Messrs. Carey & Hart have published, in two volumes, 'The Man-of-War's-Man.' +The success which attended the publication of 'Tom +Cringle's Log,' might well induce its ingenious author to undertake a continuous +narrative, having for the subject of illustration the manners and +customs of seamen. The work now before us is of the kind, well imagined, +and executed with all the tact and clearness that distinguished the 'Log +Book' of Master Cringle, with the advantages of a more regular plot and +interesting denouement."—<i>U. S. Gazette.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"Nobody needs be told what sort of a book Tom Cringle can write—that +humorous and most admirable of sailors! We may just remark that +the reader will find in the present volume the same power of description +and knowledge of the world—the same stirring adventures, phrases, dialects, +and incidents which rendered his last work so extravagantly popular. +The printing is uncommonly good for a novel."</p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">In one Volume, 8vo.</p> + +<p class="center">THE AMERICAN</p> + +<p class="center">FLOWER GARDEN DIRECTORY,</p> + +<p class="center"><small>CONTAINING PRACTICAL DIRECTIONS FOR THE CULTURE +OF PLANTS IN THE</small></p> + +<p class="center">HOT-HOUSE, GARDEN-HOUSE, FLOWER-GARDEN, +AND ROOMS OR PARLOURS,</p> + +<p class="blockquote">For every month in the year; with a description of the plants most +desirable in each, the nature of the soil and situation best adapted to their +growth, the proper season for transplanting, &c.; instructions for erecting a</p> + +<p class="center">HOT-HOUSE, GREEN-HOUSE, AND LAYING OUT A +FLOWER-GARDEN.</p> + +<p class="blockquote">Also, table of soils most congenial to the plants contained in the work. +The whole adapted to either large or small gardens, with lists of annuals, +bienniels, and ornamental shrubs, contents, a general index, and a frontispiece +of Camellia Fimbriata.</p> + +<p class="center">BY HIBBERT AND BUIST,<br /> + +EXOTIC NURSERYMEN AND FLORISTS.</p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">In two Volumes, 12mo.</p> + +<p class="center">JACOB FAITHFUL;</p> + +<p class="center">By the Author of <span class="smcap">Peter Simple</span>, &c. <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span>&c.</p> + +<p class="center">In Two Vols. 12mo.</p> + +<p class="center">FIRST LOVE,<br /> +<small>A NOVEL.</small></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"Its style is elegant, and its information that of a lady of amiable feelings +and motives, who well understands her sex."—<i>Spectator.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"The whole of the story, but particularly the dawning of that early +dawning of life's morning, First Love, and the subsequent progress of that +passion, are indeed delightfully sketched."—<i>Morning Post.</i></p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">In Two Volumes, 12mo.</p> + +<p class="center">TRAITS AND STORIES OF THE +IRISH PEASANTRY</p> + +<p class="center">FIRST SERIES.</p> + +<p class="blockquote">"Admirable—truly, intensely Irish: never were the outrageous whimsicalities +of that strange, wild, imaginative people so characteristically described; +nor amidst all the fun, frolic, and folly, is there any dearth of +poetry, pathos, and passion. The author's a jewel."—<i>Glasgow Journal.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"To those who have a relish for a few tit-bits of rale Irish story-telling,—whether +partaking of the tender or the facetious, or the grotesque,—let +them purchase these characteristic sketches."—<i>Sheffield Iris.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"The sister country has never furnished such sterling genius, such irresistibly +humorous, yet faithful sketches of character among the lower ranks +of Patlanders, as are to be met with in the pages of these delightful volumes."—<i>Bristol +Journal.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"This is a capital book, full of fun and humour, and most characteristically +Irish."—<i>New Monthly Magazine.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"Neither Miss Edgeworth, nor the author of the O'Hara Tales, could have +written any thing more powerful than this."—<i>Edinburgh Literary Gazette.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"We do not hesitate to say, that for a minute and accurate sketching of +the character, manners, and language of the lower orders of the Irish, no +book was ever published at all equal to this."—<i>Spectator.</i></p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">In Two Volumes, 12mo.</p> + +<p class="center">TRAITS AND STORIES OF THE +IRISH PEASANTRY.</p> + +<p class="center">SECOND SERIES.</p> + +<p class="blockquote">"Traits and Stories of Irish Peasantry.—The whole story is one of +that mirth-inspiring nature, that those who read it without hearty laughter +must be either miserable or very imperturbable."—<i>Metropolitan, edited +by T. Campbell.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"There is strength, vigour—and above all—truth, in every story, in +every sentence, every line he writes. The statesman ought to read such +books as these; they would tell him more of the true state of the country +than he has ever heard from the lips of her orators, or the despatches of +the 'Castle Hacks.' We wish Mr. Carlton would send forth a cheap edition, +that 'Traits and Stories' of Irish peasants might be in the hands of +people as well as peers."—<i>Bulwer's New Monthly Magazine.</i><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span></p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">In Two Volumes, 12mo.</p> + +<p class="center">THE STAFF-OFFICER. +OR, THE SOLDIER OF FORTUNE.</p> + +<p class="center">A TALE OF REAL LIFE.</p> + +<p class="blockquote">"The web of life is of a mingled yarn, good and ill together; our virtues +would be proud if our faults whipped them not, and our crimes would +despair if they were not cherished by our virtues."</p> + + +<p class="center extraspacetop">BY OLIVER MOORE.</p> + +<p class="blockquote">"We are prepared to admit that our extracts do not do justice to the +work: the writer's power is in discriminating <i>female</i> character; but as he +judiciously makes it develope itself by incident, to illustrate this would +require scenes and pages to be transferred to our columns. As a whole, +this novel will be read with interest: it is light and pleasant; with many +very natural scenes, many excellent and well-drawn characters, and without +one line or word of affectation or pretence."—<i>Athenæum.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"This is a most entertaining work: it is written with great spirit, elegance, +and candour. The delineation of character (particularly that of +many distinguished individuals officially connected with Ireland during +the Pitt administration) is skilfully and vividly drawn; and the multifarious +incidents—several of which are of a highly <i>piquant</i> description—are +given with a tact and delicacy creditable to the judgment and talent +of the author. We can say with truth, that we have fairly gone through +this tale of real life without being cloyed or wearied for a single moment; +but that it excited, and kept up, an interest in our minds which few volumes +designed for mere amusement have been able to inspire."—<i>Brighton +Herald.</i></p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">In Two Volumes, 12mo.</p> + +<p class="center">THE NAVAL OFFICER;<br /> + +<small>OR, SCENES AND ADVENTURES IN THE LIFE +OF FRANK MILDMAY.</small></p> + +<p class="center">By the Author of "<span class="smcap">Peter Simple</span>," "<span class="smcap">The King's Own</span>," etc.</p> + +<p class="blockquote">"This is the most seaman-like composition that has yet issued from the +press. We recommend it to all who 'live at home at ease,' and need +scarcely say, that no man-of-wars man should remain an hour without it."—<i>Atlas.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquote">The following beautiful and judicious compliment to the genius of Captain +Marryatt, author of the Naval Officer, is from the pen of Mr. Bulwer, +who, it will be acknowledged, is no inexperienced or unobserving critic:</p> + +<p class="blockquote">"Far remote from the eastern and the voluptuous—from the visionary +and refining—from the pale colouring of drawing-room life, and the subtle +delicacies of female sentiment and wit, the genius of Captain Marryatt +embodies itself in the humour, the energy, the robust and masculine vigour +of bustling and actual existence; it has been braced by the sea breezes; +it walks abroad in the mart of busy men, with a firm step and a cheerful +and healthy air. Not, indeed, that he is void of a certain sentiment, and +an intuition into the more hidden sources of mental interest; but these +are not his forte, or his appropriate element. He is best in a rich and +various humour—rich, for there is nothing poor or threadbare in his materials. +His characters are not, as Scott's, after all, mere delineations of +one oddity, uttering the same eternal phraseology, from the 'prodigious' of +Dominie Sampson, to 'provant' of Major Dalgetty—a laughable, but somewhat +poor invention: they are formed of compound and complex characteristics, +and evince no trifling knowledge of the metaphysics of social life."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span></p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">In Two Volumes, 12mo.</p> + +<p class="center">THE CONTRAST<br /> A NOVEL.</p> + +<p class="center">By <span class="smcap">Earl Mulgrave</span>, Author of "<span class="smcap">Matilda</span>," "<span class="smcap">Yes and No</span>," etc.</p> + +<p class="blockquote">"'Yes and No' contained the best <i>tableaux</i> of actual—human—English +society in the nineteenth century, of any novel we know of. The same +characteristics that distinguished the most agreeable novel are equally +remarkable in its successors."—<i>Bulwer's New Monthly Magazine.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"'Contrast' cannot fail to prove interesting."—<i>Court Journal.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"These volumes possess the rather uncommon merit of a very interesting +story. The design is to paint a man whose strong feelings are +curbed by an over-fastidiousness—what the French so happily term un-homme +difficile."—<i>London Literary Gazette.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"Messrs. Carey and Hart have republished, in two neat volumes, Earl +Mulgrave's novel of the 'Contrast,' which has been so favourably received +in England. It is said to be one of the best novels of the kind, that has +issued from the press for years."—<i>Philadelphia Inquirer.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"'Pelham,' and 'Yes and No,' are perhaps the only paintings of the present +time which are drawn with the accuracy of knowledge, and the vivacity +of talent. Were we to be asked by a foreigner to recommend those +novels which, founded on truth, gave the most just delineation of the higher +classes in England, it is to the above mentioned works we should refer. +<i>The present volumes, however, are an infinite improvement on their predecessor.</i>"—<i>London +Literary Gazette.</i></p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">In One Volume, 8vo.</p> + +<p class="center">MEMOIRS OF MARSHAL NEY,</p> + +<p class="center"><small>COMPILED FROM PAPERS IN THE POSSESSION OF HIS FAMILY</small>.</p> + +<p class="blockquote">The work has been put together under the direction and management +of the Duke of Elchingen, Marshal Ney's second son, who has affixed his +signature to every sheet sent to press.</p> + +<p class="blockquote">"They may be regarded as the Ney Papers, connected together by an +interesting biography; the anecdotes with which they are interspersed +have plainly been collected with great pains from all the early friends of +that illustrious warrior."—<i>Blackwood's Magazine.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"The memoirs before us are founded upon the papers and documents +which he left behind him at his death, consisting of anecdotic and biographical +fragments, accounts of his divers missions and campaigns, and +the substance of many extraordinary secrets intrusted to him as a general +and a statesman. All these materials throw great light upon the history +of the French empire, as the details given in the memoirs possess the +strongest interest."—<i>Pennsylvania Inquirer.</i><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span></p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">In One Volume, 12mo.</p> + +<p class="center">CONVERSATIONS +ON VEGETABLE PHYSIOLOGY;</p> + +<p class="center"><small>COMPREHENDING THE ELEMENTS OF BOTANY, WITH THEIR APPLICATION +TO AGRICULTURE.</small></p> + +<p class="center">By the Author of "<span class="smcap">Conversations on Chemistry</span>," &c. &c.</p> + +<p class="center">Adapted to the use of schools by<br /> +J. L. BLAKE, A. M.</p> + +<p class="center">Third American Edition, with coloured plates.</p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">IN PREPARATION,</p> + +<p class="center">THE GIFT;<br /> +<small>A CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR'S PRESENT, +FOR 1835.</small></p> + +<p class="center">Edited by <span class="smcap">Miss Leslie</span>, author of "<span class="smcap">Pencil Sketches</span>," &c.</p> + +<p class="blockquote">The publishers have the promise of articles from many of the most +popular authors of the day. The ILLUSTRATIONS are in the hands of +some of the most eminent engravers, and no expense will be spared to +render the work in every respect equal to the foreign productions of the +same class.</p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">MATHEMATICS FOR PRACTICAL MEN;<br /> +<small>BEING</small><br /> +A COMMON-PLACE BOOK<br /> +<small>OF PRINCIPLES, THEOREMS, RULES AND TABLES, IN VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS OF</small><br /> +PURE AND MIXED MATHEMATICS,</p> + +<div class="blockquote"><p>With their applications; especially to the pursuits of surveyors, architects, +mechanics, and civil engineers. With numerous engravings.</p></div> + +<p class="center">BY OLINTHUS GREGORY, LL.D., F.R.A.S.</p> + +<p class="center"><small>SECOND EDITION, CORRECTED AND IMPROVED.</small></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"Only let men awake, and fix their eyes, one while on the nature of +things, another while on the application of them to the use and service +of mankind."—<i>Lord Bacon.</i></p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">In One Volume, 18mo.</p> + +<p class="center">COLMAN'S BROAD GRINS.</p> + +<p class="center">A NEW EDITION, WITH ADDITIONS.</p> + +<p class="blockquote">"'This is a little volume of the comic,' which we recollect to have +laughed over many a time, in our boyish days, and since. It is old standard +fun,—a comic classic."—<i>Baltimore Gazette.</i><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span></p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">ENGLISH EDITIONS.</p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">Price 37-1/2 cents each number.</p> + + +<p class="center">CUVIER'S ANIMAL KINGDOM;</p> + +<p class="blockquote">Now in course of publication in London. The Animal Kingdom, arranged +according to its organization, serving as a foundation for the +natural history of animals, and an introduction to comparative anatomy, +with figures designed and coloured after nature. The Crustacea, Arachnides +Insecta, by Latreille, translated from the latest French edition, with +additional notes and illustrations, by nearly five hundred additional plates, +to be completed in thirty-six monthly numbers, at 37-1/2 cents each.</p> + +<p class="blockquote">Six numbers have already been received. The attention of the public +is particularly requested to this work, as it is, without question, by far +the cheapest and most beautiful edition of the "Animal Kingdom" of +Cuvier that has yet appeared.</p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">LANDSCAPE AND PORTRAIT ILLUSTRATIONS<br /> +<small>OF THE</small><br /> +WAVERLEY NOVELS.</p> + +<p class="center">NEW EDITION;</p> + +<p class="center">Containing one hundred and twenty superb engravings.</p> + +<p class="blockquote">The above work is complete in <i>twenty-four</i> numbers, and supplied at +the moderate price of <i>seventy-five cents per number</i>. The former edition +sold at <i>double the price</i>.</p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center"><small>ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE POETICAL WORKS OF</small><br /> +SIR WALTER SCOTT;</p> + +<p class="blockquote">Now in course of publication in England; to be complete in <i>twelve</i> +monthly numbers, four of which have already appeared. Price 75 cents +each.</p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">FINDEN'S LANDSCAPE ILLUSTRATIONS<br /> +<small>OF THE LIFE AND WORKS OF</small><br /> +LORD BYRON.</p> + +<p class="center">Price 75 cents per number.</p> + +<p class="blockquote">To be completed in 24 numbers, 18 of which have already appeared. Each +number contains five highly-finished engravings.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span></p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center"><small>A WHISPER</small><br /> +TO A NEWLY-MARRIED PAIR.</p> + +<p class="blockquotesm"> +"Hail, wedded love! by gracious Heaven design'd,<br /> +At once the source and glory of mankind."<br /> +</p> + +<p class="blockquote">"We solicit the attention of our readers to this publication, as one, +though small, of infinite value."—<i>Baltimore Minerva.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"'The Whisper' is fully deserving the compliments bestowed upon it, +and we join heartily in recommending it to our friends, whether married +or single—for much useful instruction may be gathered from its pages."—<i>Lady's +Book.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"The work contains some original suggestions that are just, and many +excellent quotations; some of her hints to the ladies should have been +<i>whispered</i> in a tone too low to be overheard by the men."—<i>Daily Chronicle.</i></p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">In One Volume, 18mo.</p> + +<p class="center">PRINCIPLES OF THE +ART OF MODERN HORSEMANSHIP +FOR LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, +<small>IN WHICH ALL THE LATE IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLIED TO PRACTICE</small>.</p> + +<p class="center">Translated from the French, by <span class="smcap">Daniel J. Desmond</span>.</p> + +<p class="blockquote"><span class="smcap">The Art of Horsemanship.</span>—This is the title of a neat little work +translated from the French of Mr. Lebeaud, by Daniel J. Desmond, Esq. +of this city, and just published by Carey & Hart. It gives full and explicit +directions for breaking and managing a horse, and goes into detail on the +proper mode of mounting, the posture in the saddle, the treatment of the +animal under exercise, &c. An appendix is added, containing instructions +for the <i>ladies</i>, in mounting and dismounting.</p> + +<p class="blockquote">The Philadelphia public are under obligations to Mr. Desmond for this +translation. We have long needed a manual of horsemanship, to correct +the inelegant habits in which many of our riders indulge, and to produce +uniformity in the art of equitation. We see daily in our streets, mounted +men, who totter in their seats as if suffering under an ague-fit; others +who whip, spur, and rant, as if charging an enemy in battle; and again +others, of slovenly habits, with cramped knees, and toes projecting outwards, +who occupy a position utterly devoid of every thing like ease, +grace, or beauty. These things are discreditable to our community, and +earnestly do we hope, that this book will have many attentive readers.—<i>Philadelphia +Gazette.</i></p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">In One Volume, 12mo</p> + +<p class="center">TWO HUNDRED RECEIPTS IN +DOMESTIC FRENCH COOKERY.</p> + +<p class="center">By <span class="smcap">Miss Leslie</span>, Author of the "<span class="smcap">Seventy-five Receipts</span>."</p> + +<p class="center">Price 50 cents.</p> + +<p class="blockquote">"'The 200 Receipts by Miss Leslie,' published by Carey and Hart of Philadelphia, +has been much praised, and we think deservedly. The selection +of subjects made by the accomplished writer is of a most tempting and +tasteful description, and we must do her the justice to say, that she has +treated them in such an eloquent and forcible manner, as to raise in the +minds of all dispassionate readers the most tender and pleasurable associations. +We commend her to the careful perusal and respect of all thrifty +housewives."—<i>New York Mirror.</i><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a></span></p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">In One Volume, 12mo.</p> + +<p class="center">THE PAINTER'S AND COLOURMAN'S +COMPLETE GUIDE;</p> + +<p class="blockquote">Being a Practical Treatise on the Preparation of Colours, and their application +to the different kinds of Painting; in which is particularly +described the <span class="smcap">whole Art of House Painting</span>. By <span class="smcap">P. F. Tingry</span>, +Professor of Chymistry, Natural History, and Mineralogy, in the Academy +of Geneva. First American, from the third London Edition, +corrected and considerably improved by a practical chymist.</p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">In One Volume, 18mo.</p> + +<p class="center">THE +FAMILY DYER AND SCOURER;</p> + +<p class="blockquote">Being a Complete Treatise on the Arts of Dying and Cleaning every +article of Dress, whether made of Wool, Cotton, Silk, Flax, or Hair; +also Bed and Window Furniture, Carpets, Hearth-rugs, Counterpanes, +Bonnets, Feathers, &c. By <span class="smcap">William Tucker</span>, Dyer and Scourer in +the Metropolis.</p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">ELEMENTS OF MORALITY +FOR THE INSTRUCTION OF YOUTH.<br /> +<small>WITH SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES</small>.</p> + +<p class="center">Translated by <span class="smcap">A. Bolmar</span>, and <span class="smcap">E. K. Price</span></p> + +<p class="center">Half bound. Price 19 cents.</p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">In One Volume, 12mo.</p> + +<p class="center">PICTURE OF PHILADELPHIA;</p> + +<p class="blockquote">Or a brief account of the various institutions and public objects in this +Metropolis, forming a Guide for Strangers, accompanied by a new +Plan of the city. In a neat pocket volume.</p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">In One Volume, 12mo.</p> + +<p class="center">THE HORSE +<small>IN ALL HIS VARIETIES AND USES</small>;</p> + +<p class="blockquote">His breeding, rearing, and management, whether in labour or rest; +with <span class="smcap">Rules</span> occasionally interspersed, for his <span class="smcap">PRESERVATION</span> from +disease. By <span class="smcap">John Lawrence</span>, author of "The History of the +Horse," etc.</p> + +<p class="blockquote">"Independently of the practical value of the book, and it is really and +extensively valuable, it is one of the most amusing the reader will meet +with in a thousand, complete and unique, embracing every possible subject +that can be connected with the horse."—<i>Monthly Magazine.</i><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[225]</a></span></p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="blockquote right"> +CHESNUT STREET,<br /> +OCTOBER, 1833.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="center">NEW WORKS<br /> +PUBLISHED<br /> +<small>AND</small><br /> +PREPARING FOR PUBLICATION,<br /> +<small>BY</small><br /> +E. L. CAREY & A. HART, PHILAD.</p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">In two Volumes, 12mo.</p> + +<p class="center">THE ROUÉ</p> + +<p class="center">By the author of the "<span class="smcap">Oxonians</span>."</p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">In one Volume, 8vo.</p> + +<p class="center">A TREATISE ON<br /> +LESSER SURGERY;<br /> +<small>OR THE</small><br /> +MINOR SURGICAL OPERATIONS.</p> + +<p class="center">BY BOURGERY, D. M. P.</p> + +<p class="blockquote">Author of "A Complete Treatise on Human Anatomy, comprising Operative +Medicine," translated from the French, with notes, +and an appendix; by</p> + +<p class="center">WILLIAM C. ROBERTS AND JAS. B. KISSAM.</p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">In two Volumes, 12mo.</p> + +<p class="center">MANNERS OF THE DAY.<br /> +A NOVEL.</p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">In one Volume, 12mo.</p> + +<p class="center">MAGENDIE'S FORMULARY.</p> + +<p class="center">A new Edition, revised and corrected.</p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">In two Volumes, 12mo.</p> + +<p class="center">TALES OF THE MUNSTER FESTIVALS.</p> + +<p class="center">By the Author of the "<span class="smcap">Collegians</span>."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[226]</a></span></p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">In Two Volumes, 12mo.</p> + +<p class="center">TRAVELS IN VARIOUS PARTS +OF PERU;<br /> +<small>INCLUDING A YEAR'S RESIDENCE IN POTOSI</small>.</p> + +<p class="center">By <span class="smcap">Edmund Temple</span>, Kt. of the Royal and distinguished Order +of <span class="smcap">Charles III</span>.</p> + +<p class="blockquote">"These travels in Peru will long maintain their reputation for the accuracy +of detail, the spirit of the style, and the utility of the information +they contain. The professional matter is very valuable."—<i>Bulwer's New +Monthly Magazine.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"There is much to instruct, and a great deal to amuse. Amid the details +of personal adventures, there is a great deal of shrewd and strong observation."—<i>London +Monthly Magazine.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"We have met with no volumes of travels in that country with which, +upon the whole, we have been so much pleased as the one before us."—<i>Baltimore +Gazette.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"This is an instructive and entertaining work."—<i>National Gazette.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"This book is one of the most entertaining that has been issued from +the press for some time."—<i>Pennsylvania Inquirer.</i></p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">In Two Volumes, 12mo.</p> + +<p class="center">SYDENHAM;<br /> +<small>OR, MEMOIRS OF A MAN OF THE WORLD</small></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"A new novel of fashionable life, under the title of 'Sydenham, or Memoirs +of a Man of the World,' will shortly be given to the public. It exhibits +the history of a young man of rank and fortune, who, being of a +decidedly satirical turn, resolves to gratify his favourite penchant to ascertain +the internal state of fashionable society, and minutely to observe human +nature under every variety of shade and circumstance. Among other +characters with whom he comes in contact, is the celebrated <span class="smcap">Brummel</span>, +who figures under the name of Beaumont: this gentleman arrests his +peculiar attention, and serves him for a complete study. The work is, +moreover, illustrative of those sets or circles in the world of ton which +have never been depicted in the pages of fiction, and respecting which so +much curiosity has long been felt."—<i>New Monthly Magazine.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"Each of these volumes is in fact a separate work—each in a different +style and spirit—each aspiring to a different fame in composition. 'Sydenham' +is a capital work, which, without the trouble of puffing, must +make a great stir in the upper and political circles."—<i>London Lit. Gaz.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"Sydenham is well written, and contains much pleasant and some severe +satire. The present Whig ministers in England are handled without +gloves, and a number of distinguished personages occupy more conspicuous +places than they would have been likely to choose, had the matter +been referred to themselves."—<i>Courier.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"The work before us is one of the most powerful of its class; it bears +intrinsic evidence of a new writer. The portrait of Brummel, the 'arch +dandy,' is excellent; and all the scenes in which he is engaged are managed +with skill and tact. There is, in fact, sufficient material in this book +for three or four novels."—<i>New Monthly Magazine.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"All the personages are of course real, though under fictitious names; +these pages are, in reality, memoirs of the intrigues of the times, full of +keen observation, graphic sketches of character, biting sarcasm, one page +of which would make the fortune of a pamphlet."—<i>London Gazette.</i><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[227]</a></span></p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">In Two Volumes, 12mo.</p> + +<p class="center">RECORDS OF TRAVELS +IN TURKEY, GREECE, &c. +IN THE YEARS 1829, 1830, AND 1831;<br /> +<small>AND OF A CRUISE IN THE BLACK SEA, WITH THE CAPTAIN PASHA</small>.</p> + +<p class="center">BY ADOLPHUS SLADE, <span class="smcap">Esq.</span></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"One of the most valuable and interesting works which has yet been +placed in our hands, on the domestic state of Turkey."—<i>Monthly Review.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"We do not know when we have met with two volumes more amusing—they +are full of highly entertaining and curious matter."—<i>Court Jour.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"The work before us supplies the best description of this remarkable +nation."—<i>Courier.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"One of the most amusing and interesting of oriental travellers, none +having ever equalled him in a thorough knowledge of the true state of +society, and the true character of the Turks."—<i>Spectator.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"We can warmly recommend this book for perusal, it is not only very +amusing but very valuable."—<i>Metropolitan.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"We can assure our readers that no records of travels in modern times, +with which we are acquainted, presents so many features of general attraction +as the volumes before us."—<i>London Monthly Review.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"Mr. Slade has produced, without any trace of pretension, one of the +most sensible and agreeable books of travel we have ever had the pleasure +to peruse."—<i>United Service Journal.</i></p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">In Two Volumes, 12mo.</p> + +<p class="center">LEGENDS OF THE RHINE.</p> + +<p class="center">By <span class="smcap">T. C. Grattan</span>, Esq. Author of "<span class="smcap">High-ways and By-ways</span>."</p> + +<p class="blockquote">"We are well content to pass an hour once more with the lively and +entertaining author of 'High-ways and By-ways." The hour has not yet +gone by, and we have not completed the perusal of the two volumes; but +the tales we have observed are worthy the repute in which the writer is +held, and are even of a higher order—more chaste in language and perfect +in style."—<i>Boston Traveller.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"Messrs. Carey and Hart have just issued 'Legends of the Rhine,' by the +author of 'High-ways and By-ways.' To those who recollect Mr. Grattan's +former writings, (and who among novel readers does not?) it is only +necessary to say, that the present 'Legends' are, in no respect, inferior to +their predecessors. The traditions which he has here wrought into shape +are all said to have an existence among the dwellers near the mighty river; +and it is certain they are full of romantic interest. The 'Legends' are +twelve in number, and, though not equal in all respects, there is no one +of them that does not possess a strong claim to admiration."—<i>Saturday +Courier.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"Few sets of stories, published within the last ten years, have been more +popular than those called 'High-ways and By-ways.' The author of these, +after having produced two or three successful works of a different sort, has +given us two volumes of tales, with the title 'Legends of the Rhine,' +which are to be published to-morrow, we understand, by Carey and Hart. +The author professes, seriously, to have founded his narratives on traditions +yet extant among those who live near the banks of the great German +river; and many of them end so tragically that we can hardly suspect the +writer of having invented them for his own amusement or that of his +readers. They are all interesting, though not all skilfully framed; and +each of them contains pages that may be placed in a competition with the +most shining passages of any other living novel writer.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[228]</a></span>"</p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">In Two Volumes, 12mo.</p> + +<p class="center">STANLEY BUXTON;<br /> +<small>OR, THE SCHOOLFELLOWS</small>.</p> + +<p class="center">By <span class="smcap">John Galt</span>, Esq., Author of "<span class="smcap">Annals of the Parish</span>," +"<span class="smcap">Lawrie Todd</span>," "<span class="smcap">Eben Erskine</span>," etc.</p> + +<p class="blockquotesm"> +"While guile is guiltless, and life's business play,<br /> +Friendships are formed that never know decay." +</p> + +<p class="blockquote">"Oh, that all novels were like this piece of admirable fiction."—<i>Spectator.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"We must say this work is in Mr. Galt's best style, the volume before +us contains samples of his tastes and of his powers."—<i>Bulwer's New +Monthly Magazine.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"Mr. Galt's new novel is on our table, and we regret we have not space +to go further into the arcana of 'Stanley Buxton,' in which the author has +aimed at painting natural feelings in situations not common, and with +much success. Some of his descriptions are also deserving of special praise. +Two episodes in the second volume add to the general interest, and further +recommend the work to public favour."—<i>London Literary Gazette.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"We find in this work the force of conception, and the full execution +which distinguish the 'Annals of the Parish,' and 'Lawrie Todd.'"—<i>Sun.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"The new novel, 'Stanley Buxton,' just published by Carey and Hart, +may be called one of the very best of Mr. Galt's productions."—<i>Daily +Chronicle.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"In 'Stanley Buxton' there is the same delightful freshness, the same +striking originality of purpose, the same easy and flowing, yet racy and +spirited manner which characterized the 'Annals of the Parish.'"—<i>Saturday +Courier.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"For touching the heart, for keen knowledge of nature, and for quiet +and beautiful descriptions, like the still life in a painter's sketch, Galt possesses +a vision and a power, that are not often surpassed, except by Bulwer. +The author of 'Stanley Buxton' is infinitely superior to D'Israeli, +whose imagination is as excursive and capricious as the wing of a sea-fowl."—<i>Chronicle.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"Mr. Galt is a writer so well known and so deservedly admired, that the +announcement of a new novel from his pen is sufficient to awaken general +curiosity."—<i>Gazette.</i></p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">In Two Volumes, 12mo.</p> + +<p class="center">FITZ GEORGE.<br /> + +<small>A NOVEL</small>.</p> + +<p class="blockquotesm"> +"Smiles without mirth, and pastimes without pleasure,<br /> +Youth without honour, age without respect."—<i>Byron.</i> +</p> + +<p class="blockquote">"There are scenes in it which must awaken attention and interest; it +is evidently written by a powerful and accustomed hand."—<i>Athenæum.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"Fitz George is a production of great talent."—<i>Weekly Despatch.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"If all novels were like this, they would soon be in the hands of philosophers +as well as fashionables."—<i>True Sun.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"Should a library be formed in Buckingham Palace, these volumes should +have a shelf in it to themselves."—<i>Bell's New Weekly Messenger.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"The whole book abounds with the most stirring interest."—<i>National +Omnibus.</i><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[229]</a></span></p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">In Two Volumes, 12mo.</p> + +<p class="center">OUR ISLAND.</p> + +<p class="center"><small>COMPRISING</small> +<i>FORGERY, A TALE</i>; <i>AND</i>, <i>THE LUNATIC, A TALE</i>.</p> + +<p class="blockquote">"There is a great share of talent in these pages, which have also the +merit of being laid chiefly among scenes new to a large portion of our +readers."—<i>Literary Gazette.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"<i>The Lunatic.</i>—This is indeed an excellent tale—well told—with variety +of incidents and character, and with much humour. Not to speak in disparagement +of the first tale, we must confess that we have been highly +pleased with the second, and we think our readers' time will be amply repaid +by a perusal of both."—<i>London Monthly Magazine.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"This work is of a generally interesting character, and we feel it our +duty to encourage the publication of such productions as these tales, since +they point attention to errors of legislation."—<i>Weekly Despatch.</i></p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">In Two Volumes, 12mo.</p> + +<p class="center">PETER SIMPLE;<br /> +OR, ADVENTURES OF A MIDSHIPMAN.</p> + +<p class="center">By the Author of "<span class="smcap">The King's Own</span>."</p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">In Two Volumes, 12mo.</p> + +<p class="center">TOM CRINGLE'S LOG.</p> + +<p class="blockquote">"The scenes are chiefly nautical, and we can safely say, that no author +of the present day, not even excepting our own Cooper, has surpassed him +in his element."—<i>U. S. Gazette.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"The sketches are not only replete with entertainment, but useful, as +affording an accurate and vivid description of scenery, and of life and manners +in the West Indies."—<i>Boston Traveller.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"We think none who have read this work will deny that the author is +the best nautical writer who has yet appeared. He is not Smollett, he is +not Cooper; but he is far superior to them both."—<i>Boston Transcript.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"The scenes are chiefly nautical, and are described in a style of beauty +and interest never surpassed by any writer."—<i>Baltimore Gazette.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"The author has been justly compared with Cooper, and many of his +sketches are in fact equal to any from the pen of our celebrated countryman."—<i>Saturday +Evening Post.</i></p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">In Two Volumes, 12mo.</p> + +<p class="center">TOM CRINGLE'S LOG.<br /> +<small>SECOND SERIES</small>.</p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">In Three Volumes, 12mo.</p> + +<p class="center">TOM CRINGLE'S LOG.<br /> +<small>FIRST AND SECOND SERIES</small>.</p> + +<p class="center"><small>A NEW EDITION COMPLETE.</small><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[230]</a></span></p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">In One Volume, 8vo.</p> + +<p class="center"><i>HALL ON THE LOSS OF BLOOD.</i></p> + +<p class="center">RESEARCHES<br /> + +<small>PRINCIPALLY RELATIVE TO</small><br /> + +THE MORBID AND CURATIVE EFFECTS OF LOSS +OF BLOOD.</p> + +<p class="center">BY MARSHALL HALL, M.D., F.R.S.E., &c. &c.</p> + +<p class="blockquote">"It will be seen that we have been much pleased with Dr. Hall's work +generally; we think it is calculated to do much good in placing the subject +of the due institution of blood-letting on a practical basis. Dr. Hall +has subjoined a plan of a Register of Cases of Blood-letting, which would +be a most useful record, if properly kept; and we cannot recommend such +a detail of facts, to practitioners, in too high terms."—<i>American Journal +of Medical Sciences, No. XI.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"It is not for us to say how large may have been the number of sufferers, +but we know some have perished from direct exhaustion complicated +with reaction, who might have been saved, if the principles and +practice of our author had been known and understood."—<i>N. A. Med. and +Surg. Journal, No. XX. for October, 1830.</i></p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">In One Volume, 8vo.</p> + +<p class="center"><i>TEALE ON NEURALGIC DISEASES.</i></p> + +<p class="center">A TREATISE +ON NEURALGIC DISEASES,</p> + +<p class="center">Dependent upon Irritation of the Spinal Marrow and Ganglia of the +Sympathetic Nerve.</p> + +<p class="center">By <span class="smcap">Thomas Pridgin Teale</span>.</p> + +<p class="center">Member of the Royal College of Surgeons in London, of the Royal Medical +Society of Edinburgh, Senior Surgeon to the Leeds Public Dispensary.</p> + +<p class="center">Price 31 cents.</p> + +<p class="blockquote">"It is a source of genuine gratification to meet with a work of this +character, when it is so often our lot to be obliged to labour hard to winnow +a few grains of information from the great mass of dullness, ignorance, +and misstatement with which we are beset, and cannot too highly +recommend it to the attention of the profession."—<i>American Journal of +the Medical Sciences, No. X.</i></p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">In One Volume, 8vo.</p> + +<p class="center"><small>SELECT SPEECHES OF</small><br /> +JOHN SERGEANT<br /> +<small>OF PENNSYLVANIA</small>.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[231]</a></span></p> + +<p class="center">SELECT<br /> +MEDICO-CHIRURGICAL TRANSACTIONS.</p> + +<p class="blockquote">A collection of the most valuable Memoirs read to the Medico-Chirurgical +Societies of London and Edinburgh; the Association of Fellows +and Licentiates of the King and Queen's College of Physicians in Ireland; +the Royal Academy of Medicine of Paris; the Royal Societies of +London and Edinburgh; the Royal Academy of Turin; the Medical +and Anatomical Societies of Paris, &c. &c. &c.</p> + +<p class="center"> +Edited by <span class="smcap">Isaac Hays, M.D.</span> +</p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">In One Volume, 8vo.</p> + +<p class="center">A PRACTICAL +COMPENDIUM OF MIDWIFERY:</p> + +<p class="blockquote">Being the course of Lectures on Midwifery, and on the Diseases of +Women and Infants, delivered at St. Bartholemew's Hospital.</p> + +<p class="center"> +By the late <span class="smcap">Robert Gooch, M.D.</span> +</p> + +<p class="blockquote">"As it abounds, however, in valuable and original suggestions, it will +be found a useful book of reference."—<i>Drake's Western Journal.</i></p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">In One Volume, 8vo.</p> + +<p class="center">AN ACCOUNT OF<br /> +<small>SOME OF THE MOST IMPORTANT</small><br /> +DISEASES PECULIAR TO WOMEN;</p> + +<p class="center">BY ROBERT GOOCH, M.D.</p> + +<p class="blockquote">"In this volume Dr. Gooch has made a valuable contribution to practical +medicine. It is the result of the observation and experience of a strong, +sagacious, and disciplined mind."—<i>Transylvania Journal of Medicine.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"This work, which is now for the first time presented to the profession +in the United States, comes to them with high claims to their notice."—<i>Drake's +Western Journal.</i></p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">In Two Volumes, 12mo</p> + +<p class="center">FRESCATIS;<br /> +OR, SCENES IN PARIS.</p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">In One Volume, 18mo.</p> + +<p class="center">COLMAN'S BROAD GRINS.</p> + +<p class="center"><small>A NEW EDITION, WITH ADDITIONS.</small><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[232]</a></span></p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">In One Volume, 12mo.</p> + +<p class="center">THE GROOM'S ORACLE, AND +POCKET STABLE DIRECTORY.</p> + +<p class="blockquote">In which the Management of Horses generally, as to Health, Dieting, +and Exercise, is considered, in a Series of Familiar Dialogues between +two Grooms engaged in training Horses to their work, as well for the +Road as the Chase and Turf. By <span class="smcap">John Hinds, V.S.</span>, Author of the +"Veterinary Surgeon." Embellished with an elegant Frontispiece, by +<span class="smcap">S. Alken</span>. First American, from the second London Edition. With +considerable additions, and an appendix, including the <span class="smcap">Receipt Book +of John Hinds, V.S.</span></p> + +<p class="blockquote">"This enlarged edition of the 'Groom's Oracle' contains a good number +of new points connected with training prime horses; and the owners +of working cattle, also, will find their profit in consulting the practical +remarks that are applicable to their teams; on the principle that <i>health +preserved</i> is better than <i>disease removed</i>."</p> + +<p class="blockquote">"<span class="smcap">The Groom's Oracle</span>, by <span class="smcap">J. Hinds</span>, is among the most valuable of our +recent publications; it ought to be in the possession of every gentleman, +who either has in possession, or has a chance of possessing, the noble animal +to whose proper treatment the author has directed his enlightened researches."—<i>Taunton +Courier, 1830.</i></p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">REFLECTIONS<br /> +ON EVERY DAY IN THE WEEK, +<small>WITH OCCASIONAL THOUGHTS</small>.</p> + +<p class="center">BY CATHARINE TALBOT.</p> + +<p class="center">Neatly done up in paper with gilt edges. Price 20 cents.</p> + +<p class="blockquote">"Catherine Talbot's <i>Reflections on every Day of the Week</i> have been published, +in a neat and popular form, by Messrs. Carey and Hart. They are +simple, and applicable to every reader, and distinguished not less by eloquent +thought, than by sound and correct judgment. The little work will +be read by no one without profit."—<i>Saturday Evening Post.</i></p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">In One Volume, 8vo.</p> + +<p class="center"><i>TATE ON HYSTERIA.</i><br /> + +A TREATISE ON "HYSTERIA."</p> + +<p class="center">BY GEORGE TATE, M.D.</p> + +<p class="blockquote">"As public journalists, we take this occasion to return him our hearty +thanks for the pains he has taken to shed a new light on an obscure and +much-neglected topic."—<i>North Amer. Med. and Surg. Journ. No. XIX.</i><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[233]</a></span></p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">In One Volume, 12mo.</p> + +<p class="center">A SUBALTERN IN AMERICA;<br /> +<small>COMPRISING<br /> +HIS NARRATIVE OF THE CAMPAIGNS OF THE BRITISH ARMY AT BALTIMORE,<br /> +WASHINGTON, ETC. DURING THE LATE WAR.</small></p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">In Two Volumes, 12mo.</p> + +<p class="center">NIGHTS-AT-MESS.</p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">In Two Volumes, 8vo.</p> + +<p class="center">NATURE DISPLAYED<br /> +<small>IN HER MODE OF TEACHING LANGUAGE TO MAN</small>;</p> + +<p class="blockquote">Being a new and infallible method of acquiring languages with unparalleled +rapidity; deduced from the Analysis of the human Mind, +and consequently suited to every capacity; adapted to the French,</p> + +<p class="center">BY N. G. DUFIEF.</p> + +<p class="blockquote">To which is prefixed a development of the author's plan of tuition: +differing entirely from every other; so powerful in its operation and +so very economical, that a liberal education can be afforded even to +the poorest of mankind.</p> + +<p class="center">EIGHTH EDITION, ENLARGED AND IMPROVED.</p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">In Two Volumes, 8vo.</p> + +<p class="center">DUFIEF'S SPANISH NATURE DISPLAYED.</p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">In Two Volumes, 8vo.</p> + +<p class="center">A NEW UNIVERSAL AND +PRONOUNCING DICTIONARY +OF THE FRENCH AND ENGLISH LANGUAGES.</p> + +<p class="blockquote">Containing above <i>fifty thousand</i> terms and names not to be found in +the Dictionaries of Boyer, Perry, Nugent, &c. &c.; to which is added +a vast fund of other information equally beneficial and instructive.</p> + +<p class="center">BY N. G. DUFIEF.</p> + +<p class="center">A new Edition, revised and corrected by the Author. +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[234]</a></span></p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">In One Volume, 18mo.</p> + +<p class="center"><i>THE SURGEON-DENTIST'S MANUAL.</i></p> + +<p class="center">THE SURGEON-DENTIST'S ANATOMICAL AND +PHYSIOLOGICAL MANUAL.</p> + +<p class="center">By <span class="smcap">G. Wait</span>.</p> + +<p class="center">Member of the Royal College of Surgeons in London, &c. &c.</p> + +<p class="blockquote">"The work cannot fail, we think, to answer well the purpose for which +it was designed, of a manual for the practical dentist; and in the notes +will be found many useful hints respecting the diseases of these structures."—<i>Boston +Med. and Surg. Journ. 1830.</i></p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">MANUAL OF SURGICAL OPERATIONS.<br /> +<small>CONTAINING THE</small><br /> +NEW METHOD OF OPERATING</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Devised by Lisfranc.</span></p> + +<p class="center">Followed by two Synoptic Tables of Natural and Instrumental Labours.</p> + +<p class="center">By <span class="smcap">J. Coster, M.D.</span> and P. of the University of Turin.</p> + +<p class="blockquote">"Dr. John D. Godman, Lecturer on Anatomy, in this city, a gentleman +of distinguished professional and literary talents, having translated this +small, but valuable volume, for the benefit of the students who may honour +our University by their attendance, I shall merely refer to that work. +I have more pleasure in recommending, inasmuch as a short system of +operative surgery has been a desideratum."—<i>Gibson's Surgery, Vol. II. +page 541.</i></p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">In One Volume, 8vo.</p> + +<p class="center"><i>SAISSY ON THE EAR.</i><br /> +DISEASES OF THE INTERNAL EAR.</p> + +<p class="center">BY J. A. SAISSY.</p> + +<p class="blockquote">Member of the Royal Academy of Sciences, Literature, and Arts in Lyons, +Fellow of the Medical Society of the same city, and of the Medical Societies +of Bordeaux, Orleans, Marseilles, &c. Honoured with a premium by +the Medical Society of Bordeaux, and since enlarged by the author.</p> + +<p class="blockquote">Translated from the French by <span class="smcap">Nathan R. Smith</span>, Professor of Surgery +in the University of Maryland, with a Supplement on Diseases +of the External Ear, by the Translator.</p> + +<hr class="r15" /> + +<p class="center">FROISSART AND HIS TIMES.</p> + +<p class="center">BY THE LATE BARRY ST. LEGER.</p> + +<hr class="r65" /> + +<h2>Transcriber Notes</h2> + +<p class="blockquotetn"> +Obvious punctuation and spelling errors have been corrected.<br /> + +<b>The following are as in the original:</b><br /> + +Major Russell and Major Russel are used interchangeably in the +book.<br /> + +<b>Page 4</b> original: and the trick he has played off on the publick.<br /> + +<b>Page 10</b> its versus it's original: use, its just nobody's business. Big +men<br /> + +<b>Page 86</b> (scroundrell's) original: old scroundrell's two big sons +with us, and made<br /> + +<b>Page 119</b> flower is old english for flour original: man a cupfull of +flower. With this, we thickened<br /> + + +<b>Page 168</b> bran-fire and branfire original: This is," said I, "a +branfire new way of doing - clearly not hypenated in this line.<br /> + + +<b>The following changes have been made:</b><br /> + +<b>Page 17</b> original: bioagraphers, I should not only inform the public<br /> + +replacement: biographers, I should not only inform the public<br /> + +<b>Page 141</b>original: and years all open, to catch every word I would<br /> + +replacement: and ears all open, to catch every word I would<br /> + +<b>Page 158</b> original: where I stop'd to pull of my wet clothes, and +put<br /> + +replacement: where I stop'd to pull off my wet clothes, and put<br /> + +<b>Page 230</b> original: and mistatement with which we are beset,<br /> + +replacement: and misstatement with which we are beset, +</p> +<hr class="r65" /> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of A Narrative of the Life of David +Crockett, of the State of Tennessee., by Davy Crockett + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A NARRATIVE OF THE LIFE OF *** + +***** This file should be named 37925-h.htm or 37925-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/7/9/2/37925/ + +Produced by Dianna Adair, allspice and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: A Narrative of the Life of David Crockett, of the State of Tennessee. + +Author: Davy Crockett + +Release Date: November 5, 2011 [EBook #37925] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A NARRATIVE OF THE LIFE OF *** + + + + +Produced by Dianna Adair, allspice and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + + NARRATIVE + + OF THE + + LIFE OF DAVID CROCKETT, + OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE. + + + I leave this rule for others when I'm dead, + Be always sure you're right--THEN GO AHEAD! + + THE AUTHOR. + + + WRITTEN BY HIMSELF. + + SIXTH EDITION. + + PHILADELPHIA. + E. L. CAREY AND A. HART. + BALTIMORE: + CAREY, HART & CO. + + 1834. + + + Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1834, + BY DAVID CROCKETT, + In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Columbia. + + + STEREOTYPED BY L. JOHNSON, + PHILADELPHIA. + + + + +PREFACE. + + +Fashion is a thing I care mighty little about, except when it happens to +run just exactly according to my own notion; and I was mighty nigh +sending out my book without any preface at all, until a notion struck +me, that perhaps it was necessary to explain a little the reason why and +wherefore I had written it. + +Most of authors seek fame, but I seek for justice,--a holier impulse +than ever entered into the ambitious struggles of the votaries of that +_fickle_, _flirting_ goddess. + +A publication has been made to the world, which has done me much +injustice; and the catchpenny errors which it contains, have been +already too long sanctioned by my silence. I don't know the author of +the book--and indeed I don't want to know him; for after he has taken +such a liberty with my name, and made such an effort to hold me up to +publick ridicule, he cannot calculate on any thing but my displeasure. If +he had been content to have written his opinions about me, however +contemptuous they might have been, I should have had less reason to +complain. But when he professes to give my narrative (as he often does) +in my own language, and then puts into my mouth such language as would +disgrace even an outlandish African, he must himself be sensible of the +injustice he has done me, and the trick he has played off on the publick. +I have met with hundreds, if not with thousands of people, who have +formed their opinions of my appearance, habits, language, and every +thing else from that deceptive work. + +They have almost in every instance expressed the most profound +astonishment at finding me in human shape, and with the _countenance_, +_appearance_, and _common feelings_ of a human being. It is to correct +all these false notions, and to do justice to myself, that I have +written. + +It is certain that the writer of the book alluded to has gathered up +many imperfect scraps of information concerning me, as in parts of his +work there is some little semblance of truth. But I ask him, if this +notice should ever reach his eye, how would he have liked it, if I had +treated _him_ so?--if I had put together such a bundle of ridiculous +stuff, and headed it with _his_ name, and sent it out upon the world +without ever even condescending to ask _his_ permission? To these +questions, all upright men must give the same answer. It was wrong; and +the desire to make money by it, is no apology for such injustice to a +fellow man. + +But I let him pass; as my wish is greatly more to vindicate myself, than +to condemn him. + +In the following pages I have endeavoured to give the reader a plain, +honest, homespun account of my state in life, and some few of the +difficulties which have attended me along its journey, down to this +time. I am perfectly aware, that I have related many small and, as I +fear, uninteresting circumstances; but if so, my apology is, that it was +rendered necessary by a desire to link the different periods of my life +together, as they have passed, from my childhood onward, and thereby to +enable the reader to select such parts of it as he may relish most, if, +indeed, there is any thing in it which may suit his palate. + +I have also been operated on by another consideration. It is this:--I +know, that obscure as I am, my name is making a considerable deal of +fuss in the world. I can't tell why it is, nor in what it is to end. Go +where I will, everybody seems anxious to get a peep at me; and it would +be hard to tell which would have the advantage, if I, and the +"Government," and "Black Hawk," and a great eternal big caravan of _wild +varments_ were all to be showed at the same time in four different parts +of any of the big cities in the nation. I am not so sure that I +shouldn't get the most custom of any of the crew. There must therefore +be something in me, or about me, that attracts attention, which is even +mysterious to myself. I can't understand it, and I therefore put all the +facts down, leaving the reader free to take his choice of them. + +On the subject of my style, it is bad enough, in all conscience, to +please critics, if that is what they are after. They are a sort of +vermin, though, that I sha'n't even so much as stop to brush off. If +they want to work on my book, just let them go ahead; and after they are +done, they had better blot out all their criticisms, than to know what +opinion I would express of _them_, and by what sort of a curious name I +would call _them_, if I was standing near them, and looking over their +shoulders. They will, at most, have only their trouble for their pay. +But I rather expect I shall have them on my side. + +But I don't know of any thing in my book to be criticised on by +honourable men. Is it on my spelling?--that's not my trade. Is it on my +grammar?--I hadn't time to learn it, and make no pretensions to it. Is +it on the order and arrangement of my book?--I never wrote one before, +and never read very many; and, of course, know mighty little about that. +Will it be on the authorship of the book?--this I claim, and I'll hang +on to it, like a wax plaster. The whole book is my own, and every +sentiment and sentence in it. I would not be such a fool, or knave +either, as to deny that I have had it hastily run over by a friend or +so, and that some little alterations have been made in the spelling and +grammar; and I am not so sure that it is not the worse of even that, for +I despise this way of spelling contrary to nature. And as for grammar, +it's pretty much a thing of nothing at last, after all the fuss that's +made about it. In some places, I wouldn't suffer either the spelling, or +grammar, or any thing else to be touch'd; and therefore it will be found +in my own way. + +But if any body complains that I have had it looked over, I can only +say to him, her, or them--as the case may be--that while critics were +learning grammar, and learning to spell, I, and "Doctor Jackson, L.L.D." +were fighting in the wars; and if our books, and messages, and +proclamations, and cabinet writings, and so forth, and so on, should +need a little looking over, and a little correcting of the spelling and +the grammar to make them fit for use, its just nobody's business. Big +men have more important matters to attend to than crossing their +_t_'s--, and dotting their _i_'s--, and such like small things. But the +"Government's" name is to the proclamation, and my name's to the book; +and if I didn't write the book, the "Government" didn't write the +proclamation, which no man _dares to deny_! + +But just read for yourself, and my ears for a heel tap, if before you +get through you don't say, with many a good-natured smile and hearty +laugh, "This is truly the very thing itself--the exact image of its +Author, + + DAVID CROCKETT." + + WASHINGTON CITY, + February 1st, 1834. + + + + + NARRATIVE + + OF THE + + LIFE OF DAVID CROCKETT. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + +As the public seem to feel some interest in the history of an individual +so humble as I am, and as that history can be so well known to no person +living as to myself, I have, after so long a time, and under many +pressing solicitations from my friends and acquaintances, at last +determined to put my own hand to it, and lay before the world a +narrative on which they may at least rely as being true. And seeking no +ornament or colouring for a plain, simple tale of truth, I throw aside +all hypocritical and fawning apologies, and, according to my own maxim, +just "_go ahead_." Where I am not known, I might, perhaps, gain some +little credit by having thrown around this volume some of the flowers of +learning; but where I am known, the vile cheatery would soon be +detected, and like the foolish jackdaw, that with a _borrowed_ tail +attempted to play the peacock, I should be justly robbed of my pilfered +ornaments, and sent forth to strut without a tail for the balance of my +time. I shall commence my book with what little I have learned of the +history of my father, as all _great men_ rest many, if not most, of +their hopes on their noble ancestry. Mine was poor, but I hope honest, +and even that is as much as many a man can say. But to my subject. + +My father's name was John Crockett, and he was of Irish descent. He was +either born in Ireland or on a passage from that country to America +across the Atlantic. He was by profession a farmer, and spent the early +part of his life in the state of Pennsylvania. The name of my mother was +Rebecca Hawkins. She was an American woman, born in the state of +Maryland, between York and Baltimore. It is likely I may have heard +where they were married, but if so, I have forgotten. It is, however, +certain that they were, or else the public would never have been +troubled with the history of David Crockett, their son. + +I have an imperfect recollection of the part which I have understood my +father took in the revolutionary war. I personally know nothing about +it, for it happened to be a little before my day; but from himself, and +many others who were well acquainted with its troubles and afflictions, +I have learned that he was a soldier in the revolutionary war, and took +part in that bloody struggle. He fought, according to my information, in +the battle at Kings Mountain against the British and tories, and in some +other engagements of which my remembrance is too imperfect to enable me +to speak with any certainty. At some time, though I cannot say certainly +when, my father, as I have understood, lived in Lincoln county, in the +state of North Carolina. How long, I don't know. But when he removed +from there, he settled in that district of country which is now embraced +in the east division of Tennessee, though it was not then erected into a +state. + +He settled there under dangerous circumstances, both to himself and his +family, as the country was full of Indians, who were at that time very +troublesome. By the Creeks, my grandfather and grandmother Crockett were +both murdered, in their own house, and on the very spot of ground where +Rogersville, in Hawkins county, now stands. At the same time, the +Indians wounded Joseph Crockett, a brother to my father, by a ball, +which broke his arm; and took James a prisoner, who was still a younger +brother than Joseph, and who, from natural defects, was less able to +make his escape, as he was both deaf and dumb. He remained with them for +seventeen years and nine months, when he was discovered and recollected +by my father and his eldest brother, William Crockett; and was purchased +by them from an Indian trader, at a price which I do not now remember; +but so it was, that he was delivered up to them, and they returned him +to his relatives. He now lives in Cumberland county, in the state of +Kentucky, though I have not seen him for many years. + +My father and mother had six sons and three daughters. I was the fifth +son. What a pity I hadn't been the seventh! For then I might have been, +by _common consent_, called _doctor_, as a heap of people get to be +great men. But, like many of them, I stood no chance to become great in +any other way than by accident. As my father was very poor, and living +as he did _far back in the back woods_, he had neither the means nor the +opportunity to give me, or any of the rest of his children, any +learning. + +But before I get on the subject of my own troubles, and a great many +very funny things that have happened to me, like all other historians +and biographers, I should not only inform the public that I was born, +myself, as well as other folks, but that this important event took +place, according to the best information I have received on the subject, +on the 17th of August, in the year 1786; whether by day or night, I +believe I never heard, but if I did I, have forgotten. I suppose, +however, it is not very material to my present purpose, nor to the +world, as the more important fact is well attested, that I was born; +and, indeed, it might be inferred, from my present size and appearance, +that I was pretty _well born_, though I have never yet attached myself +to that numerous and worthy society. + +At that time my father lived at the mouth of Lime Stone, on the +Nola-chucky river; and for the purpose not only of showing what sort of +a man I now am, but also to show how soon I began to be a _sort of a +little man_, I have endeavoured to take the _back track_ of life, in +order to fix on the first thing that I can remember. But even then, as +now, so many things were happening, that as Major Jack Downing would +say, they are all in "a pretty considerable of a snarl," and I find it +"kinder hard" to fix on that thing, among them all, which really +happened first. But I think it likely, I have hit on the outside line +of my recollection; as one thing happened at which I was so badly +scared, that it seems to me I could not have forgotten it, if it had +happened a little time only after I was born. Therefore it furnishes me +with no certain evidence of my age at the time; but I know one thing +very well, and that is, that when it happened, I had no knowledge of the +use of breeches, for I had never had any nor worn any. + +But the circumstance was this: My four elder brothers, and a well-grown +boy of about fifteen years old, by the name of Campbell, and myself, +were all playing on the river's side; when all the rest of them got into +my father's canoe, and put out to amuse themselves on the water, leaving +me on the shore alone. + +Just a little distance below them, there was a fall in the river, which +went slap-right straight down. My brothers, though they were little +fellows, had been used to paddling the canoe, and could have carried it +safely anywhere about there; but this fellow Campbell wouldn't let them +have the paddle, but, fool like, undertook to manage it himself. I +reckon he had never seen a water craft before; and it went just any way +but the way he wanted it. There he paddled, and paddled, and +paddled--all the while going wrong,--until,--in a short time, here they +were all going, straight forward, stern foremost, right plump to the +falls; and if they had only had a fair shake, they would have gone over +as slick as a whistle. It was'ent this, though, that scared me; for I +was so infernal mad that they had left me on the shore, that I had as +soon have seen them all go over the falls a bit, as any other way. But +their danger was seen by a man by the name of Kendall, but I'll be shot +if it was Amos; for I believe I would know him yet if I was to see him. +This man Kendall was working in a field on the bank, and knowing there +was no time to lose, he started full tilt, and here he come like a cane +brake afire; and as he ran, he threw off his coat, and then his jacket, +and then his shirt, for I know when he got to the water he had nothing +on but his breeches. But seeing him in such a hurry, and tearing off his +clothes as he went, I had no doubt but that the devil or something else +was after him--and close on him, too--as he was running within an inch +of his life. This alarmed me, and I screamed out like a young painter. +But Kendall didn't stop for this. He went ahead with all might, and as +full bent on saving the boys, as Amos was on moving the deposites. When +he came to the water he plunged in, and where it was too deep to wade +he would swim, and where it was shallow enough he went bolting on; and +by such exertion as I never saw at any other time in my life, he reached +the canoe, when it was within twenty or thirty feet of the falls; and so +great was the suck, and so swift the current, that poor Kendall had a +hard time of it to stop them at last, as Amos will to stop the mouths of +the people about his stockjobbing. But he hung on to the canoe, till he +got it stop'd, and then draw'd it out of danger. When they got out, I +found the boys were more scared than I had been, and the only thing that +comforted me was, the belief that it was a punishment on them for +leaving me on shore. + +Shortly after this, my father removed, and settled in the same county, +about ten miles above Greenville. + +There another circumstance happened, which made a lasting impression on +my memory, though I was but a small child. Joseph Hawkins, who was a +brother to my mother, was in the woods hunting for deer. He was passing +near a thicket of brush, in which one of our neighbours was gathering +some grapes, as it was in the fall of the year, and the grape season. +The body of the man was hid by the brush, and it was only as he would +raise his hand to pull the bunches, that any part of him could be seen. +It was a likely place for deer; and my uncle, having no suspicion that +it was any human being, but supposing the raising of the hand to be the +occasional twitch of a deer's ear, fired at the lump, and as the devil +would have it, unfortunately shot the man through the body. I saw my +father draw a silk handkerchief through the bullet hole, and entirely +through his body; yet after a while he got well, as little as any one +would have thought it. What become of him, or whether he is dead or +alive, I don't know; but I reckon he did'ent fancy the business of +gathering grapes in an out-of-the-way thicket soon again. + +The next move my father made was to the mouth of Cove creek, where he +and a man by the name of Thomas Galbreath undertook to build a mill in +partnership. They went on very well with their work until it was nigh +done, when there came the second epistle to Noah's fresh, and away went +their mill, shot, lock, and barrel. I remember the water rose so high, +that it got up into the house we lived in, and my father moved us out of +it, to keep us from being drowned. I was now about seven or eight years +old, and have a pretty distinct recollection of every thing that was +going on. From his bad luck in that business, and being ready to wash +out from mill building, my father again removed, and this time settled +in Jefferson county, now in the state of Tennessee; where he opened a +tavern on the road from Abbingdon to Knoxville. + +His tavern was on a small scale, as he was poor; and the principal +accommodations which he kept, were for the waggoners who travelled the +road. Here I remained with him until I was twelve years old; and about +that time, you may guess, if you belong to Yankee land, or reckon, if +like me you belong to the back-woods, that I began to make up my +acquaintance with hard times, and a plenty of them. + +An old Dutchman, by the name of Jacob Siler, who was moving from Knox +county to Rockbridge, in the state of Virginia, in passing, made a stop +at my father's house. He had a large stock of cattle, that he was +carrying on with him; and I suppose made some proposition to my father +to hire some one to assist him. + +Being hard run every way, and having no thought, as I believe, that I +was cut out for a Congressman or the like, young as I was, and as little +as I knew about travelling, or being from home, he hired me to the old +Dutchman, to go four hundred miles on foot, with a perfect stranger that +I never had seen until the evening before. I set out with a heavy heart, +it is true, but I went ahead, until we arrived at the place, which was +three miles from what is called the Natural Bridge, and made a stop at +the house of a Mr. Hartley, who was father-in-law to Mr. Siler, who had +hired me. My Dutch master was very kind to me, and gave me five or six +dollars, being pleased, as he said, with my services. + +This, however, I think was a bait for me, as he persuaded me to stay +with him, and not return any more to my father. I had been taught so +many lessons of obedience by my father, that I at first supposed I was +bound to obey this man, or at least I was afraid openly to disobey him; +and I therefore staid with him, and tried to put on a look of perfect +contentment until I got the family all to believe I was fully satisfied. +I had been there about four or five weeks, when one day myself and two +other boys were playing on the road-side, some distance from the house. +There came along three waggons. One belonged to an old man by the name +of Dunn, and the others to two of his sons. They had each of them a good +team, and were all bound for Knoxville. They had been in the habit of +stopping at my father's as they passed the road, and I knew them. I made +myself known to the old gentleman, and informed him of my situation; I +expressed a wish to get back to my father and mother, if they could fix +any plan for me to do so. They told me that they would stay that night +at a tavern seven miles from there, and that if I could get to them +before day the next morning, they would take me home; and if I was +pursued, they would protect me. This was a Sunday evening; I went back +to the good old Dutchman's house, and as good fortune would have it, he +and the family were out on a visit. I gathered my clothes, and what +little money I had, and put them all together under the head of my bed. +I went to bed early that night, but sleep seemed to be a stranger to me. +For though I was a wild boy, yet I dearly loved my father and mother, +and their images appeared to be so deeply fixed in my mind, that I could +not sleep for thinking of them. And then the fear that when I should +attempt to go out, I should be discovered and called to a halt, filled +me with anxiety; and between my childish love of home, on the one hand, +and the fears of which I have spoken, on the other, I felt mighty queer. + +But so it was, about three hours before day in the morning I got up to +make my start. When I got out, I found it was snowing fast, and that the +snow was then on the ground about eight inches deep. I had not even the +advantage of moonlight, and the whole sky was hid by the falling snow, +so that I had to guess at my way to the big road, which was about a half +mile from the house. I however pushed ahead and soon got to it, and then +pursued it, in the direction to the waggons. + +I could not have pursued the road if I had not guided myself by the +opening it made between the timber, as the snow was too deep to leave +any part of it to be known by either seeing or feeling. + +Before I overtook the waggons, the earth was covered about as deep as my +knees; and my tracks filled so briskly after me, that by daylight, my +Dutch master could have seen no trace which I left. + +I got to the place about an hour before day. I found the waggoners +already stirring, and engaged in feeding and preparing their horses for +a start. Mr. Dunn took me in and treated me with great kindness. My +heart was more deeply impressed by meeting with such a friend, and "at +such a time," than by wading the snow-storm by night, or all the other +sufferings which my mind had endured. I warmed myself by the fire, for I +was very cold, and after an early breakfast, we set out on our journey. +The thoughts of home now began to take the entire possession of my mind, +and I almost numbered the sluggish turns of the wheels, and much more +certainly the miles of our travel, which appeared to me to count mighty +slow. I continued with my kind protectors, until we got to the house of +a Mr. John Cole, on Roanoke, when my impatience became so great, that I +determined to set out on foot and go ahead by myself, as I could travel +twice as fast in that way as the waggons could. + +Mr. Dunn seemed very sorry to part with me, and used many arguments to +prevent me from leaving him. But home, poor as it was, again rushed on +my memory, and it seemed ten times as dear to me as it ever had before. +The reason was, that my parents were there, and all that I had been +accustomed to in the hours of childhood and infancy was there; and there +my anxious little heart panted also to be. We remained at Mr. Coles that +night, and early in the morning I felt that I couldn't stay; so, taking +leave of my friends the waggoners, I went forward on foot, until I was +fortunately overtaken by a gentleman, who was returning from market, to +which he had been with a drove of horses. He had a led horse, with a +bridle and saddle on him, and he kindly offered to let me get on his +horse and ride him. I did so, and was glad of the chance, for I was +tired, and was, moreover, near the first crossing of Roanoke, which I +would have been compelled to wade, cold as the water was, if I had not +fortunately met this good man. I travelled with him in this way, without +any thing turning up worth recording, until we got within fifteen miles +of my father's house. There we parted, and he went on to Kentucky and I +trudged on homeward, which place I reached that evening. The name of +this kind gentleman I have entirely forgotten, and I am sorry for it; +for it deserves a high place in my little book. A remembrance of his +kindness to a little straggling boy, and a stranger to him, has however +a resting place in my heart, and there it will remain as long as I +live. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + +Having gotten home, as I have just related, I remained with my father +until the next fall, at which time he took it into his head to send me +to a little country school, which was kept in the neighbourhood by a man +whose name was Benjamin Kitchen; though I believe he was no way +connected with the cabinet. I went four days, and had just began to +learn my letters a little, when I had an unfortunate falling out with +one of the scholars,--a boy much larger and older than myself. I knew +well enough that though the school-house might do for a still hunt, it +wouldn't do for _a drive_, and so I concluded to wait until I could get +him out, and then I was determined to give him salt and vinegar. I +waited till in the evening, and when the larger scholars were spelling, +I slip'd out, and going some distance along his road, I lay by the +way-side in the bushes, waiting for him to come along. After a while he +and his company came on sure enough, and I pitched out from the bushes +and set on him like a wild cat. I scratched his face all to a flitter +jig, and soon made him cry out for quarters in good earnest. The fight +being over, I went on home, and the next morning was started again to +school; but do you think I went? No, indeed. I was very clear of it; for +I expected the master would lick me up, as bad as I had the boy. So, +instead of going to the school-house, I laid out in the woods all day +until in the evening the scholars were dismissed, and my brothers, who +were also going to school, came along, returning home. I wanted to +conceal this whole business from my father, and I therefore persuaded +them not to tell on me, which they agreed to. + +Things went on in this way for several days; I starting with them to +school in the morning, and returning with them in the evening, but lying +out in the woods all day. At last, however, the master wrote a note to +my father, inquiring why I was not sent to school. When he read this +note, he called me up, and I knew very well that I was in a devil of a +hobble, for my father had been taking a few _horns_, and was in a good +condition to make the fur fly. He called on me to know why I had not +been at school? I told him I was afraid to go, and that the master +would whip me; for I knew quite well if I was turned over to this old +Kitchen, I should be cooked up to a cracklin, in little or no time. But +I soon found that I was not to expect a much better fate at home; for my +father told me, in a very angry manner, that he would whip me an eternal +sight worse than the master, if I didn't start immediately to the +school. I tried again to beg off; but nothing would do, but to go to the +school. Finding me rather too slow about starting, he gathered about a +two year old hickory, and broke after me. I put out with all my might, +and soon we were both up to the top of our speed. We had a tolerable +tough race for about a mile; but mind me, not on the school-house road, +for I was trying to get as far the t'other way as possible. And I yet +believe, if my father and the schoolmaster could both have levied on me +about that time, I should never have been called on to sit in the +councils of the nation, for I think they would have used me up. But +fortunately for me, about this time, I saw just before me a hill, over +which I made headway, like a young steamboat. As soon as I had passed +over it, I turned to one side, and hid myself in the bushes. Here I +waited until the old gentleman passed by, puffing and blowing, as tho' +his steam was high enough to burst his boilers. I waited until he gave +up the hunt, and passed back again: I then cut out, and went to the +house of an acquaintance a few miles off, who was just about to start +with a drove. His name was Jesse Cheek, and I hired myself to go with +him, determining not to return home, as home and the school-house had +both become too hot for me. I had an elder brother, who also hired to go +with the same drove. We set out and went on through Abbingdon, and the +county seat of Withe county, in the state of Virginia; and then through +Lynchburgh, by Orange court-house, and Charlottesville, passing through +what was called Chester Gap, on to a town called Front Royal, where my +employer sold out his drove to a man by the name of Vanmetre; and I was +started homeward again, in company with a brother of the first owner of +the drove, with one horse between us; having left my brother to come on +with the balance of the company. + +I traveled on with my new comrade about three days' journey; but much to +his discredit, as I then thought, and still think, he took care all the +time to ride, but never to tie; at last I told him to go ahead, and I +would come when I got ready. He gave me four dollars to bear my expenses +upwards of four hundred miles, and then cut out and left me. + +I purchased some provisions, and went on slowly, until at length I fell +in with a waggoner, with whom I was disposed to scrape up a hasty +acquaintance. I inquired where he lived, and where he was going, and all +about his affairs. He informed me that he lived in Greenville, +Tennessee, and was on his way to a place called Gerardstown, fifteen +miles below Winchester. He also said, that after he should make his +journey to that place, he would immediately return to Tennessee. His +name was Adam Myers, and a jolly good fellow he seemed to be. On a +little reflection, I determined to turn back and go with him, which I +did; and we journeyed on slowly as waggons commonly do, but merrily +enough. I often thought of home, and, indeed, wished bad enough to be +there; but, when I thought of the school-house, and Kitchen, my master, +and the race with my father, and the big hickory he carried, and of the +fierceness of the storm of wrath that I had left him in, I was afraid to +venture back; for I knew my father's nature so well, that I was certain +his anger would hang on to him like a turkle does to a fisherman's toe, +and that, if I went back in a hurry, he would give me the devil in three +or four ways But I and the waggoner had traveled two days, when we met +my brother, who, I before stated, I had left behind when the drove was +sold out. He persuaded me to go home, but I refused. He pressed me hard, +and brought up a great many mighty strong arguments to induce me to turn +back again. He pictured the pleasure of meeting my mother, and my +sisters, who all loved me dearly, and told me what uneasiness they had +already suffered about me. I could not help shedding tears, which I did +not often do, and my affections all pointed back to those dearest +friends, and as I thought, nearly the only ones I had in the world; but +then the promised whipping--that was the thing. It came right slap down +on every thought of home; and I finally determined that make or break, +hit or miss, I would just hang on to my journey, and go ahead with the +waggoner. My brother was much grieved at our parting, but he went his +way, and so did I. We went on until at last we got to Gerardstown, where +the waggoner tried to get a back load, but he could not without going to +Alexandria. He engaged to go there, and I concluded that I would wait +until he returned. I set in to work for a man by the name of John Gray, +at twenty-five cents per day. My labour, however, was light, such as +ploughing in some small grain, in which I succeeded in pleasing the old +man very well. I continued working for him until the waggoner got back, +and for a good long time afterwards, as he continued to run his team +back and forward, hauling to and from Baltimore. In the next spring, +from the proceeds of my daily labour, small as it was, I was able to get +me some decent clothes, and concluded I would make a trip with the +waggoner to Baltimore, and see what sort of a place that was, and what +sort of folks lived there. I gave him the balance of what money I had +for safe keeping, which, as well as I recollect, was about seven +dollars. We got on well enough until we came near Ellicott's Mills. Our +load consisted of flour, in barrels. Here I got into the waggon for the +purpose of changing my clothing, not thinking that I was in any danger; +but while I was in there we were met by some wheel-barrow men, who were +working on the road, and the horses took a scare and away they went, +like they had seen a ghost. They made a sudden wheel around, and broke +the waggon tongue slap, short off, as a pipe-stem; and snap went both of +the axletrees at the same time, and of all devlish flouncing about of +flour barrels that ever was seen, I reckon this took the beat. Even _a +rat_ would have stood a bad chance in a _straight_ race among them, and +not much better in a crooked one; for he would have been in a good way +to be ground up as fine as ginger by their rolling over him. But this +proved to me, that if a fellow is born to be hung, he will never be +drowned; and, further, that if he is born for a seat in Congress, even +flour barrels can't make a mash of him. All these dangers I escaped +unhurt, though, like most of the office-holders of these times, for a +while I was afraid to say my soul was my own; for I didn't know how soon +I should be knocked into a cocked hat, and get my walking papers for +another country. + +We put our load into another waggon, and hauled ours to a workman's shop +in Baltimore, having delivered the flour, and there we intended to +remain two or three days, which time was necessary to repair the runaway +waggon. While I was there, I went, one day, down to the wharf, and was +much delighted to see the big ships, and their sails all flying; for I +had never seen any such things before, and, indeed, I didn't believe +there were any such things in all nature. After a short time my +curiosity induced me to step aboard of one, where I was met by the +captain, who asked me if I didn't wish to take a voyage to London? I +told him I did, for by this time I had become pretty well weaned from +home, and I cared but little where I was, or where I went, or what +become of me. He said he wanted just such a boy as I was, which I was +glad to hear. I told him I would go and get my clothes, and go with him. +He enquired about my parents, where they lived, and all about them. I +let him know that they lived in Tennessee, many hundred miles off. We +soon agreed about my intended voyage, and I went back to my friend, the +waggoner, and informed him that I was going to London, and wanted my +money and my clothes. He refused to let me have either, and swore that +he would confine me, and take me back to Tennessee. I took it to heart +very much, but he kept so close and constant a watch over me, that I +found it impossible to escape from him, until he had started homeward, +and made several days' journey on the road. He was, during this time, +very ill to me, and threatened me with his waggon whip on several +occasions. At length I resolved to leave him at all hazards; and so, +before day, one morning, I got my clothes out of his waggon, and cut +out, on foot, without a farthing of money to bear my expenses. For all +other friends having failed, I determined then to throw myself on +Providence, and see how that would use me. I had gone, however, only a +few miles when I came up with another waggoner, and such was my +situation, that I felt more than ever the necessity of endeavouring to +find a friend. I therefore concluded I would seek for one in him. He was +going westwardly, and very kindly enquired of me where I was travelling? +My youthful resolution, which had brooked almost every thing else, +rather gave way at this enquiry; for it brought the loneliness of my +situation, and every thing else that was calculated to oppress me, +directly to view. My first answer to his question was in a sprinkle of +tears, for if the world had been given to me, I could not, at that +moment, have helped crying. As soon as the storm of feeling was over, I +told him how I had been treated by the waggoner but a little before, who +kept what little money I had, and left me without a copper to buy even a +morsel of food. + +He became exceedingly angry, and swore that he would make the other +waggoner give up my money, pronouncing him a scoundrel, and many other +hard names. I told him I was afraid to see him, for he had threatened me +with his waggon whip, and I believed he would injure me. But my new +friend was a very large, stout-looking man, and as resolute as a tiger. +He bid me not to be afraid, still swearing he would have my money, or +whip it out of the wretch who had it. + +We turned and went back about two miles, when we reached the place where +he was. I went reluctantly; but I depended on my friend for protection. +When we got there, I had but little to say; but approaching the +waggoner, my friend said to him, "You damn'd rascal, you have treated +this boy badly." To which he replied, it was my fault. He was then +asked, if he did not get seven dollars of my money, which he confessed. +It was then demanded of him; but he declared most solemnly, that he had +not that amount in the world; that he had spent my money, and intended +paying it back to me when we got to Tennessee. I then felt reconciled, +and persuaded my friend to let him alone, and we returned to his waggon, +geared up, and started. His name I shall never forget while my memory +lasts; it was Henry Myers. He lived in Pennsylvania, and I found him +what he professed to be, a faithful friend and a clever fellow. + +We traveled together for several days, but at length I concluded to +endeavour to make my way homeward; and for that purpose set out again on +foot, and alone. But one thing I must not omit. The last night I staid +with Mr. Myers, was at a place where several other waggoners also +staid. He told them, before we parted, that I was a poor little +straggling boy, and how I had been treated; and that I was without +money, though I had a long journey before me, through a land of +strangers, where it was not even a wilderness. + +They were good enough to contribute a sort of money-purse, and presented +me with three dollars. On this amount I travelled as far as Montgomery +court-house, in the state of Virginia, where it gave out. I set in to +work for a man by the name of James Caldwell, a month, for five dollars, +which was about a shilling a day. When this time was out, I bound myself +to a man by the name of Elijah Griffith, by trade a hatter, agreeing to +work for him four years. I remained with him about eighteen months, when +he found himself so involved in debt, that he broke up, and left the +country. For this time I had received nothing, and was, of course, left +without money, and with but very few clothes, and them very indifferent +ones. I, however, set in again, and worked about as I could catch +employment, until I got a little money, and some clothing; and once more +cut out for home. When I reached New River, at the mouth of a small +stream, called Little River, the white caps were flying so, that I +couldn't get any body to attempt to put me across. I argued the case as +well as I could, but they told me there was great danger of being +capsized, and drowned, if I attempted to cross. I told them if I could +get a canoe I would venture, caps or no caps. They tried to persuade me +out of it; but finding they could not, they agreed I might take a canoe, +and so I did, and put off. I tied my clothes to the rope of the canoe, +to have them safe, whatever might happen. But I found it a mighty +ticklish business, I tell you. When I got out fairly on the river, I +would have given the world, if it had belonged to me, to have been back +on shore. But there was no time to lose now, so I just determined to do +the best I could, and the devil take the hindmost. I turned the canoe +across the waves, to do which, I had to turn it nearly up the river, as +the wind came from that way; and I went about two miles before I could +land. When I struck land, my canoe was about half full of water, and I +was as wet as a drowned rat. But I was so much rejoiced, that I scarcely +felt the cold, though my clothes were frozen on me; and in this +situation, I had to go above three miles, before I could find any house, +or fire to warm at. I, however, made out to get to one at last, and then +I thought I would warm the inside a little, as well as the outside, +that there might be no grumbling. + +So I took "a leetle of the creater,"--that warmer of the cold, and +cooler of the hot,--and it made me feel so good that I concluded it was +like the negro's rabbit, "good any way." I passed on until I arrived in +Sullivan county, in the state of Tennessee, and there I met with my +brother, who had gone with me when I started from home with the cattle +drove. + +I staid with him a few weeks, and then went on to my father's, which +place I reached late in the evening. Several waggons were there for the +night, and considerable company about the house. I enquired if I could +stay all night, for I did not intend to make myself known, until I saw +whether any of the family would find me out. I was told that I could +stay, and went in, but had mighty little to say to any body. I had been +gone so long, and had grown so much, that the family did not at first +know me. And another, and perhaps a stronger reason was, they had no +thought or expectation of me, for they all had long given me up for +finally lost. + +After a while, we were all called to supper. I went with the rest. We +had sat down to the table and begun to eat, when my eldest sister +recollected me: she sprung up, ran and seized me around the neck, and +exclaimed, "Here is my lost brother." + +My feelings at this time it would be vain and foolish for me to attempt +to describe. I had often thought I felt before, and I suppose I had, but +sure I am, I never had felt as I then did. The joy of my sisters and my +mother, and, indeed, of all the family, was such that it humbled me, and +made me sorry that I hadn't submitted to a hundred whippings, sooner +than cause so much affliction as they had suffered on my account. I +found the family had never heard a word of me from the time my brother +left me. I was now almost _fifteen_ years old; and my increased age and +size, together with the joy of my father, occasioned by my unexpected +return, I was sure would secure me against my long dreaded whipping; and +so they did. But it will be a source of astonishment to many, who +reflect that I am now a member of the American Congress,--the most +enlightened body of men in the world,--that at so advanced an age, the +age of fifteen, I did not know the first letter in the book. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + +I had remained for some short time at home with my father, when he +informed me that he owed a man, whose name was Abraham Wilson, the sum +of thirty-six dollars, and that if I would set in and work out the note, +so as to lift it for him, he would discharge me from his service, and I +might go free. I agreed to do this, and went immediately to the man who +held my father's note, and contracted with him to work six months for +it. I set in, and worked with all my might, not losing a single day in +the six months. When my time was out, I got my father's note, and then +declined working with the man any longer, though he wanted to hire me +mighty bad. The reason was, it was a place where a heap of bad company +met to drink and gamble, and I wanted to get away from them, for I +know'd very well if I staid there, I should get a bad name, as nobody +could be respectable that would live there. I therefore returned to my +father, and gave him up his paper, which seemed to please him mightily, +for though he was poor, he was an honest man, and always tried mighty +hard to pay off his debts. + +I next went to the house of an honest old Quaker, by the name of John +Kennedy, who had removed from North Carolina, and proposed to hire +myself to him, at two shillings a day. He agreed to take me a week on +trial; at the end of which he appeared pleased with my work, and +informed me that he held a note on my father for forty dollars, and that +he would give me that note if I would work for him six months. I was +certain enough that I should never get any part of the note; but then I +remembered it was my father that owed it, and I concluded it was my duty +as a child to help him along, and ease his lot as much as I could. I +told the Quaker I would take him up at his offer, and immediately went +to work. I never visited my father's house during the whole time of this +engagement, though he lived only fifteen miles off. But when it was +finished, and I had got the note, I borrowed one of my employer's +horses, and, on a Sunday evening, went to pay my parents a visit. Some +time after I got there, I pulled out the note and handed it to my +father, who supposed Mr. Kennedy had sent it for collection. The old man +looked mighty sorry, and said to me he had not the money to pay it, and +didn't know what he should do. I then told him I had paid it for him, +and it was then his own; that it was not presented for collection, but +as a present from me. At this, he shed a heap of tears; and as soon as +he got a little over it, he said he was sorry he couldn't give me any +thing, but he was not able, he was too poor. + +The next day, I went back to my old friend, the Quaker, and set in to +work for him for some clothes; for I had now worked a year without +getting any money at all, and my clothes were nearly all worn out, and +what few I had left were mighty indifferent. I worked in this way for +about two months; and in that time a young woman from North Carolina, +who was the Quaker's niece, came on a visit to his house. And now I am +just getting on a part of my history that I know I never can forget. For +though I have heard people talk about hard loving, yet I reckon no poor +devil in this world was ever cursed with such hard love as mine has +always been, when it came on me. I soon found myself head over heels in +love with this girl, whose name the public could make no use of; and I +thought that if all the hills about there were pure chink, and all +belonged to me, I would give them if I could just talk to her as I +wanted to; but I was afraid to begin, for when I would think of saying +any thing to her, my heart would begin to flutter like a duck in a +puddle; and if I tried to outdo it and speak, it would get right smack +up in my throat, and choak me like a cold potatoe. It bore on my mind in +this way, till at last I concluded I must die if I didn't broach the +subject; and so I determined to begin and hang on a trying to speak, +till my heart would get out of my throat one way or t'other. And so one +day at it I went, and after several trials I could say a little. I told +her how well I loved her; that she was the darling object of my soul and +body; and I must have her, or else I should pine down to nothing, and +just die away with the consumption. + +I found my talk was not disagreeable to her; but she was an honest girl, +and didn't want to deceive nobody. She told me she was engaged to her +cousin, a son of the old Quaker. This news was worse to me than war, +pestilence, or famine; but still I knowed I could not help myself. I saw +quick enough my cake was dough, and I tried to cool off as fast as +possible; but I had hardly safety pipes enough, as my love was so hot +as mighty nigh to burst my boilers. But I didn't press my claims any +more, seeing there was no chance to do any thing. + +I began now to think, that all my misfortunes growed out of my want of +learning. I had never been to school but four days, as the reader has +already seen, and did not yet know a letter. + +I thought I would try to go to school some; and as the Quaker had a +married son, who was living about a mile and a half from him, and +keeping a school, I proposed to him that I would go to school four days +in the week, and work for him the other two, to pay my board and +schooling. He agreed I might come on those terms; and so at it I went, +learning and working back and forwards, until I had been with him nigh +on to six months. In this time I learned to read a little in my primer, +to write my own name, and to cypher some in the three first rules in +figures. And this was all the schooling I ever had in my life, up to +this day. I should have continued longer, if it hadn't been that I +concluded I couldn't do any longer without a wife; and so I cut out to +hunt me one. + +I found a family of very pretty little girls that I had known when very +young. They had lived in the same neighborhood with me, and I had +thought very well of them. I made an offer to one of them, whose name +is nobody's business, no more than the Quaker girl's was, and I found +she took it very well. I still continued paying my respects to her, +until I got to love her as bad as I had the Quaker's niece; and I would +have agreed to fight a whole regiment of wild cats if she would only +have said she would have me. Several months passed in this way, during +all of which time she continued very kind and friendly. At last, the son +of the old Quaker and my first girl had concluded to bring their matter +to a close, and my little queen and myself were called on to wait on +them. We went on the day, and performed our duty as attendants. This +made me worse than ever; and after it was over, I pressed my claim very +hard on her, but she would still give me a sort of an evasive answer. +However, I gave her mighty little peace, till she told me at last she +would have me. I thought this was glorification enough, even without +spectacles. I was then about eighteen years old. We fixed the time to be +married; and I thought if that day come, I should be the happiest man in +the created world, or in the moon, or any where else. + +I had by this time got to be mighty fond of the rifle, and had bought a +capital one. I most generally carried her with me whereever I went, and +though I had got back to the old Quaker's to live, who was a very +particular man, I would sometimes slip out and attend the shooting +matches, where they shot for beef; I always tried, though, to keep it a +secret from him. He had at the same time a bound boy living with him, +who I had gotten into almost as great a notion of the girls as myself. +He was about my own age, and was deeply smitten with the sister to my +intended wife. I know'd it was in vain to try to get the leave of the +old man for my young associate to go with me on any of my courting +frolics; but I thought I could fix a plan to have him along, which would +not injure the Quaker, as we had no notion that he should ever know it. +We commonly slept up-stairs, and at the gable end of the house there was +a window. So one Sunday, when the old man and his family were all gone +to meeting, we went out and cut a long pole, and, taking it to the +house, we set it up on end in the corner, reaching up the chimney as +high as the window. After this we would go up-stairs to bed, and then +putting on our Sunday clothes, would go out at the window, and climb +down the pole, take a horse apiece, and ride about ten miles to where +his sweetheart lived, and the girl I claimed as my wife. I was always +mighty careful to be back before day, so as to escape being found out; +and in this way I continued my attentions very closely until a few days +before I was to be married, or at least thought I was, for I had no fear +that any thing was about to go wrong. + +Just now I heard of a shooting-match in the neighbourhood, right between +where I lived and my girl's house; and I determined to kill two birds +with one stone,--to go to the shooting match first, and then to see her. +I therefore made the Quaker believe I was going to hunt for deer, as +they were pretty plenty about in those parts; but, instead of hunting +them, I went straight on to the shooting-match, where I joined in with a +partner, and we put in several shots for the beef. I was mighty lucky, +and when the match was over I had won the whole beef. This was on a +Saturday, and my success had put me in the finest humour in the world. +So I sold my part of the beef for five dollars in the real grit, for I +believe that was before bank-notes was invented; at least, I had never +heard of any. I now started on to ask for my wife; for, though the next +Thursday was our wedding day, I had never said a word to her parents +about it. I had always dreaded the undertaking so bad, that I had put +the evil hour off as long as possible; and, indeed, I calculated they +knowed me so well, they wouldn't raise any objection to having me for +their son-in-law. I had a great deal better opinion of myself, I found, +than other people had of me; but I moved on with a light heart, and my +five dollars jingling in my pocket, thinking all the time there was but +few greater men in the world than myself. + +In this flow of good humour I went ahead, till I got within about two +miles of the place, when I concluded I would stop awhile at the house of +the girl's uncle; where I might enquire about the family, and so forth, +and so on. I was indeed just about ready to consider her uncle, my +uncle; and her affairs, my affairs. When I went in, tho', I found her +sister there. I asked how all was at home? In a minute I found from her +countenance something was wrong. She looked mortified, and didn't answer +as quick as I thought she ought, being it was her _brother-in-law_ +talking to her. However, I asked her again. She then burst into tears, +and told me her sister was going to deceive me; and that she was to be +married to another man the next day. This was as sudden to me as a clap +of thunder of a bright sunshiny day. It was the cap-stone of all the +afflictions I had ever met with; and it seemed to me, that it was more +than any human creature could endure. It struck me perfectly speechless +for some time, and made me feel so weak, that I thought I should sink +down. I however recovered from my shock after a little, and rose and +started without any ceremony, or even bidding any body good-bye. The +young woman followed me out to the gate, and entreated me to go on to +her father's, and said she would go with me. She said the young man, who +was going to marry her sister, had got his license, and had asked for +her; but she assured me her father and mother both preferred me to him; +and that she had no doubt but that, if I would go on, I could break off +the match. But I found I could go no further. My heart was bruised, and +my spirits were broken down; so I bid her farewell, and turned my +lonesome and miserable steps back again homeward, concluding that I was +only born for hardships, misery, and disappointment. I now began to +think, that in making me, it was entirely forgotten to make my mate; +that I was born odd, and should always remain so, and that nobody would +have me. + +But all these reflections did not satisfy my mind, for I had no peace +day nor night for several weeks. My appetite failed me, and I grew +daily worse and worse. They all thought I was sick; and so I was. And it +was the worst kind of sickness,--a sickness of the heart, and all the +tender parts, produced by disappointed love. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + +I continued in this down-spirited situation for a good long time, until +one day I took my rifle and started a hunting. While out, I made a call +at the house of a Dutch widow, who had a daughter that was well enough +as to smartness, but she was as ugly as a stone fence. She was, however, +quite talkative, and soon begun to laugh at me about my disappointment. + +She seemed disposed, though, to comfort me as much as she could; and, +for that purpose, told me to keep in good heart, that "there was as good +fish in the sea as had ever been caught out of it." I doubted this very +much; but whether or not, I was certain that she was not one of them, +for she was so homely that it almost give me a pain in the eyes to look +at her. + +But I couldn't help thinking, that she had intended what she had said as +a banter for me to court her!!!--the last thing in creation I could +have thought of doing. I felt little inclined to talk on the subject, it +is true; but, to pass off the time, I told her I thought I was born odd, +and that no fellow to me could be found. She protested against this, and +said if I would come to their reaping, which was not far off, she would +show me one of the prettiest little girls there I had ever seen. She +added that the one who had deceived me was nothing to be compared with +her. I didn't believe a word of all this, for I had thought that such a +piece of flesh and blood as she was had never been manufactured, and +never would again. I agreed with her, though, that the little varment +had treated me so bad, that I ought to forget her, and yet I couldn't do +it. I concluded the best way to accomplish it was to cut out again, and +see if I could find any other that would answer me; and so I told the +Dutch girl I would be at the reaping, and would bring as many as I could +with me. + +I employed my time pretty generally in giving information of it, as far +as I could, until the day came; and I then offered to work for my old +friend, the Quaker, two days, if he would let his bound boy go with me +one to the reaping. He refused, and reproved me pretty considerable +roughly for my proposition; and said, if he was in my place he wouldn't +go; that there would be a great deal of bad company there; and that I +had been so good a boy, he would be sorry for me to get a bad name. But +I knowed my promise to the Dutch girl, and I was resolved to fulfil it; +so I shouldered my rifle, and started by myself. When I got to the +place, I found a large company of men and women, and among them an old +Irish woman, who had a great deal to say. I soon found out from my Dutch +girl, that this old lady was the mother of the little girl she had +promised me, though I had not yet seen her. She was in an out-house with +some other youngsters, and had not yet made her appearance. Her mamma, +however, was no way bashful. She came up to me, and began to praise my +red cheeks, and said she had a sweetheart for me. I had no doubt she had +been told what I come for, and all about it. In the evening I was +introduced to her daughter, and I must confess, I was plaguy well +pleased with her from the word go. She had a good countenance, and was +very pretty, and I was full bent on making up an acquaintance with her. + +It was not long before the dancing commenced, and I asked her to join me +in a reel. She very readily consented to do so; and after we had +finished our dance, I took a seat alongside of her, and entered into a +talk. I found her very interesting; while I was setting by her, making +as good a use of my time as I could, her mother came to us, and very +jocularly called me her son-in-law. This rather confused me, but I +looked on it as a joke of the old lady, and tried to turn it off as well +as I could; but I took care to pay as much attention to her through the +evening as I could. I went on the old saying, of salting the cow to +catch the calf. I soon become so much pleased with this little girl, +that I began to think the Dutch girl had told me the truth, when she +said there was still good fish in the sea. + +We continued our frolic till near day, when we joined in some plays, +calculated to amuse youngsters. I had not often spent a more agreeable +night. In the morning, however, we all had to part; and I found my mind +had become much better reconciled than it had been for a long time. I +went home to the Quaker's, and made a bargain to work with his son for a +low-priced horse. He was the first one I had ever owned, and I was to +work six months for him. I had been engaged very closely five or six +weeks, when this little girl run in my mind so, that I concluded I must +go and see her, and find out what sort of people they were at home. I +mounted my horse and away I went to where she lived, and when I got +there I found her father a very clever old man, and the old woman as +talkative as ever. She wanted badly to find out all about me, and as I +thought to see how I would do for her girl. I had not yet seen her +about, and I began to feel some anxiety to know where she was. + +In a short time, however, my impatience was relieved, as she arrived at +home from a meeting to which she had been. There was a young man with +her, who I soon found was disposed to set up claim to her, as he was so +attentive to her that I could hardly get to slip in a word edgeways. I +began to think I was barking up the wrong tree again; but I was +determined to stand up to my rack, fodder or no fodder. And so, to know +her mind a little on the subject, I began to talk about starting, as I +knowed she would then show some sign, from which I could understand +which way the wind blowed. It was then near night, and my distance was +fifteen miles home. At this my little girl soon began to indicate to the +other gentleman that his room would be the better part of his company. +At length she left him, and came to me, and insisted mighty hard that I +should not go that evening; and, indeed, from all her actions and the +attempts she made to get rid of him, I saw that she preferred me all +holler. But it wasn't long before I found trouble enough in another +quarter. Her mother was deeply enlisted for my rival, and I had to fight +against her influence as well as his. But the girl herself was the prize +I was fighting for; and as she welcomed me, I was determined to lay +siege to her, let what would happen. I commenced a close courtship, +having cornered her from her old beau; while he set off, looking on, +like a poor man at a country frolic, and all the time almost gritting +his teeth with pure disappointment. But he didn't dare to attempt any +thing more, for now I had gotten a start, and I looked at him every once +in a while as fierce as a wild-cat. I staid with her until Monday +morning, and then I put out for home. + +It was about two weeks after this that I was sent for to engage in a +wolf hunt, where a great number of men were to meet, with their dogs and +guns, and where the best sort of sport was expected. I went as large as +life, but I had to hunt in strange woods, and in a part of the country +which was very thinly inhabited. While I was out it clouded up, and I +began to get scared; and in a little while I was so much so, that I +didn't know which way home was, nor any thing about it. I set out the +way I thought it was, but it turned out with me, as it always does with +a lost man, I was wrong, and took exactly the contrary direction from +the right one. And for the information of young hunters, I will just +say, in this place, that whenever a fellow gets bad lost, the way home +is just the way he don't think it is. This rule will hit nine times out +of ten. I went ahead, though, about six or seven miles, when I found +night was coming on fast; but at this distressing time I saw a little +woman streaking it along through the woods like all wrath, and so I cut +on too, for I was determined I wouldn't lose sight of her that night any +more. I run on till she saw me, and she stopped; for she was as glad to +see me as I was to see her, as she was lost as well as me. When I came +up to her, who should she be but my little girl, that I had been paying +my respects to. She had been out hunting her father's horses, and had +missed her way, and had no knowledge where she was, or how far it was to +any house, or what way would take us there. She had been travelling all +day, and was mighty tired; and I would have taken her up, and toated +her, if it hadn't been that I wanted her just where I could see her all +the time, for I thought she looked sweeter than sugar; and by this time +I loved her almost well enough to eat her. + +At last I came to a path, that I know'd must go somewhere, and so we +followed it, till we came to a house, at about dark. Here we staid all +night. I set up all night courting; and in the morning we parted. She +went to her home, from which we were distant about seven miles, and I to +mine, which was ten miles off. + +I now turned in to work again; and it was about four weeks before I went +back to see her. I continued to go occasionally, until I had worked long +enough to pay for my horse, by putting in my gun with my work, to the +man I had purchased from; and then I began to count whether I was to be +deceived again or not. At our next meeting we set the day for our +wedding; and I went to my father's, and made arrangements for an infair, +and returned to ask her parents for her. When I got there, the old lady +appeared to be mighty wrathy; and when I broached the subject, she +looked at me as savage as a meat axe. The old man appeared quite +willing, and treated me very clever. But I hadn't been there long, +before the old woman as good as ordered me out of her house. I thought I +would put her in mind of old times, and see how that would go with her. +I told her she had called me her son-in-law before I had attempted to +call her my mother-in-law and I thought she ought to cool off. But her +Irish was up too high to do any thing with her, and so I quit trying. +All I cared for was, to have her daughter on my side, which I knowed was +the case then; but how soon some other fellow might knock my nose out of +joint again, I couldn't tell. I however felt rather insulted at the old +lady, and I thought I wouldn't get married in her house. And so I told +her girl, that I would come the next Thursday, and bring a horse, +bridle, and saddle for her, and she must be ready to go. Her mother +declared I shouldn't have her; but I know'd I should, if somebody else +didn't get her before Thursday. I then started, bidding them good day, +and went by the house of a justice of the peace, who lived on the way to +my father's, and made a bargain with him to marry me. + +When Thursday came, all necessary arrangements were made at my father's +to receive my wife; and so I took my eldest brother and his wife, and +another brother, and a single sister that I had, and two other young men +with me, and cut out to her father's house to get her. We went on, until +we got within two miles of the place, where we met a large company that +had heard of the wedding, and were waiting. Some of that company went on +with my brother and sister, and the young man I had picked out to wait +on me. When they got there, they found the old lady as wrathy as ever. +However the old man filled their bottle, and the young men returned in a +hurry. I then went on with my company, and when I arrived I never +pretended to dismount from my horse, but rode up to the door, and asked +the girl if she was ready; and she said she was. I then told her to +light on the horse I was leading; and she did so. Her father, though, +had gone out to the gate, and when I started he commenced persuading me +to stay and marry there; that he was entirely willing to the match, and +that his wife, like most women, had entirely too much tongue; but that I +oughtn't to mind her. I told him if she would ask me to stay and marry +at her house, I would do so. With that he sent for her, and after they +had talked for some time out by themselves, she came to me and looked at +me mighty good, and asked my pardon for what she had said, and invited +me stay. She said it was the first child she had ever had to marry; and +she couldn't bear to see her go off in that way; that if I would light, +she would do the best she could for us. I couldn't stand every thing, +and so I agreed, and we got down, and went in. I sent off then for my +parson, and got married in a short time; for I was afraid to wait long, +for fear of another defeat. We had as good treatment as could be +expected; and that night all went on well. The next day we cut out for +my father's, where we met a large company of people, that had been +waiting a day and a night for our arrival. We passed the time quite +merrily, until the company broke up; and having gotten my wife, I +thought I was completely made up, and needed nothing more in the whole +world. But I soon found this was all a mistake--for now having a wife, I +wanted every thing else; and, worse than all, I had nothing to give for +it. + +I remained a few days at my father's, and then went back to my new +father-in-law's; where, to my surprise, I found my old Irish mother in +the finest humour in the world. + +She gave us two likely cows and calves, which, though it was a small +marriage-portion, was still better than I had expected, and, indeed, it +was about all I ever got. I rented a small farm and cabin, and went to +work; but I had much trouble to find out a plan to get any thing to put +in my house. At this time, my good old friend the Quaker came forward to +my assistance, and gave me an order to a store for fifteen dollars' +worth of such things as my little wife might choose. With this, we +fixed up pretty grand, as we thought, and allowed to get on very well. +My wife had a good wheel, and knowed exactly how to use it. She was also +a good weaver, as most of the Irish are, whether men or women; and being +very industrious with her wheel, she had, in little or no time, a fine +web of cloth, ready to make up; and she was good at that too, and at +almost any thing else that a woman could do. + +We worked on for some years, renting ground, and paying high rent, until +I found it wan't the thing it was cracked up to be; and that I couldn't +make a fortune at it just at all. So I concluded to quit it, and cut out +for some new country. In this time we had two sons, and I found I was +better at increasing my family than my fortune. It was therefore the +more necessary that I should hunt some better place to get along; and as +I knowed I would have to move at some time, I thought it was better to +do it before my family got too large, that I might have less to carry. + +The Duck and Elk river country was just beginning to settle, and I +determined to try that. I had now one old horse, and a couple of two +year old colts. They were both broke to the halter, and my father-in-law +proposed, that, if I went, he would go with me, and take one horse to +help me move. So we all fixed up, and I packed my two colts with as many +of my things as they could bear; and away we went across the mountains. +We got on well enough, and arrived safely in Lincoln county, on the head +of the Mulberry fork of Elk river. I found this a very rich country, and +so new, that game, of different sorts, was very plenty. It was here that +I began to distinguish myself as a hunter, and to lay the foundation for +all my future greatness; but mighty little did I know of what sort it +was going to be. Of deer and smaller game I killed abundance; but the +bear had been much hunted in those parts before, and were not so plenty +as I could have wished. I lived here in the years 1809 and '10, to the +best of my recollection, and then I moved to Franklin county, and +settled on Beans creek, where I remained till after the close of the +last war. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + +I was living ten miles below Winchester when the Creek war commenced; +and as military men are making so much fuss in the world at this time, I +must give an account of the part I took in the defence of the country. +If it should make me president, why I can't help it; such things will +sometimes happen; and my pluck is, never "to seek, nor decline office." + +It is true, I had a little rather not; but yet, if the government can't +get on without taking another president from Tennessee, to finish the +work of "retrenchment and reform," why, then, I reckon I must go in for +it. But I must begin about the war, and leave the other matter for the +people to begin on. + +The Creek Indians had commenced their open hostilities by a most bloody +butchery at Fort Mimms. There had been no war among us for so long, that +but few, who were not too old to bear arms, knew any thing about the +business. I, for one, had often thought about war, and had often heard +it described; and I did verily believe in my own mind, that I couldn't +fight in that way at all; but my after experience convinced me that this +was all a notion. For when I heard of the mischief which was done at the +fort, I instantly felt like going, and I had none of the dread of dying +that I expected to feel. In a few days a general meeting of the militia +was called for the purpose of raising volunteers; and when the day +arrived for that meeting, my wife, who had heard me say I meant to go to +the war, began to beg me not to turn out. She said she was a stranger in +the parts where we lived, had no connexions living near her, and that +she and our little children would be left in a lonesome and unhappy +situation if I went away. It was mighty hard to go against such +arguments as these; but my countrymen had been murdered, and I knew that +the next thing would be, that the Indians would be scalping the women +and children all about there, if we didn't put a stop to it. I reasoned +the case with her as well as I could, and told her, that if every man +would wait till his wife got willing for him to go to war, there would +be no fighting done, until we would all be killed in our own houses; +that I was as able to go as any man in the world; and that I believed +it was a duty I owed to my country. Whether she was satisfied with this +reasoning or not, she did not tell me; but seeing I was bent on it, all +she did was to cry a little, and turn about to her work. The truth is, +my dander was up, and nothing but war could bring it right again. + +I went to Winchester, where the muster was to be, and a great many +people had collected, for there was as much fuss among the people about +the war as there is now about moving the deposites. When the men were +paraded, a lawyer by the name of Jones addressed us, and closed by +turning out himself, and enquiring, at the same time, who among us felt +like we could fight Indians? This was the same Mr. Jones who afterwards +served in Congress, from the state of Tennessee. He informed us he +wished to raise a company, and that then the men should meet and elect +their own officers. I believe I was about the second or third man that +step'd out; but on marching up and down the regiment a few times, we +found we had a large company. We volunteered for sixty days, as it was +supposed our services would not be longer wanted. A day or two after +this we met and elected Mr. Jones our captain, and also elected our +other officers. We then received orders to start on the next Monday +week; before which time, I had fixed as well as I could to go, and my +wife had equip'd me as well as she was able for the camp. The time +arrived; I took a parting farewell of my wife and my little boys, +mounted my horse, and set sail, to join my company. Expecting to be gone +only a short time, I took no more clothing with me than I supposed would +be necessary, so that if I got into an Indian battle, I might not be +pestered with any unnecessary plunder, to prevent my having a fair shake +with them. We all met and went ahead, till we passed Huntsville, and +camped at a large spring called Beaty's spring. Here we staid for +several days, in which time the troops began to collect from all +quarters. At last we mustered about thirteen hundred strong, all mounted +volunteers, and all determined to fight, judging from myself, for I felt +wolfish all over. I verily believe the whole army was of the real grit. +Our captain didn't want any other sort; and to try them he several times +told his men, that if any of them wanted to go back home, they might do +so at any time, before they were regularly mustered into the service. +But he had the honour to command all his men from first to last, as not +one of them left him. + +Gen'l. Jackson had not yet left Nashville with his old foot volunteers, +that had gone with him to Natchez in 1812, the year before. While we +remained at the spring, a Major Gibson came, and wanted some volunteers +to go with him across the Tennessee river and into the Creek nation, to +find out the movements of the Indians. He came to my captain, and asked +for two of his best woods-men, and such as were best with a rifle. The +captain pointed me out to him, and said he would be security that I +would go as far as the major would himself, or any other man. I +willingly engaged to go with him, and asked him to let me choose my own +mate to go with me, which he said I might do. I chose a young man by the +name of George Russell, a son of old Major Russell, of Tennessee. I +called him up, but Major Gibson said he thought he hadn't beard enough +to please him,--he wanted men, and not boys. I must confess I was a +little nettled at this; for I know'd George Russell, and I know'd there +was no mistake in him; and I didn't think that courage ought to be +measured by the beard, for fear a goat would have the preference over a +man. I told the major he was on the wrong scent; that Russell could go +as far as he could, and I must have him along. He saw I was a little +wrathy, and said I had the best chance of knowing, and agreed that it +should be as I wanted it. He told us to be ready early in the morning +for a start; and so we were. We took our camp equipage, mounted our +horses, and, thirteen in number, including the major, we cut out. We +went on, and crossed the Tennessee river at a place called Ditto's +Landing; and then traveled about seven miles further, and took up camp +for the night. Here a man by the name of John Haynes overtook us. He had +been an Indian trader in that part of the nation, and was well +acquainted with it. He went with us as a pilot. The next morning, +however, Major Gibson and myself concluded we should separate and take +different directions to see what discoveries we could make; so he took +seven of the men, and I five, making thirteen in all, including myself. +He was to go by the house of a Cherokee Indian, named Dick Brown, and I +was to go by Dick's father's; and getting all the information we could, +we were to meet that evening where the roads came together, fifteen +miles the other side of Brown's. At old Mr. Brown's I got a half blood +Cherokee to agree to go with me, whose name was Jack Thompson. He was +not then ready to start, but was to fix that evening, and overtake us at +the fork road where I was to meet Major Gibson. I know'd it wouldn't be +safe to camp right at the road; and so I told Jack, that when he got to +the fork he must holler like an owl, and I would answer him in the same +way; for I know'd it would be night before he got there. I and my men +then started, and went on to the place of meeting, but Major Gibson was +not there. We waited till almost dark, but still he didn't come. We then +left the Indian trace a little distance, and turning into the head of a +hollow, we struck up camp. It was about ten o'clock at night, when I +heard my owl, and I answered him. Jack soon found us, and we determined +to rest there during the night. We staid also next morning till after +breakfast: but in vain, for the major didn't still come. + +I told the men we had set out to hunt a fight, and I wouldn't go back in +that way; that we must go ahead, and see what the red men were at. We +started, and went to a Cherokee town about twenty miles off; and after a +short stay there, we pushed on to the house of a man by the name of +Radcliff. He was a white man, but had married a Creek woman, and lived +just in the edge of the Creek nation. He had two sons, large likely +fellows, and a great deal of potatoes and corn, and, indeed, almost +every thing else to go on; so we fed our horses and got dinner with +him, and seemed to be doing mighty well. But he was bad scared all the +time. He told us there had been ten painted warriors at his house only +an hour before, and if we were discovered there, they would kill us, and +his family with us. I replied to him, that my business was to hunt for +just such fellows as he had described, and I was determined not to go +back until I had done it. Our dinner being over, we saddled up our +horses, and made ready to start. But some of my small company I found +were disposed to return. I told them, if we were to go back then, we +should never hear the last of it; and I was determined to go ahead. I +knowed some of them would go with me, and that the rest were afraid to +go back by themselves; and so we pushed on to the camp of some of the +friendly Creeks, which was distant about eight miles. The moon was about +the full, and the night was clear; we therefore had the benefit of her +light from night to morning, and I knew if we were placed in such danger +as to make a retreat necessary, we could travel by night as well as in +the day time. + +We had not gone very far, when we met two negroes, well mounted on +Indian ponies, and each with a good rifle. They had been taken from +their owners by the Indians, and were running away from them, and trying +to get back to their masters again. They were brothers, both very large +and likely, and could talk Indian as well as English. One of them I sent +on to Ditto's Landing, the other I took back with me. It was after dark +when we got to the camp, where we found about forty men, women, and +children. + +They had bows and arrows, and I turned in to shooting with their boys by +a pine light. In this way we amused ourselves very well for a while; but +at last the negro, who had been talking to the Indians, came to me and +told me they were very much alarmed, for the "red sticks," as they +called the war party of the Creeks, would come and find us there; and, +if so, we should all be killed. I directed him to tell them that I would +watch, and if one would come that night, I would carry the skin of his +head home to make me a mockasin. When he made this communication, the +Indians laughed aloud. At about ten o'clock at night we all concluded to +try to sleep a little; but that our horses might be ready for use, as +the treasurer said of the drafts on the United States' bank, on certain +"contingences," we tied them up with our saddles on them, and every +thing to our hand, if in the night our quarters should get +uncomfortable. We lay down with our guns in our arms, and I had just +gotten into a dose of sleep, when I heard the sharpest scream that ever +escaped the throat of a human creature. It was more like a wrathy +painter than any thing else. The negro understood it, and he sprang to +me; for tho' I heard the noise well enough, yet I wasn't wide awake +enough to get up. So the negro caught me, and said the red sticks was +coming. I rose quicker then, and asked what was the matter? Our negro +had gone and talked with the Indian who had just fetched the scream, as +he come into camp, and learned from him, that the war party had been +crossing the Coosa river all day at the Ten islands; and were going on +to meet Jackson, and this Indian had come as a runner. This news very +much alarmed the friendly Indians in camp, and they were all off in a +few minutes. I felt bound to make this intelligence known as soon as +possible to the army we had left at the landing; and so we all mounted +our horses, and put out in a long lope to make our way back to that +place. We were about sixty-five miles off. We went on to the same +Cherokee town we had visited on our way out, having first called at +Radcliff's, who was off with his family; and at the town we found +large fires burning, but not a single Indian was to be seen. They were +all gone. These circumstances were calculated to lay our dander a +little, as it appeared we must be in great danger; though we could +easily have licked any force of not more than five to one. But we +expected the whole nation would be on us, and against such fearful odds +we were not so rampant for a fight. + +We therefore staid only a short time in the light of the fires about the +town, preferring the light of the moon and the shade of the woods. We +pushed on till we got again to old Mr. Brown's, which was still about +thirty miles from where we had left the main army. When we got there, +the chickens were just at the first crowing for day. We fed our horses, +got a morsel to eat ourselves, and again cut out. About ten o'clock in +the morning we reached the camp, and I reported to Col. Coffee the news. +He didn't seem to mind my report a bit, and this raised my dander higher +than ever; but I knowed I had to be on my best behaviour, and so I kept +it all to myself; though I was so mad that I was burning inside like a +tar-kiln, and I wonder that the smoke hadn't been pouring out of me at +all points. + +Major Gibson hadn't yet returned, and we all began to think he was +killed; and that night they put out a double guard. The next day the +major got in, and brought a worse tale than I had, though he stated the +same facts, so far as I went. This seemed to put our colonel all in a +fidget; and it convinced me, clearly, of one of the hateful ways of the +world. When I made my report, it wasn't believed, because I was no +officer; I was no great man, but just a poor soldier. But when the same +thing was reported by Major Gibson!! why, then, it was all as true as +preaching, and the colonel believed it every word. + +He, therefore, ordered breastworks to be thrown up, near a quarter of a +mile long, and sent an express to Fayetteville, where General Jackson +and his troops was, requesting them to push on like the very mischief, +for fear we should all be cooked up to a cracklin before they could get +there. Old Hickory-face made a forced march on getting the news; and on +the next day, he and his men got into camp, with their feet all +blistered from the effects of their swift journey. The volunteers, +therefore, stood guard altogether, to let them rest. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + +About eight hundred of the volunteers, and of that number I was one, +were now sent back, crossing the Tennessee river, and on through +Huntsville, so as to cross the river again at another place, and to get +on the Indians in another direction. After we passed Huntsville, we +struck on the river at the Muscle Shoals, and at a place on them called +Melton's Bluff. This river is here about two miles wide, and a rough +bottom; so much so, indeed, in many places, as to be dangerous; and in +fording it this time, we left several of the horses belonging to our +men, with their feet fast in the crevices of the rocks. The men, whose +horses were thus left, went ahead on foot. We pushed on till we got to +what was called the Black Warrior's town, which stood near the very spot +where Tuscaloosa now stands, which is the seat of government for the +state of Alabama. + +This Indian town was a large one; but when we arrived we found the +Indians had all left it. There was a large field of corn standing out, +and a pretty good supply in some cribs. There was also a fine quantity +of dried beans, which were very acceptable to us; and without delay we +secured them as well as the corn, and then burned the town to ashes; +after which we left the place. + +In the field where we gathered the corn we saw plenty of fresh Indian +tracks, and we had no doubt they had been scared off by our arrival. + +We then went on to meet the main army at the fork road, where I was +first to have met Major Gibson. We got that evening as far back as the +encampment we had made the night before we reached the Black Warrior's +town, which we had just destroyed. The next day we were entirely out of +meat. I went to Col. Coffee, who was then in command of us, and asked +his leave to hunt as we marched. He gave me leave, but told me to take +mighty good care of myself. I turned aside to hunt, and had not gone far +when I found a deer that had just been killed and skinned, and his flesh +was still warm and smoking. From this I was sure that the Indian who had +killed it had been gone only a very few minutes; and though I was never +much in favour of one hunter stealing from another, yet meat was so +scarce in camp, that I thought I must go in for it. So I just took up +the deer on my horse before me, and carried it on till night. I could +have sold it for almost any price I would have asked; but this wasn't my +rule, neither in peace nor war. Whenever I had any thing, and saw a +fellow being suffering, I was more anxious to relieve him than to +benefit myself. And this is one of the true secrets of my being a poor +man to this day. But it is my way; and while it has often left me with +an empty purse, which is as near the devil as any thing else I have +seen, yet it has never left my heart empty of consolations which money +couldn't buy,--the consolations of having sometimes fed the hungry and +covered the naked. + +I gave all my deer away, except a small part I kept for myself, and just +sufficient to make a good supper for my mess; for meat was getting to be +a rarity to us all. We had to live mostly on parched corn. The next day +we marched on, and at night took up camp near a large cane brake. While +here, I told my mess I would again try for some meat; so I took my rifle +and cut out, but hadn't gone far, when I discovered a large gang of +hogs. I shot one of them down in his tracks, and the rest broke directly +towards the camp. In a few minutes, the guns began to roar, as bad as if +the whole army had been in an Indian battle; and the hogs to squeal as +bad as the pig did, when the devil turned barber. I shouldered my hog, +and went on to the camp; and when I got there I found they had killed a +good many of the hogs, and a fine fat cow into the bargain, that had +broke out of the cane brake. We did very well that night, and the next +morning marched on to a Cherokee town, where our officers stop'd, and +gave the inhabitants an order on Uncle Sam for their cow, and the hogs +we had killed. The next day we met the main army, having had, as we +thought, hard times, and a plenty of them, though we had yet seen hardly +the beginning of trouble. + +After our meeting we went on to Radcliff's, where I had been before +while out as a spy; and when we got there, we found he had hid all his +provisions. We also got into the secret, that he was the very rascal who +had sent the runner to the Indian camp, with the news that the "red +sticks" were crossing at the Ten Islands; and that his object was to +scare me and my men away, and send us back with a false alarm. + +To make some atonement for this, we took the old scroundrell's two big +sons with us, and made them serve in the war. + +We then marched to a place, which we called Camp Wills; and here it was +that Captain Cannon was promoted to a colonel, and Colonel Coffee to a +general. We then marched to the Ten Islands, on the Coosa river, where +we established a fort; and our spy companies were sent out. They soon +made prisoners of Bob Catala and his warriors, and, in a few days +afterwards, we heard of some Indians in a town about eight miles off. So +we mounted our horses, and put out for that town, under the direction of +two friendly Creeks we had taken for pilots. We had also a Cherokee +colonel, Dick Brown, and some of his men with us. When we got near the +town we divided; one of our pilots going with each division. And so we +passed on each side of the town, keeping near to it, until our lines met +on the far side. We then closed up at both ends, so as to surround it +completely; and then we sent Captain Hammond's company of rangers to +bring on the affray. He had advanced near the town, when the Indians saw +him, and they raised the yell, and came running at him like so many red +devils. The main army was now formed in a hollow square around the town, +and they pursued Hammond till they came in reach of us. We then gave +them a fire, and they returned it, and then ran back into their town. We +began to close on the town by making our files closer and closer, and +the Indians soon saw they were our property. So most of them wanted us +to take them prisoners; and their squaws and all would run and take hold +of any of us they could, and give themselves up. I saw seven squaws have +hold of one man, which made me think of the Scriptures. So I hollered +out the Scriptures was fulfilling; that there was seven women holding to +one man's coat tail. But I believe it was a hunting-shirt all the time. +We took them all prisoners that came out to us in this way; but I saw +some warriors run into a house, until I counted forty-six of them. We +pursued them until we got near the house, when we saw a squaw sitting in +the door, and she placed her feet against the bow she had in her hand, +and then took an arrow, and, raising her feet, she drew with all her +might, and let fly at us, and she killed a man, whose name, I believe, +was Moore. He was a lieutenant, and his death so enraged us all, that +she was fired on, and had at least twenty balls blown through her. This +was the first man I ever saw killed with a bow and arrow. We now shot +them like dogs; and then set the house on fire, and burned it up with +the forty-six warriors in it. I recollect seeing a boy who was shot down +near the house. His arm and thigh was broken, and he was so near the +burning house that the grease was stewing out of him. In this situation +he was still trying to crawl along; but not a murmur escaped him, though +he was only about twelve years old. So sullen is the Indian, when his +dander is up, that he had sooner die than make a noise, or ask for +quarters. + +The number that we took prisoners, being added to the number we killed, +amounted to one hundred and eighty-six; though I don't remember the +exact number of either. We had five of our men killed. We then returned +to our camp, at which our fort was erected, and known by the name of +Fort Strother. No provisions had yet reached us, and we had now been for +several days on half rations. However we went back to our Indian town on +the next day, when many of the carcasses of the Indians were still to be +seen. They looked very awful, for the burning had not entirely consumed +them, but given them a very terrible appearance, at least what remained +of them. It was, somehow or other, found out that the house had a +potatoe cellar under it, and an immediate examination was made, for we +were all as hungry as wolves. We found a fine chance of potatoes in it, +and hunger compelled us to eat them, though I had a little rather not, +if I could have helped it, for the oil of the Indians we had burned up +on the day before had run down on them, and they looked like they had +been stewed with fat meat. We then again returned to the army, and +remained there for several days almost starving, as all our beef was +gone. We commenced eating the beef-hides, and continued to eat every +scrap we could lay our hands on. At length an Indian came to our guard +one night, and hollered, and said he wanted to see "Captain Jackson." He +was conducted to the general's markee, into which he entered, and in a +few minutes we received orders to prepare for marching. + +In an hour we were all ready, and took up the line of march. We crossed +the Coosa river, and went on in the direction to Fort Taladega. When we +arrived near the place, we met eleven hundred painted warriors, the very +choice of the Creek nation. They had encamped near the fort, and had +informed the friendly Indians who were in it, that if they didn't come +out, and fight with them against the whites, they would take their fort +and all their ammunition and provision. The friendly party asked three +days to consider of it, and agreed that if on the third day they didn't +come out ready to fight with them, they might take their fort. Thus +they put them off. They then immediately started their runner to General +Jackson, and he and the army pushed over, as I have just before stated. + +The camp of warriors had their spies out, and discovered us coming, some +time before we got to the fort. They then went to the friendly Indians, +and told them Captain Jackson was coming, and had a great many fine +horses, and blankets, and guns, and every thing else; and if they would +come out and help to whip him, and to take his plunder, it should all be +divided with those in the fort. They promised that when Jackson came, +they would then come out and help to whip him. It was about an hour by +sun in the morning, when we got near the fort. We were piloted by +friendly Indians, and divided as we had done on a former occasion, so as +to go to the right and left of the fort, and, consequently, of the +warriors who were camped near it. Our lines marched on, as before, till +they met in front, and then closed in the rear, forming again into a +hollow square. We then sent on old Major Russell, with his spy company, +to bring on the battle; Capt. Evans' company went also. When they got +near the fort, the top of it was lined with the friendly Indians, +crying out as loud as they could roar, "How-dy-do, brother, how-dy-do?" +They kept this up till Major Russel had passed by the fort, and was +moving on towards the warriors. They were all painted as red as scarlet, +and were just as naked as they were born. They had concealed themselves +under the bank of a branch, that ran partly around the fort, in the +manner of a half moon. Russel was going right into their circle, for he +couldn't see them, while the Indians on the top of the fort were trying +every plan to show him his danger. But he couldn't understand them. At +last, two of them jumped from it, and ran, and took his horse by the +bridle, and pointing to where they were, told him there were thousands +of them lying under the bank. This brought them to a halt, and about +this moment the Indians fired on them, and came rushing forth like a +cloud of Egyptian locusts, and screaming like all the young devils had +been turned loose, with the old devil of all at their head. Russel's +company quit their horses, and took into the fort, and their horses ran +up to our line, which was then in full view. The warriors then came +yelling on, meeting us, and continued till they were within shot of us, +when we fired and killed a considerable number of them. They then broke +like a gang of steers, and ran across to our other line, where they +were again fired on; and so we kept them running from one line to the +other, constantly under a heavy fire, until we had killed upwards of +four hundred of them. They fought with guns, and also with their bows +and arrows; but at length they made their escape through a part of our +line, which was made up of drafted militia, which broke ranks, and they +passed. We lost fifteen of our men, as brave fellows as ever lived or +died. We buried them all in one grave, and started back to our fort; but +before we got there, two more of our men died of wounds they had +received; making our total loss seventeen good fellows in that battle. + +We now remained at the fort a few days, but no provision came yet, and +we were all likely to perish. The weather also began to get very cold; +and our clothes were nearly worn out, and horses getting very feeble and +poor. Our officers proposed to Gen'l. Jackson to let us return home and +get fresh horses, and fresh clothing, so as to be better prepared for +another campaign; for our sixty days had long been out, and that was the +time we entered for. + +But the general took "the responsibility" on himself, and refused. We +were, however, determined to go, as I am to put back the deposites, _if +I can_. With this, the general issued his orders against it, as he has +against the bank. But we began to fix for a start, as provisions were +too scarce; just as Clay, and Webster, and myself are preparing to fix +bank matters, on account of the scarcity of money. The general went and +placed his cannon on a bridge we had to cross, and ordered out his +regulars and drafted men to keep us from crossing; just as he has +planted his Globe and K. C. to alarm the bank men, while his regulars +and militia in Congress are to act as artillery men. But when the +militia started to guard the bridge, they would holler back to us to +bring their knapsacks along when we come, for they wanted to go as bad +as we did; just as many a good fellow now wants his political knapsack +brought along, that if, when we come to vote, he sees he has a _fair +shake to go_, he may join in and help us to take back the deposites. + +We got ready and moved on till we came near the bridge, where the +general's men were all strung along on both sides, just like the +office-holders are now, to keep us from getting along to the help of the +country and the people. But we all had our flints ready picked, and our +guns ready primed, that if we were fired on we might fight our way +through, or all die together; just as we are now determined to save the +country from ready ruin, or to sink down with it. When we came still +nearer the bridge we heard the guards cocking their guns, and we did the +same; just as we have had it in Congress, while the "government" +regulars and the people's volunteers have all been setting their +political triggers. But, after all, we marched boldly on, and not a gun +was fired, nor a life lost; just as I hope it will be again, that we +shall not be afraid of the general's Globe, nor his K. C., nor his +regulars, nor their trigger snapping; but just march boldly over the +executive bridge, and take the deposites back where the law placed them, +and where they ought to be. When we had passed, no further attempt was +made to stop us; but the general said, we were "the damned'st volunteers +he had ever seen in his life; that we would volunteer and go out and +fight, and then at our pleasure would _volunteer_ and go home again, in +spite of the devil." But we went on; and near Huntsville we met a +reinforcement who were going on to join the army. It consisted of a +regiment of volunteers, and was under the command of some one whose name +I can't remember. They were sixty-day volunteers. + +We got home pretty safely, and in a short time we had procured fresh +horses and a supply of clothing better suited for the season; and then +we returned to Fort Deposite, where our officers held a sort of a +"_national convention_" on the subject of a message they had received +from General Jackson,--demanding that on our return we should serve out +_six months_. We had already served three months instead of two, which +was the time we had volunteered for. On the next morning the officers +reported to us the conclusions they had come to; and told us, if any of +us felt bound to go on and serve out the six months, we could do so; but +that they intended to go back home. I knowed if I went back home I +couldn't rest, for I felt it my duty to be out; and when out was, +somehow or other, always delighted to be in the very thickest of the +danger. A few of us, therefore, determined to push on and join the army. +The number I do not recollect, but it was very small. + +When we got out there, I joined Major Russel's company of spies. Before +we reached the place, General Jackson had started. We went on likewise, +and overtook him at a place where we established a fort, called Fort +Williams, and leaving men to guard it, we went ahead; intending to go to +a place called the Horse-shoe bend of the Talapoosa river. When we came +near that place, we began to find Indian sign plenty, and we struck up +camp for the night. About two hours before day, we heard our guard +firing, and we were all up in little or no time. We mended up our camp +fires, and then fell back in the dark, expecting to see the Indians +pouring in; and intending, when they should do so, to shoot them by the +light of our own fires. But it happened that they did not rush in as we +had expected, but commenced a fire on us as we were. We were encamped in +a hollow square, and we not only returned the fire, but continued to +shoot as well as we could in the dark, till day broke, when the Indians +disappeared. The only guide we had in shooting was to notice the flash +of their guns, and then shoot as directly at the place as we could +guess. + +In this scrape we had four men killed, and several wounded; but whether +we killed any of the Indians or not we never could tell, for it is their +custom always to carry off their dead, if they can possibly do so. We +buried ours, and then made a large log heap over them, and set it on +fire, so that the place of their deposite might not be known to the +savages, who, we knew, would seek for them, that they might scalp them. +We made some horse litters for our wounded, and took up a retreat. We +moved on till we came to a large creek which we had to cross; and about +half of our men had crossed, when the Indians commenced firing on our +left wing, and they kept it up very warmly. We had left Major Russel and +his brother at the camp we had moved from that morning, to see what +discovery they could make as to the movements of the Indians; and about +this time, while a warm fire was kept up on our left, as I have just +stated, the major came up in our rear, and was closely pursued by a +large number of Indians, who immediately commenced a fire on our +artillery men. They hid themselves behind a large log, and could kill +one of our men almost every shot, they being in open ground and exposed. +The worst of all was, two of our colonels just at this trying moment +left their men, and by _a forced march_, crossed the creek out of the +reach of the fire. Their names, at this late day, would do the world no +good, and my object is history alone, and not the slightest interference +with character. An opportunity was now afforded for Governor Carroll to +distinguish himself, and on this occasion he did so, by greater bravery +than I ever saw any other man display. In truth, I believe, as firmly as +I do that General Jackson is president, that if it hadn't been for +Carroll, we should all have been genteely licked that time, for we were +in a devil of a fix; part of our men on one side of the creek, and part +on the other, and the Indians all the time pouring it on us, as hot as +fresh mustard to a sore shin. I will not say exactly that the old +general was whip'd; but I will say, that if we escaped it at all, it was +like old Henry Snider going to heaven, "mita tam tite squeeze." I think +he would confess himself, that he was nearer whip'd this time than he +was at any other, for I know that all the world couldn't make him +acknowledge that he was _pointedly_ whip'd. I know I was mighty glad +when it was over, and the savages quit us, for I had begun to think +there was one behind every tree in the woods. + +We buried our dead, the number of whom I have also forgotten; and again +made horse litters to carry our wounded, and so we put out, and returned +to Fort Williams, from which place we had started. In the mean time, my +horse had got crippled, and was unfit for service, and as another +reinforcement had arrived, I thought they could get along without me for +a short time; so I got a furlough and went home, for we had had hard +times again on this hunt, and I began to feel as though I had done +Indian fighting enough for one time. I remained at home until after the +army had returned to the Horse-shoe bend, and fought the battle there. +But not being with them at that time, of course no history of that fight +can be expected of me. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + +Soon after this, an army was to be raised to go to Pensacola, and I +determined to go again with them, for I wanted a small taste of British +fighting, and I supposed they would be there. + +Here again the entreaties of my wife were thrown in the way of my going, +but all in vain; for I always had a way of just going ahead, at whatever +I had a mind to. One of my neighbours, hearing I had determined to go, +came to me, and offered me a hundred dollars to go in his place as a +substitute, as he had been drafted. I told him I was better raised than +to hire myself out to be shot at; but that I would go, and he should go +too, and in that way the government would have the services of us both. +But we didn't call General Jackson "the government" in those days, +though we used to go and fight under him in the war. + +I fixed up, and joined old Major Russel again; but we couldn't start +with the main army, but followed on, in a little time, after them. In a +day or two, we had a hundred and thirty men in our company; and we went +over and crossed the Muscle Shoals at the same place where I had crossed +when first out, and when we burned the Black Warriors' town. We passed +through the Choctaw and Chickesaw nations, on to Fort Stephens, and from +thence to what is called the Cut-off, at the junction of the Tom-Bigby +with the Alabama river. This place is near the old Fort Mimms, where the +Indians committed the great butchery at the commencement of the war. + +We were here about two days behind the main army, who had left their +horses at the Cut-off, and taken it on foot; and they did this because +there was no chance for forage between there and Pensacola. We did the +same, leaving men enough to take care of our horses, and cut out on foot +for that place. It was about eighty miles off; but in good heart we +shouldered our guns, blankets, and provisions, and trudged merrily on. +About twelve o'clock the second day, we reached the encampment of the +main army, which was situated on a hill, overlooking the city of +Pensacola. My commander, Major Russel, was a great favourite with Gen'l. +Jackson, and our arrival was hailed with great applause, though we were +a little after the feast; for they had taken the town and fort before we +got there. That evening we went down into the town, and could see the +British fleet lying in sight of the place. We got some liquor, and took +a "horn" or so, and went back to the camp. We remained there that night, +and in the morning we marched back towards the Cut-off. We pursued this +direction till we reached old Fort Mimms, where we remained two or three +days. It was here that Major Russel was promoted from his command, which +was only that of a captain of spies, to the command of a major in the +line. He had been known long before at home as old Major Russel, and so +we all continued to call him in the army. A Major Childs, from East +Tennessee, also commanded a battalion, and his and the one Russel was +now appointed to command, composed a regiment, which, by agreement with +General Jackson, was to quit his army and go to the south, to kill up +the Indians on the Scamby river. + +General Jackson and the main army set out the next morning for New +Orleans, and a Colonel Blue took command of the regiment which I have +before described. We remained, however, a few days after the general's +departure, and then started also on our route. + +As it gave rise to so much war and bloodshed, it may not be improper +here to give a little description of Fort Mimms, and the manner in which +the Indian war commenced. The fort was built right in the middle of a +large old field, and in it the people had been forted so long and so +quietly, that they didn't apprehend any danger at all, and had, +therefore, become quite careless. A small negro boy, whose business it +was to bring up the calves at milking time, had been out for that +purpose, and on coming back, he said he saw a great many Indians. At +this the inhabitants took the alarm, and closed their gates and placed +out their guards, which they continued for a few days. But finding that +no attack was made, they concluded the little negro had lied; and again +threw their gates open, and set all their hands out to work their +fields. The same boy was out again on the same errand, when, returning +in great haste and alarm, he informed them that he had seen the Indians +as thick as trees in the woods. He was not believed, but was tucked up +to receive a flogging for the supposed lie; and was actually getting +badly licked at the very moment when the Indians came in a troop, loaded +with rails, with which they stop'd all the port-holes of the fort on one +side except the bastion; and then they fell in to cutting down the +picketing. Those inside the fort had only the bastion to shoot from, as +all the other holes were spiked up; and they shot several of the +Indians, while engaged in cutting. But as fast as one would fall, +another would seize up the axe and chop away, until they succeeded in +cutting down enough of the picketing to admit them to enter. They then +began to rush through, and continued until they were all in. They +immediately commenced scalping, without regard to age or sex; having +forced the inhabitants up to one side of the fort, where they carried on +the work of death as a butcher would in a slaughter pen. + +The scene was particularly described to me by a young man who was in the +fort when it happened, and subsequently went on with us to Pensacola. He +said that he saw his father, and mother, his four sisters, and the same +number of brothers, all butchered in the most shocking manner, and that +he made his escape by running over the heads of the crowd, who were +against the fort wall, to the top of the fort, and then jumping off, and +taking to the woods. He was closely pursued by several Indians, until he +came to a small byo, across which there was a log. He knew the log was +hollow on the under side, so he slip'd under the log and hid himself. +He said he heard the Indians walk over him several times back and +forward. He remained, nevertheless, still till night, when he came out, +and finished his escape. The name of this young man has entirely escaped +my recollection, though his tale greatly excited my feelings. But to +return to my subject. The regiment marched from where Gen'l. Jackson had +left us to Fort Montgomery, which was distant from Fort Mimms about a +mile and a half, and there we remained for some days. + +Here we supplied ourselves pretty well with beef, by killing wild cattle +which had formerly belonged to the people who perished in the fort, but +had gone wild after their massacre. + +When we marched from Fort Montgomery, we went some distance back towards +Pensacola; then we turned to the left, and passed through a poor piny +country, till we reached the Scamby river, near which we encamped. We +had about one thousand men, and as a part of that number, one hundred +and eighty-six Chickesaw and Choctaw Indians with us. That evening a +boat landed from Pensacola, bringing many articles that were both good +and necessary; such as sugar and coffee, and liquors of all kinds. The +same evening, the Indians we had along proposed to cross the river, and +the officers thinking it might be well for them to do so, consented; and +Major Russell went with them, taking sixteen white men, of which number +I was one. We camped on the opposite bank that night, and early in the +morning we set out. We had not gone far before we came to a place where +the whole country was covered with water, and looked like a sea. We +didn't stop for this, tho', but just put in like so many spaniels, and +waded on, sometimes up to our armpits, until we reached the pine hills, +which made our distance through the water about a mile and a half. Here +we struck up a fire to warm ourselves, for it was cold, and we were +chilled through by being so long in the water. We again moved on, +keeping our spies out; two to our left near the bank of the river, two +straight before us, and two others on our right. We had gone in this way +about six miles up the river, when our spies on the left came to us +leaping the brush like so many old bucks, and informed us that they had +discovered a camp of Creek Indians, and that we must kill them. Here we +paused for a few minutes, and the prophets pow-wowed over their men +awhile, and then got out their paint, and painted them, all according to +their custom when going into battle. They then brought their paint to +old Major Russell, and said to him, that as he was an officer, he must +be painted too. He agreed, and they painted him just as they had done +themselves. We let the Indians understand that we white men would first +fire on the camp, and then fall back, so as to give the Indians a chance +to rush in and scalp them. The Chickasaws marched on our left hand, and +the Choctaws on our right, and we moved on till we got in hearing of the +camp, where the Indians were employed in beating up what they called +chainy briar root. On this they mostly subsisted. On a nearer approach +we found they were on an island, and that we could not get to them. +While we were chatting about this matter, we heard some guns fired, and +in a very short time after a keen whoop, which satisfied us, that +whereever it was, there was war on a small scale. With that we all +broke, like quarter horses, for the firing; and when we got there we +found it was our two front spies, who related to us the following +story:--As they were moving on, they had met with two Creeks who were +out hunting their horses; as they approached each other, there was a +large cluster of green bay bushes exactly between them, so that they +were within a few feet of meeting before either was discovered. Our +spies walked up to them, and speaking in the Shawnee tongue, informed +them that General Jackson was at Pensacola, and they were making their +escape, and wanted to know where they could get something to eat. The +Creeks told them that nine miles up the Conaker, the river they were +then on, there was a large camp of Creeks, and they had cattle and +plenty to eat; and further, that their own camp was on an island about a +mile off, and just below the mouth of the Conaker. They held their +conversation and struck up a fire, and smoked together, and shook hands, +and parted. One of the Creeks had a gun, the other had none; and as soon +as they had parted, our Choctaws turned round and shot down the one that +had the gun, and the other attempted to run off. They snapped several +times at him, but the gun still missing fire, they took after him, and +overtaking him, one of them struck him over the head with his gun, and +followed up his blows till he killed him. + +The gun was broken in the combat, and they then fired off the gun of the +Creek they had killed, and raised the war-whoop. When we reached them, +they had cut off the heads of both the Indians; and each of those +Indians with us would walk up to one of the heads, and taking his war +club would strike on it. This was done by every one of them; and when +they had got done, I took one of their clubs, and walked up as they had +done, and struck it on the head also. At this they all gathered round +me, and patting me on the shoulder, would call me "Warrior--warrior." + +They scalped the heads, and then we moved on a short distance to where +we found a trace leading in towards the river. We took this trace and +pursued it, till we came to where a Spaniard had been killed and +scalped, together with a woman, who we supposed to be his wife, and also +four children. I began to feel mighty ticklish along about this time, +for I knowed if there was no danger then, there had been; and I felt +exactly like there still was. We, however, went on till we struck the +river, and then continued down it till we came opposite to the Indian +camp, where we found they were still beating their roots. + +It was now late in the evening, and they were in a thick cane brake. We +had some few friendly Creeks with us, who said they could decoy them. So +we all hid behind trees and logs, while the attempt was made. The +Indians would not agree that we should fire, but pick'd out some of +their best gunners, and placed them near the river. Our Creeks went down +to the river's side, and hailed the camp in the Creek language. We heard +an answer, and an Indian man started down towards the river, but didn't +come in sight. He went back and again commenced beating his roots, and +sent a squaw. She came down, and talked with our Creeks until dark came +on. They told her they wanted her to bring them a canoe. To which she +replied, that their canoe was on our side; that two of their men had +gone out to hunt their horses and hadn't yet returned. They were the +same two we had killed. The canoe was found, and forty of our picked +Indian warriors were crossed over to take the camp. There was at last +only one man in it, and he escaped; and they took two squaws, and ten +children, but killed none of them, of course. + +We had run nearly out of provisions, and Major Russell had determined to +go up the Conaker to the camp we had heard of from the Indians we had +killed. I was one that he selected to go down the river that night for +provisions, with the canoe, to where we had left our regiment. I took +with me a man by the name of John Guess, and one of the friendly Creeks, +and cut out. It was very dark, and the river was so full that it +overflowed the banks and the adjacent low bottoms. This rendered it very +difficult to keep the channel, and particularly as the river was very +crooked. At about ten o'clock at night we reached the camp, and were to +return by morning to Major Russell, with provisions for his trip up the +river; but on informing Colonel Blue of this arrangement, he vetoed it +as quick as General Jackson did the bank bill; and said, if Major +Russell didn't come back the next day, it would be bad times for him. I +found we were not to go up the Conaker to the Indian camp, and a man of +my company offered to go up in my place to inform Major Russell. I let +him go; and they reached the major, as I was told, about sunrise in the +morning, who immediately returned with those who were with him to the +regiment, and joined us where we crossed the river, as hereafter stated. + +The next morning we all fixed up, and marched down the Scamby to a place +called Miller's Landing, where we swam our horses across, and sent on +two companies down on the side of the bay opposite to Pensacola, where +the Indians had fled when the main army first marched to that place. One +was the company of Captain William Russell, a son of the old major, and +the other was commanded by a Captain Trimble. They went on, and had a +little skirmish with the Indians. They killed some, and took all the +balance prisoners, though I don't remember the numbers. We again met +those companies in a day or two, and sent the prisoners they had taken +on to Fort Montgomery, in charge of some of our Indians. + +I did hear, that after they left us, the Indians killed and scalped all +the prisoners, and I never heard the report contradicted. I cannot +positively say it was true, but I think it entirely probable, for it is +very much like the Indian character. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + +When we made a move from the point where we met the companies, we set +out for Chatahachy, the place for which we had started when we left Fort +Montgomery. At the start we had taken only twenty days' rations of +flour, and eight days' rations of beef; and it was now thirty-four days +before we reached that place. We were, therefore, in extreme suffering +for want of something to eat, and exhausted with our exposure and the +fatigues of our journey. I remember well, that I had not myself tasted +bread but twice in nineteen days. I had bought a pretty good supply of +coffee from the boat that had reached us from Pensacola, on the Scamby, +and on that we chiefly subsisted. At length, one night our spies came +in, and informed us they had found Holm's village on the Chatahachy +river; and we made an immediate push for that place. We traveled all +night, expecting to get something to eat when we got there. We arrived +about sunrise, and near the place prepared for battle. We were all so +furious, that even the certainty of a pretty hard fight could not have +restrained us. We made a furious charge on the town, but to our great +mortification and surprise, there wasn't a human being in it. The +Indians had all run off and left it. We burned the town, however; but, +melancholy to tell, we found no provision whatever. We then turned +about, and went back to the camp we had left the night before, as nearly +starved as any set of poor fellows ever were in the world. + +We staid there only a little while, when we divided our regiment; and +Major Childs, with his men, went back the way we had come for a +considerable distance, and then turned to Baton Rouge, where they joined +General Jackson and the main army on their return from Orleans. Major +Russell and his men struck for Fort Decatur, on the Talapoosa river. +Some of our friendly Indians, who knew the country, went on ahead of us, +as we had no trail except the one they made to follow. With them we sent +some of our ablest horses and men, to get us some provisions, to prevent +us from absolutely starving to death. As the army marched, I hunted +every day, and would kill every hawk, bird, and squirrel that I could +find. Others did the same; and it was a rule with us, that when we +stop'd at night, the hunters would throw all they killed in a pile, and +then we would make a general division among all the men. One evening I +came in, having killed nothing that day. I had a very sick man in my +mess, and I wanted something for him to eat, even if I starved myself. +So I went to the fire of a Captain Cowen, who commanded my company after +the promotion of Major Russell, and informed him that I was on the hunt +of something for a sick man to eat. I knowed the captain was as bad off +as the rest of us, but I found him broiling a turkey's gizzard. He said +he had divided the turkey out among the sick, that Major Smiley had +killed it, and that nothing else had been killed that day. I immediately +went to Smiley's fire, where I found him broiling another gizzard. I +told him, that it was the first turkey I had ever seen have two +gizzards. But so it was, I got nothing for my sick man. And now seeing +that every fellow must shift for himself, I determined that in the +morning, I would come up missing; so I took my mess and cut out to go +ahead of the army. We know'd that nothing more could happen to us if we +went than if we staid, for it looked like it was to be starvation any +way; we therefore determined to go on the old saying, root hog or die. +We passed two camps, at which our men, that had gone on before us, had +killed Indians. At one they had killed nine, and at the other three. +About daylight we came to a small river, which I thought was the Scamby; +but we continued on for three days, killing little or nothing to eat; +till, at last, we all began to get nearly ready to give up the ghost, +and lie down and die; for we had no prospect of provision, and we knew +we couldn't go much further without it. + +We came to a large prairie, that was about six miles across it, and in +this I saw a trail which I knowed was made by bear, deer, and turkeys. +We went on through it till we came to a large creek, and the low grounds +were all set over with wild rye, looking as green as a wheat field. We +here made a halt, unsaddled our horses, and turned them loose to graze. + +One of my companions, a Mr. Vanzant, and myself, then went up the low +grounds to hunt. We had gone some distance, finding nothing; when at +last, I found a squirrel; which I shot, but he got into a hole in the +tree. The game was small, but necessity is not very particular; so I +thought I must have him, and I climbed that tree thirty feet high, +without a limb, and pulled him out of his hole. I shouldn't relate such +small matters, only to show what lengths a hungry man will go to, to +get something to eat. I soon killed two other squirrels, and fired at a +large hawk. At this a large gang of turkeys rose from the cane brake, +and flew across the creek to where my friend was, who had just before +crossed it. He soon fired on a large gobler, and I heard it fall. By +this time my gun was loaded again, and I saw one sitting on my side of +the creek, which had flew over when he fired; so I blazed away, and down +I brought him. I gathered him up, and a fine turkey he was. I now began +to think we had struck a breeze of luck, and almost forgot our past +sufferings, in the prospect of once more having something to eat. I +raised the shout, and my comrade came to me, and we went on to our camp +with the game we had killed. While we were gone, two of our mess had +been out, and each of them had found a bee tree. We turned into cooking +some of our game, but we had neither salt nor bread. Just at this +moment, on looking down the creek, we saw our men, who had gone on +before us for provisions, coming to us. They came up, and measured out +to each man a cupfull of flower. With this, we thickened our soup, when +our turkey was cooked, and our friends took dinner with us, and then +went on. + +We now took our tomahawks, and went and cut our bee-trees, out of which +we got a fine chance of honey; though we had been starving so long that +we feared to eat much at a time, till, like the Irish by hanging, we got +used to it again. We rested that night without moving our camp; and the +next morning myself and Vanzant again turned out to hunt. We had not +gone far, before I wounded a fine buck very badly; and while pursuing +him, I was walking on a large tree that had fallen down, when from the +top of it, a large bear broke out and ran off. I had no dogs, and I was +sorry enough for it; for of all the hunting I ever did, I have always +delighted most in bear hunting. Soon after this, I killed a large buck; +and we had just gotten him to camp, when our poor starved army came up. +They told us, that to lessen their sufferings as much as possible, +Captain William Russell had had his horse led up to be shot for them to +eat, just at the moment that they saw our men returning, who had carried +on the flour. + +We were now about fourteen miles from Fort Decatur, and we gave away all +our meat, and honey, and went on with the rest of the army. When we got +there, they could give us only one ration of meat, but not a mouthful of +bread. I immediately got a canoe, and taking my gun, crossed over the +river, and went to the Big Warrior's town. I had a large hat, and I +offered an Indian a silver dollar for my hat full of corn. He told me +that his corn was all "_shuestea_," which in English means, it was all +gone. But he showed me where an Indian lived, who, he said, had corn. I +went to him, and made the same offer. He could talk a little broken +English, and said to me, "You got any powder? You got bullet?" I told +him I had. He then said, "Me swap my corn, for powder and bullet." I +took out about ten bullets, and showed him; and he proposed to give me a +hat full of corn for them. I took him up, mighty quick. I then offered +to give him ten charges of powder for another hat full of corn. To this +he agreed very willingly. So I took off my hunting-shirt, and tied up my +corn; and though it had cost me very little of my powder and lead, yet I +wouldn't have taken fifty silver dollars for it. I returned to the camp, +and the next morning we started for the Hickory Ground, which was thirty +miles off. It was here that General Jackson met the Indians, and made +peace with the body of the nation. + +We got nothing to eat at this place, and we had yet to go forty-nine +miles, over a rough and wilderness country, to Fort Williams. Parched +corn, and but little even of that, was our daily subsistence. When we +reached Fort Williams, we got one ration of pork and one of flour, which +was our only hope until we could reach Fort Strother. + +The horses were now giving out, and I remember to have seen thirteen +good horses left in one day, the saddles and bridles being thrown away. +It was thirty-nine miles to Fort Strother, and we had to pass directly +by Fort Talladego, where we first had the big Indian battle with the +eleven hundred painted warriors. We went through the old battle ground, +and it looked like a great gourd patch; the sculls of the Indians who +were killed still lay scattered all about, and many of their frames were +still perfect, as the bones had not separated. But about five miles +before we got to this battle ground, I struck a trail, which I followed +until it led me to one of their towns. Here I swap'd some more of my +powder and bullets for a little corn. + +I pursued on, by myself, till some time after night, when I came up with +the rest of the army. That night my company and myself did pretty well, +as I divided out my corn among them. The next morning we met the East +Tennessee troops, who were on their road to Mobile, and my youngest +brother was with them. They had plenty of corn and provisions, and they +gave me what I wanted for myself and my horse. I remained with them +that night, though my company went across the Coosa river to the fort, +where they also had the good fortune to find plenty of provisions. Next +morning, I took leave of my brother and all my old neighbours, for there +were a good many of them with him, and crossed over to my men at the +fort. Here I had enough to go on, and after remaining a few days, cut +out for home. Nothing more, worthy of the reader's attention, transpired +till I was safely landed at home once more with my wife and children. I +found them all well and doing well; and though I was only a rough sort +of a backwoodsman, they seemed mighty glad to see me, however little the +quality folks might suppose it. For I do reckon we love as hard in the +backwood country, as any people in the whole creation. + +But I had been home only a few days, when we received orders to start +again, and go on to the Black Warrior and Cahawba rivers, to see if +there was no Indians there. I know'd well enough there was none, and I +wasn't willing to trust my craw any more where there was neither any +fighting to do, nor any thing to go on; and so I agreed to give a young +man, who wanted to go, the balance of my wages if he would serve out my +time, which was about a month. He did so, and when they returned, sure +enough they hadn't seen an Indian any more than if they had been all the +time chopping wood in my clearing. This closed my career as a warrior, +and I am glad of it, for I like life now a heap better than I did then; +and I am glad all over that I lived to see these times, which I should +not have done if I had kept fooling along in war, and got used up at it. +When I say I am glad, I just mean I am glad I am alive, for there is a +confounded heap of things I an't glad of at all. I an't glad, for +example, that the "government" moved the deposites, and if my military +glory should take such a turn as to make me president after the +general's time, I'll move them back; yes, I, the "government," will +"take the responsibility," and move them back again. If I don't, I wish +I may be shot. + +But I am glad that I am now through war matters, and I reckon the reader +is too, for they have no fun in them at all; and less if he had had to +pass through them first, and then to write them afterwards. But for the +dullness of their narrative, I must try to make amends by relating some +of the curious things that happened to me in private life, and when +_forced_ to become a public man, as I shall have to be again, if ever I +consent to take the presidential chair. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + +I continued at home now, working my farm for two years, as the war +finally closed soon after I quit the service. The battle at New Orleans +had already been fought, and treaties were made with the Indians which +put a stop to their hostilities. + +But in this time, I met with the hardest trial which ever falls to the +lot of man. Death, that cruel leveller of all distinctions,--to whom the +prayers and tears of husbands, and of even helpless infancy, are +addressed in vain,--entered my humble cottage, and tore from my children +an affectionate good mother, and from me a tender and loving wife. + +It is a scene long gone by, and one which it would be supposed I had +almost forgotten; yet when I turn my memory back on it, it seems as but +the work of yesterday. It was the doing of the Almighty, whose ways are +always right, though we sometimes think they fall heavily on us; and as +painful as is even yet the remembrance of her sufferings, and the loss +sustained by my little children and myself, yet I have no wish to lift +up the voice of complaint. I was left with three children; the two +oldest were sons, the youngest a daughter, and, at that time, a mere +infant. It appeared to me, at that moment, that my situation was the +worst in the world. I couldn't bear the thought of scattering my +children, and so I got my youngest brother, who was also married, and +his family to live with me. They took as good care of my children as +they well could, but yet it wasn't all like the care of a mother. And +though their company was to me in every respect like that of a brother +and sister, yet it fell far short of being like that of a wife. So I +came to the conclusion it wouldn't do, but that I must have another +wife. + +There lived in the neighbourhood, a widow lady whose husband had been +killed in the war. She had two children, a son and daughter, and both +quite small, like my own. I began to think, that as we were both in the +same situation, it might be that we could do something for each other; +and I therefore began to hint a little around the matter, as we were +once and a while together. She was a good industrious woman, and owned a +snug little farm, and lived quite comfortable. I soon began to pay my +respects to her in real good earnest; but I was as sly about it as a fox +when he is going to rob a hen-roost. I found that my company wasn't at +all disagreeable to her; and I thought I could treat her children with +so much friendship as to make her a good stepmother to mine, and in this +I wan't mistaken, as we soon bargained, and got married, and then went +ahead. In a great deal of peace we raised our first crop of children, +and they are all married and doing well. But we had a second crop +together; and I shall notice them as I go along, as my wife and myself +both had a hand in them, and they therefore belong to the history of my +second marriage. + +The next fall after this marriage, three of my neighbours and myself +determined to explore a new country. Their names were Robinson, Frazier, +and Rich. We set out for the Creek country, crossing the Tennessee +river; and after having made a day's travel, we stop'd at the house of +one of my old acquaintances, who had settled there after the war. +Resting here a day, Frazier turned out to hunt, being a great hunter; +but he got badly bit by a very poisonous snake, and so we left him and +went on. We passed through a large rich valley, called Jones's valley, +where several other families had settled, and continued our course till +we came near to the place where Tuscaloosa now stands. Here we camped, +as there were no inhabitants, and hobbled out our horses for the night. +About two hours before day, we heard the bells on our horses going back +the way we had come, as they had started to leave us. As soon as it was +daylight, I started in pursuit of them on foot, and carrying my rifle, +which was a very heavy one. I went ahead the whole day, wading creeks +and swamps, and climbing mountains; but I couldn't overtake our horses, +though I could hear of them at every house they passed. I at last found +I couldn't catch up with them, and so I gave up the hunt, and turned +back to the last house I had passed, and staid there till morning. From +the best calculation we could make, I had walked over fifty miles that +day; and the next morning I was so sore, and fatigued, that I felt like +I couldn't walk any more. But I was anxious to get back to where I had +left my company, and so I started and went on, but mighty slowly, till +after the middle of the day. I now began to feel mighty sick, and had a +dreadful head-ache. My rifle was so heavy, and I felt so weak, that I +lay down by the side of the trace, in a perfect wilderness too, to see +if I wouldn't get better. In a short time some Indians came along. They +had some ripe melons, and wanted me to eat some, but I was so sick I +couldn't. They then signed to me, that I would die, and be buried; a +thing I was confoundedly afraid of myself. But I asked them how near it +was to any house? By their signs, again, they made me understand it was +a mile and a half. I got up to go; but when I rose, I reeled about like +a cow with the blind staggers, or a fellow who had taken too many +"horns." One of the Indians proposed to go with me, and carry my gun. I +gave him half a dollar, and accepted his offer. We got to the house, by +which time I was pretty far gone, but was kindly received, and got on to +a bed. The woman did all she could for me with her warm teas, but I +still continued bad enough, with a high fever, and generally out of my +senses. The next day two of my neighbours were passing the road, and +heard of my situation, and came to where I was. They were going nearly +the route I had intended to go, to look at the country; and so they took +me first on one of their horses, and then on the other, till they got me +back to where I had left my company. I expected I would get better, and +be able to go on with them, but, instead of this, I got worse and worse; +and when we got there, I wan't able to sit up at all. I thought now the +jig was mighty nigh up with me, but I determined to keep a stiff upper +lip. They carried me to a house, and each of my comrades bought him a +horse, and they all set out together, leaving me behind. I knew but +little that was going on for about two weeks; but the family treated me +with every possible kindness in their power, and I shall always feel +thankful to them. The man's name was Jesse Jones. At the end of two +weeks I began to mend without the help of a doctor, or of any doctor's +means. In this time, however, as they told me, I was speechless for five +days, and they had no thought that I would ever speak again,--in +Congress or any where else. And so the woman, who had a bottle of +Batesman's draps, thought if they killed me, I would only die any how, +and so she would try it with me. She gave me the whole bottle, which +throwed me into a sweat that continued on me all night; when at last I +seemed to make up, and spoke, and asked her for a drink of water. This +almost alarmed her, for she was looking every minute for me to die. She +gave me the water, and, from that time, I began slowly to mend, and so +kept on till I was able at last to walk about a little. I might easily +have been mistaken for one of the Kitchen Cabinet, I looked so much +like a ghost. I have been particular in giving a history of this +sickness, not because I believe it will interest any body much now, nor, +indeed, do I _certainly_ know that it ever will. But if I should be +forced to take the "white house," then it will be good history; and +every one will look on it as important. And I can't, for my life, help +laughing now, to think, that when all my folks get around me, wanting +good fat offices, how so many of them will say, "What a good thing it +was that that kind woman had the bottle of draps, that saved PRESIDENT +CROCKETT'S life,--the second greatest and best"!!!!! Good, says I, my +noble fellow! You take the post office; or the navy; or the war office; +or may-be the treasury. But if I give him the treasury, there's no devil +if I don't make him agree first to fetch back them deposites. And if +it's even the post office, I'll make him promise to keep his money +'counts without any figuring, as that throws the whole concern heels +over head in debt, in little or no time. + +But when I got so I could travel a little, I got a waggoner who was +passing along to hawl me to where he lived, which was about twenty miles +from my house. I still mended as we went along, and when we got to his +stopping place, I hired one of his horses, and went on home. I was so +pale, and so much reduced, that my face looked like it had been half +soled with brown paper. + +When I got there, it was to the utter astonishment of my wife; for she +supposed I was dead. My neighbours who had started with me had returned +and took my horse home, which they had found with their's; and they +reported that they had seen men who had helped to bury me; and who saw +me draw my last breath. I know'd this was a whapper of a lie, as soon as +I heard it. My wife had hired a man, and sent him out to see what had +become of my money and other things; but I had missed the man as I went +in, and he didn't return until some time after I got home, as he went +all the way to where I lay sick, before he heard that I was still in the +land of the living and a-kicking. + +The place on which I lived was sickly, and I was determined to leave it. +I therefore set out the next fall to look at the country which had been +purchased of the Chickasaw tribe of Indians. I went on to a place called +Shoal Creek, about eighty miles from where I lived, and here again I got +sick. I took the ague and fever, which I supposed was brought on me by +camping out. I remained here for some time, as I was unable to go +farther; and in that time, I became so well pleased with the country +about there, that I resolved to settle in it. It was just only a little +distance in the purchase, and no order had been established there; but I +thought I could get along without order as well as any body else. And so +I moved and settled myself down on the head of Shoal Creek. We remained +here some two or three years, without any law at all; and so many bad +characters began to flock in upon us, that we found it necessary to set +up a sort of temporary government of our own. I don't mean that we made +any president, and called him the "government," but we met and made what +we called a corporation; and I reckon we called _it_ wrong, for it +wa'n't a bank, and hadn't any deposites; and now they call the bank a +corporation. But be this as it may, we lived in the back-woods, and +didn't profess to know much, and no doubt used many wrong words. But we +met, and appointed magistrates and constables to keep order. We didn't +fix any laws for them, tho'; for we supposed they would know law enough, +whoever they might be; and so we left it to themselves to fix the laws. + +I was appointed one of the magistrates; and when a man owed a debt, and +wouldn't pay it, I and my constable ordered our warrant, and then he +would take the man, and bring him before me for trial. I would give +judgment against him, and then an order of an execution would easily +scare the debt out of him. If any one was charged with marking his +neighbour's hogs, or with stealing any thing, which happened pretty +often in those days,--I would have him taken, and if there was tolerable +grounds for the charge, I would have him well whip'd and cleared. We +kept this up till our Legislature added us to the white settlements in +Giles county; and appointed magistrates by law, to organize matters in +the parts where I lived. They appointed nearly every man a magistrate +who had belonged to our corporation. I was then, of course, made a +squire according to law; though now the honour rested more heavily on me +than before. For, at first, whenever I told my constable, says I--"Catch +that fellow, and bring him up for trial"--away he went, and the fellow +must come, dead or alive; for we considered this a good warrant, though +it was only in verbal writings. But after I was appointed by the +assembly, they told me, my warrants must be in real writing, and signed; +and that I must keep a book, and write my proceedings in it. This was a +hard business on me, for I could just barely write my own name; but to +do this, and write the warrants too, was at least a huckleberry over my +persimmon. I had a pretty well informed constable, however; and he aided +me very much in this business. Indeed I had so much confidence in him, +that I told him, when we should happen to be out anywhere, and see that +a warrant was necessary, and would have a good effect, he need'nt take +the trouble to come all the way to me to get one, but he could just fill +out one; and then on the trial I could correct the whole business if he +had committed any error. In this way I got on pretty well, till by care +and attention I improved my handwriting in such manner as to be able to +prepare my warrants, and keep my record book, without much difficulty. +My judgments were never appealed from, and if they had been they would +have stuck like wax, as I gave my decisions on the principles of common +justice and honesty between man and man, and relied on natural born +sense, and not on law, learning to guide me; for I had never read a page +in a law book in all my life. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + +About the time we were getting under good headway in our new government, +a Capt. Matthews came to me and told me he was a candidate for the +office of colonel of a regiment, and that I must run for first major in +the same regiment. I objected to this, telling him that I thought I had +done my share of fighting, and that I wanted nothing to do with military +appointments. + +He still insisted, until at last I agreed, and of course had every +reason to calculate on his support in my election. He was an early +settler in that country, and made rather more corn than the rest of us; +and knowing it would afford him a good opportunity to electioneer a +little, he made a great corn husking, and a great frolic, and gave a +general treat, asking every body over the whole country. Myself and my +family were, of course, invited. When I got there, I found a very large +collection of people, and some friend of mine soon informed me that the +captain's son was going to offer against me for the office of major, +which he had seemed so anxious for me to get. I cared nothing about the +office, but it put my dander up high enough to see, that after he had +pressed me so hard to offer, he was countenancing, if not encouraging, a +secret plan to beat me. I took the old gentleman out, and asked him +about it. He told me it was true his son was going to run as a +candidate, and that he hated worse to run against me than any man in the +county. I told him his son need give himself no uneasiness about that; +that I shouldn't run against him for major, but against his daddy for +colonel. He took me by the hand, and we went into the company. He then +made a speech, and informed the people that I was his opponent. I +mounted up for a speech too. I told the people the cause of my opposing +him, remarking that as I had the whole family to run against any way, I +was determined to levy on the head of the mess. When the time for the +election came, his son was opposed by another man for major; and he and +his daddy were both badly beaten. I just now began to take a rise, as in +a little time I was asked to offer for the Legislature in the counties +of Lawrence and Heckman. + +I offered my name in the month of February, and started about the first +of March with a drove of horses to the lower part of the state of North +Carolina. This was in the year 1821, and I was gone upwards of three +months. I returned, and set out electioneering, which was a bran-fire +new business to me. It now became necessary that I should tell the +people something about the government, and an eternal sight of other +things that I knowed nothing more about than I did about Latin, and law, +and such things as that. I have said before that in those days none of +us called Gen'l. Jackson the government, nor did he seem in as fair a +way to become so as I do now; but I knowed so little about it, that if +any one had told me he was "the government," I should have believed it, +for I had never read even a newspaper in my life, or any thing else, on +the subject. But over all my difficulties, it seems to me I was born for +luck, though it would be hard for any one to guess what sort. I will, +however, explain that hereafter. + +I went first into Heckman county, to see what I could do among the +people as a candidate. Here they told me that they wanted to move their +town nearer to the centre of the county, and I must come out in favour +of it. There's no devil if I knowed what this meant, or how the town was +to be moved; and so I kept dark, going on the identical same plan that I +now find is called "_non-committal_." About this time there was a great +squirrel hunt on Duck river, which was among my people. They were to +hunt two days: then to meet and count the scalps, and have a big +barbecue, and what might be called a tip-top country frolic. The dinner, +and a general treat, was all to be paid for by the party having taken +the fewest scalps. I joined one side, taking the place of one of the +hunters, and got a gun ready for the hunt. I killed a great many +squirrels, and when we counted scalps, my party was victorious. + +The company had every thing to eat and drink that could be furnished in +so new a country, and much fun and good humour prevailed. But before the +regular frolic commenced, I mean the dancing, I was called on to make a +speech as a candidate; which was a business I was as ignorant of as an +outlandish negro. + +A public document I had never seen, nor did I know there were such +things; and how to begin I couldn't tell. I made many apologies, and +tried to get off, for I know'd I had a man to run against who could +speak prime, and I know'd, too, that I wa'n't able to shuffle and cut +with him. He was there, and knowing my ignorance as well as I did +myself, he also urged me to make a speech. The truth is, he thought my +being a candidate was a mere matter of sport; and didn't think, for a +moment, that he was in any danger from an ignorant back-woods bear +hunter. But I found I couldn't get off, and so I determined just to go +ahead, and leave it to chance what I should say. I got up and told the +people, I reckoned they know'd what I come for, but if not, I could tell +them. I had come for their votes, and if they didn't watch mighty close, +I'd get them too. But the worst of all was, that I couldn't tell them +any thing about government. I tried to speak about something, and I +cared very little what, until I choaked up as bad as if my mouth had +been jam'd and cram'd chock full of dry mush. There the people stood, +listening all the while, with their eyes, mouths and ear all open, to +catch every word I would speak. + +At last I told them I was like a fellow I had heard of not long before. +He was beating on the head of an empty barrel near the road-side, when a +traveler, who was passing along, asked him what he was doing that for? +The fellow replied, that there was some cider in that barrel a few days +before, and he was trying to see if there was any then, but if there was +he couldn't get at it. I told them that there had been a little bit of a +speech in me a while ago, but I believed I couldn't get it out. They +all roared out in a mighty laugh, and I told some other anecdotes, +equally amusing to them, and believing I had them in a first-rate way, I +quit and got down, thanking the people for their attention. But I took +care to remark that I was as dry as a powder horn, and that I thought it +was time for us all to wet our whistles a little; and so I put off to +the liquor stand, and was followed by the greater part of the crowd. + +I felt certain this was necessary, for I knowed my competitor could open +government matters to them as easy as he pleased. He had, however, +mighty few left to hear him, as I continued with the crowd, now and then +taking a horn, and telling good humoured stories, till he was done +speaking. I found I was good for the votes at the hunt, and when we +broke up, I went on to the town of Vernon, which was the same they +wanted me to move. Here they pressed me again on the subject, and I +found I could get either party by agreeing with them. But I told them I +didn't know whether it would be right or not, and so couldn't promise +either way. + +Their court commenced on the next Monday, as the barbacue was on a +Saturday, and the candidates for governor and for Congress, as well as +my competitor and myself, all attended. The thought of having to make a +speech made my knees feel mighty weak, and set my heart to fluttering +almost as bad as my first love scrape with the Quaker's niece. But as +good luck would have it, these big candidates spoke nearly all day, and +when they quit, the people were worn out with fatigue, which afforded me +a good apology for not discussing the government. But I listened mighty +close to them, and was learning pretty fast about political matters. +When they were all done, I got up and told some laughable story, and +quit. I found I was safe in those parts, and so I went home, and didn't +go back again till after the election was over. But to cut this matter +short, I was elected, doubling my competitor, and nine votes over. + +A short time after this, I was in Pulaski, where I met with Colonel +Polk, now a member of Congress from Tennessee. He was at that time a +member elected to the Legislature, as well as myself; and in a large +company he said to me, "Well, colonel, I suppose we shall have a radical +change of the judiciary at the next session of the Legislature." "Very +likely, sir," says I, and I put out quicker, for I was afraid some one +would ask me what the judiciary was; and if I knowed I wish I may be +shot. I don't indeed believe I had ever before heard that there was any +such thing in all nature; but still I was not willing that the people +there should know how ignorant I was about it. + +When the time for meeting of the Legislature arrived, I went on, and +before I had been there long, I could have told what the judiciary was, +and what the government was too; and many other things that I had known +nothing about before. + +About this time I met with a very severe misfortune, which I may be +pardoned for naming, as it made a great change in my circumstances, and +kept me back very much in the world. I had built an extensive grist +mill, and powder mill, all connected together, and also a large +distillery. They had cost me upwards of three thousand dollars, more +than I was worth in the world. The first news that I heard after I got +to the Legislature, was, that my mills were--not blown up sky high, as +you would guess, by my powder establishment,--but swept away all to +smash by a large fresh, that came soon after I left home. I had, of +course, to stop my distillery, as my grinding was broken up; and, +indeed, I may say, that the misfortune just made a complete mash of me. +I had some likely negroes, and a good stock of almost every thing about +me, and, best of all, I had an honest wife. She didn't advise me, as is +too fashionable, to smuggle up this, and that, and t'other, to go on at +home; but she told me, says she, "Just pay up, as long as you have a +bit's worth in the world; and then every body will be satisfied, and we +will scuffle for more." This was just such talk as I wanted to hear, for +a man's wife can hold him devlish uneasy, if she begins to scold, and +fret, and perplex him, at a time when he has a full load for a rail-road +car on his mind already. + +And so, you see, I determined not to break full handed, but thought it +better to keep a good conscience with an empty purse, than to get a bad +opinion of myself, with a full one. I therefore gave up all I had, and +took a bran-fire new start. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + +Having returned from the Legislature, I determined to make another move, +and so I took my eldest son with me, and a young man by the name of +Abram Henry, and cut out for the Obion. I selected a spot when I got +there, where I determined to settle; and the nearest house to it was +seven miles, the next nearest was fifteen, and so on to twenty. It was a +complete wilderness, and full of Indians who were hunting. Game was +plenty of almost every kind, which suited me exactly, as I was always +fond of hunting. The house which was nearest me, and which, as I have +already stated, was seven miles off, and on the different side of the +Obion river, belonged to a man by the name of Owens; and I started to go +there. I had taken one horse along, to pack our provision, and when I +got to the water I hobbled him out to graze, until I got back; as there +was no boat to cross the river in, and it was so high that it had +overflowed all the bottoms and low country near it. + +We now took water like so many beavers, notwithstanding it was mighty +cold, and waded on. The water would sometimes be up to our necks, and at +others not so deep; but I went, of course, before, and carried a pole, +with which I would feel along before me, to see how deep it was, and to +guard against falling into a slough, as there was many in our way. When +I would come to one, I would take out my tomahawk and cut a small tree +across it, and then go ahead again. Frequently my little son would have +to swim, even where myself and the young man could wade; but we worked +on till at last we got to the channel of the river, which made it about +half a mile we had waded from where we took water. I saw a large tree +that had fallen into the river from the other side, but it didn't reach +across. One stood on the same bank where we were, that I thought I could +fall, so as to reach the other; and so at it we went with my tomahawk, +cutting away till we got it down; and, as good luck would have it, it +fell right, and made us a way that we could pass. + +When we got over this, it was still a sea of water as far as our eyes +could reach. We took into it again, and went ahead, for about a mile, +hardly ever seeing a single spot of land, and sometimes very deep. At +last we come in sight of land, which was a very pleasing thing; and when +we got out, we went but a little way, before we came in sight of the +house, which was more pleasing than ever; for we were wet all over, and +mighty cold. I felt mighty sorry when I would look at my little boy, and +see him shaking like he had the worst sort of an ague, for there was no +time for fever then. As we got near to the house, we saw Mr. Owens and +several men that were with him, just starting away. They saw us, and +stop'd, but looked much astonished until we got up to them, and I made +myself known. The men who were with him were the owners of a boat which +was the first that ever went that far up the Obion river; and some hands +he had hired to carry it about a hundred miles still further up, by +water, tho' it was only about thirty by land, as the river is very +crooked. + +They all turned back to the house with me, where I found Mrs. Owens, a +fine, friendly old woman; and her kindness to my little boy did me ten +times as much good as any thing she could have done for me, if she had +tried her best. The old gentleman set out his bottle to us, and I +concluded that if a horn wasn't good then, there was no use for its +invention. So I swig'd off about a half pint, and the young man was by +no means bashful in such a case; he took a strong pull at it too. I then +gave my boy some, and in a little time we felt pretty well. We dried +ourselves by the fire, and were asked to go on board of the boat that +evening. I agreed to do so, but left my son with the old lady, and +myself and my young man went to the boat with Mr. Owens and the others. +The boat was loaded with whiskey, flour, sugar, coffee, salt, castings, +and other articles suitable for the country; and they were to receive +five hundred dollars to land the load at M'Lemore's Bluff, beside the +profit they could make on their load. This was merely to show that boats +could get up to that point. We staid all night with them, and had a high +night of it, as I took steam enough to drive out all the cold that was +in me, and about three times as much more. In the morning we concluded +to go on with the boat to where a great _harricane_ had crossed the +river, and blowed all the timber down into it. When we got there, we +found the river was falling fast, and concluded we couldn't get through +the timber without more rise; so we drop'd down opposite Mr. Owens' +again, where they determined to wait for more water. + +The next day it rained rip-roriously, and the river rose pretty +considerable, but not enough yet. And so I got the boatsmen all to go +out with me to where I was going to settle, and we slap'd up a cabin in +little or no time. I got from the boat four barrels of meal, and one of +salt, and about ten gallons of whiskey. + +To pay for these, I agreed to go with the boat up the river to their +landing place. I got also a large middling of bacon, and killed a fine +deer, and left them for my young man and my little boy, who were to stay +at my cabin till I got back; which I expected would be in six or seven +days. We cut out, and moved up to the harricane, where we stop'd for the +night. In the morning I started about daylight, intending to kill a +deer, as I had no thought they would get the boat through the timber +that day. I had gone but a little way before I killed a fine buck, and +started to go back to the boat; but on the way I came on the tracks of a +large gang of elks, and so I took after them. I had followed them only a +little distance when I saw them, and directly after I saw two large +bucks. I shot one down, and the other wouldn't leave him; so I loaded +my gun, and shot him down too. I hung them up, and went ahead again +after my elks. I pursued on till after the middle of the day before I +saw them again; but they took the hint before I got in shooting +distance, and run off. I still pushed on till late in the evening, when +I found I was about four miles from where I had left the boat, and as +hungry as a wolf, for I hadn't eaten a bite that day. + +I started down the edge of the river low grounds, giving out the pursuit +of my elks, and hadn't gone hardly any distance at all, before I saw two +more bucks, very large fellows too. I took a blizzard at one of them, +and up he tumbled. The other ran off a few jumps and stop'd; and stood +there till I loaded again, and fired at him. I knock'd his trotters from +under him, and then I hung them both up. I pushed on again; and about +sunset I saw three other bucks. I down'd with one of them, and the other +two ran off. I hung this one up also, having now killed six that day. I +then pushed on till I got to the harricane, and at the lower edge of it, +about where I expected the boat was. Here I hollered as hard as I could +roar, but could get no answer. I fired off my gun, and the men on the +boat fired one too; but quite contrary to my expectation, they had got +through the timber, and were about two miles above me. It was now dark, +and I had to crawl through the fallen timber the best way I could; and +if the reader don't know it was bad enough, I am sure I do. For the +vines and briers had grown all through it, and so thick, that a good fat +coon couldn't much more than get along. I got through at last, and went +on near to where I had killed my last deer, and once more fired off my +gun, which was again answered from the boat, which was still a little +above me. I moved on as fast as I could, but soon came to water, and not +knowing how deep it was, I halted and hollered till they came to me with +a skiff. I now got to the boat, without further difficulty; but the +briers had worked on me at such a rate, that I felt like I wanted sewing +up, all over. I took a pretty stiff horn, which soon made me feel much +better; but I was so tired that I could hardly work my jaws to eat. + +In the morning, myself and a young man started and brought in the first +buck I had killed; and after breakfast we went and brought in the last +one. The boat then started, but we again went and got the two I had +killed just as I turned down the river in the evening; and we then +pushed on and o'ertook the boat, leaving the other two hanging in the +woods, as we had now as much as we wanted. + +We got up the river very well, but quite slowly; and we landed, on the +eleventh day, at the place the load was to be delivered at. They here +gave me their skiff, and myself and a young man by the name of Flavius +Harris, who had determined to go and live with me, cut out down the +river for my cabin, which we reached safely enough. + +We turned in and cleared a field, and planted our corn; but it was so +late in the spring, we had no time to make rails, and therefore we put +no fence around our field. There was no stock, however, nor any thing +else to disturb our corn, except the wild _varments_, and the old +serpent himself, with a fence to help him, couldn't keep them out. I +made corn enough to do me, and during that spring I killed ten bears, +and a great abundance of deer. But in all this time, we saw the face of +no white person in that country, except Mr. Owens' family, and a very +few passengers, who went out there, looking at the country. Indians, +though, were still plenty enough. Having laid by my crap, I went home, +which was a distance of about a hundred and fifty miles; and when I got +there, I was met by an order to attend a call-session of our +Legislature. I attended it, and served out my time, and then returned, +and took my family and what little plunder I had, and moved to where I +had built my cabin, and made my crap. + +I gathered my corn, and then set out for my Fall's hunt. This was in the +last of October, 1822. I found bear very plenty, and, indeed, all sorts +of game and wild varments, except buffalo. There was none of them. I +hunted on till Christmass, having supplied my family very well all along +with wild meat, at which time my powder gave out; and I had none either +to fire Christmass guns, which is very common in that country, or to +hunt with. I had a brother-in-law who had now moved out and settled +about six miles west of me, on the opposite side of Rutherford's fork of +the Obion river, and he had brought me a keg of powder, but I had never +gotten it home. There had just been another of Noah's freshes, and the +low grounds were flooded all over with water. I know'd the stream was at +least a mile wide which I would have to cross, as the water was from +hill to hill, and yet I determined to go on over in some way or other, +so as to get my powder. I told this to my wife, and she immediately +opposed it with all her might. I still insisted, telling her we had no +powder for Christmass, and, worse than all, we were out of meat. She +said, we had as well starve as for me to freeze to death or to get +drowned, and one or the other was certain if I attempted to go. + +But I didn't believe the half of this; and so I took my woolen wrappers, +and a pair of mockasins, and put them on, and tied up some dry clothes +and a pair of shoes and stockings, and started. But I didn't before know +how much any body could suffer and not die. This, and some of my other +experiments in water, learned me something about it, and I therefore +relate them. + +The snow was about four inches deep when I started; and when I got to +the water, which was only about a quarter of a mile off, it look'd like +an ocean. I put in, and waded on till I come to the channel, where I +crossed that on a high log. I then took water again, having my gun and +all my hunting tools along, and waded till I came to a deep slough, that +was wider than the river itself. I had crossed it often on a log; but, +behold, when I got there, no log was to be seen. I knowed of an island +in the slough, and a sapling stood on it close to the side of that log, +which was now entirely under water. I knowed further, that the water was +about eight or ten feet deep under the log, and I judged it to be about +three feet deep over it. After studying a little what I should do, I +determined to cut a forked sapling, which stood near me, so as to lodge +it against the one that stood on the island, in which I succeeded very +well. I then cut me a pole, and crawled along on my sapling till I got +to the one it was lodged against, which was about six feet above the +water. I then felt about with my pole till I found the log, which was +just about as deep under the water as I had judged. I then crawled back +and got my gun, which I had left at the stump of the sapling I had cut, +and again made my way to the place of lodgement, and then climb'd down +the other sapling so as to get on the log. I then felt my way along with +my feet, in the water, about waist deep, but it was a mighty ticklish +business. However, I got over, and by this time I had very little +feeling in my feet and legs, as I had been all the time in the water, +except what time I was crossing the high log over the river, and +climbing my lodged sapling. + +I went but a short distance before I came to another slough, over which +there was a log, but it was floating on the water. I thought I could +walk it, and so I mounted on it; but when I had got about the middle of +the deep water, somehow or somehow else, it turned over, and in I went +up to my head I waded out of this deep water, and went ahead till I came +to the high-land, where I stop'd to pull off my wet clothes, and put on +the others, which I had held up with my gun, above the water, when I +fell in. I got them on, but my flesh had no feeling in it, I was so +cold. I tied up the wet ones, and hung them up in a bush. I now thought +I would run, so as to warm myself a little, but I couldn't raise a trot +for some time; indeed, I couldn't step more than half the length of my +foot. After a while I got better, and went on five miles to the house of +my brother-in-law, having not even smelt fire from the time I started. I +got there late in the evening, and he was much astonished at seeing me +at such a time. I staid all night, and the next morning was most +piercing cold, and so they persuaded me not to go home that day. I +agreed, and turned out and killed him two deer; but the weather still +got worse and colder, instead of better. I staid that night, and in the +morning they still insisted I couldn't get home. I knowed the water +would be frozen over, but not hard enough to bear me, and so I agreed to +stay that day. I went out hunting again, and pursued a big _he-bear_ all +day, but didn't kill him. The next morning was bitter cold, but I knowed +my family was without meat, and I determined to get home to them, or +die a-trying. + +I took my keg of powder, and all my hunting tools, and cut out. When I +got to the water, it was a sheet of ice as far as I could see. I put on +to it, but hadn't got far before it broke through with me; and so I took +out my tomahawk, and broke my way along before me for a considerable +distance. At last I got to where the ice would bear me for a short +distance, and I mounted on it, and went ahead; but it soon broke in +again, and I had to wade on till I came to my floating log. I found it +so tight this time, that I know'd it couldn't give me another fall, as +it was frozen in with the ice. I crossed over it without much +difficulty, and worked along till I got to my lodged sapling, and my log +under the water. The swiftness of the current prevented the water from +freezing over it, and so I had to wade, just as I did when I crossed it +before. When I got to my sapling, I left my gun and climbed out with my +powder keg first, and then went back and got my gun. By this time I was +nearly frozen to death, but I saw all along before me, where the ice had +been fresh broke, and I thought it must be a bear straggling about in +the water. I, therefore, fresh primed my gun, and, cold as I was, I was +determined to make war on him, if we met. But I followed the trail till +it led me home, and I then found it had been made by my young man that +lived with me, who had been sent by my distressed wife to see, if he +could, what had become of me, for they all believed that I was dead. +When I got home I was'nt quite dead, but mighty nigh it; but I had my +powder, and that was what I went for. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + + +That night there fell a heavy rain, and it turned to a sleet. In the +morning all hands turned out hunting. My young man, and a brother-in-law +who had lately settled close by me, went down the river to hunt for +turkeys; but I was for larger game. I told them, I had dreamed the night +before of having a hard fight with a big black nigger, and I knowed it +was a sign that I was to have a battle with a bear; for in a bear +country, I never know'd such a dream to fail. So I started to go up +above the harricane, determined to have a bear. I had two pretty good +dogs, and an old hound, all of which I took along. I had gone about six +miles up the river, and it was then about four miles across to the main +Obion; so I determined to strike across to that, as I had found nothing +yet to kill. I got on to the river, and turned down it; but the sleet +was still getting worse and worse. The bushes were all bent down, and +locked together with ice, so that it was almost impossible to get +along. In a little time my dogs started a large gang of old turkey +goblers, and I killed two of them, of the biggest sort. I shouldered +them up, and moved on, until I got through the harricane, when I was so +tired that I laid my goblers down to rest, as they were confounded +heavy, and I was mighty tired. While I was resting, my old hound went to +a log, and smelt it awhile, and then raised his eyes toward the sky, and +cried out. Away he went, and my other dogs with him, and I shouldered up +my turkeys again, and followed on as hard as I could drive. They were +soon out of sight, and in a very little time I heard them begin to bark. +When I got to them, they were barking up a tree, but there was no game +there. I concluded it had been a turkey, and that it had flew away. + +When they saw me coming, away they went again; and, after a little time, +began to bark as before. When I got near them, I found they were barking +up the wrong tree again, as there was no game there. They served me in +this way three or four times, until I was so infernal mad, that I +determined, if I could get near enough, to shoot the old hound at least. +With this intention I pushed on the harder, till I came to the edge of +an open parara, and looking on before my dogs, I saw in and about the +biggest bear that ever was seen in America. He looked, at the distance +he was from me, like a large black bull. My dogs were afraid to attack +him, and that was the reason they had stop'd so often, that I might +overtake them. They were now almost up with him, and I took my goblers +from my back and hung them up in a sapling, and broke like a quarter +horse after my bear, for the sight of him had put new springs in me. I +soon got near to them, but they were just getting into a roaring +thicket, and so I couldn't run through it, but had to pick my way along, +and had close work even at that. + +In a little time I saw the bear climbing up a large black oak-tree, and +I crawled on till I got within about eighty yards of him. He was setting +with his breast to me; and so I put fresh priming in my gun, and fired +at him. At this he raised one of his paws and snorted loudly. I loaded +again as quick as I could, and fired as near the same place in his +breast as possible. At the crack of my gun here he came tumbling down; +and the moment he touched the ground, I heard one of my best dogs cry +out. I took my tomahawk in one hand, and my big butcher-knife in the +other, and run up within four or five paces of him, at which he let my +dog go, and fixed his eyes on me. I got back in all sorts of a hurry, +for I know'd if he got hold of me, he would hug me altogether too close +for comfort. I went to my gun and hastily loaded her again, and shot him +the third time, which killed him good. + +I now began to think about getting him home, but I didn't know how far +it was. So I left him and started; and in order to find him again, I +would blaze a sapling every little distance, which would show me the way +back. I continued this till I got within about a mile of home, for there +I know'd very well where I was, and that I could easily find the way +back to my blazes. When I got home, I took my brother-in-law, and my +young man, and four horses, and went back. We got there just before +dark, and struck up a fire, and commenced butchering my bear. It was +some time in the night before we finished it; and I can assert, on my +honour, that I believe he would have weighed six hundred pounds. It was +the second largest I ever saw. I killed one, a few years after, that +weighed six hundred and seventeen pounds. I now felt fully compensated +for my sufferings in going after my powder; and well satisfied that a +dog might sometimes be doing a good business, even when he seemed to be +_barking up the wrong tree_. We got our meat home, and I had the +pleasure to know that we now had plenty, and that of the best; and I +continued through the winter to supply my family abundantly with +bear-meat and venison from the woods. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + +I had on hand a great many skins, and so, in the month of February, I +packed a horse with them, and taking my eldest son along with me, cut +out for a little town called Jackson, situated about forty miles off. We +got there well enough, and I sold my skins, and bought me some coffee, +and sugar, powder, lead, and salt. I packed them all up in readiness for +a start, which I intended to make early the next morning. Morning came, +but I concluded, before I started, I would go and take a horn with some +of my old fellow-soldiers that I had met with at Jackson. + +I did so; and while we were engaged in this, I met with three candidates +for the Legislature; a Doctor Butler, who was, by marriage, a nephew to +General Jackson, a Major Lynn, and a Mr. McEver, all first-rate men. We +all took a horn together, and some person present said to me, "Crockett, +you must offer for the Legislature." I told him I lived at least forty +miles from any white settlement, and had no thought of becoming a +candidate at that time. So we all parted, and I and my little boy went +on home. + +It was about a week or two after this, that a man came to my house, and +told me I was a candidate. I told him not so. But he took out a +newspaper from his pocket, and show'd me where I was announced. I said +to my wife that this was all a burlesque on me, but I was determined to +make it cost the man who had put it there at least the value of the +printing, and of the fun he wanted at my expense. So I hired a young man +to work in my place on my farm, and turned out myself electioneering. I +hadn't been out long, before I found the people began to talk very much +about the bear hunter, the man from the cane; and the three gentlemen, +who I have already named, soon found it necessary to enter into an +agreement to have a sort of caucus at their March court, to determine +which of them was the strongest, and the other two was to withdraw and +support him. As the court came on, each one of them spread himself, to +secure the nomination; but it fell on Dr. Butler, and the rest backed +out. The doctor was a clever fellow, and I have often said he was the +most talented man I ever run against for any office. His being related +to Gen'l. Jackson also helped him on very much; but I was in for it, and +I was determined to push ahead and go through, or stick. Their meeting +was held in Madison county, which was the strongest in the +representative district, which was composed of eleven counties, and they +seemed bent on having the member from there. + +At this time Col. Alexander was a candidate for Congress, and attending +one of his public meetings one day, I walked to where he was treating +the people, and he gave me an introduction to several of his +acquaintances, and informed them that I was out electioneering. In a +little time my competitor, Doctor Butler, came along; he passed by +without noticing me, and I suppose, indeed, he did not recognise me. But +I hailed him, as I was for all sorts of fun; and when he turned to me, I +said to him, "Well, doctor, I suppose they have weighed you out to me; +but I should like to know why they fixed your election for _March_ +instead of _August_? This is," said I, "a branfire new way of doing +business, if a caucus is to make a representative for the people!" He +now discovered who I was, and cried out, "D--n it, Crockett, is that +you?"--"Be sure it is," said I, "but I don't want it understood that I +have come electioneering. I have just crept out of the cane, to see +what discoveries I could make among the white folks." I told him that +when I set out electioneering, I would go prepared to put every man on +as good footing when I left him as I found him on. I would therefore +have me a large buckskin hunting-shirt made, with a couple of pockets +holding about a peck each; and that in one I would carry a great big +twist of tobacco, and in the other my bottle of liquor; for I knowed +when I met a man and offered him a dram, he would throw out his quid of +tobacco to take one, and after he had taken his horn, I would out with +my twist and give him another chaw. And in this way he would not be +worse off than when I found him; and I would be sure to leave him in a +first-rate good humour. He said I could beat him electioneering all +hollow. I told him I would give him better evidence of that before +August, notwithstanding he had many advantages over me, and particularly +in the way of money; but I told him that I would go on the products of +the country; that I had industrious children, and the best of coon dogs, +and they would hunt every night till midnight to support my election; +and when the coon fur wa'n't good, I would myself go a wolfing, and +shoot down a wolf, and skin his head, and his scalp would be good to me +for three dollars, in our state treasury money; and in this way I would +get along on the big string. He stood like he was both amused and +astonished, and the whole crowd was in a roar of laughter. From this +place I returned home, leaving the people in a first-rate way; and I was +sure I would do a good business among them. At any rate, I was +determined to stand up to my lick-log, salt or no salt. + +In a short time there came out two other candidates, a Mr. Shaw and a +Mr. Brown. We all ran the race through; and when the election was over, +it turned out that I beat them all by a majority of two hundred and +forty-seven votes, and was again returned as a member of the Legislature +from a new region of the country, without losing a session. This +reminded me of the old saying--"A fool for luck, and a poor man for +children." + +I now served two years in that body from my new district, which was the +years 1823 and '24. At the session of 1823, I had a small trial of my +independence, and whether I would forsake principle for party, or for +the purpose of following after big men. + +The term of Col. John Williams had expired, who was a senator in +Congress from the state of Tennessee. He was a candidate for another +election, and was opposed by Pleasant M. Miller, Esq., who, it was +believed, would not be able to beat the colonel. Some two or three +others were spoken of, but it was at last concluded that the only man +who could beat him was the present "government," General Jackson. So, a +few days before the election was to come on, he was sent for to come and +run for the senate. He was then in nomination for the presidency; but +sure enough he came, and did run as the opponent of Colonel Williams, +and beat him too, but not by my vote. The vote was, for Jackson, +_thirty-five_; for Williams, _twenty-five_. I thought the colonel had +honestly discharged his duty, and even the mighty name of Jackson +couldn't make me vote against him. + +But voting against the old chief was found a mighty up-hill business to +all of them except myself. I never would, nor never did, acknowledge I +had voted wrong; and I am more certain now that I was right than ever. + +I told the people it was the best vote I ever gave; that I had supported +the public interest, and cleared my conscience in giving it, instead of +gratifying the private ambition of a man. + +I let the people know as early as then, that I wouldn't take a collar +around my neck with the letters engraved on it, + + MY DOG. + + ANDREW JACKSON. + + +During these two sessions of the Legislature, nothing else turned up +which I think it worth while to mention; and, indeed, I am fearful that +I am too particular about many small matters; but if so, my apology is, +that I want the world to understand my true history, and how I worked +along to rise from a cane-brake to my present station in life. + +Col. Alexander was the representative in Congress of the district I +lived in, and his vote on the tariff law of 1824 gave a mighty heap of +dissatisfaction to his people. They therefore began to talk pretty +strong of running me for Congress against him. At last I was called on +by a good many to be a candidate. I told the people that I couldn't +stand that; it was a step above my knowledge, and I know'd nothing about +Congress matters. + +However, I was obliged to agree to run, and myself and two other +gentlemen came out. But Providence was a little against two of us this +hunt, for it was the year that cotton brought twenty-five dollars a +hundred; and so Colonel Alexander would get up and tell the people, it +was all the good effect of this tariff law; that it had raised the price +of their cotton, and that it would raise the price of every thing else +they made to sell. I might as well have sung _salms_ over a dead horse, +as to try to make the people believe otherwise; for they knowed their +cotton had raised, sure enough, and if the colonel hadn't done it, they +didn't know what had. So he rather made a mash of me this time, as he +beat me exactly _two_ votes, as they counted the polls, though I have +always believed that many other things had been as fairly done as that +same count. + +He went on, and served out his term, and at the end of it cotton was +down to _six_ or _eight_ dollars a hundred again; and I concluded I +would try him once more, and see how it would go with cotton at the +common price, and so I became a candidate. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + + +But the reader, I expect, would have no objection to know a little about +my employment during the two years while my competitor was in Congress. +In this space I had some pretty tuff times, and will relate some few +things that happened to me. So here goes, as the boy said when he run by +himself. + +In the fall of 1825, I concluded I would build two large boats, and load +them with pipe staves for market. So I went down to the lake, which was +about twenty-five miles from where I lived, and hired some hands to +assist me, and went to work; some at boat building, and others to +getting staves. I worked on with my hands till the bears got fat, and +then I turned out to hunting, to lay in a supply of meat. I soon killed +and salted down as many as were necessary for my family; but about this +time one of my old neighbours, who had settled down on the lake about +twenty-five miles from me, came to my house and told me he wanted me to +go down and kill some bears about in his parts. He said they were +extremely fat, and very plenty. I know'd that when they were fat, they +were easily taken, for a fat bear can't run fast or long. But I asked a +bear no favours, no way, further than civility, for I now had _eight_ +large dogs, and as fierce as painters; so that a bear stood no chance at +all to get away from them. So I went home with him, and then went on +down towards the Mississippi, and commenced hunting. + +We were out two weeks, and in that time killed fifteen bears. Having now +supplied my friend with plenty of meat, I engaged occasionally again +with my hands in our boat building, and getting staves. But I at length +couldn't stand it any longer without another hunt. So I concluded to +take my little son, and cross over the lake, and take a hunt there. We +got over, and that evening turned out and killed three bears, in little +or no time. The next morning we drove up four forks, and made a sort of +scaffold, on which we salted up our meat, so as to have it out of the +reach of the wolves, for as soon as we would leave our camp, they would +take possession. We had just eat our breakfast, when a company of +hunters came to our camp, who had fourteen dogs, but all so poor, that +when they would bark they would almost have to lean up against a tree +and take a rest. I told them their dogs couldn't run in smell of a bear, +and they had better stay at my camp, and feed them on the bones I had +cut out of my meat. I left them there, and cut out; but I hadn't gone +far, when my dogs took a first-rate start after a very large fat old +_he-bear_, which run right plump towards my camp. I pursued on, but my +other hunters had heard my dogs coming, and met them, and killed the +bear before I got up with him. I gave him to them, and cut out again for +a creek called Big Clover, which wa'n't very far off. Just as I got +there, and was entering a cane brake, my dogs all broke and went ahead, +and, in a little time, they raised a fuss in the cane, and seemed to be +going every way. I listened a while, and found my dogs was in two +companies, and that both was in a snorting fight. I sent my little son +to one, and I broke for t'other. I got to mine first, and found my dogs +had a two-year-old bear down, a-wooling away on him; so I just took out +my big butcher, and went up and slap'd it into him, and killed him +without shooting. There was five of the dogs in my company. In a short +time, I heard my little son fire at his bear; when I went to him he had +killed it too. He had two dogs in his team. Just at this moment we +heard my other dog barking a short distance off, and all the rest +immediately broke to him. We pushed on too, and when we got there, we +found he had still a larger bear than either of them we had killed, +treed by himself. We killed that one also, which made three we had +killed in less than half an hour. We turned in and butchered them, and +then started to hunt for water, and a good place to camp. But we had no +sooner started, than our dogs took a start after another one, and away +they went like a thunder-gust, and was out of hearing in a minute. We +followed the way they had gone for some time, but at length we gave up +the hope of finding them, and turned back. As we were going back, I came +to where a poor fellow was grubbing, and he looked like the very picture +of hard times. I asked him what he was doing away there in the woods by +himself? He said he was grubbing for a man who intended to settle there; +and the reason why he did it was, that he had no meat for his family, +and he was working for a little. + +I was mighty sorry for the poor fellow, for it was not only a hard, but +a very slow way to get meat for a hungry family; so I told him if he +would go with me, I would give him more meat than he could get by +grubbing in a month. I intended to supply him with meat, and also to get +him to assist my little boy in packing in and salting up my bears. He +had never seen a bear killed in his life. I told him I had six killed +then, and my dogs were hard after another. He went off to his little +cabin, which was a short distance in the brush, and his wife was very +anxious he should go with me. So we started and went to where I had left +my three bears, and made a camp. We then gathered my meat and salted, +and scaffled it, as I had done the other. Night now came on, but no word +from my dogs yet. I afterwards found they had treed the bear about five +miles off, near to a man's house, and had barked at it the whole +enduring night. Poor fellows! many a time they looked for me, and +wondered why I didn't come, for they knowed there was no mistake in me, +and I know'd they were as good as ever fluttered. In the morning, as +soon as it was light enough to see, the man took his gun and went to +them, and shot the bear, and killed it. My dogs, however, wouldn't have +any thing to say to this stranger; so they left him, and came early in +the morning back to me. + +We got our breakfast, and cut out again; and we killed four large and +very fat bears that day. We hunted out the week, and in that time we +killed seventeen, all of them first-rate. When we closed our hunt, I +gave the man over a thousand weight of fine fat bear-meat, which pleased +him mightily, and made him feel as rich as a Jew. I saw him the next +fall, and he told me he had plenty of meat to do him the whole year from +his week's hunt. My son and me now went home. This was the week between +Christmass and New-year that we made this hunt. + +When I got home, one of my neighbours was out of meat, and wanted me to +go back, and let him go with me, to take another hunt. I couldn't +refuse; but I told him I was afraid the bear had taken to house by that +time, for after they get very fat in the fall and early part of the +winter, they go into their holes, in large hollow trees, or into hollow +logs, or their cane-houses, or the harricanes; and lie there till +spring, like frozen snakes. And one thing about this will seem mighty +strange to many people. From about the first of January to about the +last of April, these varments lie in their holes altogether. In all that +time they have no food to eat; and yet when they come out, they are not +an ounce lighter than when they went to house. I don't know the cause of +this, and still I know it is a fact; and I leave it for others who have +more learning than myself to account for it. They have not a particle of +food with them, but they just lie and suck the bottom of their paw all +the time. I have killed many of them in their trees, which enables me to +speak positively on this subject. However, my neighbour, whose name was +McDaniel, and my little son and me, went on down to the lake to my +second camp, where I had killed my seventeen bears the week before, and +turned out to hunting. But we hunted hard all day without getting a +single start. We had carried but little provisions with us, and the next +morning was entirely out of meat. I sent my son about three miles off, +to the house of an old friend, to get some. The old gentleman was much +pleased to hear I was hunting in those parts, for the year before the +bears had killed a great many of his hogs. He was that day killing his +bacon hogs, and so he gave my son some meat, and sent word to me that I +must come in to his house that evening, that he would have plenty of +feed for my dogs, and some accommodations for ourselves; but before my +son got back, we had gone out hunting, and in a large cane brake my dogs +found a big bear in a cane-house, which he had fixed for his +winter-quarters, as they sometimes do. + +When my lead dog found him, and raised the yell, all the rest broke to +him, but none of them entered his house until we got up. I encouraged my +dogs, and they knowed me so well, that I could have made them seize the +old serpent himself, with all his horns and heads, and cloven foot and +ugliness into the bargain, if he would only have come to light, so that +they could have seen him. They bulged in, and in an instant the bear +followed them out, and I told my friend to shoot him, as he was mighty +wrathy to kill a bear. He did so, and killed him prime. We carried him +to our camp, by which time my son had returned; and after we got our +dinners we packed up, and cut for the house of my old friend, whose name +was Davidson. + +We got there, and staid with him that night; and the next morning, +having salted up our meat, we left it with him, and started to take a +hunt between the Obion lake and the Red-foot lake; as there had been a +dreadful harricane, which passed between them, and I was sure there must +be a heap of bears in the fallen timber. We had gone about five miles +without seeing any sign at all; but at length we got on some high cany +ridges, and, as we rode along, I saw a hole in a large black oak, and on +examining more closely, I discovered that a bear had clomb the tree. I +could see his tracks going up, but none coming down, and so I was sure +he was in there. A person who is acquainted with bear-hunting, can tell +easy enough when the varment is in the hollow; for as they go up they +don't slip a bit, but as they come down they make long scratches with +their nails. + +My friend was a little ahead of me, but I called him back, and told him +there was a bear in that tree, and I must have him out. So we lit from +our horses, and I found a small tree which I thought I could fall so as +to lodge against my bear tree, and we fell to work chopping it with our +tomahawks. I intended, when we lodged the tree against the other, to let +my little son go up, and look into the hole, for he could climb like a +squirrel. We had chop'd on a little time and stop'd to rest, when I +heard my dogs barking mighty severe at some distance from us, and I told +my friend I knowed they had a bear; for it is the nature of a dog, when +he finds you are hunting bears, to hunt for nothing else; he becomes +fond of the meat, and considers other game as "not worth a notice," as +old Johnson said of the devil. + +We concluded to leave our tree a bit, and went to my dogs, and when we +got there, sure enough they had an eternal great big fat bear up a +tree, just ready for shooting. My friend again petitioned me for +liberty to shoot this one also. I had a little rather not, as the bear +was so big, but I couldn't refuse; and so he blazed away, and down came +the old fellow like some great log had fell. I now missed one of my +dogs, the same that I before spoke of as having treed the bear by +himself sometime before, when I had started the three in the cane break. +I told my friend that my missing dog had a bear somewhere, just as sure +as fate; so I left them to butcher the one we had just killed, and I +went up on a piece of high ground to listen for my dog. I heard him +barking with all his might some distance off, and I pushed ahead for +him. My other dogs hearing him broke to him, and when I got there, sure +enough again he had another bear ready treed; if he hadn't, I wish I may +be shot. I fired on him, and brought him down; and then went back, and +help'd finish butchering the one at which I had left my friend. We then +packed both to our tree where we had left my boy. By this time, the +little fellow had cut the tree down that we intended to lodge, but it +fell the wrong way; he had then feather'd in on the big tree, to cut +that, and had found that it was nothing but a shell on the outside, and +all doted in the middle, as too many of our big men are in these days, +having only an outside appearance. My friend and my son cut away on it, +and I went off about a hundred yards with my dogs to keep them from +running under the tree when it should fall. On looking back at the hole, +I saw the bear's head out of it, looking down at them as they were +cutting. I hollered to them to look up, and they did so; and McDaniel +catched up his gun, but by this time the bear was out, and coming down +the tree. He fired at it, and as soon as it touch'd ground the dogs were +all round it, and they had a roll-and-tumble fight to the foot of the +hill, where they stop'd him. I ran up, and putting my gun against the +bear, fired and killed him. We now had three, and so we made our +scaffold and salted them up. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + + +In the morning I left my son at the camp, and we started on towards the +harricane; and when we had went about a mile, we started a very large +bear, but we got along mighty slow on account of the cracks in the earth +occasioned by the earthquakes. We, however, made out to keep in hearing +of the dogs for about three miles, and then we come to the harricane. +Here we had to quit our horses, as old Nick himself couldn't have got +through it without sneaking it along in the form that he put on, to make +a fool of our old grandmother Eve. By this time several of my dogs had +got tired and come back; but we went ahead on foot for some little time +in the harricane, when we met a bear coming straight to us, and not more +than twenty or thirty yards off. I started my tired dogs after him, and +McDaniel pursued them, and I went on to where my other dogs were. I had +seen the track of the bear they were after, and I knowed he was a +screamer. I followed on to about the middle of the harricane; but my +dogs pursued him so close, that they made him climb an old stump about +twenty feet high. I got in shooting distance of him and fired, but I was +all over in such a flutter from fatigue and running, that I couldn't +hold steady; but, however, I broke his shoulder, and he fell. I run up +and loaded my gun as quick as possible, and shot him again and killed +him. When I went to take out my knife to butcher him, I found I had lost +it in coming through the harricane. The vines and briers was so thick +that I would sometimes have to get down and crawl like a varment to get +through at all; and a vine had, as I supposed, caught in the handle and +pulled it out. While I was standing and studying what to do, my friend +came to me. He had followed my trail through the harricane, and had +found my knife, which was mighty good news to me; as a hunter hates the +worst in the world to lose a good dog, or any part of his hunting-tools. +I now left McDaniel to butcher the bear, and I went after our horses, +and brought them as near as the nature of case would allow. I then took +our bags, and went back to where he was; and when we had skin'd the +bear, we fleeced off the fat and carried it to our horses at several +loads. We then packed it up on our horses, and had a heavy pack of it +on each one. We now started and went on till about sunset, when I +concluded we must be near our camp; so I hollered and my son answered +me, and we moved on in the direction to the camp. We had gone but a +little way when I heard my dogs make a warm start again; and I jumped +down from my horse and gave him up to my friend, and told him I would +follow them. He went on to the camp, and I went ahead after my dogs with +all my might for a considerable distance, till at last night came on. +The woods were very rough and hilly, and all covered over with cane. + +I now was compel'd to move on more slowly; and was frequently falling +over logs, and into the cracks made by the earthquakes, so that I was +very much afraid I would break my gun. However I went on about three +miles, when I came to a good big creek, which I waded. It was very cold, +and the creek was about knee-deep; but I felt no great inconvenience +from it just then, as I was all over wet with sweat from running, and I +felt hot enough. After I got over this creek and out of the cane, which +was very thick on all our creeks, I listened for my dogs. I found they +had either treed or brought the bear to a stop, as they continued +barking in the same place. I pushed on as near in the direction to the +noise as I could, till I found the hill was too steep for me to climb, +and so I backed and went down the creek some distance till I came to a +hollow, and then took up that, till I come to a place where I could +climb up the hill. It was mighty dark, and was difficult to see my way +or any thing else. When I got up the hill, I found I had passed the +dogs; and so I turned and went to them. I found, when I got there, they +had treed the bear in a large forked poplar, and it was setting in the +fork. + +I could see the lump, but not plain enough to shoot with any certainty, +as there was no moonlight; and so I set in to hunting for some dry brush +to make me a light; but I could find none, though I could find that the +ground was torn mightily to pieces by the cracks. + +At last I thought I could shoot by guess, and kill him; so I pointed as +near the lump as I could, and fired away. But the bear didn't come he +only clomb up higher, and got out on a limb, which helped me to see him +better. I now loaded up again and fired, but this time he didn't move at +all. I commenced loading for a third fire, but the first thing I knowed, +the bear was down among my dogs, and they were fighting all around me. +I had my big butcher in my belt, and I had a pair of dressed buckskin +breeches on. So I took out my knife, and stood, determined, if he should +get hold of me, to defend myself in the best way I could. I stood there +for some time, and could now and then see a white dog I had, but the +rest of them, and the bear, which were dark coloured, I couldn't see at +all, it was so miserable dark. They still fought around me, and +sometimes within three feet of me; but, at last, the bear got down into +one of the cracks, that the earthquakes had made in the ground, about +four feet deep, and I could tell the biting end of him by the hollering +of my dogs. So I took my gun and pushed the muzzle of it about, till I +thought I had it against the main part of his body, and fired; but it +happened to be only the fleshy part of his foreleg. With this, he jumped +out of the crack, and he and the dogs had another hard fight around me, +as before. At last, however, they forced him back into the crack again, +as he was when I had shot. + +I had laid down my gun in the dark, and I now began to hunt for it; and, +while hunting, I got hold of a pole, and I concluded I would punch him +awhile with that. I did so, and when I would punch him, the dogs would +jump in on him, when he would bite them badly, and they would jump out +again. I concluded, as he would take punching so patiently, it might be +that he would lie still enough for me to get down in the crack, and feel +slowly along till I could find the right place to give him a dig with my +butcher. So I got down, and my dogs got in before him and kept his head +towards them, till I got along easily up to him; and placing my hand on +his rump, felt for his shoulder, just behind which I intended to stick +him. I made a lounge with my long knife, and fortunately stuck him right +through the heart; at which he just sank down, and I crawled out in a +hurry. In a little time my dogs all come out too, and seemed satisfied, +which was the way they always had of telling me that they had finished +him. + +I suffered very much that night with cold, as my leather breeches, and +every thing else I had on, was wet and frozen. But I managed to get my +bear out of this crack after several hard trials, and so I butchered +him, and laid down to try to sleep. But my fire was very bad, and I +couldn't find any thing that would burn well to make it any better; and +I concluded I should freeze, if I didn't warm myself in some way by +exercise. So I got up, and hollered a while, and then I would just jump +up and down with all my might, and throw myself into all sorts of +motions. But all this wouldn't do; for my blood was now getting cold, +and the chills coming all over me. I was so tired, too, that I could +hardly walk; but I thought I would do the best I could to save my life, +and then, if I died, nobody would be to blame. So I went to a tree about +two feet through, and not a limb on it for thirty feet, and I would +climb up it to the limbs, and then lock my arms together around it, and +slide down to the bottom again. This would make the insides of my legs +and arms feel mighty warm and good. I continued this till daylight in +the morning, and how often I clomb up my tree and slid down I don't +know, but I reckon at least a hundred times. + +In the morning I got my bear hung up so as to be safe, and then set out +to hunt for my camp. I found it after a while, and McDaniel and my son +were very much rejoiced to see me get back, for they were about to give +me up for lost. We got our breakfasts, and then secured our meat by +building a high scaffold, and covering it over. We had no fear of its +spoiling, for the weather was so cold that it couldn't. + +We now started after my other bear, which had caused me so much trouble +and suffering; and before we got him, we got a start after another, and +took him also. We went on to the creek I had crossed the night before +and camped, and then went to where my bear was, that I had killed in the +crack. When we examined the place, McDaniel said he wouldn't have gone +into it, as I did, for all the bears in the woods. + +We took the meat down to our camp and salted it, and also the last one +we had killed; intending, in the morning, to make a hunt in the +harricane again. + +We prepared for resting that night, and I can assure the reader I was in +need of it. We had laid down by our fire, and about ten o'clock there +came a most terrible earthquake, which shook the earth so, that we were +rocked about like we had been in a cradle. We were very much alarmed; +for though we were accustomed to feel earthquakes, we were now right in +the region which had been torn to pieces by them in 1812, and we thought +it might take a notion and swallow us up, like the big fish did Jonah. + +In the morning we packed up and moved to the harricane, where we made +another camp, and turned out that evening and killed a very large bear, +which made _eight_ we had now killed in this hunt. + +The next morning we entered the harricane again, and in little or no +time my dogs were in full cry. We pursued them, and soon came to a thick +cane-brake, in which they had stop'd their bear. We got up close to him, +as the cane was so thick that we couldn't see more than a few feet. Here +I made my friend hold the cane a little open with his gun till I shot +the bear, which was a mighty large one. I killed him dead in his tracks. +We got him out and butchered him, and in a little time started another +and killed him, which now made _ten_ we had killed; and we know'd we +couldn't pack any more home, as we had only five horses along; therefore +we returned to the camp and salted up all our meat, to be ready for a +start homeward next morning. + +The morning came, and we packed our horses with the meat, and had as +much as they could possibly carry, and sure enough cut out for home. It +was about thirty miles, and we reached home the second day. I had now +accommodated my neighbour with meat enough to do him, and had killed in +all, up to that time, fifty-eight bears, during the fall and winter. + +As soon as the time come for them to quit their houses and come out +again in the spring, I took a notion to hunt a little more, and in +about one month I killed forty-seven more, which made one hundred and +five bears I had killed in less than one year from that time. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + + +Having now closed my hunting for that winter, I returned to my hands, +who were engaged about my boats and staves, and made ready for a trip +down the river. I had two boats and about thirty thousand staves, and so +I loaded with them, and set out for New Orleans. I got out of the Obion +river, in which I had loaded my boats, very well; but when I got into +the Mississippi, I found all my hands were bad scared, and in fact I +believe I was scared a little the worst of any; for I had never been +down the river, and I soon discovered that my pilot was as ignorant of +the business as myself. I hadn't gone far before I determined to lash +the two boats together; we did so, but it made them so heavy and +obstinate, that it was next akin to impossible to do any thing at all +with them, or to guide them right in the river. + +That evening we fell in company with some Ohio boats; and about night we +tried to land, but we could not. The Ohio men hollered to us to go on +and run all night. We took their advice, though we had a good deal +rather not; but we couldn't do any other way. In a short distance we got +into what is called the "_Devil's Elbow_;" and if any place in the wide +creation has its own proper name, I thought it was this. Here we had +about the hardest work that I ever was engaged in, in my life, to keep +out of danger; and even then we were in it all the while. We twice +attempted to land at Wood-yards, which we could see, but couldn't reach. + +The people would run out with lights, and try to instruct us how to get +to shore; but all in vain. Our boats were so heavy that we couldn't take +them much any way, except the way they wanted to go, and just the way +the current would carry them. At last we quit trying to land, and +concluded just to go ahead as well as we could, for we found we couldn't +do any better. Some time in the night I was down in the cabin of one of +the boats, sitting by the fire, thinking on what a hobble we had got +into; and how much better bear-hunting was on hard land, than floating +along on the water, when a fellow had to go ahead whether he was exactly +willing or not. + +The hatchway into the cabin came slap down, right through the top of the +boat; and it was the only way out except a small hole in the side, +which we had used for putting our arms through to dip up water before we +lashed the boats together. + +We were now floating sideways, and the boat I was in was the hindmost as +we went. All at once I heard the hands begin to run over the top of the +boat in great confusion, and pull with all their might; and the first +thing I know'd after this we went broadside full tilt against the head +of an island where a large raft of drift timber had lodged. The nature +of such a place would be, as every body knows, to suck the boats down, +and turn them right under this raft; and the uppermost boat would, of +course, be suck'd down and go under first. As soon as we struck, I +bulged for my hatchway, as the boat was turning under sure enough. But +when I got to it, the water was pouring thro' in a current as large as +the hole would let it, and as strong as the weight of the river could +force it. I found I couldn't get out here, for the boat was now turned +down in such a way, that it was steeper than a house-top. I now thought +of the hole in the side, and made my way in a hurry for that. With +difficulty I got to it, and when I got there, I found it was too small +for me to get out by my own dower, and I began to think that I was in a +worse box than ever. But I put my arms through and hollered as loud as I +could roar, as the boat I was in hadn't yet quite filled with water up +to my head, and the hands who were next to the raft, seeing my arms out, +and hearing me holler, seized them, and began to pull. I told them I was +sinking, and to pull my arms off, or force me through, for now I know'd +well enough it was neck or nothing, come out or sink. + +By a violent effort they jerked me through; but I was in a pretty pickle +when I got through. I had been sitting without any clothing over my +shirt: this was torn off, and I was literally skin'd like a rabbit. I +was, however, well pleased to get out in any way, even without shirt or +hide; as before I could straighten myself on the boat next to the raft, +the one they pull'd me out of went entirely under, and I have never seen +it any more to this day. We all escaped on to the raft, where we were +compelled to sit all night, about a mile from land on either side. Four +of my company were bareheaded, and three bare-footed; and of that number +I was one. I reckon I looked like a pretty cracklin ever to get to +Congress!!! + +We had now lost all our loading; and every particle of our clothing, +except what little we had on; but over all this, while I was setting +there, in the night, floating about on the drift, I felt happier and +better off than I ever had in my life before, for I had just made such a +marvellous escape, that I had forgot almost every thing else in that; +and so I felt prime. + +In the morning about sunrise, we saw a boat coming down, and we hailed +her. They sent a large skiff, and took us all on board, and carried us +down as far as Memphis. Here I met with a friend, that I never can +forget as long as I am able to go ahead at any thing; it was a Major +Winchester, a merchant of that place: he let us all have hats, and +shoes, and some little money to go upon, and so we all parted. + +A young man and myself concluded to go on down to Natchez, to see if we +could hear any thing of our boats; for we supposed they would float out +from the raft, and keep on down the river. We got on a boat at Memphis, +that was going down, and so cut out. Our largest boat, we were informed, +had been seen about fifty miles below where we stove, and an attempt had +been made to land her, but without success, as she was as hard-headed as +ever. + +This was the last of my boats, and of my boating; for it went so badly +with me, along at the first, that I hadn't much mind to try it any more. +I now returned home again, and as the next August was the Congressional +election, I began to turn my attention a little to that matter, as it +was beginning to be talked of a good deal among the people. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + + +I have, heretofore, informed the reader that I had determined to run +this race to see what effect _the price of cotton_ could have again on +it. I now had Col. Alexander to run against once more, and also General +William Arnold. + +I had difficulties enough to fight against this time, as every one will +suppose; for I had no money, and a very bad prospect, so far as I +know'd, of getting any to help me along. I had, however, a good friend, +who sent for me to come and see him. I went, and he was good enough to +offer me some money to help me out. I borrowed as much as I thought I +needed at the start, and went ahead. My friend also had a good deal of +business about over the district at the different courts; and if he now +and then slip'd in a good word for me, it is nobody's business. We +frequently met at different places, and, as he thought I needed, he +would occasionally hand me a little more cash; so I was able to buy a +little of "the _creature_," to put my friends in a good humour, as well +as the other gentlemen, for they all treat in that country; not to get +elected, of course--for that would be against the law; but just, as I +before said, to make themselves and their friends feel their keeping a +little. + +Nobody ever did know how I got money to get along on, till after the +election was over, and I had beat my competitors twenty-seven hundred +and forty-eight votes. Even the price of cotton couldn't save my friend +Aleck this time. My rich friend, who had been so good to me in the way +of money, now sent for me, and loaned me a hundred dollars, and told me +to go ahead; that that amount would bear my expenses to Congress, and I +must then shift for myself. I came on to Washington, and draw'd two +hundred and fifty dollars, and purchased with it a check on the bank at +Nashville, and enclosed it to my friend; and I may say, in truth, I sent +this money with a mighty good will, for I reckon nobody in this world +loves a friend better than me, or remembers a kindness longer. + +I have now given the close of the election, but I have skip'd entirely +over the canvass, of which I will say a very few things in this place; +as I know very well how to tell the truth, but not much about placing +them in book order, so as to please critics. + +Col. Alexander was a very clever fellow, and principal surveyor at that +time; so much for one of the men I had to run against. My other +competitor was a major-general in the militia, and an attorney-general +at the law, and quite a smart, clever man also; and so it will be seen I +had war work as well as law trick, to stand up under. Taking both +together, they make a pretty considerable of a load for any one man to +carry. But for war claims, I consider myself behind no man except "the +government," and mighty little, if any, behind him; but this the people +will have to determine hereafter, as I reckon it won't do to quit the +work of "reform and retrenchment" yet for a spell. + +But my two competitors seemed some little afraid of the influence of +each other, but not to think me in their way at all. They, therefore, +were generally working against each other, while I was going ahead for +myself, and mixing among the people in the best way I could. I was as +cunning as a little red fox, and wouldn't risk my tail in a "committal" +trap. + +I found the sign was good, almost everywhere I went. On one occasion, +while we were in the eastern counties of the district, it happened that +we all had to make a speech, and it fell on me to make the first one. I +did so after my manner, and it turned pretty much on the old saying, "A +short horse is soon curried," as I spoke not very long. Colonel +Alexander followed me, and then General Arnold come on. + +The general took much pains to reply to Alexander, but didn't so much as +let on that there was any such candidate as myself at all. He had been +speaking for a considerable time, when a large flock of guinea-fowls +came very near to where he was, and set up the most unmerciful +chattering that ever was heard, for they are a noisy little brute any +way. They so confused the general, that he made a stop, and requested +that they might be driven away. I let him finish his speech, and then +walking up to him, said aloud, "Well, colonel, you are the first man I +ever saw that understood the language of fowls." I told him that he had +not had the politeness to name me in his speech, and that when my little +friends, the guinea-fowls, had come up and began to holler "Crockett, +Crockett, Crockett," he had been ungenerous enough to stop, and drive +_them_ all away. This raised a universal shout among the people for me, +and the general seemed mighty bad plagued. But he got more plagued than +this at the polls in August, as I have stated before. + +This election was in 1827, and I can say, on my conscience, that I was, +without disguise, the friend and supporter of General Jackson, upon his +principles as he laid them down, and as "_I understood them_," before +his election as president. During my two first sessions in Congress, Mr. +Adams was president, and I worked along with what was called the Jackson +party pretty well. I was re-elected to Congress, in 1829, by an +overwhelming majority; and soon after the commencement of this second +term, I saw, or thought I did, that it was expected of me that I was to +bow to the name of Andrew Jackson, and follow him in all his motions, +and mindings, and turnings, even at the expense of my conscience and +judgment. Such a thing was new to me, and a total stranger to my +principles. I know'd well enough, though, that if I didn't "hurra" for +his name, the hue and cry was to be raised against me, and I was to be +sacrificed, if possible. His famous, or rather I should say his +in-_famous_, Indian bill was brought forward, and I opposed it from the +purest motives in the world. Several of my colleagues got around me, and +told me how well they loved me, and that I was ruining myself. They +said this was a favourite measure of the president, and I ought to go +for it. I told them I believed it was a wicked, unjust measure, and that +I should go against it, let the cost to myself be what it might; that I +was willing to go with General Jackson in every thing that I believed +was honest and right; but, further than this, I wouldn't go for him, or +any other man in the whole creation; that I would sooner be honestly and +politically d--nd, than hypocritically immortalized. I had been elected +by a majority of three thousand five hundred and eighty-five votes, and +I believed they were honest men, and wouldn't want me to vote for any +unjust notion, to please Jackson or any one else; at any rate, I was of +age, and was determined to trust them. I voted against this Indian bill, +and my conscience yet tells me that I gave a good honest vote, and one +that I believe will not make me ashamed in the day of judgment. I served +out my term, and though many amusing things happened, I am not disposed +to swell my narrative by inserting them. + +When it closed, and I returned home, I found the storm had raised +against me sure enough; and it was echoed from side to side, and from +end to end of my district, that I had turned against Jackson. This was +considered the unpardonable sin. I was hunted down like a wild varment, +and in this hunt every little newspaper in the district, and every +little pin-hook lawyer was engaged. Indeed, they were ready to print any +and every thing that the ingenuity of man could invent against me. Each +editor was furnished with the journals of Congress from head-quarters; +and hunted out every vote I had missed in four sessions, whether from +sickness or not, no matter, and each one was charged against me at +_eight_ dollars. In all I had missed about _seventy_ votes, which they +made amount to five hundred and sixty dollars; and they contended I had +swindled the government out of this sum, as I had received my pay, as +other members do. I was now again a candidate in 1830, while all the +attempts were making against me; and every one of these little papers +kept up a constant war on me, fighting with every scurrilous report they +could catch. + +Over all I should have been elected, if it hadn't been, that but a few +weeks before the election, the little four-pence-ha'penny limbs of the +law fell on a plan to defeat me, which had the desired effect. They +agreed to spread out over the district, and make appointments for me to +speak, almost everywhere, to clear up the Jackson question. They would +give me no notice of these appointments, and the people would meet in +great crowds to hear what excuse Crockett had to make for quitting +Jackson. + +But instead of Crockett's being there, this small-fry of lawyers would +be there, with their saddle-bags full of the little newspapers and their +journals of Congress; and would get up and speak, and read their +scurrilous attacks on me, and would then tell the people that I was +afraid to attend; and in this way would turn many against me. All this +intrigue was kept a profound secret from me, till it was too late to +counteract it; and when the election came, I had a majority in seventeen +counties, putting all their votes together, but the eighteenth beat me; +and so I was left out of Congress during those two years. The people of +my district were induced, by these tricks, to take a stay on me for that +time; but they have since found out that they were imposed on, and on +re-considering my case, have reversed that decision; which, as the +Dutchman said, "is as fair a ding as eber was." + +When I last declared myself a candidate, I knew that the district would +be divided by the Legislature before the election would come on; and I +moreover knew, that from the geographical situation of the country, the +county of Madison, which was very strong, and which was the county that +had given the majority that had beat me in the former race, should be +left off from my district. + +But when the Legislature met, as I have been informed, and I have no +doubt of the fact, Mr. Fitzgerald, my competitor, went up, and informed +his friends in that body, that if Madison county was left off, he +wouldn't run; for "that Crockett could beat Jackson himself in those +parts, in any way they could fix it." + +The liberal Legislature you know, of course, gave him that county; and +it is too clear to admit of dispute, that it was done to make a mash of +me. In order to make my district in this way, they had to form the +southern district of a string of counties around three sides of mine, or +very nearly so. Had my old district been properly divided, it would have +made two nice ones, in convenient nice form. But as it is, they are +certainly the most unreasonably laid off of any in the state, or perhaps +in the nation, or even in the te-total creation. + +However, when the election came on, the people of the district, and of +Madison county among the rest, seemed disposed to prove to Mr. +Fitzgerald and the Jackson Legislature, that they were not to be +transferred like hogs, and horses, and cattle in the market; and they +determined that I shouldn't be broke down, though I had to carry +Jackson, and the enemies of the bank, and the legislative works all at +once. I had Mr. Fitzgerald, it is true, for my open competitor, but he +was helped along by all his little lawyers again, headed by old Black +Hawk, as he is sometimes called, (alias) Adam Huntsman, with all his +talents for writing "_Chronicles_," and such like foolish stuff. + +But one good thing was, and I must record it, the papers in the district +were now beginning to say "fair play a little," and they would publish +on both sides of the question. The contest was a warm one, and the +battle well-fought; but I gained the day, and the Jackson horse was left +a little behind. When the polls were compared, it turned out I had beat +Fitz just two hundred and two votes, having made a mash of all their +intrigues. After all this, the reader will perceive that I am now here +in Congress, this 28th day of January, in the year of our Lord one +thousand eight hundred and thirty-four; and that, what is more agreeable +to my feelings as a freeman, I am at liberty to vote as my conscience +and judgment dictates to be right, without the yoke of any party on me, +or the driver at my heels, with his whip in hand, commanding me to +ge-wo-haw, just at his pleasure. Look at my arms, you will find no +party hand-cuff on them! Look at my neck, you will not find there any +collar, with the engraving + + MY DOG. + + ANDREW JACKSON. + + +But you will find me standing up to my rack, as the people's faithful +representative, and the public's most obedient, very humble servant, + + DAVID CROCKETT. + + + + + THE END. + + + + +CHESNUT STREET, + MARCH, 1834. + +NEW WORKS + + LATELY PUBLISHED, + AND + PREPARING FOR PUBLICATION, + BY + E. L. CAREY & A. HART, PHILAD. + AND + CAREY, HART & Co. BALTIMORE, + AND FOR SALE BY ALL BOOKSELLERS. + + + In two Volumes, 12mo. + CONSTANCE; + + By Mrs. A. T. THOMSON, + Author of the Life of Henry VIII. + +"One of the most touching and exquisitely natural tales that many +seasons have produced. It developes an intimate knowledge of the +human heart, and a remarkable power in the delineation of +character."--_Atlas._ + +"This novel, in its sketches of English country society, is most +successful; its portraits are very happy, its scenes very +amusing."--_Spectator._ + +"A picture of real life, drawn with equal truth, gaiety and feeling--the +three graces of fiction."--_Literary Gazette._ + +"The dramatic ability displayed in the management of this story is of +the very highest order."--_Atlas._ + + + In one Volume, 12mo. + CARWELL; + +By Mrs. SHERIDAN, Author of "AIMS AND ENDS." + +"A story which for minute fidelity to truth, for high tragic conception, +both of plot and character, has few equals in modern fiction." + +"But everywhere you see that rarest of all literary beauties, a +beautiful mind--an intimate persuasion of the fine and great truths of +the human heart--a delicate and quick perception of the lovely and the +honest--an intellect that profits by experience, and a disposition which +that experience cannot corrupt."--_The Author of Pelham._ + + + In one Volume, 12mo. + THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK. + +"It is very clever and very entertaining--replete with pleasantry and +humour: quite as imaginative as any German diablerie, and far more +amusing than most productions of its class. It is a very whimsical and +well devised jeu d'esprit."--_Literary Gazette._ + + +NEW WORKS PUBLISHED BY + + +In two Volumes, 12mo. + +TRAITS AND STORIES OF THE IRISH PEASANTRY. + +THIRD SERIES. + + "This work has been most extravagantly praised by the English + critics: and several extracts from it have been extensively + published in our newspapers. It is altogether a better work than + any of the kind which has yet appeared--replete with humour, both + broad and delicate--and with occasional touches of pathos, which + have not been excelled by any writer of the present day. An + Edinburgh critic says that 'neither Miss Edgeworth, nor the author + of the O'Hara tales, could have written any thing more powerful + than this.'"--_Baltimore American._ + + "There seems to be a strong unanimity of opinion in favour of the + new British work entitled 'Traits and Stories of the Irish + Peasantry.' The work is proclaimed in the British journals, and + pronounced by readers in our country, to be equal in racy humour + and graphic delineation, to the very best sketches that have + appeared of Irish character, life, and manners."--_National + Gazette._ + + +In two Volumes, 12mo. + +THE AFFIANCED ONE; + +By the Author of "GERTRUDE." + + "Evidently the production of a woman of taste and refinement. It + abounds with lively sketches of society, and sparkling + anecdote."--_Belle Assemblee._ + + +In one Volume, 8vo. + +MEMOIRS OF VIDOCQ, + +THE CELEBRATED AGENT OF THE FRENCH POLICE. + + This is a most entertaining work. Vidocq stood long and deservedly + at the head of the French police. It is well written, and is full + of anecdote. + + +In three Volumes, 12mo. + +PETER SIMPLE; + +OR, ADVENTURES OF A MIDSHIPMAN. + +COMPLETE. + +By the Author of the "KING'S OWN," "NAVAL OFFICER," &c. + +"The quiet humour which pervades the work is irresistibly amusing, +and the fund of anecdote and description which it contains, +entertaining. The humour sometimes approaches to downright +burlesque, and the incident to extravagance, if not improbability; +but, altogether, as a book of amusement, it is +excellent."--_Baltimore Gazette._ + + +In Two Volumes, 12mo. + +THE FAIR OF MAY FAIR. + +By the Author of "PIN MONEY," &c. + +"Mrs. Gore certainly stands at the head of the female novelists of the +day. But we subjoin the opinion of Mr. Bulwer."--_U. S. Gazette._ + +"She is the consummator of that undefinable species of wit, which we +should call (if we did not know the word might be deemed offensive, in +which sense we do not mean it) the _slang_ of good society. + +"But few people ever painted, with so felicitous a hand, the scenery of +worldly life, without any apparent satire. She brings before you the +hollowness, the manoeuvres, and the intrigues of the world, with the +brilliancy of sarcasm, but with the quiet of simple narrative. Her men +and women, in her graver tales, are of a noble and costly clay; their +objects are great; their minds are large, their passions intense and +pure. The walks upon the stage of the world of fashion, and her +characters, have grown dwarfed as if by enchantment. The air of +frivolity has blighted their stature; their colours are pale and +languid; they have no generous ambition; they are _little people!_ they +are fine people! This it is that makes her novel of our social life so +natural, and so clear a transcript of the original."--_The Author of +Pelham._ + + +In Two Volumes, 12mo. + +THE INVISIBLE GENTLEMAN. + +By the Author of "CHARTLEY," "THE FATALIST," etc. etc. + +"It is a novel which may be termed the whimsically +supernatural."--_Athenaeum._ + +"The present narrative is one of the most entertaining fictions we have +met with for a long time; the idea is very original, and brought into +play with a lively air of truth, which gives a dramatic reality even to +the supernatural."--_Literary Gazette._ + +"The adventures follow each other with delightful rapidity and variety; +occasionally there is a deep and thrilling touch of pathos, which we +feel not a bit the less acutely, because the trouble and wo of the +parties have originated in the familiar and somewhat laughable act of +pulling an ear."--_Court Magazine._ + + +In Two Volumes, 12mo. + +MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS. + +"The best novel of the season--a faithful, exact, and withal spirited +picture of the aristocracy of this country--an admirable description of +what is called high life, and full of a more enlarged knowledge of human +nature."--_Spectator._ + +"A very lively and amusing panorama of actual life."--_Lit. Gazette._ + +"A very interesting work, full of well-described scenes and characters, +and altogether deserving of being classed with the first-rate novels of +the day."--_Courier._ + +"It would be difficult to lay down such a book until every chapter has +been perused. Elegance and force of style--highly but faithfully drawn +pictures of society--are merits scarcely secondary to those we have +enumerated: and they are equally displayed throughout. 'Mothers and +Daughters' must find its way rapidly into every circle."--_Bulwer's New +Monthly Magazine._ + + +In one Volume, 12mo. + +A SUBALTERN IN AMERICA; + + COMPRISING HIS NARRATIVE OF THE CAMPAIGNS OF THE BRITISH ARMY AT + BALTIMORE, WASHINGTON, ETC. DURING THE LATE WAR. + +"The Subaltern is a man of sense, acuteness, and good feeling, who +writes with spirit and good taste.--Considering that he is an Englishman +and an English officer writing about America, his book is tolerably +fair--and makes fewer insulting comments upon things which he did not +understand, than has been customary with that kind of authors. + +"The 'Subaltern' is nevertheless a very agreeable, well written book, +and we are glad to see it republished here. No doubt an American would +have written some portions of it differently, but we can profit, we +trust, by observing how opposite accounts can be fairly given of the +same transactions, and learn something of the trouble in which history +is written." + +_Baltimore American._ + +"THE SUBALTERN IN AMERICA.--Under this title, Messrs. Carey, Hart & Co. +have recently published a work in one volume, comprising a full +narrative of the campaigns of the British army, at Baltimore, +Washington, New Orleans, &c. during the late war. The incidents of the +war, as related in the American papers, are probably familiar to most +persons, through that channel. Yet the ends of truth, and the means of +forming a just judgment, may require that one should hear the statement +of the adverse party, as well as that most favourable to our side of the +question. There is, moreover, two ways of telling even the truth. They +who feel an interest in the details of this important struggle between +kindred nations, have, in the book before us, an opportunity of hearing +them, as shaped out by one of the adverse party. The 'Subaltern' bore an +active share in the several campaigns, of which he professes to give an +account; and if his narrations are somewhat partial to his own side of +the question, it is but the indulgence of a very common foible, which +may be the more readily excused, as the means of correction are at +hand."--_Baltimore Patriot._ + + +In two Volumes, 12mo. + +PIN MONEY; + +BY MRS. CHARLES GORE, + +Authoress of "HUNGARIAN TALES," "POLISH TALES," etc. + +"Her writings have that originality which wit gives to reality, and wit +is the great characteristic of her pages."--_Bulwer's New Monthly +Magazine._ + +"Light spirited and clever, the characters are drawn with truth and +vigour. Keen in observation, lively in detail, and with a peculiar and +piquant style, Mrs. Charles Gore gives to the novel that charm which +makes the fascination of the best French memoir writers."--_London +Literary Gazette._ + + +In one Volume, 12mo. + +LEGENDS AND TALES OF IRELAND + +BY SAMUEL LOVER. + + +E. L. CAREY AND A. HART + +In two Volumes, 12mo. + +THE MAN-OF-WAR'S-MAN; + +By the Author of "TOM CRINGLE'S LOG." + +"No stories of adventures are more exciting than those of seamen. +The author of Tom Cringle's Log is the most popular writer of that +class, and those sketches collected not long since into a volume by +the same publishers, in this city, were universally read. A large +edition was soon exhausted. The present is, we believe, an earlier +production, and has many of the same merits."--_Baltimore Gazette._ + +"Messrs. Carey & Hart have published, in two volumes, 'The +Man-of-War's-Man.' The success which attended the publication of +'Tom Cringle's Log,' might well induce its ingenious author to +undertake a continuous narrative, having for the subject of +illustration the manners and customs of seamen. The work now before +us is of the kind, well imagined, and executed with all the tact +and clearness that distinguished the 'Log Book' of Master Cringle, +with the advantages of a more regular plot and interesting +denouement."--_U. S. Gazette._ + +"Nobody needs be told what sort of a book Tom Cringle can +write--that humorous and most admirable of sailors! We may just +remark that the reader will find in the present volume the same +power of description and knowledge of the world--the same stirring +adventures, phrases, dialects, and incidents which rendered his +last work so extravagantly popular. The printing is uncommonly good +for a novel." + + +In one Volume, 8vo. + +THE AMERICAN + +FLOWER GARDEN DIRECTORY, + +CONTAINING PRACTICAL DIRECTIONS FOR THE CULTURE OF PLANTS IN THE + +HOT-HOUSE, GARDEN-HOUSE, FLOWER-GARDEN, AND ROOMS OR PARLOURS, + +For every month in the year; with a description of the plants most +desirable in each, the nature of the soil and situation best +adapted to their growth, the proper season for transplanting, &c.; +instructions for erecting a + +HOT-HOUSE, GREEN-HOUSE, AND LAYING OUT A FLOWER-GARDEN. + +Also, table of soils most congenial to the plants contained in the +work. The whole adapted to either large or small gardens, with +lists of annuals, bienniels, and ornamental shrubs, contents, a +general index, and a frontispiece of Camellia Fimbriata. + +BY HIBBERT AND BUIST, + +EXOTIC NURSERYMEN AND FLORISTS. + + +In two Volumes, 12mo. + +JACOB FAITHFUL; + +By the Author of PETER SIMPLE, &c. &c. + + +In Two Vols. 12mo. + +FIRST LOVE, A NOVEL. + +"Its style is elegant, and its information that of a lady of amiable +feelings and motives, who well understands her sex."--_Spectator._ + +"The whole of the story, but particularly the dawning of that early +dawning of life's morning, First Love, and the subsequent progress of +that passion, are indeed delightfully sketched."--_Morning Post._ + + +In Two Volumes, 12mo. + +TRAITS AND STORIES OF THE IRISH PEASANTRY + +FIRST SERIES. + +"Admirable--truly, intensely Irish: never were the outrageous +whimsicalities of that strange, wild, imaginative people so +characteristically described; nor amidst all the fun, frolic, and folly, +is there any dearth of poetry, pathos, and passion. The author's a +jewel."--_Glasgow Journal._ + +"To those who have a relish for a few tit-bits of rale Irish +story-telling,--whether partaking of the tender or the facetious, +or the grotesque,--let them purchase these characteristic +sketches."--_Sheffield Iris._ + +"The sister country has never furnished such sterling genius, such +irresistibly humorous, yet faithful sketches of character among the +lower ranks of Patlanders, as are to be met with in the pages of these +delightful volumes."--_Bristol Journal._ + +"This is a capital book, full of fun and humour, and most +characteristically Irish."--_New Monthly Magazine._ + +"Neither Miss Edgeworth, nor the author of the O'Hara Tales, could have +written any thing more powerful than this."--_Edinburgh Literary +Gazette._ + +"We do not hesitate to say, that for a minute and accurate sketching of +the character, manners, and language of the lower orders of the Irish, +no book was ever published at all equal to this."--_Spectator._ + + +In Two Volumes, 12mo. + +TRAITS AND STORIES OF THE IRISH PEASANTRY. + +SECOND SERIES. + +"Traits and Stories of Irish Peasantry.--The whole story is one of that +mirth-inspiring nature, that those who read it without hearty laughter +must be either miserable or very imperturbable."--_Metropolitan, edited +by T. Campbell._ + +"There is strength, vigour--and above all--truth, in every story, in +every sentence, every line he writes. The statesman ought to read such +books as these; they would tell him more of the true state of the +country than he has ever heard from the lips of her orators, or the +despatches of the 'Castle Hacks.' We wish Mr. Carlton would send forth a +cheap edition, that 'Traits and Stories' of Irish peasants might be in +the hands of people as well as peers."--_Bulwer's New Monthly +Magazine._ + + +In Two Volumes, 12mo. + +THE STAFF-OFFICER. OR, THE SOLDIER OF FORTUNE. + +A TALE OF REAL LIFE. + +"The web of life is of a mingled yarn, good and ill together; our +virtues would be proud if our faults whipped them not, and our crimes +would despair if they were not cherished by our virtues." + + +BY OLIVER MOORE. + +"We are prepared to admit that our extracts do not do justice to the +work: the writer's power is in discriminating _female_ character; but as +he judiciously makes it develope itself by incident, to illustrate this +would require scenes and pages to be transferred to our columns. As a +whole, this novel will be read with interest: it is light and pleasant; +with many very natural scenes, many excellent and well-drawn characters, +and without one line or word of affectation or pretence."--_Athenaeum._ + +"This is a most entertaining work: it is written with great spirit, +elegance, and candour. The delineation of character (particularly that +of many distinguished individuals officially connected with Ireland +during the Pitt administration) is skilfully and vividly drawn; and the +multifarious incidents--several of which are of a highly _piquant_ +description--are given with a tact and delicacy creditable to the +judgment and talent of the author. We can say with truth, that we have +fairly gone through this tale of real life without being cloyed or +wearied for a single moment; but that it excited, and kept up, an +interest in our minds which few volumes designed for mere amusement have +been able to inspire."--_Brighton Herald._ + + +In Two Volumes, 12mo. + +THE NAVAL OFFICER; + +OR, SCENES AND ADVENTURES IN THE LIFE OF FRANK MILDMAY. + +By the Author of "PETER SIMPLE," "THE KING'S OWN," etc. + +"This is the most seaman-like composition that has yet issued from the +press. We recommend it to all who 'live at home at ease,' and need +scarcely say, that no man-of-wars man should remain an hour without +it."--_Atlas._ + +The following beautiful and judicious compliment to the genius of +Captain Marryatt, author of the Naval Officer, is from the pen of Mr. +Bulwer, who, it will be acknowledged, is no inexperienced or unobserving +critic: + +"Far remote from the eastern and the voluptuous--from the visionary and +refining--from the pale colouring of drawing-room life, and the subtle +delicacies of female sentiment and wit, the genius of Captain Marryatt +embodies itself in the humour, the energy, the robust and masculine +vigour of bustling and actual existence; it has been braced by the sea +breezes; it walks abroad in the mart of busy men, with a firm step and a +cheerful and healthy air. Not, indeed, that he is void of a certain +sentiment, and an intuition into the more hidden sources of mental +interest; but these are not his forte, or his appropriate element. He is +best in a rich and various humour--rich, for there is nothing poor or +threadbare in his materials. His characters are not, as Scott's, after +all, mere delineations of one oddity, uttering the same eternal +phraseology, from the 'prodigious' of Dominie Sampson, to 'provant' of +Major Dalgetty--a laughable, but somewhat poor invention: they are +formed of compound and complex characteristics, and evince no trifling +knowledge of the metaphysics of social life." + + +In Two Volumes, 12mo. + +THE CONTRAST A NOVEL. + +By EARL MULGRAVE, Author of "MATILDA," "YES AND NO," etc. + +"'Yes and No' contained the best _tableaux_ of actual--human--English +society in the nineteenth century, of any novel we know of. The same +characteristics that distinguished the most agreeable novel are equally +remarkable in its successors."--_Bulwer's New Monthly Magazine._ + +"'Contrast' cannot fail to prove interesting."--_Court Journal._ + +"These volumes possess the rather uncommon merit of a very interesting +story. The design is to paint a man whose strong feelings are curbed by +an over-fastidiousness--what the French so happily term un-homme +difficile."--_London Literary Gazette._ + +"Messrs. Carey and Hart have republished, in two neat volumes, Earl +Mulgrave's novel of the 'Contrast,' which has been so favourably +received in England. It is said to be one of the best novels of the +kind, that has issued from the press for years."--_Philadelphia +Inquirer._ + +"'Pelham,' and 'Yes and No,' are perhaps the only paintings of the +present time which are drawn with the accuracy of knowledge, and the +vivacity of talent. Were we to be asked by a foreigner to recommend +those novels which, founded on truth, gave the most just delineation of +the higher classes in England, it is to the above mentioned works we +should refer. _The present volumes, however, are an infinite improvement +on their predecessor._"--_London Literary Gazette._ + + +In One Volume, 8vo. + +MEMOIRS OF MARSHAL NEY, + +COMPILED FROM PAPERS IN THE POSSESSION OF HIS FAMILY. + +The work has been put together under the direction and management of the +Duke of Elchingen, Marshal Ney's second son, who has affixed his +signature to every sheet sent to press. + +"They may be regarded as the Ney Papers, connected together by an +interesting biography; the anecdotes with which they are interspersed +have plainly been collected with great pains from all the early friends +of that illustrious warrior."--_Blackwood's Magazine._ + +"The memoirs before us are founded upon the papers and documents which +he left behind him at his death, consisting of anecdotic and +biographical fragments, accounts of his divers missions and campaigns, +and the substance of many extraordinary secrets intrusted to him as a +general and a statesman. All these materials throw great light upon the +history of the French empire, as the details given in the memoirs +possess the strongest interest."--_Pennsylvania Inquirer._ + + +In One Volume, 12mo. + +CONVERSATIONS ON VEGETABLE PHYSIOLOGY; + + COMPREHENDING THE ELEMENTS OF BOTANY, WITH THEIR APPLICATION TO + AGRICULTURE. + +By the Author of "CONVERSATIONS ON CHEMISTRY," &c. &c. + +Adapted to the use of schools by J. L. BLAKE, A. M. + +Third American Edition, with coloured plates. + + +IN PREPARATION, + +THE GIFT; A CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR'S PRESENT, FOR 1835. + +Edited by MISS LESLIE, author of "PENCIL SKETCHES," &c. + +The publishers have the promise of articles from many of the most +popular authors of the day. The ILLUSTRATIONS are in the hands of some +of the most eminent engravers, and no expense will be spared to render +the work in every respect equal to the foreign productions of the same +class. + + +MATHEMATICS FOR PRACTICAL MEN; BEING A COMMON-PLACE BOOK OF PRINCIPLES, +THEOREMS, RULES AND TABLES, IN VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS OF PURE AND MIXED +MATHEMATICS, + + With their applications; especially to the pursuits of surveyors, + architects, mechanics, and civil engineers. With numerous + engravings. + +BY OLINTHUS GREGORY, LL.D., F.R.A.S. + +SECOND EDITION, CORRECTED AND IMPROVED. + +"Only let men awake, and fix their eyes, one while on the nature of +things, another while on the application of them to the use and service +of mankind."--_Lord Bacon._ + + +In One Volume, 18mo. + +COLMAN'S BROAD GRINS. + +A NEW EDITION, WITH ADDITIONS. + +"'This is a little volume of the comic,' which we recollect to have +laughed over many a time, in our boyish days, and since. It is old +standard fun,--a comic classic."--_Baltimore Gazette._ + + +ENGLISH EDITIONS. + +Price 37-1/2 cents each number. + + +CUVIER'S ANIMAL KINGDOM; + +Now in course of publication in London. The Animal Kingdom, arranged +according to its organization, serving as a foundation for the natural +history of animals, and an introduction to comparative anatomy, with +figures designed and coloured after nature. The Crustacea, Arachnides +Insecta, by Latreille, translated from the latest French edition, with +additional notes and illustrations, by nearly five hundred additional +plates, to be completed in thirty-six monthly numbers, at 37-1/2 cents +each. + +Six numbers have already been received. The attention of the public is +particularly requested to this work, as it is, without question, by far +the cheapest and most beautiful edition of the "Animal Kingdom" of +Cuvier that has yet appeared. + + +LANDSCAPE AND PORTRAIT ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE WAVERLEY NOVELS. + +NEW EDITION; + +Containing one hundred and twenty superb engravings. + +The above work is complete in _twenty-four_ numbers, and supplied at the +moderate price of _seventy-five cents per number_. The former edition +sold at _double the price_. + + +ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE POETICAL WORKS OF SIR WALTER SCOTT; + +Now in course of publication in England; to be complete in _twelve_ +monthly numbers, four of which have already appeared. Price 75 cents +each. + + +FINDEN'S LANDSCAPE ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE LIFE AND WORKS OF LORD BYRON. + +Price 75 cents per number. + + To be completed in 24 numbers, 18 of which have already appeared. + Each number contains five highly-finished engravings. + + +A WHISPER TO A NEWLY-MARRIED PAIR. + +"Hail, wedded love! by gracious Heaven design'd, +At once the source and glory of mankind." + +"We solicit the attention of our readers to this publication, as one, +though small, of infinite value."--_Baltimore Minerva._ + +"'The Whisper' is fully deserving the compliments bestowed upon it, and +we join heartily in recommending it to our friends, whether married or +single--for much useful instruction may be gathered from its +pages."--_Lady's Book._ + +"The work contains some original suggestions that are just, and many +excellent quotations; some of her hints to the ladies should have been +_whispered_ in a tone too low to be overheard by the men."--_Daily +Chronicle._ + + +In One Volume, 18mo. + + PRINCIPLES OF THE ART OF MODERN HORSEMANSHIP FOR LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, + IN WHICH ALL THE LATE IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLIED TO PRACTICE. + +Translated from the French, by DANIEL J. DESMOND. + +THE ART OF HORSEMANSHIP.--This is the title of a neat little work +translated from the French of Mr. Lebeaud, by Daniel J. Desmond, Esq. of +this city, and just published by Carey & Hart. It gives full and +explicit directions for breaking and managing a horse, and goes into +detail on the proper mode of mounting, the posture in the saddle, the +treatment of the animal under exercise, &c. An appendix is added, +containing instructions for the _ladies_, in mounting and dismounting. + +The Philadelphia public are under obligations to Mr. Desmond for this +translation. We have long needed a manual of horsemanship, to correct +the inelegant habits in which many of our riders indulge, and to produce +uniformity in the art of equitation. We see daily in our streets, +mounted men, who totter in their seats as if suffering under an +ague-fit; others who whip, spur, and rant, as if charging an enemy in +battle; and again others, of slovenly habits, with cramped knees, and +toes projecting outwards, who occupy a position utterly devoid of every +thing like ease, grace, or beauty. These things are discreditable to our +community, and earnestly do we hope, that this book will have many +attentive readers.--_Philadelphia Gazette._ + + +In One Volume, 12mo + +TWO HUNDRED RECEIPTS IN DOMESTIC FRENCH COOKERY. + +By MISS LESLIE, Author of the "SEVENTY-FIVE RECEIPTS." + +Price 50 cents. + +"'The 200 Receipts by Miss Leslie,' published by Carey and Hart of +Philadelphia, has been much praised, and we think deservedly. The +selection of subjects made by the accomplished writer is of a most +tempting and tasteful description, and we must do her the justice to +say, that she has treated them in such an eloquent and forcible manner, +as to raise in the minds of all dispassionate readers the most tender +and pleasurable associations. We commend her to the careful perusal and +respect of all thrifty housewives."--_New York Mirror._ + + +In One Volume, 12mo. + +THE PAINTER'S AND COLOURMAN'S COMPLETE GUIDE; + +Being a Practical Treatise on the Preparation of Colours, and their +application to the different kinds of Painting; in which is particularly +described the WHOLE ART OF HOUSE PAINTING. By P. F. TINGRY, Professor of +Chymistry, Natural History, and Mineralogy, in the Academy of Geneva. +First American, from the third London Edition, corrected and +considerably improved by a practical chymist. + + +In One Volume, 18mo. + +THE FAMILY DYER AND SCOURER; + +Being a Complete Treatise on the Arts of Dying and Cleaning every +article of Dress, whether made of Wool, Cotton, Silk, Flax, or Hair; +also Bed and Window Furniture, Carpets, Hearth-rugs, Counterpanes, +Bonnets, Feathers, &c. By WILLIAM TUCKER, Dyer and Scourer in the +Metropolis. + + +ELEMENTS OF MORALITY FOR THE INSTRUCTION OF YOUTH. + +WITH SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES. + +Translated by A. BOLMAR, and E. K. PRICE + +Half bound. Price 19 cents. + +In One Volume, 12mo. + +PICTURE OF PHILADELPHIA; + +Or a brief account of the various institutions and public objects in +this Metropolis, forming a Guide for Strangers, accompanied by a new +Plan of the city. In a neat pocket volume. + + +In One Volume, 12mo. + +THE HORSE IN ALL HIS VARIETIES AND USES; + +His breeding, rearing, and management, whether in labour or rest; with +RULES occasionally interspersed, for his PRESERVATION from disease. By +JOHN LAWRENCE, author of "The History of the Horse," etc. + +"Independently of the practical value of the book, and it is really +and extensively valuable, it is one of the most amusing the reader +will meet with in a thousand, complete and unique, embracing every +possible subject that can be connected with the horse."--_Monthly +Magazine._ + + +CHESNUT STREET, +OCTOBER, 1833. + +NEW WORKS PUBLISHED AND PREPARING FOR PUBLICATION, + +BY E. L. CAREY & A. HART, PHILAD. + + +In two Volumes, 12mo. + +THE ROUE + +By the author of the "OXONIANS." + + +In one Volume, 8vo. + +A TREATISE ON LESSER SURGERY; OR THE MINOR SURGICAL OPERATIONS. + +BY BOURGERY, D. M. P. + +Author of "A Complete Treatise on Human Anatomy, comprising +Operative Medicine," translated from the French, with notes, and an +appendix; by + +WILLIAM C. ROBERTS AND JAS. B. KISSAM. + + +In two Volumes, 12mo. + +MANNERS OF THE DAY. A NOVEL. + + +In one Volume, 12mo. + +MAGENDIE'S FORMULARY. + +A new Edition, revised and corrected. + + +In two Volumes, 12mo. + +TALES OF THE MUNSTER FESTIVALS. + +By the Author of the "COLLEGIANS." + + +In Two Volumes, 12mo. + + TRAVELS IN VARIOUS PARTS OF PERU; INCLUDING A YEAR'S RESIDENCE IN + POTOSI. + + By EDMUND TEMPLE, Kt. of the Royal and distinguished Order of CHARLES + III. + +"These travels in Peru will long maintain their reputation for the +accuracy of detail, the spirit of the style, and the utility of the +information they contain. The professional matter is very +valuable."--_Bulwer's New Monthly Magazine._ + +"There is much to instruct, and a great deal to amuse. Amid the details +of personal adventures, there is a great deal of shrewd and strong +observation."--_London Monthly Magazine._ + +"We have met with no volumes of travels in that country with which, upon +the whole, we have been so much pleased as the one before +us."--_Baltimore Gazette._ + +"This is an instructive and entertaining work."--_National Gazette._ + +"This book is one of the most entertaining that has been issued from the +press for some time."--_Pennsylvania Inquirer._ + + +In Two Volumes, 12mo. + +SYDENHAM; OR, MEMOIRS OF A MAN OF THE WORLD. + +"A new novel of fashionable life, under the title of 'Sydenham, or +Memoirs of a Man of the World,' will shortly be given to the public. It +exhibits the history of a young man of rank and fortune, who, being of a +decidedly satirical turn, resolves to gratify his favourite penchant to +ascertain the internal state of fashionable society, and minutely to +observe human nature under every variety of shade and circumstance. +Among other characters with whom he comes in contact, is the celebrated +BRUMMEL, who figures under the name of Beaumont: this gentleman arrests +his peculiar attention, and serves him for a complete study. The work +is, moreover, illustrative of those sets or circles in the world of ton +which have never been depicted in the pages of fiction, and respecting +which so much curiosity has long been felt."--_New Monthly Magazine._ + +"Each of these volumes is in fact a separate work--each in a different +style and spirit--each aspiring to a different fame in composition. +'Sydenham' is a capital work, which, without the trouble of puffing, +must make a great stir in the upper and political circles."--_London +Lit. Gaz._ + +"Sydenham is well written, and contains much pleasant and some severe +satire. The present Whig ministers in England are handled without +gloves, and a number of distinguished personages occupy more conspicuous +places than they would have been likely to choose, had the matter been +referred to themselves."--_Courier._ + +"The work before us is one of the most powerful of its class; it bears +intrinsic evidence of a new writer. The portrait of Brummel, the 'arch +dandy,' is excellent; and all the scenes in which he is engaged are +managed with skill and tact. There is, in fact, sufficient material in +this book for three or four novels."--_New Monthly Magazine._ + +"All the personages are of course real, though under fictitious names; +these pages are, in reality, memoirs of the intrigues of the times, full +of keen observation, graphic sketches of character, biting sarcasm, one +page of which would make the fortune of a pamphlet."--_London Gazette._ + + +In Two Volumes, 12mo. + + RECORDS OF TRAVELS IN TURKEY, GREECE, &c. IN THE YEARS 1829, 1830, AND + 1831; AND OF A CRUISE IN THE BLACK SEA, WITH THE CAPTAIN PASHA. + +BY ADOLPHUS SLADE, ESQ. + +"One of the most valuable and interesting works which has yet been +placed in our hands, on the domestic state of Turkey."--_Monthly +Review._ + +"We do not know when we have met with two volumes more amusing--they are +full of highly entertaining and curious matter."--_Court Jour._ + +"The work before us supplies the best description of this remarkable +nation."--_Courier._ + +"One of the most amusing and interesting of oriental travellers, none +having ever equalled him in a thorough knowledge of the true state of +society, and the true character of the Turks."--_Spectator._ + +"We can warmly recommend this book for perusal, it is not only very +amusing but very valuable."--_Metropolitan._ + +"We can assure our readers that no records of travels in modern times, +with which we are acquainted, presents so many features of general +attraction as the volumes before us."--_London Monthly Review._ + +"Mr. Slade has produced, without any trace of pretension, one of the +most sensible and agreeable books of travel we have ever had the +pleasure to peruse."--_United Service Journal._ + + +In Two Volumes, 12mo. + +LEGENDS OF THE RHINE. + +By T. C. GRATTAN, Esq. Author of "HIGH-WAYS AND BY-WAYS." + +"We are well content to pass an hour once more with the lively and +entertaining author of 'High-ways and By-ways." The hour has not yet +gone by, and we have not completed the perusal of the two volumes; but +the tales we have observed are worthy the repute in which the writer is +held, and are even of a higher order--more chaste in language and +perfect in style."--_Boston Traveller._ + +"Messrs. Carey and Hart have just issued 'Legends of the Rhine,' by the +author of 'High-ways and By-ways.' To those who recollect Mr. Grattan's +former writings, (and who among novel readers does not?) it is only +necessary to say, that the present 'Legends' are, in no respect, +inferior to their predecessors. The traditions which he has here wrought +into shape are all said to have an existence among the dwellers near the +mighty river; and it is certain they are full of romantic interest. The +'Legends' are twelve in number, and, though not equal in all respects, +there is no one of them that does not possess a strong claim to +admiration."--_Saturday Courier._ + +"Few sets of stories, published within the last ten years, have been +more popular than those called 'High-ways and By-ways.' The author of +these, after having produced two or three successful works of a +different sort, has given us two volumes of tales, with the title +'Legends of the Rhine,' which are to be published to-morrow, we +understand, by Carey and Hart. The author professes, seriously, to have +founded his narratives on traditions yet extant among those who live +near the banks of the great German river; and many of them end so +tragically that we can hardly suspect the writer of having invented them +for his own amusement or that of his readers. They are all interesting, +though not all skilfully framed; and each of them contains pages that +may be placed in a competition with the most shining passages of any +other living novel writer." + + +In Two Volumes, 12mo. + +STANLEY BUXTON; OR, THE SCHOOLFELLOWS. + + By JOHN GALT, Esq., Author of "ANNALS OF THE PARISH," "LAWRIE TODD," + "EBEN ERSKINE," etc. + +"While guile is guiltless, and life's business play, +Friendships are formed that never know decay." + +"Oh, that all novels were like this piece of admirable +fiction."--_Spectator._ + +"We must say this work is in Mr. Galt's best style, the volume before us +contains samples of his tastes and of his powers."--_Bulwer's New +Monthly Magazine._ + +"Mr. Galt's new novel is on our table, and we regret we have not space +to go further into the arcana of 'Stanley Buxton,' in which the author +has aimed at painting natural feelings in situations not common, and +with much success. Some of his descriptions are also deserving of +special praise. Two episodes in the second volume add to the general +interest, and further recommend the work to public favour."--_London +Literary Gazette._ + +"We find in this work the force of conception, and the full execution +which distinguish the 'Annals of the Parish,' and 'Lawrie +Todd.'"--_Sun._ + +"The new novel, 'Stanley Buxton,' just published by Carey and Hart, may +be called one of the very best of Mr. Galt's productions."--_Daily +Chronicle._ + +"In 'Stanley Buxton' there is the same delightful freshness, the same +striking originality of purpose, the same easy and flowing, yet racy +and spirited manner which characterized the 'Annals of the +Parish.'"--_Saturday Courier._ + +"For touching the heart, for keen knowledge of nature, and for quiet and +beautiful descriptions, like the still life in a painter's sketch, Galt +possesses a vision and a power, that are not often surpassed, except by +Bulwer. The author of 'Stanley Buxton' is infinitely superior to +D'Israeli, whose imagination is as excursive and capricious as the wing +of a sea-fowl."--_Chronicle._ + +"Mr. Galt is a writer so well known and so deservedly admired, that the +announcement of a new novel from his pen is sufficient to awaken general +curiosity."--_Gazette._ + + +In Two Volumes, 12mo. + +FITZ GEORGE. + +A NOVEL. + +"Smiles without mirth, and pastimes without pleasure, +Youth without honour, age without respect."--_Byron._ + +"There are scenes in it which must awaken attention and interest; it is +evidently written by a powerful and accustomed hand."--_Athenaeum._ + +"Fitz George is a production of great talent."--_Weekly Despatch._ + +"If all novels were like this, they would soon be in the hands of +philosophers as well as fashionables."--_True Sun._ + +"Should a library be formed in Buckingham Palace, these volumes should +have a shelf in it to themselves."--_Bell's New Weekly Messenger._ + +"The whole book abounds with the most stirring interest."--_National +Omnibus._ + + +In Two Volumes, 12mo. + +OUR ISLAND. + +COMPRISING _FORGERY, A TALE_; _AND_, _THE LUNATIC, A TALE_. + +"There is a great share of talent in these pages, which have also the +merit of being laid chiefly among scenes new to a large portion of our +readers."--_Literary Gazette._ + +"_The Lunatic._--This is indeed an excellent tale--well told--with +variety of incidents and character, and with much humour. Not to speak +in disparagement of the first tale, we must confess that we have been +highly pleased with the second, and we think our readers' time will be +amply repaid by a perusal of both."--_London Monthly Magazine._ + +"This work is of a generally interesting character, and we feel it our +duty to encourage the publication of such productions as these tales, +since they point attention to errors of legislation."--_Weekly +Despatch._ + + +In Two Volumes, 12mo. + +PETER SIMPLE; OR, ADVENTURES OF A MIDSHIPMAN. + +By the Author of "THE KING'S OWN." + + +In Two Volumes, 12mo. + +TOM CRINGLE'S LOG. + +"The scenes are chiefly nautical, and we can safely say, that no author +of the present day, not even excepting our own Cooper, has surpassed him +in his element."--_U. S. Gazette._ + +"The sketches are not only replete with entertainment, but useful, as +affording an accurate and vivid description of scenery, and of life and +manners in the West Indies."--_Boston Traveller._ + +"We think none who have read this work will deny that the author is the +best nautical writer who has yet appeared. He is not Smollett, he is not +Cooper; but he is far superior to them both."--_Boston Transcript._ + +"The scenes are chiefly nautical, and are described in a style of beauty +and interest never surpassed by any writer."--_Baltimore Gazette._ + +"The author has been justly compared with Cooper, and many of his +sketches are in fact equal to any from the pen of our celebrated +countryman."--_Saturday Evening Post._ + + +In Two Volumes, 12mo. + +TOM CRINGLE'S LOG. SECOND SERIES. + + +In Three Volumes, 12mo. + +TOM CRINGLE'S LOG. FIRST AND SECOND SERIES. + +A NEW EDITION COMPLETE. + + +In One Volume, 8vo. + +_HALL ON THE LOSS OF BLOOD._ + +RESEARCHES + +PRINCIPALLY RELATIVE TO + +THE MORBID AND CURATIVE EFFECTS OF LOSS OF BLOOD. + +BY MARSHALL HALL, M.D., F.R.S.E., &c. &c. + +"It will be seen that we have been much pleased with Dr. Hall's work +generally; we think it is calculated to do much good in placing the +subject of the due institution of blood-letting on a practical basis. +Dr. Hall has subjoined a plan of a Register of Cases of Blood-letting, +which would be a most useful record, if properly kept; and we cannot +recommend such a detail of facts, to practitioners, in too high +terms."--_American Journal of Medical Sciences, No. XI._ + +"It is not for us to say how large may have been the number of +sufferers, but we know some have perished from direct exhaustion +complicated with reaction, who might have been saved, if the principles +and practice of our author had been known and understood."--_N. A. Med. +and Surg. Journal, No. XX. for October, 1830._ + + +In One Volume, 8vo. + +_TEALE ON NEURALGIC DISEASES._ + +A TREATISE ON NEURALGIC DISEASES, + + Dependent upon Irritation of the Spinal Marrow and Ganglia of the + Sympathetic Nerve. + +By THOMAS PRIDGIN TEALE. + +Member of the Royal College of Surgeons in London, of the Royal Medical +Society of Edinburgh, Senior Surgeon to the Leeds Public Dispensary. + +Price 31 cents. + +"It is a source of genuine gratification to meet with a work of this +character, when it is so often our lot to be obliged to labour hard to +winnow a few grains of information from the great mass of dullness, +ignorance, and misstatement with which we are beset, and cannot too +highly recommend it to the attention of the profession."--_American +Journal of the Medical Sciences, No. X._ + + +In One Volume, 8vo. + +SELECT SPEECHES OF JOHN SERGEANT OF PENNSYLVANIA. + + +SELECT MEDICO-CHIRURGICAL TRANSACTIONS. + +A collection of the most valuable Memoirs read to the Medico-Chirurgical +Societies of London and Edinburgh; the Association of Fellows and +Licentiates of the King and Queen's College of Physicians in Ireland; +the Royal Academy of Medicine of Paris; the Royal Societies of London +and Edinburgh; the Royal Academy of Turin; the Medical and Anatomical +Societies of Paris, &c. &c. &c. + +Edited by ISAAC HAYS, M.D. + + +In One Volume, 8vo. + +A PRACTICAL COMPENDIUM OF MIDWIFERY: + + Being the course of Lectures on Midwifery, and on the Diseases of + Women and Infants, delivered at St. Bartholemew's Hospital. + +By the late ROBERT GOOCH, M.D. + +"As it abounds, however, in valuable and original suggestions, it will +be found a useful book of reference."--_Drake's Western Journal._ + + +In One Volume, 8vo. + +AN ACCOUNT OF SOME OF THE MOST IMPORTANT DISEASES PECULIAR TO WOMEN; + +BY ROBERT GOOCH, M.D. + +"In this volume Dr. Gooch has made a valuable contribution to practical +medicine. It is the result of the observation and experience of a +strong, sagacious, and disciplined mind."--_Transylvania Journal of +Medicine._ + +"This work, which is now for the first time presented to the profession +in the United States, comes to them with high claims to their +notice."--_Drake's Western Journal._ + + +In Two Volumes, 12mo + +FRESCATIS; OR, SCENES IN PARIS. + + +In One Volume, 18mo. + +COLMAN'S BROAD GRINS. + +A NEW EDITION, WITH ADDITIONS. + + +In One Volume, 12mo. + +THE GROOM'S ORACLE, AND POCKET STABLE DIRECTORY. + +In which the Management of Horses generally, as to Health, Dieting, and +Exercise, is considered, in a Series of Familiar Dialogues between two +Grooms engaged in training Horses to their work, as well for the Road as +the Chase and Turf. By JOHN HINDS, V.S., Author of the "Veterinary +Surgeon." Embellished with an elegant Frontispiece, by S. ALKEN. First +American, from the second London Edition. With considerable additions, +and an appendix, including the RECEIPT BOOK OF JOHN HINDS, V.S. + +"This enlarged edition of the 'Groom's Oracle' contains a good +number of new points connected with training prime horses; and the +owners of working cattle, also, will find their profit in +consulting the practical remarks that are applicable to their +teams; on the principle that _health preserved_ is better than +_disease removed_." + +"THE GROOM'S ORACLE, by J. HINDS, is among the most valuable of our +recent publications; it ought to be in the possession of every +gentleman, who either has in possession, or has a chance of +possessing, the noble animal to whose proper treatment the author +has directed his enlightened researches."--_Taunton Courier, 1830._ + + +REFLECTIONS ON EVERY DAY IN THE WEEK, WITH OCCASIONAL THOUGHTS. + +BY CATHARINE TALBOT. + +Neatly done up in paper with gilt edges. Price 20 cents. + +"Catherine Talbot's _Reflections on every Day of the Week_ have been +published, in a neat and popular form, by Messrs. Carey and Hart. They +are simple, and applicable to every reader, and distinguished not less +by eloquent thought, than by sound and correct judgment. The little work +will be read by no one without profit."--_Saturday Evening Post._ + + +In One Volume, 8vo. + +_TATE ON HYSTERIA._ + +A TREATISE ON "HYSTERIA." + +BY GEORGE TATE, M.D. + +"As public journalists, we take this occasion to return him our hearty +thanks for the pains he has taken to shed a new light on an obscure and +much-neglected topic."--_North Amer. Med. and Surg. Journ. No. XIX._ + + +In One Volume, 12mo. + + A SUBALTERN IN AMERICA; COMPRISING HIS NARRATIVE OF THE CAMPAIGNS OF THE + BRITISH ARMY AT BALTIMORE, WASHINGTON, ETC. DURING THE LATE WAR. + + +In Two Volumes, 12mo. + +NIGHTS-AT-MESS. + + +In Two Volumes, 8vo. + +NATURE DISPLAYED IN HER MODE OF TEACHING LANGUAGE TO MAN; + +Being a new and infallible method of acquiring languages with +unparalleled rapidity; deduced from the Analysis of the human Mind, and +consequently suited to every capacity; adapted to the French, + +BY N. G. DUFIEF. + +To which is prefixed a development of the author's plan of tuition: +differing entirely from every other; so powerful in its operation and so +very economical, that a liberal education can be afforded even to the +poorest of mankind. + +EIGHTH EDITION, ENLARGED AND IMPROVED. + + +In Two Volumes, 8vo. + +DUFIEF'S SPANISH NATURE DISPLAYED. + + +In Two Volumes, 8vo. + + A NEW UNIVERSAL AND PRONOUNCING DICTIONARY OF THE FRENCH AND ENGLISH + LANGUAGES. + +Containing above _fifty thousand_ terms and names not to be found in the +Dictionaries of Boyer, Perry, Nugent, &c. &c.; to which is added a vast +fund of other information equally beneficial and instructive. + +BY N. G. DUFIEF. + +A new Edition, revised and corrected by the Author. + + +In One Volume, 18mo. + +_THE SURGEON-DENTIST'S MANUAL._ + +THE SURGEON-DENTIST'S ANATOMICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL MANUAL. + +By G. WAIT. + +Member of the Royal College of Surgeons in London, &c. &c. + +"The work cannot fail, we think, to answer well the purpose for which it +was designed, of a manual for the practical dentist; and in the notes +will be found many useful hints respecting the diseases of these +structures."--_Boston Med. and Surg. Journ. 1830._ + + +MANUAL OF SURGICAL OPERATIONS. + +CONTAINING THE NEW METHOD OF OPERATING + +DEVISED BY LISFRANC. + +Followed by two Synoptic Tables of Natural and Instrumental Labours. + +By J. COSTER, M.D. and P. of the University of Turin. + +"Dr. John D. Godman, Lecturer on Anatomy, in this city, a gentleman of +distinguished professional and literary talents, having translated this +small, but valuable volume, for the benefit of the students who may +honour our University by their attendance, I shall merely refer to that +work. I have more pleasure in recommending, inasmuch as a short system +of operative surgery has been a desideratum."--_Gibson's Surgery, Vol. +II. page 541._ + + +In One Volume, 8vo. + +_SAISSY ON THE EAR._ + +DISEASES OF THE INTERNAL EAR. + +BY J. A. SAISSY. + + Member of the Royal Academy of Sciences, Literature, and Arts in + Lyons, Fellow of the Medical Society of the same city, and of the + Medical Societies of Bordeaux, Orleans, Marseilles, &c. Honoured + with a premium by the Medical Society of Bordeaux, and since + enlarged by the author. + +Translated from the French by NATHAN R. SMITH, Professor of Surgery in +the University of Maryland, with a Supplement on Diseases of the +External Ear, by the Translator. + + +FROISSART AND HIS TIMES. + +BY THE LATE BARRY ST. LEGER. + + + + * * * * * + + Transcriber Notes + + Obvious punctuation and spelling errors have been corrected. + + The following are as in the original: + + Major Russell and Major Russel are used interchangeably in the + book. + + Page4 original: and the trick he has played off on the publick. + + Page 10 its versus it's original: use, its just nobody's business. Big + men + + Page 86 (scroundrell's) original: old scroundrell's two big sons + with us, and made + + Page 119 flower is old english for flour original: man a cupfull of + flower. With this, we thickened + + Page 168 bran-fire and branfire original: This is," said I, "a + branfire new way of doing - clearly not hypenated in this line. + + + The following changes have been made: + + Page 17 original: bioagraphers, I should not only inform the public + + replacement: biographers, I should not only inform the public + + Page 141 original: and years all open, to catch every word I would + + replacement: and ears all open, to catch every word I would + + Page 158 original: where I stop'd to pull of my wet clothes, and + put + + replacement: where I stop'd to pull off my wet clothes, and put + + + Page 230 original: and mistatement with which we are beset, + + replacement: and misstatement with which we are beset, + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of A Narrative of the Life of David +Crockett, of the State of Tennessee., by Davy Crockett + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A NARRATIVE OF THE LIFE OF *** + +***** This file should be named 37925.txt or 37925.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/7/9/2/37925/ + +Produced by Dianna Adair, allspice and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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