OHIO STATEWIDE FILES - The Ohio Hunter [Chapter 6] ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES(tm) NOTICE Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgenwebarchives.org ************************************************************************** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Sara Grimes McBeth saramcb@socket.net June 22, 2005 ************************************************************************** 68 THE OHIO HUNTER. CHAPTER VI. TRIP TO BUCYRUS WALK FORTY-FIVE MILES IN A DAY LOSE THE TRAIL--AN ADVENTURE AMONG RILE INDIANS--A YOUNG SQUAW ENAMORED OF THE LOST HUNTER. When I first emigrated to what was then known as the "Sandusky Purchase," in the year 1832/ I settled near Fort Findlay; and from the exercise of a strong propensity to roam the woods in pursuit of game, I very soon became thoroughly; to acquainted with the "lay of' the land" in quite an important locality; and my services as Cicerone to the new-comer were quite indispensable. I could always point them to the best lots of land, and direct them to the most favorable localities for their particular kind of business, or those best suited to their means. At one time there came two land hunters to my house, and wanted to profit by the superior knowledge of the country which two or three years' stay in the woods gave me over the new-comer. I was always very liberal of such knowledge, and never, from motives of policy or otherwise, kept back any information that I could give to the enterprising emigrant. I was anxious to see the country settled, and never felt like some monopolizers I have ADVENTURE WITH LAND-HUNTERS. 69 met, willing to keep the country a swamp and wilderness, that some future generation might say that one of their ancient ancestors owned all the land that joined him. I knew that land was valuable only in proportion as the country in which it lay was rendered suitable for the habitation of man. I always believed that the one who came first had a perfect right to the first choice; that they who "have the burden and heat of the day" were the rightful ones to possess the most favored portions I liked the appearance of the two young men above referred to, and felt highly gratified that it was in my power to show them a favor. I accordingly took them to the most desirable section yet unoccupied in our township. It lay right beside neighbor of mine. It so happened that this neighbor had his eye upon the land, and was only waiting it favorable opportunity for making the purchase. This was all unknown to me, and my young friends, after satisfying themselves as to the quality and location, and taking the number of' the lot thought to introduce themselves to their new neighbors. They told the man that living, nearest that they had come to purchase the adjoining farm, expecting, of course, to be congratulated upon their enterprize, and to receive a hearty welcome to his hospitality. But these expectations were doomed to a early disappointment. When they told their enterprising neighbor their 70 THE OHIO HUNTER scheme, he very curtly replied, "You no get that land, I buys him myself!" Our young friends told him he might, if he could get it before they could, and accordingly, started for the Land office. The outraged German now came to me for advice. he wanted to know if I could furnish him with a horse. I told him I could not, and after considerable inquiry about horses, all to no purpose, he proposed that I should go to the office for him. The distance to be traveled was forty-five miles; this was nothing for me to walk in a day; so being stipulated with for the sum of five dollars, which was no trifling amount in those days. I was on my journey the next morning before daylight. At three o'clock that afternoon I entered the Land office, gave the agent the number of' the lot, and upon being told that it was yet for sale, gave him the price of the land, which was one dollar and a quarter per acre, and received the requisite sum certificate. The office was crowded with people, all endeavoring to get nearest the stand; and I was trying as fast as I could to make my way to the outside. I had made but little progress toward the door when the two young men entered. I relaxed my effort to gain the door, and listened to the inter view. They presented their claim to the agent who told them that lot had just been entered; this surprised them very much, and they were looking around to see who the lucky individual TRIP TO THE LAND-OFFICE 71 was, when their eyes fell upon me. They immediately approached me and inquired how I came there. I told them I had walked all the way that day. They would not believe this statement, and commenced questioning me about my business there. I told them I had come to accomodate a neighbor; that the land I showed them the day before I afterward learned was wanted very much by my neighbor, and as it was joining his, he was most strongly entitled to it; that, there was a great deal more equally good land, still unoccupied? and they could suit themselves just as well elsewhere,-- while any other piece equally good would not have answered my neighbor near as well, because it could not be so conveniently located. They expressed very great disappointment, and offered me twenty dollars for my bargain. I told them I could not betray my trust, and thus the conference ended. My route home could be shortened five miles by following au Indian trail which led by a creek, called Broken Sword, instead of taking the road which went by Upper Sandusky. I concluded to go the nearest way. Before I left Bucyrus I bought me a side bottle and filled it with brandy, which was a custom in those days, and not yet as effectually passed away as could be wished. It was quite late when I started, yet I thought I could get through to a settlement before nightfall; but I found by an old Indian that could speak En- 72 THE OHIO HUNTER glish, that there were twelve miles of unbroken woods before I came to any white families. I still pressed on, determined not to spend the night in the woods, or among the Indians, the Indian being the only thing that lived wild in the woods that I ever feared; for in his nature were united, when once roused to passion, the ferocity of a beast and the understanding of a man. At last I lost the trail, but still pursued my way It was to cold to lie down without fire, and I durst not make a fire for fear of being seen by the Indians. I wandered on until it became very dark and quit late, when in the gloom there appeared a light. This afforded considerable consolation to a poor traveler, oppressed with fatigue and hunger. I gladly approached it, believing that I had now got through the Indian Reserve, and was once more in the locality of the white man. But as I neared the house, and the great dogs came out to bark at me, I saw a tall Indian come out to call his dogs. I knew that retreat now was impossible, for should I attempt an escape they would doubtless follow me; so I thought it best to go in. The tall Indian met me at the door, and said " Is white man lost ?" I answered " Yes." He told me to come in, and I obeyed. I there I saw only the robust Indian, an aged squaw, and young woman of tawny skin. The Indian could talk some English, said to me, "Is white A HOSPITABLE WIGWAM 73 man hungry?" I replied in the affirmative, when he said something to his squaw in Indian that I could not understand, and she proceeded to set before me some corn bread and a little dried meat, which the Indians called "jerk." The bread had a very unpleasant smell, and I could not eat it; but the meat was very good, and I devoured it greedily. After partaking liberally of the simple meal, my fears gradually began to subside, and I thought to return the kind hospitality of mine host, by a. refreshing draught from my demijohn. I very soon discovered that this was a. mistaken kindness for the Indian, like the white man. cannot always stop this seductive indulgence at moderation. He drank freely himself, and gave to his squaw, who drank with equal freedom. I then offered it to the young woman, but she refused. It was not long before the Indian and his dusky mate wanted to drink again. He smiled very good-naturedly when I presented it to him, and after drinking the second time, became very sociable and extremely good-natured. He would come very close to me and lay his hand upon my head and say, "White man not ugly; white man very good." He soon became very noisy in his demonstrations, and sung and hallooed vociferously. I felt a little awed by his presence, and could not help wishing that either he or I were somewhere else. Again they wanted more, and I concluded this was the best wand I could wield over the 74 THE OHI0 HUNTER. strength of the red man, so I gave them both all they wanted of the brandy, which nearly emptied my bottle. The squaw then sat down and was soon fast asleep; and not long after, the arms of Morpheus held the strong Indian securely in his embrace. I was then left alone with the young Indian girl. As soon as the old Indians were asleep, she commenced being quite sociable. The first word she spoke. I saw that she was conversant with the English language. She inquired of me where I was traveling. I told her I was hunting me an Indian wife. She told me the white man did not like the dark-faced Indian maid. I told her that she was more beautiful than many white girls, which was indeed a truth; but I was too much overcome by the labors of the day just past, to be very sociable, and there was a pause in the conversation. She soon disappeared from my sight for a few moments, and then returned arrayed in the most gorgeous apparel I had ever beheld. Her dress was embroidered with beads, from the little red turban she wore on her head, to the soft velvet moccasins that covered her feet,--and really the dress was very becoming to her swarthy complexion, or she was very becoming to the dress. The thread of conversation was taken up about the same place it had been laid down, and continued until I quite forgot my fears and my fatigue. But she being more thoughtful than KINDNESS OF A YOUNG SQUAW 75 myself, asked me if I would not like to rest. I replied that I would. She brought some furs and made me a nice warm bed before the fire, where I lay down to rest. She then brought some more, and in another part of the room made bed for herself. During our conversation, she told me that she owned one section of land, where she should go and live when she was married. That she never would marry an Indian, for they thought their wives were made only for slaves; that they cared only for hunting, and would make their squaws go along and carry the game, or stay at home and rise all the corn and potatoes. I slept very quietly until morning, when I was awakened by the thirsty Indian, who wanted more rum. I took the bottle from under my head and handed it to him, which he emptied, and then lay down again; as soon as he was asleep, I arose and prepared to start on my journey. Before leaving, the kind-hearted Indian girl gave me some more of the dried meat, which was the best entertainment they possessed, and wished me a prosperous journey. I gave her rather a mili-tary salute as I departed, and thus closed my pleasant, though brief acquaintance, with the hospitable Indian family.