MIKi: FI\K, THi: KKI.LBOATMAN. IT)/^ 



round of manly excitement ; they were, when most na- 

 tural, hypc'ibolical in thought and in deed, if compared 

 with any other class of men. Their bravery and chiv- 

 alrous deeds were performed witliout a herald to pro- 

 claim them to the world — they were the mere incidents 

 of a border life, considered too common to attract atten- 

 tion, or outlive the time of a passing wonder. Death 

 has nearly destroyed the men, and obscurity is fast ob- 

 literating the record of their deeds; but a few examples 

 still exist, as if to justify the truth of these wonderful 

 exploits, now almost wholly confined to tradition. 



Among the flat-boatmen there were none who gained 

 more notoriety than Mike Fink. His name is still re- 

 membered along the whole of the Ohio, as a man who 

 excelled his fellows in every thing, — particularly in his 

 rifle-shot, which was acknowledged to be unsurpassed. 

 Probably no man ever lived, who could compete with 

 Mike in the latter accomplishment. Strong as Hercu- 

 les, free from all nervous excitement, possessed of per- 

 fect health, and familiar with his weapon from child- 

 hood; he raised the rifle to his eye, and, having once 

 taken sight, it was as firmly fixed as if buried in a 

 rock. 



The rifle was Mike's pride, and he rejoiced on all oc- 

 casions where he could bring it into use, whether it was 

 turned against the beast of prey or the more savage In- 

 dian : and in his day, the last named was the common 

 foe with whom Mike and his as.sociate8 had to contend. 



