206 WILD SPORTS IN THE FAR WEST. 



the highest spots, ready to carry across in a larger 

 boat. 



I passed some pleasant weeks here, partly in the 

 society of my countrymen, and partly engaged in my 

 work, and at last embarked with my goods, on board 

 the steamer " Independence," taking cordial leave of 

 my new friends, and particularly of my kind host, who 

 could not be induced to receive any payment. I landed 

 first at Louisville, and disposed of a pai't of my canes, 

 then took the rest on to Cincinnati, found a ready 

 sale, and was once more free to do as I liked. 



The Whigs and Democrats were at this time more 

 than usually violent, abusing each other in the public 

 papers and thrashing each other in the public houses. 

 The Democrats in Cincinnati (and all the Gentians 

 were Democrats) had carried a measure for allowing 

 German to be taught in the schools as well as English ; 

 but the German scholars hung back from the olttce of 

 schoolmaster, for fear of the examination they would 

 have to undergo. Under these circumstances, some of 

 my good friends persuaded me to attempt to pass, and 

 take a situation, the salary being from twenty-live to 

 thirty dollars a month. So I resolved to try it, if only 

 for the fun of the thing. 



But for this purpose it was necessary to devote sonic 

 time to study, as my knowledge of Knglish grammar 

 was none of the best, and much of my scholarship had 

 evaporated in the backwoods. 



The formidable day at length arrived. The can- 

 didates were two Germans besides mvself, and three 

 Americans, besides five or six young women for the 

 female schools. I had forwarded notice of my wish 



