Early Settlers. 83 



" I think 1 see them harnessing their horses, and 

 attaching them to their wagons, which are already fitted 

 with bedding, provisions, and the younger children ; 

 while on their outside are fastened spinning-wheels and 

 looms, a bucket filled with tar and tallow swings betwixt 

 the hind wheels. Several axes are secm'ed to the bolster, 

 and the feeding-trough of the horses contains pots, ket- 

 tles, and pans. The servant now becomes a driver, riding 

 the near saddled horse, the wife is mounted on another, 

 the worthy husband shoulders his gun, and his sons, clad 

 in plain, substantial homespun, drive the cattle ahead, and 

 lead the procession, followed by the hounds and other 

 dogs. Their day's journey is short and not agreeable. 

 The cattle, stubborn or wild, frequently leave the road for 

 the woods, giving the travellers much trouble j the harness 

 of the horses here and there gives way, and immediate 

 repair is needed. A basket which has accidentally drop- 

 ped must be^ gone after, for nothing that Ihey have can 

 be spared. The roads are bad, and now and then all 

 hands are called to push on the wagon, or prevent it from 

 upsetting. Yet by sunset they have proceeded perhaps 

 twenty miles. Fatigued, all assemble round the fire, 

 which has been lighted ; supper is prepared, and a camp 

 being run up, there they pass the night. Days and weeks 

 pass before they gain the end of their journey. They 

 have crossed both the Carolinas, Georgia, and Alabama. 

 They have been travelling from the beginning of May to 

 that of SejDtember, and with heavy hearts they traverse 

 the neighborhood of the Mississippi. But now arrived 

 on the banks of the broad stream, they gaze in amaze- 

 ment on the dark deep woods around them. Boats of 

 various kinds they see gliding downwards with the cur- 

 rent, while others slowly ascend against it. A few inqui- 

 ries are made at the nearest dwelling, and assisted by 

 the inhabitants with their boats and canoes, they at once 



