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KENTUCKY SPORTS. 



It may not be amiss, kind reader, before I attempt to give you some 

 idea of the pleasures experienced by the sportsmen of Kentucky, to in- 

 troduce the subject with a shght description of that State. 



Kentucky was formerly attached to Virginia, but in those days the 

 Indians looked upon that portion of the western wilds as their own, and 

 abandoned the district only when forced to do so, moving with disconso- 

 late hearts farther into the recesses of the unexplored forests. Doubtless 

 the richness of its soil, and the beauty of its borders, situated as they are 

 along one of the most beautiful rivers in the world, contributed as much 

 to attract the Old Virginians, as the desire so generally experienced in 

 America, of spreading over the uncultivated tracts, and bringing into 

 cultivation lands that have for unknown ages teemed with the wild luxu- 

 riance of untamed nature. The conquest of Kentucky was not performed 

 without many difficulties. The warfare that long existed between the in- 

 truders and the Redskins was sanguinary and protracted ; but the for- 

 mer at length made good their footing, and the latter drew off their shat- 

 tered bands, dismayed by the mental superiority and indomitable courage 

 of the white men. 



This region was probably discovered by a daring hunter, the renowned 

 Daniel Boon. The richness of its soil, its magnificent forests, its number- 

 less navigable streams, its salt springs and Hcks, its saltpetre caves, its coal 

 strata, and the vast herds of buffaloes and deer that browsed on its hills and 

 amidst its charming valleys, afforded ample inducements to the new set- 

 tler, who pushed forward with a spirit far above that of the most un- 

 daunted tribes, which for ages had been the sole possessors of the soU. 



The Virginians thronged towards the Ohio. An axe, a couple of 

 horses, and a heavy rifle, with store of ammunition, were all that were con- 

 sidered necessary for the equipment of the man, who, with his family, re- 

 moved to the new State, assured that, in that land of exuberant fertility, 

 he could not fail to provide amply for all his wants. To have witnessed 

 the industry and perseverance of these emigrants, must at once have 

 proved the vigour of their minds. Regardless of the fatigue attending 

 every movement which they made, they pushed through an unexplored 

 region of dark and tangled forests, guiding themselves by the sun alone. 



