Last of the Great Scouts | Page 5

name of
this son would be known all over the world, and would one day be that
of the President of the United States." The first part of this prophecy
was verified, and Samuel's death was another link in the curious chain
of circumstances. Was it, then, strange that mother looked with unusual
hope upon her second son?
That 'tis good fortune for a boy to be only brother to five sisters is open
to question. The older girls petted Will; the younger regarded him as a
superior being; while to all it seemed so fit and proper that the promise
of the stars concerning his future should be fulfilled that never for a
moment did we weaken in our belief that great things were in store for
our only brother. We looked for the prophecy's complete fulfillment,
and with childish veneration regarded Will as one destined to sit in the
executive's chair.

My mother, always somewhat delicate, was so affected in health by the
shock of Samuel's death that a change of scene was advised. The
California gold craze was then at its height, and father caught the fever,
though in a mild form; for he had prospered as a farmer, and we not
only had a comfortable home, but were in easy circumstances.
Influenced in part by a desire to improve mother's health, and in part,
no doubt, by the golden day-dreams that lured so many Argonauts
Pacificward, he disposed of his farm, and bade us prepare for a Western
journey. Before his plans were completed he fell in with certain
disappointed gold-seekers returning from the Coast, and impressed by
their representations, decided in favor of Kansas instead of California.
Father had very extravagant ideas regarding vehicles and horses, and
such a passion for equestrian display, that we often found ourselves
with a stable full of thoroughbreds and an empty cupboard. For our
Western migration we had, in addition to three prairie-schooners, a
large family carriage, drawn by a span of fine horses in silver-mounted
harness. This carriage had been made to order in the East, upholstered
in the finest leather, polished and varnished as though for a royal
progress. Mother and we girls found it more comfortable riding than
the springless prairie-schooners.
Brother Will constituted himself an armed escort, and rode proudly
alongside on his pony, his gun slung across the pommel of his saddle,
and the dog Turk bringing up the rear.
To him this Western trip thrilled with possible Indian skirmishes and
other stirring adventures, though of the real dangers that lay in our path
he did not dream. For him, therefore, the first week of our travels held
no great interest, for we were constantly chancing upon settlers and
farm-houses, in which the night might be passed; but with every mile
the settlers grew fewer and farther between; until one day Will
whispered to us, in great glee: "I heard father tell mother that he
expected we should have to camp to-night. Now we'll have some fun!"
Will's hope was well founded. Shortly before nightfall we reached a
stream that demanded a ferry-boat for its crossing, and as the nearest
dwelling was a dozen miles away, it was decided that we should camp
by the stream-side. The family was first sent across the ferry, and upon
the eight-year-old lad of the house father placed the responsibility of
selecting the ground on which to pitch the tents.

My brother's career forcibly illustrates the fact that environment plays
as large a part as heredity in shaping character. Perhaps his love for the
free life of the plains is a heritage derived from some long-gone
ancestor; but there can be no doubt that to the earlier experiences of
which I am writing he owed his ability as a scout. The faculty for
obtaining water, striking trails, and finding desirable camping-grounds
in him seemed almost instinct.
The tents being pitched upon a satisfactory site, Will called to Turk, the
dog, and rifle in hand, set forth in search of game for supper. He was
successful beyond his fondest hopes. He had looked only for small
game, but scarcely had he put the camp behind him when Turk gave a
signaling yelp, and out of the bushes bounded a magnificent deer.
Nearly every hunter will confess to "buck fever" at sight of his first
deer, so it is not strange that a boy of Will's age should have stood
immovable, staring dazedly at the graceful animal until it vanished
from sight. Turk gave chase, but soon trotted back, and barked
reproachfully at his young master. But Will presently had an
opportunity to recover Turk's good opinion, for the dog, after darting
away, with another signaling yelp fetched another fine stag within gun
range. This time the young hunter, mastering his nerves,