The Pioneers | Page 7

with a pole; and the “gumper,” a rude construction used for
temporary purposes in the new countries. Many of the American
sleighs are elegant though the use of this mode of conveyance is much
lessened with the melioration of the climate consequent to the clearing
of the forests.
In the vale, which lay at a distance of several hundred feet lower, there
was what, in the language of the country, was called a clearing, and all
the usual improvements of a new settlement; these even extended up

the hill to the point where the road turned short and ran across the level
land, which lay on the summit of the mountain; but the summit itself
remained in the forest. There was glittering in the atmosphere, as if it
was filled with innumerable shining particles; and the noble bay horses
that drew the sleigh were covered, in many parts with a coat of
hoar-frost. The vapor from their nostrils was seen to issue like smoke;
and every object in the view, as well as every arrangement of the
travellers, denoted the depth of a winter in the mountains. The harness,
which was of a deep, dull black, differing from the glossy varnishing of
the present day, was ornamented with enormous plates and buckles of
brass, that shone like gold in those transient beams of the sun which
found their way obliquely through the tops of the trees. Huge saddles,
studded with nails and fitted with cloth that served as blankets to the
shoulders of the cattle, supported four high, square-topped turrets,
through which the stout reins led from the mouths of the horses to the
hands of the driver, who was a negro, of apparently twenty years of age.
His face, which nature had colored with a glistening black, was now
mottled with the cold, and his large shining eyes filled with tears; a
tribute to its power that the keen frosts of those regions always
extracted from one of his African origin. Still, there was a smiling
expression of good-humor in his happy countenance, that was created
by the thoughts of home and a Christmas fireside, with its Christmas
frolics. The sleigh was one of those large, comfortable, old- fashioned
conveyances, which would admit a whole family within its bosom, but
which now contained only two passengers besides the driver. The color
of its outside was a modest green, and that of its inside a fiery red, The
latter was intended to convey the idea of heat in that cold climate.
Large buffalo-skins trimmed around the edges with red cloth cut into
festoons, covered the back of the sleigh, and were spread over its
bottom and drawn up around the feet of the travellers - one of whom
was a man of middle age and the other a female just entering upon
womanhood. The former was of a large stature; but the precautions he
had taken to guard against the cold left but little of his person exposed
to view. A great-coat, that was abundantly ornamented by a profusion
of furs, enveloped the whole of his figure excepting the head, which
was covered with a cap of mar ten-skins lined with morocco, the sides
of which were made to fall, if necessary, and were now drawn close

over the ears and fastened beneath his chin with a black rib bon. The
top of the cap was surmounted with the tail of the animal whose skin
had furnished the rest of the materials, which fell back, not
ungracefully, a few inches be hind the head. From beneath this mask
were to be seen part of a fine, manly face, and particularly a pair of
expressive large blue eyes, that promised extraordinary intellect, covert
humor, and great benevolence. The form of his companion was literally
hid beneath the garments she wore. There were furs and silks peeping
from under a large camlet cloak with a thick flannel lining, that by its
cut and size was evidently intended for a masculine wearer. A huge
hood of black silk, that was quilted with down, concealed the whole of
her head, except at a small opening in front for breath, through which
occasionally sparkled a pair of animated jet-black eyes.
Both the father and daughter (for such was the connection between the
two travellers) were too much occupied with their reflections to break a
stillness that derived little or no interruption from the easy gliding of
the sleigh by the sound of their voices. The former was thinking of the
wife that had held this their only child to her bosom, when, four years
before, she had reluctantly consented to relinquish the society of her
daughter in order that the latter might enjoy the advantages of an
education which the city of New York could only offer