Wild Western Scenes | Page 5

habitation in the immediate vicinity, save a rude hovel
occupied by Jasper Roughgrove and his ferrymen, which was on the
opposite shore in a narrow valley that cleft asunder the otherwise
uniform cliff of rocks.
The creaking of the wheels, when the vehicle approached within a few
hundred paces of the encampment, attracted the watch-dogs, and their
fierce and continued barking drew the attention of the emigrants in the
direction indicated. Several men with guns in their hands came out to
meet the young travellers.
"We are white men, friends, strangers, lost, benighted, and hungry!"
exclaimed Joe, stopping the horses, and addressing the men before he
was accosted.
"Come on, then, and eat and rest with us," said they, amused at Joe's
exclamations, and leading the way to the encampment.
When they arrived at the edge of the camp, Glenn dismounted from the
wagon, and directing Joe to follow when he had taken care of the
horses, drew near the huge log fire in company with those who had
gone out to meet him. Several tall and spreading elms towered in
majesty above, and their clustering leaves, yet partially green,
notwithstanding the autumn was midway advanced, were beautifully
tinged by the bright light thrown upward from the glaring flames. The
view on one side was lost in the dark labyrinth of the moss-grown
trunks of the forest. On the other swept the turbid river, bearing
downward in its rapid current severed branches, and even whole trees,
that had been swept away by the continual falling in of the river bank,
for the sandy soil was always subject to the undermining of tho
impetuous stream. A circle of tents was formed round the fire,
constructed of thin poles bent in the shape of an arch, and the ends

planted firmly in the earth. These were covered with buffalo skins,
which would effectually shield the inmates from the rain; and quantities
of leaves, after being carefully dried before the fire, were placed on the
ground within, over which were spread buffalo robes with the hair
uppermost, and thus in a brief space was completed temporary but not
uncomfortable places of repose. The ends of the tents nearest to the fire
were open, to admit the heat and a portion of light, that those who
desired it might retire during their repast, or engage in pious meditation
undisturbed by the more clamorous portion of the company.
Glenn paused when within the circle, and looked with some degree of
interest on the admirable arrangement of those independent and hardy
people. A majority of the emigrants were seated on logs brought thither
for that purpose, and feasting quietly from several large pans and
well-filled camp-kettles, which were set out for all in common. They
motioned Glenn to partake with them; and although many curious looks
were directed toward him, yet he was not annoyed by questions while
eating. Joe came in, and following the example of the rest, played his
part to perfection, without complaining once of his wound.
The feast was just finished, when the dogs again set up a furious
yelping, and ran into the forest. But they returned very quickly, some of
them whining with the hurts received from the strangers they
encountered so roughly; and presently they were followed by several
enormous hounds, and soon after an athletic woodsman was seen
approaching. This personage was a tall muscular man, past the middle
age, but agile and vigorous in all his motions. He was habited in a
buck-skin hunting-shirt, and wore leggins of the same material.
Although he was armed with a long knife and heavy rifle, and the
expression of his brow and chin indicated an unusual degree of
firmness and determination, yet there was an openness and blandness in
the expression of his features which won the confidence of the beholder,
and instantly dispelled every apprehension of violence. All of the
emigrants had either seen or heard of him before, for his name was not
only repeated by every tongue in the territory, but was familiar in every
State in the Union, and not unknown in many parts of Europe. He was
instantly recognised by the emigrants, and crowding round, they gave

him a hearty welcome. They led him to a conspicuous seat, and
forming a circle about him, were eager to catch every word that might
escape his lips, and relied with implicit confidence on every species of
information he imparted respecting the dangers and advantages of the
locations they were about to visit. Boone had settled some three miles
distant from the ferry, among the hills, where his people were engaged
in the manufacture of salt. He had selected this place of abode long
before the general tide of emigration had reached so far up the Missouri.
It was said