On the second day after re-entering the valley, we descried, on descending a long slope of rising ground, a hunter's cabin, covered with narrow oak boards, split with a frow; and were exhilarated with the idea of finding it occupied. But this turned out a delusive hope. It had been deserted, from appearance, the year before. We found, among the surrounding weeds, a few stems of the cotton plant, which had grown up from seeds, accidentally dropped. The bolls had opened. I picked out the cotton to serve as a material in lighting my camp fires, at night, this being a labour which I had taken the exclusive management of. The site of this camp, had been well chosen. There was a small stream in front, and a heavy rich cane bottom behind it, extending to the banks of the river. A handsome point of woodlands extended north of it, from the immediate door of the camp. And although somewhat early in the day, we determined to encamp, and soon made ourselves masters of the fabric, and sat down before a cheerful fire, with a title to occupancy, which there was no one to dispute.
[2] The United States government, the very next year, 1819, sent out Col. Long to the Yellow Stone.
VERSIFIED FROM THE GERMAN OF GESSNER: 1812.
A swain, as he strayed through the grove, Had caught a young bird on a spray-- What a gift, he exclaimed, for my love, How beautiful, charming, and gay.
With rapture he viewed the fair prize, And listened with joy to its chat, As with haste to the meadow he hies To secure it beneath his straw hat.
I will make of yon willows so gay, A cage for my prisoner to mourn, Then to Delia, the gift I'll convey, And beg for a kiss in return.
She will grant me that one, I am sure, For a present so rare and so gay, And I easily can steal a few more And bear them enraptured away.
He returned: but imagine his grief, The wind had his hat overthrown, And the bird, in the joy of relief, Away with his kisses had flown.
PERSONAL INCIDENTS AND IMPRESSIONS OF THE INDIAN RACE, DRAWN FROM NOTES OF TRAVEL AND RESIDENCE IN THEIR TERRITORIES.
INQUIRY I.--What kind of a being is the North American Indian?--Have we judged rightly of him?--What are his peculiar traits, his affections, and his intellectual qualities?--Is he much influenced by his religion, his mode of government, and his complicated language?