AcknowledgmentThisnarrativeisfoundedlargelyonoriginalsources——onthewritingsandjournalsofpioneersandcontemporaryobservers,suchasDoddridgeandAdair,andonthepublicdocumentsoftheperiodasprintedintheColonialRecordsandintheAmericanArchives。Buttheauthoris,nevertheless,greatlyindebtedtotheresearchesof,otherwriters,whoseworksarecitedintheBibliographicalNote。Theauthor’sthanksaredue,also,toDr。
ArchibaldHenderson,oftheUniversityofNorthCarolina,forhiskindnessinreadingtheproofsofthisbookforcomparisonwithhisownextendedcollectionofunpublishedmanuscriptsrelatingtotheperiod。
C。L。S。
April,1919。
BIBLIOGRAPHICALNOTE
PioneersOfTheOldSouthwestChapterI。TheTreadOfPioneersTheUlsterPresbyterians,or\"Scotch-Irish,\"towhomhistoryhasascribedthedominantroleamongthepioneerfolkoftheOldSouthwest,begantheirmigrationstoAmericainthelatteryearsoftheseventeenthcentury。Itisnotknownwithcertaintypreciselywhenorwherethefirstimmigrantsoftheirracearrivedinthiscountry,butsoonafter1680theyweretobefoundinseveralofthecolonies。Itwasnotlong,indeed,beforetheywereenteringinnumbersattheportofPhiladelphiaandweremakingPennsylvaniathechiefcenteroftheiractivitiesintheNewWorld。By1726theyhadestablishedsettlementsinseveralcountiesbehindPhiladelphia。TenyearslatertheyhadbeguntheirgreattreksouthwardthroughtheShenandoahValleyofVirginiaandontotheYadkinValleyofNorthCarolina。Theretheymetothersoftheirownrace——boldmenlikethemselves,hungryafterland——whowerecominginthroughCharlestonandpushingtheirwayuptheriversfromtheseacoasttothe\"BackCountry,\"insearchofhomes。
TheseUlstermendidnotcometotheNewWorldasnovicesintheshapingofsociety;theyhadalreadymadehistory。TheirostensibleobjectinAmericawastoobtainland,but,likemostexternalaims,itwassecondarytoadeeperpurpose。WhathadsenttheUlstermentoAmericawasapassionforawholefreedom。
Theywerelustymen,shrewdandcourageous,zealoustothedeathforanidealandwithalsopracticaltothemomentinbusinessthatitsooncametobecommonlyreportedofthemthat\"theykepttheSabbathandeverythingelsetheycouldlaytheirhandson,\"
thoughitisbutfairtothemtoaddthatthisphraseiscurrentwhereverScotsdwell。TheyhadcontestedinParliamentandwitharmsfortheirownformofworshipandfortheircivilrights。
Theywerealreadyfrontiersmen,trainedinthehardihoodandcraftofborderwarfarethroughyearsofguerrillafightingwiththeIrishCelts。Theyhadpittedandprovedtheirstrengthagainstawilderness;theyhadreclaimedtheNorthofIrelandfromdesolation。Forthetime,manyofthemwereeducatedmen;
undertheregulationsofthePresbyterianChurcheverychildwastaughttoreadatanearlyage,sincenopersoncouldbeadmittedtotheprivilegesoftheChurchwhodidnotbothunderstandandapprovethePresbyterianconstitutionanddiscipline。TheywerebroughtupontheBibleandonthewritingsoftheirfamouspastors,oneofwhom,asearlyas1650,hadgivenutterancetothedemocraticdoctrinethat\"menarecalledtothemagistracybythesuffrageofthepeoplewhomtheygovern,andformentoassumeuntothemselvespowerismeretyrannyandunjustusurpation。\"InsubscribingtothisdoctrineandinresistingtothehiltalleffortsofsuccessiveEnglishkingstointerfereintheelectionoftheirpastors,theScotsofUlsterhadalreadydeclaredfordemocracy。
ItwasshortlyafterJamesVIofScotlandbecameJamesIofEnglandandwhiletheEnglishwerefoundingJamestownthattheScotshadfirstoccupiedUlster;butthetrueoriginoftheUlsterPlantationliesfurtherback,inthereignofHenryVIII,inthedaysoftheEnglishReformation。InHenry’sIrishrealmtheReformation,thoughproclaimedbyroyalauthority,hadneverbeenaccomplished;andHenry’smorefamousdaughter,Elizabeth,hadconceivedtheplan,latertobecarriedoutbyJames,ofplantingcoloniesofProtestantsinIrelandtopromoteloyaltyinthatrebelliousland。Sixcounties,comprisinghalfamillionacres,formedtheUlsterPlantation。ThegreatmajorityofthecolonistssentthitherbyJameswereScotchLowlanders,butamongthemweremanyEnglishandasmallernumberofHighlanders。ThesethreepeoplesfromtheislandofBritainbroughtforth,throughintermarriage,theUlsterScots。
ThereignofCharlesIhadinauguratedfortheUlstermenaneraofpersecution。CharlespracticallysuppressedthePresbyterianreligioninIreland。Hisson,CharlesII,struckatIrelandin1666throughitscattletrade,byprohibitingtheexportationofbeeftoEnglandandScotland。TheNavigationActs,excludingIrelandfromdirecttradewiththecolonies,ruinedIrishcommerce,whileCorporationActsandTestActsrequiringconformitywiththepracticesoftheChurchofEnglandboreheavilyontheUlsterPresbyterians。
ItwaslargelybyrefugeesfromreligiouspersecutionthatAmericainthebeginningwascolonized。ButreligiouspersecutionwasonlyoneoftheinfluenceswhichshapedthecourseandformedthecharacteroftheUlsterScots。InUlster,whithertheyhadoriginallybeentransplantedbyJamestofoundaloyalprovinceinthemidstoftheKing’senemies,theyhaddonetheirworktoowellandhadwaxedtoopowerfulforthecomfortoflatermonarchs。Thefirstattacksuponthemstruckattheirreligion;
butthesubsequentlegislativeactswhichsuccessivelyruinedthewoolentrade,barrednonconformistsfrompublicoffice,stifledIrishcommerce,pronouncednon-Episcopalmarriagesirregular,andinstitutedheavytaxationandhighrentalsforthelandtheirfathershadmadeproductive——thesewereblowsdealtchieflyforthepoliticalandcommercialendsoffavoredclassesinEngland。
Theseattacks,aimedthroughhisreligiousconscienceatthesourcesofhislivelihood,madetheUlsterScotperforcewhathewas——azealotasacitizenandazealotasamerchantnolessthanasaPresbyterian。Thankstohispersecutors,hemadeareligionofeverythingheundertookandregardedhiscivilrightsasdivinerights。Thusoutofpersecutionemergedatypeofmanwhowashigh-principledandnarrow,strongandviolent,astenaciousofhisownrightsashewasblindoftentotherightsofothers,acquisitiveyetself-sacrificing,butmostofallfearless,confidentofhisownpower,determinedtohaveandtohold。
TwentythousandUlstermen,itisestimated,leftIrelandforAmericainthefirstthreedecadesoftheeighteenthcentury。
MorethansixthousandofthemareknowntohaveenteredPennsylvaniain1729alone,andtwentyyearslatertheynumberedone-quarterofthatcolony’spopulation。DuringthefiveyearsprecedingtheRevolutionaryWarmorethanthirtythousandUlstermencrossedtheoceanandarrivedinAmericajustintimeandinjusttherightframeofmindtoreturnKingGeorge’scomplimentinkind,byhelpingtodeprivehimofhisAmericanestates,adomainverymuchlargerthantheacresofUlster。TheyfullyjustifiedthefearsofthegoodbishopwhowroteLordDartmouth,SecretaryfortheColonies,thathetrembledforthepeaceoftheKing’soverseasrealm,sincethesethousandsof\"phanaticalandhungryRepublicans\"hadsailedforAmerica。
TheUlstermenwhoenteredbyCharlestonwereknowntotheinhabitantsofthetidewaterregionsasthe\"Scotch-Irish。\"Thosewhocamefromthenorth,luredsouthwardbytheofferofcheaplands,werecalledthe\"PennsylvaniaIrish。\"Bothwere,however,ofthesamerace——aracetwiceexpatriated,firstfromScotlandandthenfromIreland,andstrippedofallthatithadwonthroughoutmorethanacenturyofpersecution。TotheseexilestheBackCountryofNorthCarolina,withitscheapandevenfreetractslyingfarfromtheseatofgovernment,musthaveseemednotonlytheLandofPromisebuttheLandofLastChance。Heretheymuststriketheirrootsintothesodwithsuchinterlockingstrengththatnocataclysmoftyrannyshouldeverdislodgethem——ortheymustacceptthefatedealtouttothembytheirformerpersecutorsandbecomeatribeofnomadsandserfs。ButtotheseUlsterimmigrantssuchachoicewasnochoiceatall。Theyknewthemselvesstrongmen,whohadmadethemostofopportunitydespitealmostsuperhumanobstacles。ThedrummingoftheirfeetalongthebanksoftheShenandoah,oruptheriversfromCharleston,andonthroughthebroadsweepoftheYadkinValley,wasaconqueringpeople’schallengetotheWildernesswhichlaysleepinglikeanunreadysentinelatthegatesoftheirFuture。
Itismaintainedstillbymany,howeveroftendisputed,thattheUlstermenwerethefirsttodeclareforAmericanIndependence,asintheOldCountrytheywerethefirsttodemandtheseparationofChurchandState。ADeclarationofIndependenceissaidtohavebeendrawnupandsignedinMecklenburgCounty,NorthCarolina,onMay20,1775。*Howeverthatmaybe,itiscertainthattheseMecklenburgProtestantshadreceivedspecialschoolinginthedoctrineofindependence。Theyhadintheirmidstforeightyears(1758-66)theReverendAlexanderCraighead,aPresbyterianministerwho,forhis\"republicandoctrines\"
expressedinapamphlet,hadbeendisownedbythePennsylvaniaSynodactingontheGovernor’sprotest,andsopersecutedinVirginiathathehadatlastfledtotheNorthCarolinaBackCountry。There,duringtheremainingyearsofhislife,asthesolepreacherandteacherinthesettlementsbetweentheYadkinandtheCatawbarivershefoundwillingsoilinwhichtosowtheseedsofLiberty。
*SeeHoyt,\"TheMecklenburgDeclarationofIndependence\";and\"AmericanArchives,\"FourthSeries。vol。II,p。855。
TherewasanotherbranchoftheScottishracewhichhelpedtopeopletheBackCountry。TheHighlanders,whoseloyaltytotheiroathmadethemfightontheKing’ssideintheRevolutionaryWar,havebeensomewhatoverlookedinhistory。Tradition,handeddownamongthetransplantedclans——who,forthemostpart,spokeonlyGaelicforagenerationandwrotenothing——andlatterlyrecordedbyoneortwooftheirdescendants,suppliesuswithallwearenowabletolearnoftheearlycomingoftheGaelstoCarolina。
ItwouldseemthattheirfirstimmigrationtoAmericainsmallbandstookplaceafterthesuppressionoftheJacobiterisingin1715——whenHighlandersfledinnumbersalsotoFrance——forby1729therewasasettlementofthemontheCapeFearRiver。Weknow,too,thatin1748itwaschargedagainstGabrielJohnston,GovernorofNorthCarolinafrom1734to1752,thathehadshownnojoyovertheKing’s\"gloriousvictoryofCulloden\"andthat\"hehadappointedoneWilliamMcGregor,whohadbeenintheRebellionintheyear1715aJusticeofthePeaceduringthelastRebellion[1745]andwasnothimselfwithoutsuspicionofdisaffectiontoHisMajesty’sGovernment。\"ItisindeedpossiblethatGabrielJohnston,formerlyaprofessoratSt。Andrew’sUniversity,hadhimselfnotalwaysbeenastrangertothekilt。
HeinducedlargenumbersofhighlanderstocometoAmericaandprobablyinfluencedthesecondGeorgetomoderatehistreatmentofthevanquishedGaelsintheOldCountryandpermittheiremigrationtotheNewWorld。
IncontrastwiththeUlstermen,whosesecularidealsweredictatedbytheformsoftheirChurch,theseScotsadheredstilltothetribalorclansystem,althoughthey,too,inthemajority,werePresbyterians,withaminorityofRomanCatholicsandEpiscopalians。IntheScotchHighlandstheyhadoccupiedsmallholdingsonthelandundertheswayoftheirchief,orHeadoftheClan,towhomtheywereboundbybloodandfealtybuttowhomtheypaidnorentals。ThepositionoftheHeadoftheClanwashereditary,butnoheirwasboldenoughtostepforwardintothatpositionuntilhehadperformedsomedeedofworth。Theywereprincipallyherders,theirchiefstockbeingthefamoussmallblackcattleoftheHighlands。Theirwarswitheachotherwerecattleraids。Onlyinwar,however,didtheGaellayhandsonhisneighbor’sgoods。TherewerenohighwaymenandhousebreakersintheHighlands。NoHighlandmansion,cot,orbarnwaseverlocked。Theftandthebreakingofanoath,sinsagainstman’shonor,wereheldinsuchabhorrencethatnooneguiltyofthemcouldremainamonghisclansmeninthebelovedglens。TheseHighlanderswerearaceoftall,robustmen,wholivedsimplyandfrugallyandsleptontheheathamongtheirflocksinallweathers,withnoothercoveringfromrainandsnowthantheirplaidies。ItisreportedoftheLairdofKeppoch,whowasleadinghisclantowarinwintertime,thathismenweredividedastotheproprietyoffollowinghimfurtherbecauseherolledasnowballtoresthisheaduponwhenhelaydown。\"Nowwedespairofvictory,\"theysaid,\"sinceourleaderhasbecomegoeffeminatehecannotsleepwithoutapillow!\"*
*MacLean,\"AnHistoricalAccountoftheSettlementofScotchHigh。landersinAmerica。\"
The\"King’sgloriousvictoryofCulloden\"wasfollowedbyapolicyofexterminationcarriedonbytheordersandunderthepersonaldirectionoftheDukeofCumberland。WhenKingGeorgeatlastrestrainedhissonfromhisorgyofblood,heofferedtheGaelstheirlivesandexiletoAmericaonconditionoftheirtakingthefulloathofallegiance。Themajorityacceptedhisterms,fornotonlyweretheirlivesforfeitbuttheircropsandcattlehadbeendestroyedandtheholdingsonwhichtheirancestorshadlivedformanycenturiestakenfromthem。Thedescriptionsofthescenesattendingtheirleave-takingofthehillsandglenstheylovedwithsuchpassionatefervorareamongthemostpatheticinhistory。Strongmenwhohadmettheravageofabrutalswordwithoutweakeningabandonedthemselvestotheagonyofsorrow。Theykissedthewallsoftheirhouses。Theyflungthemselvesonthegroundandembracedthesoduponwhichtheyhadwalkedinfreedom。Theycalledtheirbrokenfarewellstothepeaksandlochsofthelandtheywereneveragaintosee;
and,astheyturnedtheirbacksandfileddownthroughthepasses,theirpipersplayedthedirgeforthedead。
Suchwasthecharacter,suchthedeepfeeling,oftheracewhichenteredNorthCarolinafromthecoastandpushedupintothewildernessabouttheheadwatersofCapeFearRiver。Traditionindicatesthatthesehillsmensoughttheinteriorbecausethegrassandpeavinewhichovergrewtheinnercountrystretchingtowardsthemountainsprovidedexcellentfodderforthecattlewhichsomeofthechiefsaresaidtohavebroughtwiththem。
TheseGaelicherders,perhapsinnegligiblenumbers,wereintheYadkinValleybefore1730,possiblyeventenyearsearlier。In1739NeilMacNeillofKintyrebroughtoverashiploadofGaelstorejoinhiskinsman,HectorMacNeill,calledBluffHectorfromhisresidencenearthebluffsatCrossCreek,nowFayetteville。SomeoftheseimmigrantswentontotheYadkin,wearetold,tounitewithothersoftheirclanwhohadbeenforsometimeinthatdistrict。TheexacttimeofthefirstHighlanderontheYadkincannotbeascertained,astherewerenocourtrecordsandtheofficesofthelandcompanieswerenotthenopenforthesaleoftheseremoteregions。Butby1753therewerenotlessthanfourthousandGaelsinCumberlandCounty,wheretheyoccupiedthechiefmagisterialposts;andtheywerealreadyspreadingoverthelandsnowcomprisedwithinMoore,Anson,Richmond,Robeson,Bladen,andSampsoncounties。InthesecountiesGaelicwasascommonlyheardasEnglish。
IntheyearsimmediatelyprecedingtheRevolutionandevenin1776itselftheycameinincreasingnumbers。Theyknewnothingofthesmolderingfirejustabouttobreakintoflamesinthecountryoftheirchoice,buttheRoyalGovernor,JosiahMartin,knewthatHighlandarmswouldsoonbecededbyHisMajesty。HeknewsomethingofHighlandhonor,too;forhewouldnotlettheGaelsproceedaftertheirlandinguntiltheyhadboundthemselvesbyoathtosupporttheGovernmentofKingGeorge。SoitwasthattheunfortunateHighlandersfoundthemselves,accordingtootheirstrictcodeofhonor,forcedtowieldarmsagainsttheveryAmericanswhohadreceivedandbefriendedthem——andforthecrownedbrotherofaprincewhosenameisexecratedtothisdayinHighlandsongandstory!
TheywereledbyAllanMacDonaldofKingsborough;andtraditiongivesusastirringpictureofAllan’swife——thefamousFloraMacDonald,whoinScotlandhadprotectedtheYoungPretenderinhisflight——makinganimpassionedaddressinGaelictotheHighlandsoldiersandurgingthemontodieforhonor’ssake。
WhenthisHighlandforcewasconqueredbytheAmericans,thelargemajoritywillinglyboundthemselvesnottofightfurtheragainsttheAmericancauseandweresetatliberty。Manyofthemfeltthat,byofferingtheirlivestotheswordsoftheAmericans,theyhadcanceledtheirobligationtoKingGeorgeandwerenowfreetodrawtheirswordsagainand,thistime,inaccordancewiththeirsympathies;sotheywentovertotheAmericansideandfoughtgallantlyforindependence。
AlthoughthebravegloryofthispioneerageshinessobrightlyontheLionRampantofCaledonia,nottoScotsalonedoesthatwholeglorybelong。ThesecondlargestracialstreamwhichflowedintotheBackCountryofVirginiaandNorthCarolinawasGerman。
MostoftheseGermanswentdownfromPennsylvaniaandweregenerallycalled\"PennsylvaniaDutch,\"anincorrectrenderingofPennsylvanischeDeutsche。TheupperShenandoahValleywassettledalmostentirelybyGermans。TheyweremembersoftheLutheran,GermanReformed,andMoravianchurches。Thecausewhichsentvastnumbersofthissturdypeopleacrosstheocean,duringthefirstyearsoftheeighteenthcentury,wasreligiouspersecution。BystatuteandbywordtheRomanCatholicpowersofAustriasoughttowipeouttheSalzburgLutheransandtheMoravianfollowersofJohnHuss。InthatregionoftheRhinecountryknowninthosedaysastheGermanPalatinate,nowapartofBavaria,ProtestantswerebeingmassacredbythetroopsofLouisofFrance,thenengagedintheWaroftheSpanishSuccession(1701-13)andinthezealousefforttoextirpatehereticsfromthesoilofEurope。In1708,byproclamation,GoodQueenAnneofferedprotectiontothepersecutedPalatinesandinvitedthemtoherdominions。TwelvethousandofthemwenttoEngland,wheretheywerewarmlyreceivedbytheEnglish。ButitwasnoslighttasktosettletwelvethousandimmigrantsofanalienspeechinEnglandandenablethemtobecomeindependentandself-supporting。AbettersolutionoftheirproblemlayintheWesternWorld:TheGermansneededhomesandtheQueen’soverseasdominionsneededcolonists。TheyweresettledatfirstalongtheHudson,andeventuallymanyofthemtookuplandsinthefertilevalleyoftheMohawk。
ForfiftyyearsormoreGermanandAustrianProtestantspouredintoAmerica。InPennsylvaniatheirinfluxaveragedaboutfifteenhundredayear,andthatcolonybecamethedistributingcenterfortheGermanraceinAmerica。By1727,AdamMullerandhislittlecompanyhadestablishedthefirstwhitesettlementintheValleyofVirginia。In1732JoistHeydtwentsouthfromYork,Pennsylvania,andsettledontheOpequanCreekatornearthesiteofthepresentcityofWinchester。
ThelifeofCountZinzendorf,called\"theApostle,\"oneoftheleadersoftheMoravianimmigrants,glowslikeastaroutofthosedarkandtroubloustimes。Ofhighbirthandgentlenurture,heforsookwhateverofeasehisstationpromisedhimandfittedhimsclfforevangelicalwork。In1741hevisitedtheWyomingValleytobringhisreligiontotheDelawaresandShawanoes。HewasnotofthosepicturesqueCaptainsoftheLordwhoboretheirmusketsontheirshoulderswhentheywentforthtopreach。
Armoredonlywiththeshieldoffaith,thehelmetofsalvation,andtheswordofthespirit,hisfeet\"shodwiththepreparationofthegospelofpeace,\"hewentoutintothecountryofthesebloodthirstytribesandtoldthemthathehadcometothemintheirdarknesstoteachtheloveoftheChristwhichlighteththeworld。TheIndiansreceivedhimsuspiciously。Onedaywhilehesatinhistentwriting,someDelawaresdrewneartoslayhimandwereabouttostrikewhentheysawtwodeadlysnakescrawlinfromtheoppositesideofthetent,movedirectlytowardstheApostle,andpassharmlesslyoverhisbody。Thereaftertheyregardedhimasunderspiritualprotection。IndeedsowidespreadwashisgoodfameamongthetribesthatforsomeyearsallMoraviansettlementsalongtheborderswereunmolested。Paintedsavagespassedthroughontheirwaytowarwithenemybandsortoraidtheborder,butforthesakeofoneconsecratedspirit,whomtheyhadseendeathavoid,theysparedthelivesandgoodsofhisfellowbelievers。WhenZinzendorfdepartedayearlater,hismantlefellonDavidZeisberger,wholivedthelovehetaughtforoverfiftyyearsandconvertedmanysavages。ZeisbergerwastakenbeforetheGovernorandarmyheadsatPhiladelphia,whohadonlytoogoodreasontobesuspiciousofpriestlycounselsinthetentsofShem:buthewasabletoimpresswhitemennolessthansimplesavageswiththenobilityofthedoctrinehehadlearnedfromtheApostle。
In1751theMoravianBrotherhoodpurchasedonehundredthousandacresinNorthCarolinafromLordGranville。BishopSpangenburgwascommissionedtosurveythislargeacreage,whichwassituatedinthepresentcountyofForsytheastoftheYadkin,andwhichishistoricallylistedastheWachoviaTract。In1753,twelveBrethrenlefttheMoraviansettlementsofBethlehemandNazareth,inPennsylvania,andjourneyedsouthwardtobeginthefoundingofacolonyontheirnewland。BrotherAdamGrube,oneofthetwelve,keptadiaryoftheeventsofthisexpedition。*
*Thisdiaryisprintedinfullin\"TravelsintheAmericanColonies。\"editedbyN。D。Mereness。
Honortowhomhonorisdue。Wehavepaidit,insomemeasure,totheprimitiveGaelsoftheHighlandsfortheirwarriorstrengthandtheirfealty,andtotheenlightenedScotsofUlsterfortheirenterpriseandfortheirsacrificeuntobloodthatfreeconscienceandjustlawsmightpromotetheprogressandsafeguardtheintercourseoftheirkind。NowletustakeupforamomentBrotherGrube’s\"Journal\"evenaswewelcome,perhapsthemoregratefully,themildlightofeveningafterthefloodingsun,orasourhearts,whentoostronglystirredbythedeedsofmen,turnforresttotheserenefaithandthenaivespeechoflittlechildren。
Thetwelve,welearn,wereundertheleadershipofoneoftheirnumber,BrotherGottlob。Theirearliestalarmsonthemarchwerenotcaused,aswemightexpect,byanticipationsofthepaintedCherokee,butbyencounterswiththestrenuous\"Irish。\"OneofthesecameandlaidhimselftosleepbesidetheBrethren’scampfireontheirfirstnightout,aftertheyhadsungtheireveninghymnandelevenhadstretchedthemselvesontheearthforslumber,whileBrotherGottlob,theirleader,hanginghishammockbetweentwotrees,ascended——notonlyinspirit——alittlehigherthanhischarges,and\"restedwellinit。\"ThoughthealarmingIrishmandidnotdisturbthem,theBrethren’sdoubtsofthatracecontinued,forBrotherGrubewroteonthe14thofOctober:\"Aboutfourinthemorningwesetupourtent,goingfourmilesbeyondCarlIsles[Carlisle,seventeenmilessouthwestofHarrisburg]soasnottobetooneartheIrishPresbyterians。AfterbreakfasttheBrethrenshavedandthenwerestedunderourtent……
PeoplewhowerestayingattheTaverncametoseewhatkindoffolkwewere……BrGottlobheldtheeveningserviceandthenwelaydownaroundourcheerfulfire,andBrGottlobinhishammock。\"Twootherjottingsgiveusaracialkaleidoscopeofthesettlersandwayfarersofthattime。OnonedaytheBrethrenbought\"somehayfromaSwiss,\"later\"somekrautfromaGermanwhichtastedverygoodtous\";andpresently\"anEnglishmancamebyanddrankacupofteawithusandwasverygratefulforit。\"
FrequentlythelittlebandpausedwhilesomeoftheBrethrenwentofftothefarmsalongtheroutetohelp\"cuthay。\"Thesekindlyactswereusuallyrepaidwithgiftsoffoodorproduce。
OnedaywhileonthemarchtheyhaltedatatavernandfarminShenandoahValleykeptbyamanwhosenameBrotherGrubewrotedownas\"Severe。\"SinceweknowthatBrotherGrube’sspellingofnamesotherthanGermanrequiresediting,weventuretohazardaguessthatthenameheattemptedtosetdownasitsoundedtohimwasSevier。Andwewonderif,inhisbriefsojourn,hesawaladofeightyears,slim,tall,andblond,withdaringandmischievousblueeyes,andacertain,curveofthelipsthatthreatenedhavocintheheartsofbothsexeswhenheshouldbeamanandreachoutwithswifthandsandrecklesswillforhisdesires。Ifhesawthislad,hebeheldJohnSevier,latertobecomeoneofthemostpicturesqueandbelovedheroesoftheOldSouthwest。
HardshipsaboundedontheBrethren’sjourney,butfaithandtheChristian’sjoy,whichnomantakethfromhim,metandsurmountedthem。\"Threeandahalfmilesbeyond,theroadforked……Wetooktherighthandroadbutfoundnowaterfortenmiles。Itgrewlateandwehadtodrivefivemilesintothenighttofindastoppingplace。\"TwooftheBrethrenwentahead\"toseekouttheroad\"throughthedarkenedwilderness。Therewereroughhillsintheway;and,thehorsesbeingexhausted,\"Brethrenhadtohelppush。\"But,indueseason,\"BrNathanaelheldeveningprayerandthenwesleptinthecareofJesus,\"withBrotherGottlobasusualinhishammock。Threedayslatertherecordruns:\"TowardeveningwesawJeamsRiver,theroadtoitrandownsoverysteepahillthatwefastenedasmalltreetothebackofourwagon,lockedthewheels,andtheBrethrenheldbackbythetreewithalltheirmight。\"EventhenthewagonwentdownsofastthatmostoftheBrethrenlosttheirfootingandrolledandtumbledpell-mell。ButFaithmakeslittleofsuchmishaps:\"NoharmwasdoneandwethankedtheLordthathehadsograciouslyprotectedus,foritlookeddangerousandwethoughtattimesthatitcouldnotpossiblybedonewithoutaccidentbutwegotdownsafely……
wewereallverytiredandsleepyandlettheangelsbeourguardduringthenight。\"Rainsfellintorrents,makingstreamsalmostimpassableanddrenchingthelittlebandtotheskin。Thehammockwasemptyonenight,fortheyhadtospendthedarkhourstrench-diggingabouttheirtenttokeepitfrombeingwashedaway。Twodayslater(the10thofNovember)theweatherclearedand\"wespentmostofthedaydryingourblanketsandmendinganddarningourstockings。\"Theyalsoboughtsuppliesfromsettlerswho,asBrotherGrubeobservedwithoutirony,\"aregladwehavetoremainheresolongandthatitmeansmoneyforthem。IntheafternoonweheldalittleLovefeastandrestedoursoulsinthelovingsacrificeofJesus,wishingforbelovedBrethreninBethlehemandthattheyandwemightliveeverclosetoHim……Nov。16。Weroseearlytofordtheriver。Thebankwassosteepthatwehungatreebehindthewagon,fasteningitinsuchawaythatwecouldquicklyreleaseitwhenthewagonreachedthewater。Thecurrentwasveryswiftandtheleadhorseswerecarrieddownabitwithit。Thewaterjustmissedrunningintothewagonbutwecamesafelytotheotherbank,whichhoweverwecouldnotclimbbuthadtotakehalfthethingsoutofthewagon,tieropestotheaxleonwhichwecouldpull,helpourhorseswhichwerequitestiff,andsowebroughtourarkagaintodryland。\"
Ontheeveningofthe17thofNovemberthetwelvearrivedsafelyontheirlandonthe\"Etkin\"(Yadkin),havingbeensixweeksonthemarch。Theyfoundwithjoythat,asever,theLordhadprovidedforthem。Thistimethegiftwasadesertedcabin,\"largeenoughthatwecouldallliedownaroundthewalls。WeatoncemadepreparationforalittleLovefeastandrejoicedheartilywithoneanother。\"
Inthedesertedlogcabin,which,totheirfaith,seemedasoneofthosemansions\"notbuiltwithhands\"anddescendedmiraculouslyfromtheheavens,theyheldtheirLovefeast,whilewolvespaddedandhowledaboutthewalls;andinthatPentacostalhourthetongueoffiredescendeduponBrotherGottlob,sothathemadeanewsonguntotheLord。Whoshallventuretosayitisnotbetterworthpreservingthanmanyaclassic?
WeholdarrivalLovefeasthereInCarolinaland,AcompanyofBrethrentrue,AlittlePilgrim-Band,CalledbytheLordtobeofthoseWhothroughthewholeworldgo,TobearHimwitnesseverywhereAndnoughtbutJesusknow。
Then,wearetold,theBrethrenlaydowntorestand\"BrGottlobhunghishammockaboveourheads\"——aswasmostfittingonthisofallnights;forisnotthePoet’splacealwaysjustalittlenearertothestars?
Thepioneersdidnotalwaystravelingroups。Therewerefamilieswhosetoffalone。Oneofthesenowclaimsourattention,fortherewasaladinthisfamilywhosenameanddeedsweretosoundlikeaballadofromancefromoutthedustypagesofhistory。
Thisfamily’snamewasBoone。
NeitherScotsnorGermanscanclaimDanielBoone;hewasinbloodablendofEnglishandWelsh;incharacterwhollyEnglish。HisgrandfatherGeorgeBoonewasbornin1666inthehamletofStoak,nearExeterinDevonshire。GeorgeBoonewasaweaverbytradeandaQuakerbyreligion。InEnglandinhistimetheQuakerswereoppressed,andGeorgeBoonethereforesoughtinformationofWilliamPenn,hisco-religionist,regardingthecolonywhichPennhadestablishedinAmerica。In1712hesenthisthreeelderchildren,George,Sarah,andSquire,tospyouttheland。SarahandSquireremainedinPennsylvania,whiletheirbrotherreturnedtoEnglandwithglowingreports。OnAugust17,1717,GeorgeBoone,hiswife,andtherestofhischildrenjourneyedtoBristolandsailedforPhiladelphia,arrivingthereonthe10thofOctober。TheBooneswentfirsttoAbingdon,theQuakerfarmers’community。LatertheymovedtothenorthwesternfrontierhamletofNorthWales,aWelshcommunitywhich,afewyearspreviously,hadturnedQuaker。SarahBoonemarriedaGermannamedJacobStover,whohadsettledinOleyTownship,BerksCounty。In1718GeorgeBoonetookupfourhundredacresinOley,or,tobeexact,inthesubdivisionlatercalledExeter,andtherehelivedinhislogcabinuntil1744,whenhediedattheageofseventy-eight。Helefteightchildren,fifty-twograndchildren,andtengreatgrandchildren,seventydescendantsinall——English,German,Welsh,andScotch-IrishblendedintoonefamilyofAmericans。*
*R。G。Thwaites,\"DanielBoone\",p。5。
AmongtheWelshQuakerswasafamilyofMorgans。In1720SquireBoonemarriedSarahMorgan。Tenyearslaterheobtained250acresinOleyonOwatinCreek,eightmilessoutheastofthepresentcityofReading;andhere,in1734,DanielBoonewasborn,thefourthsonandsixthchildofSquireandSarahMorganBoone。
DanielBoonethereforewasasonofthefrontier。InhischildhoodhebecamefamiliarwithhuntersandwithIndians,foreventheredmencameofteninfriendlyfashiontohisgrandfather’shouse。SquireBooneenlargedhisfarmbythrift。Hecontinuedathistradeofweavingandkeptfiveorsixloomsgoing,makinghomespunclothforthemarketandhisneighbors。
Daniel’sfatherownedgrazinggroundsseveralmilesnorthofthehomesteadandeachseasonhesenthisstocktotherange。SarahBooneandherlittleDanieldrovethecows。Fromearlyspringtilllateautumn,motherandsonlivedinarusticcabinaloneonthefrontier。Arudedairyhousestoodoveracoolspring,andhereSarahBoonemadeherbutterandcheese。Daniel,agedtenatthistime,watchedtheherds;atsunsethedrovethemtothecabinformilking,andlockedtheminthecowpensatnight。
Hewasnotallowedfirearmsatthatage,soheshapedforhimselfaweaponthatservedhimwell。Thiswasaslendersmoothlyshavedsaplingwithasmallbunchofgnarledrootsatoneend。Soexpertwasheinthelaunchingofthisprimitivespearthatheeasilybroughtdownbirdsandsmallgame。Whenhereachedhistwelfthyear,hisfatherboughthimarifle;andhesoonbecameacrackshot。Ayearlaterwefindhimsettingoffontheautumnhunt——afterdrivingthecattleinforthewinter-withallthekeennessandcourageofamantwicehisthirteenyears。HisrifleenabledhimtoreturnwithmeatforthefamilyandskinstobetradedinPhiladelphia。WhenhewasfourteenhisbrotherSammarriedSarahDay,anintelligentyoungQuakeresswhotookaspecialinterestinheryoungbrother-in-lawandtaughthim\"therudimentsofthreeR’s。\"
TheBooneswereprosperousandhappyinOleyanditmaybewonderedwhytheylefttheirfarmsandtheirlooms,bothofwhichwereprofitable,andsettheirfacestowardstheUnknown。Itisrecordedthat,thoughtheBooneswereQuakers,theywereofahighmettleandwerenotinfrequentlydealtwithbytheMeeting。
TwoofSquireBoone’schildrenmarried\"worldlings\"——non-
Quakers——andwereinconsequence\"disowned\"bytheSociety。Indefianceofhissect,whichstrovetomakehimseverallconnectionwithhisunrulyoffspring,SquireBoonerefusedtoshuthisdoorsonthesonandthedaughterwhohadscandalizedlocalQuakerdom。TheSocietyofFriendsthereuponexpelledhim。
Thisoccurredapparentlyduringthewinterof1748-49。Inthespringof1750weseethewholeBoonefamily(savetwosons)withtheirwivesandchildren,theirhouseholdgoodsandtheirstock,onthegreathighway,boundforalandwherethehotheartandthebelligerentspiritshallnotbeheldamiss。
SouthwardthroughtheShenandoahgoestheBoonecaravan。Thewomenandchildrenusuallysitinthewagons。Themenmarchaheadoralongside,keepingakeeneyeopenforIndianorotherenemyinthewild,theirriflesunderarmorovertheshoulder。SquireBoone,whohasdonewithQuakerdomandisleadingallthatheholdsdearouttolargerhorizons,isaheadoftheline,aswepicturehim,readytomeetfirstwhateverdangermayassailhistribe。Heisastrongwirymanofrathersmallstature,withruddycomplexion,redhair,andgrayeyes。Somewhereintheline,together,wethink,arethemotherandsonwhohaveherdedcattleandcompanionedeachotherthroughlongmonthsinthecabinonthefrontier。Wedonotthinkofthiswomanasridinginthewagon,thoughshemayhavedoneso,butprefertopictureher,withhertallrobustbody,herblackhair,andherblackeyes——withthesuddenWelshsnapinthem——walkingassturdilyasanyofhersons。
IfDanielbebesideher,whatdoessheseewhenshelooksathim?
Aladwellsetupbutnotovertallforhissixteenyears,perhaps——for\"eye-witnesses\"differintheirestimatesofDanielBoone’sheight——orpossiblytallerthanhelooks,becausehisfigurehastheforesthunter’snaturalslantforwardandthedroopoftheneckofonewhomustwatchhispathsometimesinordertotreadsilently。ItisSquireBoone’sbloodwhichshowsinhisruddyface——whichwouldbefairbutforitstan——andintheEnglishcutoffeature,thestraw-coloredeyebrows,andtheblueeyes。ButhisWelshmother’slegacyisseenintheblackhairthathangslongandlooseinthehunter’sfashiontohisshoulders。WecanthinkofDanielBooneonlyasexhilaratedbythisplungeintotheWild。Heseesahead——thedaysofhisgreatexplorationsandwarfare,thediscoveryofKentucky?Notatall。
Thisisaboyofsixteeninlovewithhisrifle。Helooksaheadtovistasofforestfilledwithdeerandtoskiescloudedwithflocksofwildturkeys。InthatdreamthereishappinessenoughforDanielBoone。Indeed,forhimself,eveninlaterlife,heaskedlittle,ifany,more。Hetrudgesonblithely,whistling。
ChapterII。FolkwaysThesemigrationsintotheinlandvalleysoftheOldSouthmarkthefirstgreatwestwardthrustoftheAmericanfrontier。ThusthebeginningsofthewestwardmovementdisclosetousafeaturecharacteristicalsoofthelatermigrationswhichflungthefrontierovertheAppalachians,acrosstheMississippi,andfinallytotheshoresofthePacific。Thepioneers,insteadofmovingwestwardbyslowdegrees,subduingthewildernessastheywent,overleapedgreatspacesandplantedthemselvesbeyond,outofcontactwiththelifetheyhadleftbehind。Thusseparatedbyhundredsofmilesofinterveningwildernessfromthemorecivilizedcommunities,theconquerorsofthefirstAmerican\"West,\"prototypesoftheconquerorsofsucceeding\"Wests,\"
inevitablystruckouttheirownwaysoflifeanddevelopedtheirowncustoms。Itwouldbedifficult,indeed,tofindanywhereamoreremarkablecontrastincontemporaryfolkwaysthanthatpresentedbythetwogreatcommunitygroupsoftheSouth——theinlandorpiedmontsettlements,calledtheBackCountry,andthelowlandtownsandplantationsalongtheseaboard。
Theoldersocietyoftheseaboardtowns,aseventsweresoontoprove,wasnotlessindependentinitsidealsthanthefrontiersocietyoftheBackCountry;butitwasaristocraticintoneandfeeling。Itsleaderswerethelandedgentry——menofelegance,andnotfarbehindtheirEuropeancontemporariesinthecultureoftheday。Theywererich,withouteffort,bothfromtheirplantations,whereblackslavesandindenturedservantslabored,andfromtheircoastwiseandoverseastrade。Theirbattleswithforestandredmanwerelongpast。Theyhadleisurefordiversionssuchasthechase,thebreedingandracingofthoroughbredhorses,thedance,highplaywithdiceandcard,cockfighting,thegallantryoflove,andtheskilloftherapier。
Lawandpoliticsdrewtheirsobererminds。
VerydifferentweretheconditionswhichconfrontedthepioneersinthefirstAmerican\"West。\"Thereeveryjewelofpromisewasringedroundwithhostility。Thecheaplandthepioneerhadpurchasedatanominalprice,orthefreelandhehadtakenby\"tomahawkclaim\"——thatisbycuttinghisnameintothebarkofadeadenedtree,usuallybesideaspring——supportedaforestoftalltrunksandinterlacingleafage。Thelonggrassandweedswhichcoveredthegroundinawealthofnaturalpasturageharboredthepoisonouscopperheadandtherattlesnakeand,beingshadedbytheoverheadfoliage,theyheldtheheavydewsandbredswarmsofmosquitoes,gnats,andbigflieswhichtorturedbothmenandcattle。Toprotectthecattleandhorsesfromtheattacksofthesepeststhesettlerswereobligedtobuildlarge\"smudges\"——firesofgreentimber——againstthewind。Theanimalssoonlearnedtobackupintothedensesmokeandtomovefromonegrazingspottoanotherasthewindchanged。Butusefulaswerethegreentimberfiresthatrolledtheirsmokeonthewindtosavethestock,theywereatthesametimeamenacetothepioneer,fortheyproclaimedtorovingbandsofCherokeesthatafurtherencroachmentontheirterritoryhadbeenmadebytheirmosthatedenemies——themenwhofelledthehunter’sforest。Manyanoutpostpioneerwhohadmadethelonghardjourneybyseaandlandfromtheoldworldofpersecutiontothisnewcountryoffreedom,droppedfromtheredman’sshoterehehadhewnthethresholdofhishome,leavinghiswifeandchildrentotheunrecordedmercyofhisslayer。
Thosemorefortunatepioneerswhosettledingroupswonthefirstheatinthebattlewiththewildernessthroughmassedeffortunderwariness。Theymadetheirclearingsintheforest,builttheircabinsandstockades,andplantedtheircornfields,whilelookoutskeptwatchandrifleswerestackedwithineasyreach。
Everyspecialtask,suchasa\"raising,\"ascabinbuildingwascalled,wasundertakenbythecommunitychieflybecausetheIndiandangernecessitatedswiftbuildingandmadegroupactionimperative。Butthestanchheartiseverthegladheart。Nothinginthisfrontierhistoryimpressesusmorethanthejoyofthepioneerathislabors。Hisdeterminedoptimismturneddanger’sdictationintoanoccasionforjollity。Ontheappointeddayforthe\"raising,\"theneighborswouldcome,ridingorafoot,tothenewcomer’sholding——themenwiththeirriflesandaxes,thewomenwiththeirpotsandkettles。Everychildtoddledalong,too,helpingtocarrythewoodendishesandspoons。ThesefreegiversoflaborhadsomethingoftheOriental’snotionofthesacredratificationoffriendshipbyafeast。
Theusualdimensionsofacabinweresixteenbytwentyfeet。Thetimberforthebuilding,havingbeenalreadycut,layathand——logsofhickory,oak,youngpine,walnut,orpersimmon。Tomakethefoundations,themenseizedfourofthethickestlogs,laidtheminplace,andnotchedandgroovedandhammeredthemintoascloseaclinchasiftheyhadgrownso。Thewoodmustgripbyitsownsubstancealonetoholdupthepioneer’sdwelling,fortherewasnotanironnailtobehadinthewholeoftheBackCountry。Logslaiduponthefoundationlogsandnotchedintoeachotheratthefourcornersformedthewalls;
and,whenthesestoodatsevenfeet,thebuilderslaidparalleltimbersandpuncheonstomakebothflooringandceiling。Theridgepoleoftheroofwassupportedbytwocrotchedtreesandtheroofingwasmadeoflogsandwoodenslabs。Thecrevicesofthewallswerepackedclosewithredclayandmoss。Lastly,spacesforadoorandwindowswerecutout。ThedoorwasmadethickandheavytowithstandtheIndian’srush。Andthewindowpanes?Theywereofpapertreatedwithhog’sfatorbear’sgrease。
Whenthesunstoodoverhead,thewomenwouldgivethewelcomecallof\"Dinner!\"Theirmorninghadnotbeenlessbusythanthemen’s。Theyhadbakedcorncakesonhotstones,roastedbearorpork,orbroiledvenisonsteaks;and——aboveallandfirstofall——theyhadconcoctedthegreat\"stewpie\"withoutwhicharaisingcouldhardlytakeplace。Thiswasadisputatiousmixtureofdeer,hog,andbear——animalswhich,inlife,wouldsurelyhavecompanionedeachotherasill!Itwasmadeinsufficientquantitytolastoverforsupperwhentheday’slaborwasdone。Atsupperthementooktheireaseontheground,butwiththeirriflesalwaysinreach。IfthecabinjustraisedbytheireffortsstoodintheYadkin,withinsightofthegreatmountainsthepioneerswereonedaytocross,perhapsasuddenbirdnotewarningfromthelookout,hiddeninthebrush,wouldbringthebuilderswithaleaptotheirfeet。ItmightbeonlyahuntingbandoffriendlyCatawbasthatpassed,oraloneCherokeewhoknewthatthiswasnothishour。Ifthelatter,wecan,inimagination,seehimlookonceatthenewhouseonhishuntingpasture,slackenreinforamomentinfrontofthegroupoffamilies,lifthishandinsignofpeace,andsilentlygohiswayhillward。Ashevanishesintotheshadows,thecrimsonsun,sinkingintotheunknownwildernessbeyondthemountains,poursitslastglowontheroofofthecabinandonthegroupnearitswalls。Withunfeltfingers,subtly,itputstheredtouchoftheWestinthefacesofthemen——whohavejustdeclared,throughthebuildingofacabin,thathereisJourney’sEndandtheirabidingplace。
Therewerecommunityholidaysamongthesepioneersaswellaslabordays,especiallyinthefruitseason;andtherewereflower-pickingexcursionsinthewarmspringdays。EarlyinApriltheserviceberrybushgleamedstarrilyalongthewatercourses,itshardywhitebloomsdefyingwinter’slingeringlook。Thisbush——ortree,indeed,sinceitisnotafraidtorearitsslendertrunkashighascherryorcrabapple——mightwellbeconsideredemblematicofthefrontierspiritinthoseregionswherethewhitesilencecoverstheearthforseveralmonthsandshutsthelonelyhomesteaderinuponhimself。FromthepioneertimeoftheOldSouthwesttothelastfrontieroftheFarNorthtoday,theserviceberryischerishedalikebywhitemenandIndians;andtheredmenhavewovenaboutitsomeoftheirprettiestlegends。WhenJunehadripenedthetree’sblue-blackberries,theBackCountryfolkwentoutinpartiestogatherthem。Thoughtheserviceberrywasafoodstapleonthefrontieranditsgatheringamatterofhouseholdeconomy,thefolkmadetheirberry-pickingjauntagalaoccasion。Thewomenandchildrenwithpotsandbaskets——theyounggirlsvyingwitheachother,undertheeyesoftheyouths,astowhocouldstripboughsthefastest——pluckedgaylywhilethemen,riflesinhand,keptguard。
Forthesehappysummerdayswerealsotheredman’sscalpingdaysand,atanymoment,thechatterofthepicnickersmightbeinterruptedbythechillingwarwhoop。Whenthatsoundwasheard,theberrypickersracedforthefort。Thewildfruits——strawberries,serviceberries,cherries,plums,crabapples——were,however,toonecessaryapartofthepioneer’smeagerdiettobeleftunpluckedoutoffearofanIndianattack。
Anotherdaywouldseethesamegroupoutagain。Thechildrenwouldkeepclosertotheirmothers,nodoubt;andthelaughteroftheyounggirlswouldbemoresubdued,eveniftheircoquetrylackednothingofitsformereffectiveness。EarlymarriagesweretheruleintheBackCountryandbetrothalswerefrequentlyplightedattheseberrypickings。
Asweconsiderthedescriptionsofthefrontiersmanleftforusbytravelersofhisownday,wearenotmoreinterestedinhisbattleswithwildernessandIndianthaninthevisibleeffectsofbothwildernessandIndianuponhim。HiscountenanceandbearingstillshowtheEuropean,buttheEuropeangreatlyalteredbysavagecontact。Theredperil,indeed,influencedeverysideoffrontierlife。Thebandsofwomenandchildrenattheharvestings,thelogrollings,andthehouseraisings,werenottheremerelytolightenthemen’sworkbytheirlaughterandlove-making。Itwasnotsafeforthemtoremaininthecabins,for,totheIndian,thecabinthusboldlythrustuponhisimmemorialhuntinggroundswasonlyasecondaryevil;thegreaterevilwasthewhiteman’sfamily,bespeakingtheincreaseofthedreadedpalefaces。TheIndianperiltrainedthepioneerstoalertness,shapedthemaswarriorsandhunters,suggestedthefashionoftheirdress,knittheirfamiliesintoclansandtheclansintoatribewhereinallwereofonespiritintheprotectionofeachandallandaunitofhateagainsttheircommonenemy。
ToooftenthefieldswhichthepioneerplantedwithcornwereharvestedbytheIndianwithfire。Thehardestprivationssufferedbyfarmersandstockwereduetothesettlershavingtofleetotheforts,leavingtoIndiandevastationthecropsonwhichtheirsustenancemainly,depended。Sometimes,fortunately,thewarningcameintimeforthefrontiersmantocollecthisgoodsandchattelsinhiswagonandtorounduphislivestockanddrivethemsafelyintothecommonfortifiedenclosure。Atothers,thetapofthe\"express\"——astheheraldofIndiandangerwascalled——atnightonthewindowpaneandthelowwordwhisperedhastily,erethe\"express\"ranontothenextabode,meantthattheIndianshadsurprisedtheoutlyingcabinsofthesettlement。
Thefortswerebuiltascentrallyaspossibleinthescatteredsettlements。Theyconsistedofcabins,blockhouses,andstockades。Arangeofcabinsoftenformedonesideofafort。Thewallsontheoutsideweretenortwelvefeethighwithroofsslopinginward。Theblockhousesbuiltattheanglesofthefortprojectedtwofeetorsobeyondtheouterwallsofthecabinsandstockades,andwerefittedwithportholesforthewatchersandthemarksmen。Theentrancetothefortwasalargefoldinggateofthickslabs。Itwasalwaysonthesidenearestthespring。Thewholestructureofthefortwasbullet-proofandwaserectedwithoutanironnailorspike。Intheborderwarsthesefortswithstoodallattacks。Thesavages,havingprovedthattheycouldnotstormthem,generallylaidsiegeandwaitedforthirsttocompelasortie。Butthecraftybesiegerwasasoftenoutwittedbytheequallycunningdefender。Somedaringsoul,withsilentfeetandperhapswithnakedbodypaintedinIndianfashion,woulddropfromthewallundercoverofthenight,passamongthefoementothespring,andreturntothefortwithwater。
Intothepioneer’sphrase-makingtheIndianinfluencepenetratedsothathenamedseasonsforhisfoe。Sothoroughlyhastheterm\"IndianSummer,\"nowtousredolentofcharm,becomedisassociatedfromitsoriginsthatitgivesusashocktoberemindedthattotheseBackCountryfolkthebalmydaysfollowingonthecoldsnapmeanttheseasonwhentheredmenwouldcomebackforalastmurderousraidonthesettlementsbeforewintershouldsealuptheland。The\"PowwowingDays\"werethemellowdaysinthelatterpartofFebruary,whentheredmenincouncilmadetheirmedicineandlearnedoftheirreddergodswhetherornotheyshouldtakethewarpathwhenthesappulsedthetreesintoleaf。Eventhechildrenattheirplayacknowledgedthered-skinnedschoolmaster,fortheirchiefgameswereatraininginhiswoodcraftandintheuseofhisweapons。Tomahawk-throwingwasafavoritesportbecauseofitsgruesomepracticalpurposes。
Theboysmustlearntogaugethetomahawk’srevolutionsbythedistanceofthethrowsoastoburythebladeinitsobjective。
Swiftrunningandhighjumpingthroughthebrushandfallentimberweresportsthattaughtagilityinescape。Theboyslearnedtoshootaccuratelythelongriflesoftheirtime,withalogoraforkedstickforarest,andamosspadunderthebarreltokeepitfromjerkingandspoilingtheaim。Theywrestledwitheachother,masteredthetricksofthrowinganopponent,andlearnedthescalpholdinsteadofthetoehold。Itwaspartoftheireducationtoimitatethenoisesofeverybirdandbeastoftheforest。Sotheylearnedtoluretheturkeywithinrange,orbythebleatofafawntobringherdamtotherifle。A
well-simulatedwolf’showlwouldcallfortharesponseandsoinformthelonehunterofthevicinityofthepack。Thisforestspeechwasnotonlythelanguageofdiplomacyinthehuntingseason;itwastheborderer’ssecretcodeinwar。StrayIndiansputthemselvesintouchagainwiththebandbyturkeycallsinthedaytimeandbyowlorwolfnotesatnight。ThefrontiersmenusedthesamemeanstotricktheIndianbandintobetrayingtheplaceofitsambuscade,ortolurethestrays,unwitting,withinreachoftheknife。
Inthatage,beforetheforestshadgivenplacetofarmsandcitiesandwhenthesunhadbutslightacquaintancewiththesod,thesummerswerecoolandthewinterslongandcoldintheBackCountry。SometimesinSeptemberseverefrostsdestroyedthecorn。
Thefirstlightpowderingcalled\"huntingsnows\"fellinOctober,andthenthemenoftheBackCountrysetoutonthechase。Theirobjectwasmeat——buffalo,deer,elk,bear-forthewinterlarder,andskinstosendoutinthespringbypack-horsestothecoastintradeforiron,steel,andsalt。TherainfallinNorthCarolinawasmuchheavierthaninVirginiaand,fromautumnintoearlywinter,theYadkinforestsweresheetedwithrain;butwetweather,sofarfromdeterringthehunter,aidedhimtothekill。