the door of the cabin, just as the sun was emerging from beneath the
horizon. They were five in number, and fully equipped for the chase,
being mounted on horses which in some parts of Europe might appear sorry
nags, but which in strength, speed, and bottom, are better fitted for
pursuing a Cougar or a Bear through woods and morasses than any in that
country. A pack of large, ugly curs were already engaged in making
acquaintance with those of the squatter. He and myself mounted his two
best horses, whilst his sons were bestriding others of inferior quality.
Few words were uttered by the party until we had reached the edge of the
swamp, where it was agreed that all should disperse and seek for the
fresh track of the Painter, it being previously settled that the
discoverer should blow his horn, and remain on the spot, until the rest
should join him. In less than an hour, the sound of the horn was clearly
heard, and, sticking close to the squatter, off we went through the
thick woods, guided only by the now and then repeated call of the
distant huntsmen. We soon reached the spot, and in a short time the rest
of the party came up. The best dog was sent forward to track the Cougar,
and in a few moments the whole pack were observed diligently trailing,
and bearing in their course for the interior of the Swamp. The rifles
were immediately put in trim, and the party followed the dogs, at
separate distances, but in sight of each other, determined to shoot at
no other game than the Panther.
The dogs soon began to mouth, and suddenly quickened their pace. My
companion concluded that the beast was on the ground, and putting our
horses to a gentle gallop, we followed the curs, guided by their voices.
The noise of the dogs increased, when, all of a sudden their mode of
barking became altered, and the squatter, urging me to push on, told me
that the beast was _treed_, by which he meant that it had got upon some
low branch of a large tree to rest for a few moments, and that should we
not succeed in shooting him when thus situated, we might expect a long
chase of it. As we approached the spot, we all by degrees united into a
body, but on seeing the dogs at the foot of a large tree, separated
again, and galloped off to surround it.
Each hunter now moved with caution, holding his gun ready, and allowing
the bridle to dangle on the neck of his horse, as it advanced slowly
towards the dogs. A shot from one of the party was heard, on which the
Cougar was seen to leap to the ground, and bound off with such velocity
as to show that he was very unwilling to stand our fire longer. The dogs
set off in pursuit with great eagerness and a deafening cry. The hunter
who had fired came up and said that his ball had hit the monster, and
had probably broken one of his fore-legs near the shoulder, the only
place at which he could aim. A slight trail of blood was discovered on
the ground, but the curs proceeded at such a rate that we merely noticed
this, and put spurs to our horses, which galloped on towards the centre
of the Swamp. One bayou was crossed, then another still larger and more
muddy; but the dogs were brushing forward, and as the horses began to
pant at a furious rate, we judged it expedient to leave them and advance
on foot. These determined hunters knew that the Cougar being wounded,
would shortly ascend another tree, where in all probability he would
remain for a considerable time, and that it would be easy to follow the
track of the dogs. We dismounted, took off the saddles and bridles, set
the bells attached to the horses' necks at liberty to jingle, hoppled
the animals, and left them to shift for themselves.
Now, kind reader, follow the group marching through the swamp, crossing
muddy pools, and making the best of their way over fallen trees and
amongst the tangled rushes that now and then covered acres of ground. If
you are a hunter yourself, all this will appear nothing to you; but if
crowded assemblies of "beauty and fashion," or the quiet enjoyment of
your "pleasure grounds" alone delight you, I must mend my pen before I
attempt to give you an idea of the pleasure felt on such an expedition.
After marching for a couple of hours, we again heard the dogs. Each of
us pressed forward, elated at the thought of terminating the career of
the Cougar. Some of the dogs were heard whining, although the greater
number barked vehemently. We felt assured that the Cougar was treed, and
that he would rest for some time to recover from his fatigue. As we came
up to the dogs, we discovered the ferocious animal lying across a large
branch, close to the trunk of a cotton-wood tree. His broad breast lay
towards us; his eyes were at one time bent on us and again on the dogs
beneath and around him; one of his fore-legs hung loosely by his side,
and he lay crouched, with his ears lowered close to his head, as if he
thought he might remain undiscovered. Three balls were fired at him, at
a given signal, on which he sprang a few feet from the branch, and
tumbled headlong to the ground. Attacked on all sides by the enraged
curs, the infuriated Cougar fought with desperate valor; but the
squatter, advancing in front of the party, and almost in the midst of
the dogs, shot him immediately behind and beneath the left shoulder. The
Cougar writhed for a moment in agony, and in another lay dead.
The sun was now sinking in the west. Two of the hunters separated from
the rest to procure venison, whilst the squatter's sons were ordered to
make the best of their way home, to be ready to feed the hogs in the
morning. The rest of the party agreed to camp on the spot. The Cougar
was despoiled of its skin, and its carcass left to the hungry dogs.
Whilst engaged in preparing our camp, we heard the report of a gun, and
soon after one of our hunters returned with a small Deer. A fire was
lighted, and each hunter displayed his _pone_ of bread, along with a
flask of whiskey. The deer was skinned in a trice, and slices placed on
sticks before the fire. These materials afforded us an excellent meal,
and as the night grew darker, stories and songs went round, until my
companions, fatigued, laid themselves down, close under the smoke of the
fire, and soon fell asleep.
I walked for some minutes round the camp, to contemplate the beauties of
that nature from which I have certainly derived my greatest pleasures. I
thought of the occurrences of the day, and glancing my eye around,
remarked the singular effects produced by the phosphorescent qualities
of the large decayed trunks which lay in all directions around me. How
easy, I thought, would it be for the confused and agitated mind of a
person bewildered in a swamp like this, to imagine in each of these
luminous masses some wondrous and fearful being, the very sight of which
might make the hair stand erect on his head. The thought of being myself
placed in such a predicament burst over my mind, and I hastened to join
my companions, beside whom I laid me down and slept, assured that no
enemy could approach us without first rousing the dogs, which were
growling in fierce dispute over the remains of the Cougar.
At daybreak we left our camp, the squatter bearing on his shoulder the
skin of the late destroyer of his stock, and retraced our steps until we
found our horses, which had not strayed far from the place where we had
left them. These we soon saddled, and jogging along, in a direct course,
guided by the sun, congratulating each other on the destruction of so
formidable a neighbor as the Panther had been, we soon arrived at my
host's cabin. The five neighbors partook of such refreshment as the
house could afford, and dispersing, returned to their homes, leaving me
to follow my favorite pursuits.
THE RUNAWAY
Never shall I forget the impression made on my mind by the _rencontre_
which forms the subject of this article, and I even doubt if the
relation of it will not excite in that of my reader emotions of varied
character.
Late in the afternoon of one of those sultry days which render the
atmosphere of the Louisiana swamps pregnant with baneful effluvia, I
directed my course towards my distant home, laden with a pack,
consisting of five or six Wood Ibises, and a heavy gun, the weight of
which, even in those days, when my natural powers were unimpaired,
prevented me from moving with much speed. Reaching the banks of a miry
bayou, only a few yards in breadth, but of which I could not ascertain
the depth, on account of the muddiness of its waters, I thought it might
be dangerous to wade through it with my burden, for which reason,
throwing to the opposite side each of my heavy birds in succession,
together with my gun, powder-flask, and shot-bag, and drawing my
hunting-knife from its scabbard, to defend myself, if need should be,
against Alligators, I entered the water, followed by my faithful dog. As
I advanced carefully, and slowly, "Plato" swam around me, enjoying the
refreshing influence of the liquid element that cooled his fatigued and
heated frame. The water deepened, as did the mire of its bed; but with
a stroke or two I gained the shore.
Scarcely had I stood erect on the opposite bank, when my dog ran to me,
exhibiting marks of terror; his eyes seeming ready to burst from their
sockets, and his mouth grinning with the expression of hatred, while his
feelings found vent in a stifled growl. Thinking that all this was
produced by the scent of a Wolf or Bear, I stooped to take up my gun,
when a stentorian voice commanded me to "stand still, or die!" Such a
_qui vive_ in these woods was as unexpected as it was rare. I instantly
raised and cocked my gun; and although I did not yet perceive the
individual who had thus issued so peremptory a mandate, I felt
determined to combat with him for the free passage of the grounds.
Presently a tall, firmly built negro emerged from the bushy underwood,
where until that moment he must have been crouched, and in a louder
voice repeated his injunction. Had I pressed a trigger, his life would
have instantly terminated; but observing that the gun which he aimed at
my breast, was a wretched, rusty piece, from which fire could not
readily be produced, I felt little fear, and therefore did not judge it
necessary to proceed at once to extremities. I laid my gun at my side,
tapped my dog quietly, and asked the man what he wanted.
My forbearance, and the stranger's long habit of submission, produced
the most powerful effect on his mind. "Master," said he, "I am a
runaway; I might perhaps shoot you down; but God forbids it, for I feel
just now as if I saw him ready to pass his judgment against me for such
a foul deed, and I ask mercy at your hands. For God's sake, do not kill
me, master!" "And why," answered I, "have you left your quarters, where
certainly you must have fared better than in these unwholesome swamps?"
"Master, my story is a short, but a sorrowful one. My camp is close by,
and, as I know you cannot reach home this night, if you will follow me
there, depend upon _my honor_ you shall be safe until the morning, when
I will carry your birds, if you choose, to the great road."
The large, intelligent eyes of the negro, the complacency of his
manners, and the tones of his voice, I thought invited me to venture;
and as I felt that I was at least his equal, while moreover, I had my
dog to second me, I answered that I would _follow him_. He observed the
emphasis laid on the words, the meaning of which he seemed to understand
so thoroughly that, turning to me, he said, "There, master, take my
butcher's knife, while I throw away the flint and priming from my gun!"
Reader, I felt confounded: this was too much for me: I refused the
knife, and told him to keep his piece ready, in case we might
accidentally meet a Cougar or a Bear.
Generosity exists everywhere. The greatest monarch acknowledges its
impulse, and all around him, from the lowliest menial to the proud
nobles that encircle his throne, at times experience that overpowering
sentiment. I offered to shake hands with the runaway. "Master," said he,
"I beg you thanks," and with this he gave me a squeeze that alike
impressed me with the goodness of his heart and his great physical
strength. From that moment we proceeded through the woods together. My
dog smelt at him several times, but as he heard me speak in my usual
tone of voice, he soon left us and rambled around as long as my whistle
was unused. As we proceeded, I observed that he was guiding me towards
the setting of the sun, and quite contrary to my homeward course. I
remarked this to him, when he with the greatest simplicity replied,
"Merely for our security."
After trudging along for some distance, and crossing several bayous, at
all of which he threw his gun and knife to the opposite bank, and stood
still until I had got over, we came to the borders of an immense
cane-brake, from which I had, on former occasions, driven and killed
several Deer. We entered, as I had frequently done before, now erect,
then on "all fours." He regularly led the way, divided here and there
the tangled stalks, and, whenever we reached a fallen tree, assisted me
in getting over it, with all possible care. I saw that he was a perfect
Indian in his knowledge of the woods, for he kept a direct course as
precisely as any "Red-skin" I ever travelled with. All of a sudden he
emitted a loud shriek, not unlike that of an Owl, which so surprised me,
that I once more instantly levelled my gun. "No harm, master, I only
give notice to my wife and children I am coming." A tremulous answer of
the same nature gently echoed through the tree tops. The runaway's lips
separated with an expression of gentleness and delight, when his
beautiful set of ivory teeth seemed to smile through the dusk of evening
that was thickening around us. "Master," said he, "my wife, though
black, is as beautiful to me as the President's wife is to him; she is
my queen, and I look on our young ones as so many princes; but you shall
see them all, for here they are, thank God."
There, in the heart of the cane-brake, I found a regular camp. A small
fire was lighted, and on its embers lay gridling some large slices of
venison. A lad nine or ten years old was blowing the ashes from some
fine sweet potatoes. Various articles of household furniture were
carefully disposed around, and a large pallet of Bear and Deer skins,
seemed to be the resting-place of the whole family. The wife raised not
her eyes towards mine, and the little ones, three in number, retired
into a corner, like so many discomfited Raccoons; but the Runaway, bold,
and apparently happy, spoke to them in such cheering words, that at once
one and all seemed to regard me as one sent by Providence to relieve
them from all their troubles. My clothes were hung up by them to dry,
and the negro asked if he might clean and grease my gun, which I
permitted him to do, while the wife threw a large piece of Deer's flesh
to my dog, which the children were already caressing.
Only think of my situation, reader! Here I was, ten miles at least from
home, and four or five from the nearest plantation, in the camp of
runaway slaves, and quite at their mercy. My eyes involuntarily followed
their motions, but as I thought I perceived in them a strong desire to
make me their confidant and friend, I gradually relinquished all
suspicions. The venison and potatoes looked quite tempting, and by this
time I was in a condition to relish much less savory fare; so, on being
humbly asked to divide the viands before us, I partook of as hearty a
meal as I had ever done in my life.
Supper over, the fire was completely extinguished, and a small lighted
pine-knot placed in a hollowed calabash. Seeing that both the husband
and the wife were desirous of communicating something to me, I at once
and fearlessly desired them to unburden their minds, when the Runaway
told me a tale of which the following is the substance.
About eighteen months before, a planter, residing not very far off,
having met with some losses, was obliged to expose his slaves at a
public sale. The value of his negroes was well known, and on the
appointed day the auctioneer laid them out in small lots, or offered
them singly, in the manner which he judged most advantageous to their
owner. The Runaway, who was well known as being the most valuable next
to his wife, was put up by himself for sale, and brought an immoderate
price. For his wife, who came next, and alone, eight hundred dollars
were bidden and paid down. Then the children were exposed, and, on
account of their breed, brought high prices. The rest of the slaves went
off at rates corresponding to their qualifications.
The Runaway chanced to be bought by the overseer of the plantation; the
wife was bought by an individual residing about a hundred miles off, and
the children went to different places along the river. The heart of the
husband and father failed him under this dire calamity. For a while he
pined in sorrow under his new master; but having marked down in his
memory the names of the different persons who had purchased each dear
portion of his family, he feigned illness, if indeed, he whose
affections had been so grievously blasted could be said to feign it,
refrained from food for several days, and was little regarded by the
overseer, who felt himself disappointed in what he had considered a
bargain.
On a stormy night, when the elements raged with all the fury of a
hurricane, the poor negro made his escape, and being well acquainted
with all the neighboring swamps, at once made directly for the
cane-brake in the centre of which I found his camp. A few nights
afterwards he gained the abode of his wife, and the very next after
their meeting, he led her away. The children, one after another, he
succeeded in stealing, until at last the whole of the objects of his
love were under his care.
To provide for five individuals was no easy task in those wilds, which
after the first notice was given of the wonderful disappearance of this
extraordinary family, were daily ransacked by armed planters. Necessity,
it is said, will bring the Wolf from the forest. The Runaway seems to
have well understood the maxim, for under the cover of night he
approached his first master's plantation, where he had ever been treated
with the greatest kindness. The house-servants knew him too well not to
aid him to the best of their power, and at the approach of each morning
he returned to his camp with an ample supply of provisions. One day,
while in search of wild fruits, he found a Bear dead before the muzzle
of a gun that had been set for the purpose. Both articles he carried to
his home. His friends at the plantation managed to supply him with some
ammunition, and on damp and cloudy days he first ventured to hunt around
his camp. Possessed of courage and activity, he gradually became more
careless, and rambled farther in search of game. It was on one of his
excursions that I met him, and he assured me the noise which I made in
passing the bayou had caused him to lose the chance of killing a fine
Deer, "although," said he, "my old musket misses fire sadly too often."
The Runaways, after disclosing their secret to me, both rose from their
seat, with eyes full of tears. "Good master, for God's sake, do
something for us and our children," they sobbed forth with one accord.
Their little ones lay sound asleep in the fearlessness of their
innocence. Who could have heard such a tale without emotion? I promised
them my most cordial assistance. They both sat up that night to watch my
repose, and I slept close to their urchins, as if on a bed of the
softest down.
Day broke so fair, so pure, and so gladdening that I told them such
heavenly appearances were ominous of good, and that I scarcely doubted
of obtaining their full pardon. I desired them to take their children
with them, and promised to accompany them to the plantation of their
first master. They gladly obeyed. My Ibises were hung round their camp,
and, as a memento of my having been there, I notched several trees;
after which I bade adieu, perhaps for the last time, to that cane-brake.
We soon reached the plantation, the owner of which, with whom I was well
acquainted, received me with all the generous kindness of a Louisiana
planter. Ere an hour had elapsed, the Runaway and his family were looked
upon as his own. He afterwards repurchased them from their owners, and
treated them with his former kindness; so that they were rendered as
happy as slaves generally are in that country, and continued to cherish
that attachment to each other which had led to their adventures. Since
this event happened, it has, I have been informed, become illegal to
separate slave families without their consent.
A TOUGH WALK FOR A YOUTH
About twelve years ago I was conveyed, along with my son Victor, from
Bayou Sara to the mouth of the Ohio, on board the steamer "Magnet,"
commanded by Mr. McKnight, to whom I here again offer my best thanks for
his attentions. The very sight of the waters of that beautiful river
filled me with joy as we approached the little village of Trinity, where
we were landed along with several other passengers, the water being too
low to enable the vessel to proceed to Louisville. No horses could be
procured, and as I was anxious to continue my journey without delay, I
consigned my effects to the care of the tavern-keeper, who engaged to
have them forwarded by the first opportunity. My son, who was not
fourteen, with all the ardor of youth, considered himself able to
accomplish, on foot, the long journey which we contemplated. Two of the
passengers evinced a desire to accompany us, "provided," said the
tallest and stoutest of them, "the lad can keep up. My business," he
continued, "is urgent, and I shall push for Frankfort pretty fast."
Dinner, to which we had contributed some fish from the river, being
over, my boy and I took a ramble along the shores of Cash Creek, on
which, some years before, I had been detained several weeks by ice. We
slept at the tavern, and next morning prepared for our journey, and were
joined by our companions, although it was past twelve before we crossed
the creek.
[Illustration: VICTOR GIFFORD AUDUBON.
PAINTED BY AUDUBON ABOUT 1823.]
One of our fellow-travellers, named Rose, who was a delicate and
gentlemanly person, acknowledged that he was not a good walker, and said
he was glad that my son was with us, as he might be able to keep up with
the lively youth. The other, a burly personage, at once pushed forwards.
We walked in Indian file along the narrow track cut through the canes,
passed a wood-yard, and entered the burnt forest, in which we met
with so many logs and briers that we judged it better to make for the
river, the course of which we followed over a bed of pebbles, my son
sometimes ahead, and again falling back, until we reached America, a
village having a fine situation, but with a shallow approach to the
shore. Here we halted at the best house, as every traveller ought to do,
whether pedestrian or equestrian, for he is there sure of being well
treated, and will not have to pay more than in an inferior place. Now we
constituted Mr. Rose purser. We had walked twelve miles over rugged
paths and pebbly shores, and soon proceeded along the edge of the river.
Seven tough miles ended, we found a house near the bank, and in it we
determined to pass the night. The first person we met with was a woman
picking cotton in a small field. On asking her if we might stay in her
cabin for the night, she answered we might, and hoped we could make
shift with the fare on which she and her husband lived. While she went
to the house to prepare supper, I took my son and Mr. Rose to the water,
knowing how much we should be refreshed by a bath. Our fellow-traveller
refused, and stretched himself on a bench by the door. The sun was
setting; thousands of Robins were flying southward in the calm and clear
air; the Ohio was spread before us smooth as a mirror, and into its
waters we leaped with pleasure. In a short time the good man of the hut
called us to supper, and in a trice we were at his heels. He was a tall,
raw-boned fellow, with an honest, bronzed face. After our frugal meal we
all four lay down on a large bed, spread on the floor, while the good
people went up to a loft.