.OTk0.NjQ0Nzk

The settlement we were passing through was one of those Ultima Thule locations on the extreme bounds of the state of Michigan,which rude and primitive as they are and rude as are the rough backwoodsmen who inhabit them, are surely & certainly the wedges which imperceptibly but with astounding rapidity force their way into the savage wilderness, tenanted only by the bear and panther, but which in the space of a few short years, spring up into noble cities collecting the trade & commerce of a large and fertile tract. Every year fresh gaps are made in the noble woods by the unremitting axe of these pioneers of civilization, as tree after tree falls moaning to the ground. The redman sees with dismay the gradual but certain encroachments of his white supplanters in the lands of his fathers. As the forests ring to the axe of the sturdy squatter so does the game forsake its accustomed haunts. The handlike track of the bear no longer rejoices the sight of the Indian hunter. The deer forsake their licks -- the raccoon & porcupine fall & are extinguished with the noble oak and hickory; their hitherto safe abode. The turkey clucks its brood away to the impenetrable swamps -- and last of all, the redman shoulders his rifle, slings his litter all on his back & followed by his squaw & children plunges farther into the forest, to be again hunted out by the fated exterminator of his race.

As we passed the few & straggling clearings many was the curious gaze turned upon the unusual sight of a party of Indians tramping through the clearing: Many who were late arrivals from the old states had never even seen many of these people, and their ideas of them were associated with scalpings burnings murders &c with which all Indian tales are so rife -- It was therefore with curiosity not unmixed with dread that men & women peered out of their doors at us as we crossed their clearing, for road there was none, and often as we approached the house, the door would slam to and we heard the click of the bolt as they thus gave us a hint that a visit would be unwelcome. At the last clearing however we came upon a party interlinear: in whom who from the occupation we might word a more kindred spirit. It consisted of a man & two lads who were engaged ? in skinning a deer, which by the appearance of the pouch word on the man's shoulders, & the rifle leaning against a neighboring stump, was freshly killed -- The house of rough logs was in the center of a cleared space of not more than half an acre, which was quite uncultivated. A shaggy poney was browsing in the branches of a felled hickory and words dogs were lying near the scene of operations licking their lips anticipating a sumptuous regale on the offal of the deer. The man who appeared to be the father of the two lads, was about 50 years of age but with powers as fresh as one of his sons. He was clad in a rough blanket coat