magnificent stream, they at once commenced the task of clearing land,
for the purpose of establishing a permanent residence.
Others, perhaps encumbered with too much luggage, preferred descending
the stream. They prepared ARKS pierced with port-holes, and
glided on the gentle current, more annoyed, however, than those who
marched by land, by the attacks of the Indians, who watched their motions.
Many travellers have described these boats, formerly called ARKS,
but now namedJIAT-BOATS. But have they told you, kind reader, that in
those times a boat thirty or forty feet in length, by ten or twelve in
breadth, was considered a stupendous fabric; that this boat contained
men, women and children, huddled together, with horses, cattle, hogs
and poultry for their companions, while the remaining portion was
crammed with vegetables and packages of seeds ? The roof or deck of
the boat was not unlike a farm-yard, being covered with hay, ploughs,
carts, waggons, and various agricultural implements, together with numerous
others, among which the spinning-wheels of the matrons were
conspicuous. Even the sides of the floating-mass were loaded with the
wheels of the different vehicles, which themselves lay on the roof. Have
they told you that these boats contained the little all of each family of
venturous emigrants, who, fearful of being discovered by the Indians
under night moved in darkness, groping their way from one part to
another of these floating habitations, denying themselves the comfort of
fire or light, lest the foe that watched them from the shore should
rush upon them and destroy them ? Have they told you that this boat
was used, after the tedious voyage was ended, as the first dwelling of
these new settlers ? No, kind reader, such things have not been related
to you before. The travellers who have visited our country, have had
other objects in view.
I shall not describe the many massacres which took place among the
different parties of White and Red men, as the former moved down
the Ohio; because I have never been very fond of battles, and indeed
have always wished that the world were more peaceably inclined than it
i s ; and shall merely add, that, in one way or other, Kentucky was wrested
from the original owners of the soil. Let us, therefore, turn our attention
to the sports still enjoyed in that now happy portion of the United
States.
We have individuals in Kentucky, kind reader, that even there are
considered wonderful adepts in the management of the rifle. To DRIVE
A NAIL is a common feat, not more thought off by the Kentuckians than
to cut off a wild turkey's head, at a distance of a hundred yards. Others
will BARK off squirrels one after another, until satisfied with the number
procured. Some, less intent on destroying game, may be seen under
night SNUFFING- A CANDLE at the distance of fifty yards, off-hand, without
extinguishing it. I have been told that some have proved so expert and
cool, as to make choice of the eye of a foe at a wonderful distance, boasting
beforehand of the sureness of their piece, which has afterwards been
fully proved when the enemy's head has been examined I
Having resided some years in Kentucky, and having more than once
been witness of rifle sport, I shall present you with the results of my observation,
leaving you to judge how far rifle-shooting is understood in
that State.
Several individuals who conceive themselves expert in the management
of the gun, are often seen to meet for the purpose of displaying
their skill, and betting a trifling sum, put up a target, in the centre of
which a common-sized nail is hammered for about two-thirds of its length.
The marksmen make choice of what they consider a proper distance,
which may be forty paces. Each man cleans the interior of his tube,
which is called wiping it, places a ball in the palm of his hand, pouring
as much powder from his horn upon it as will cover it. This quantity is
supposed to be sufficient for any distance within a hundred yards. A
shot winch comes very close to the nail is considered as that of an indifferent
marksman; the bending of the nail is, of course, somewhat better;
but nothing less than hitting it right on the head is satisfactory. Well,
kind reader, one out of three shots generally hits the nail, and should the
shooters amount to half a dozen, two nails are frequently needed before
each can have a shot. Those who drive the nail have a further trial
amongst themselves, and the two best shots out of these generally settle
the affair, when all the sportsmen adjourn to some house, and spend an
hour or two in friendly intercourse, appointing, before they part, a day for
another trial. This is technically termed Driving the Nail.
Barking off squirrels is delightful sport, and in my opinion requires a
greater degree of accuracy than any other. I first witnessed this manner
of procuring squirrels, whilst near the town of Frankfort. The performer
was the celebrated DANIEL BOON. We walked out together, and followed
the rocky margins of the Kentucky River, until we reached a piece
of flat land thickly covered with black walnuts, oaks and hickories. As