Abbildungen der Seite
PDF
EPUB

such excuses. That's a regular Yankee trick. If you're out o' lush, why, say so, and we'll take some o' your notions, giving you a few dimes.”

This town of Lockport stands on the height of land. Northward we pass through a flat, unhealthy section. A green scum overspreads Maumee river, from which poisonous miasmata rise, causing bilious fevers,

A flock of beautiful, white cranes are resting upon a tall tree, near the water. Toledo is at hand, whence we sail by steamer, across the lakes, to Detroit. A farmer on board says he will give the green Yankee forty acres of land for a year's labor.

The Great Lake Country. "

Now the Red-Jacket is puffing away with us up to Huron. St. Clair is a shallow lake, surrounded by marshy lands. But the river is bordered by higher and more pleasant scenery. The Chippeway Indians have a romantic settlement on the Canada shore. Their humble cabins, built by the British government, stand at equal distances from each other along the bank, a dark old forest appearing in the back-ground.

VICINITY OE LAKE HURON, July 30.

A fresh-water sea is in view, its face white with foamcrested waves, raised by the high wind. I have been wandering in the deep woods. Have brought out partridges, pigeons, and wild fruit. The soil, in many places, is swampy, and burdened with rank weeds. Pine and oak timber, however, is plenty. Large white-fish, cat-fish, and trout are caught here in abundance. No eels or salmon have ever been seen above Niagara, although they are common below. Large flocks of duck visit these waters in winter.

Character of the Natives.

Those Indians appear in town with furs and wild game for sale. Squaws bring berries and curious baskets. To-day several chiefs were here, dressed in blue broadcloth frocks and pants, with crimson sashes round their waists and turbans on their heads. Little bells and various-colored beads dangled from their garments. One had his cheeks and lips stained red; which they told us indicated that he was in love with some dusky maiden of the forest. I lately met one walking leisurely on, while his wife carried a heavy load of furniture. Why do you let the woman thus fatigue herself?" said I. "For cause she am no good,” replied the barbarian.

66

What numbers of great steamers pass up the river, crowded with emigrants, bound for Wisconsin and Iowa !

The Prospect.

Fort Gratiot is in sight, and a vast landscape on the Canada side. There is a wonderful contrast between Yankee-land and British territory. While the former presents a glowing picture of life and energy, the other lies dormant, as if drunk with ale.

Gossip.

Society here is wonderfully constituted. A neighbor was yesterday obliged to flee by star-light, on account of some disclosures in his cellar; where were found secreted hooked axes, hoes, crow-bars, chains, ropes, harrow-teeth, scythes, mill-dogs, etc. "a big heap." One of the wealthiest farmers has in his house a family of papooses, with an Indian wife. As for the ladies, alack! alack! Wo to her whose lord returns unexpectedly by night! Nevertheless, here is more than one Penelope, nay paragon of virtue, if the wisest may be credited. Now and then a fine steamer rushes up with a pleasure-party, to visit wild and perilous Superior. Those copper mines are attractive, both to Englishmen and Americans.

[blocks in formation]

Oh! there is delight upon, within, and around these limpid waters! The air is always cool and breezy. All consumptive persons, who come from the east, rejoice at their fortunate change of location. It is a bilious climate. Mackinaw, at the entrance to lake Michigan, of yore a French military post, is a romantic town. It stands upon a little island, which rises from the pebbly shore in hills, crowned by an old fort. Have you not heard of that delicious fish, the Mackinaw trout, larger than the ocean cod? A row of birch canoes along the shore, tell of Indian visitors, but none appear in sight. Perhaps they lie in the shade, stupified by Christian rum.

A Day on Lake Erie.

SATURDAY, Aug. 21.

On waking from a good night's slumber, and looking through the window of my state-room, I perceive our steamer is gliding near the beautiful, level Ohio coast of Erie. We find no harbors, but those made of rock, by the hand of man. White water-birds are sailing on the air, close to the surface, or lightly floating over the undulations. The sun pours down a flood of warm effulgence; but the light-green face of the lake is here and there veiled by tremulous shadows of scattered clouds. Feeling nausea, I have lain down upon the sofa. Hark! a scream of horror! All are running aft. "What's the matter? What's to pay? Who knows?"

"A lad overboard! See his head rise and fall with the breaking waves far back."

"Oh! my brother, my brother! Ohh!" shrieks a pale, trembling girl, with eyes rivetted on the receding speck. Stand back! Here comes the captain, bellowing like a madman. It is his son.

"Down with the boat! Down with it, men! Hell and dam

nation, lower away! Man them oars! Out o' the way here! 'Bout ship!"

So off speeds the wherry, and round wheels our boat. In five minutes the boy, being rescued, comes aboard laughing and saying he had nearly resolved to swim to land if they had neglected sending for him. Having pitched off from the bows, he had presence of mind enough to dive under the wheel, which otherwise would have broken every bone in his body. What town sits so pleasantly on yonder elevated plain? Running out from the shore, I observe two parallel walls of hewn stone, upon one of which stands a light-house. Half a dozen brigs might sail, abreast, between the piers. It is Cleaveland, a busy place. What quantities of ripe fruit glad the stranger's sight, as he goes along the broad streets! Went to inspect that splendid war-steamer “ 'Michigan," now lying in the harbor.

Evening.

The great, red orb of day is slowly sinking in Erie's smooth bosom, leaving behind a few golden clouds. Farewell!

SUNDAY, AUg. 22.

Jottings in Western New York and Canada.

Buffalo is in the prospect before us, with its extensive Breakwater and shining cupolas. The Creek,' for two miles, is blocked up with vessels. On the left I see Niagara river beginning its sublime course to Ontario. Now I must confess those cabmen are exceedingly anxious about our welfare. "Shall I take you to the American, sir?” "Go to the St. Charles? best house, sir; no expense, sir."

Hah! a crowd thronging to the beach to-day! There is to be a wrestling-match. Of what characters can such a company be composed? But they are sober and orderly as any go-to-meeting folks. A ring is formed on a grassy spot near the lake, and, in spite of police, an energetic contest ensues.

It is soon decided, the five-dollar wager being lost by Liverpool John, and won by an Eel.

NIAGARA RIVER, Aug. 23.

-

A rail-road extends to the Falls fare, 75 cents. Two steamers also run up on the river. Its shore-scenery delights each beholder. Now Black-Rock appears at the entrance; Two or three miles then, a new American fort, on the hill.

down, stands the British fort Erie. This is one of the deepest rivers in the world. We landed at Chippeway as the sun went down. Here is that battle-ground where Gen. Brown, with our American army, defeated the British under Gen. Riall, July 5, 1814. Brown fell on the 25th of the same month, in the bloody conflict at Bridgewater, near the Falls. It is now called "Somerville." A Chinese pagoda has been erected on the hill overlooking the field of carnage, from whose summit floats the British flag at present. The jolly Briton in attendance will entertain you with vivid descriptions of that battle, in which he fought. But remember to let him know you are a Yankee, and put a few dimes in his hand.

Visit to the Great Cataract.

Being eager to behold the wonders of Niagara, I left Chippeway, passing by the garrison, where red soldiers were patroling the ground, and wended my way along the river's uncultivated shore. The moon and stars shone brightly from a clear sky. Occasionally some solitary bird would mingle its plaintive vesper with the sound of rushing waters.

The Rapids.

Within half a mile of the cataract, great waves begin to roll down, the broad channel gradually sinking between steep banks.

« ZurückWeiter »