TO$$fi
m\
THE
pjeart of the
An American Story.
AN LLINOIAN.
Time: I860. Scene: On the Mississippi,
"The mystic chords of memory, stretching from hundreds of battlefields, will
yet swell the chorus of the Union, if touched, as surely they will be, by the better
angels of our nature." Lincoln.
" The Valley of the Mississippi is, upon the whole, the most magnificent
dwelling-place prepared by God for man's abode." De Tocqueville.
CHICAGO:
STEAM PRINTING HOUSE OF HAND & HART.
1871.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1871, by
HAND & HART, in the office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
DEDICATION
TO THE
RT. REV. HENRY B. WHIFFLE, D. D.,
OF MINNESOTA,
HON. MILLARD FILLMORE,
OF NEW YORK,
And those eminent men of Illinois, and her agents and creditors
abroad, who aided in saving the State from ruin,
by engrafting in her SECOND CONSTI
TUTION a sound policy re
lating to her
pub
lic debt, this
little volume is respectfully
dedicated, -with the hope that whatever
its faults, it -will not be found wholly unworthy of
their notice, and that abler pens may be brought to the support of
a noble cause.
M26851G
PREFACE.
HE press is in our day one of the great lev-
,ers by which masses of opinion are to be
moved, and the resulting action secured;
'and romance is now the acceptable dress in
which truth must be arrayed and presented
to the public.
And although error, too, chooses this
vesture, yet the fact is undeniable, that in
our day the world has received and acted upon much that
is valuable through this means.
And there are certain simple and salutary truths that
seem to be unrecognized in the practical working of the
public mind ; and certain evils, so enormous that to be
named should be enough, seem also to be unrecognized.
And trusting that it may contribute, in some degree, to the
ultimate adjustment of this "Grand Balance," and to a
public recognition of the errors, as well as the losses and
gains, of the past few years, and to the healthy adjust-
6 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
ment of affairs on a sound basis, this little book is re
spectfully submitted to the public, with the hope that its
faults may be overlooked, and that abler writers may be
induced to labor in this field.
Events that have occurred in Europe within the last ten
days have shown what a miserable failure is so-called
statesmanship ; how readily the appeal is made to force ;
how slight the power of civilization and refinement to
prevent a resort to violence, and how terribly the human
race are afflicted by a want of the application of the prin
ciples of Christianity, and common-sense, to statesman
ship, and how exceedingly rare, on this earth, is combined
wisdom, power and magnanimity.
The story of Grey Eagle was suggested, and in part
founded upon actual facts, that came under the personal
knowledge of the author, in the far West years ago, cir
cumstances of vile outrage and wrong against the Indians,
so flagrant and dastardly that they never can be forgotten.
In the conversation upon political subjects, historical
facts are given that are believed to be the key to much
that is false and wrong, much hypocrisy, corruption and
violence, and the conclusions to which the argument of
the book points are believed to be in harmony with the
recorded opinions of the great men who, under God, laid
the foundations of our Government; in perfect accord
with Christianity, applied to statesmanship, with the most
practical common-sense, the best experience, and the
plainest truth.
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 7
Partisanship and Sectionalism are now with us the
monsters that stand in the way of truth, and, for a time
at least, the walls and thorny hedges that divide parties
should be cleared away, and the great field of truth laid
open for full and just examination. Old errors should be
fully understood and admitted, in order that present errors
may be abated ; and this should be done in a spirit of lofty
candor, and a sacred regard for TRUTH in every point of
political history. Starting with the known and incontro
vertible facts, the unknown deeps of error may be sounded
if not explored, and their secrets revealed, and the super
ficial bombast of mere partisan literature give place to
the clear light ot that accurate and faithful history which
alone is valuable as a guide; that lamp of experience that
may guide our feet, and whose light is always truly re
flected and increased by Revelation.
GRAND PRAIRIE, ILL.,
July 2ist, 1870.
CHAPTER I.
N a calm and beautiful spring morning, late in
the month of April, A. D. 1860, a large raft of
pine lumber, from the St. Croix Pineries, may
have been seen entering the head of Lake Pepin, on the
Upper Mississippi. The lake is but a widening of the
river, and its deep, still waters furnish but little current to
hasten the raftsman on his way; and, as its length is about
thirty miles, the passage is necessarily slow and tedious.
At the time of which we write, the vast forests upon
the upper waters of the Great River had been pierced in
every direction by the hardy lumbermen, and the sound
of the ax and saw, the buzz of machinery, and the bus
tle of towns and trade, had become far more common
than the wilder sounds that broke the solitude of an ear
lier period. Great quantities of lumber were annually
manufactured, and rafted from points above the pineless
region to the river towns in Minnesota and Wisconsin,
and lower down the river, to the various landing places,
towns and cities, of Iowa, Illinois and Missouri, while
occasionally a raft would descend the river to the " Lower
Country," that is, to the Mississippi River front of
Arkansas and Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi and Lou
isiana. The raft to which we have referred, one of the
largest size, and made up of lumber selected carefully for
that especial market, was destined for the "Coast," that
is, the beautiful delta of then highly cultivated lands that
fringed the banks of the river, for some distance above
10 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
New Orleans, and that might then claim to be the garden
of America.
The tent-like cabins built upon the clean and odorous
boards, "joist," "scantling," &c., of which this floating
island of 4 lumber was composed, were constructed of new
and perfectly clean boards, were arranged with order and
neatness, and an air of quiet comfort pervaded the group
of men a little "aft" the centre of the raft, who were look
ing intently upon some object far down the lake.
"It is a steamboat," cried one of the raftsmen who
had taken his stand upon a coop on the forward part of
the raft.
"The first boat of the season," said several at once.
" Her swell will help widen the channel of open water
for us through yonder ice," said one, who appeared to be
the owner or master of the raft; "although this mild
weather would soon finish it," he quickly added; "and
now, boys, for breakfast."
The last speaker was a young man of perhaps twenty-
seven years of age, about five feet eleven inches in height,
of a manly form, but not athletic, blue eyes, and rather
pale face, with a grave and earnest expression, like that
of a man who had known but few holidays in life.
Walter Sydenham was born on the Atlantic coast, the
cold and rocky northeast, and reared in Wisconsin, where
he was left an orphan, at a tender age, to struggle with
bitter poverty. Inheriting a love of books from his mother,
he had made them his solace and companions. Some
what impulsive and imaginative, he was yet practical and
reflective, with his own ideas of duty, horor and religion.
In temperament, the sanguine and nervous might be said
to predominate, with very little of the bilious.
Coming to the new territory of Minnesota at the age
THE HEART OF THE WEST. I I
of twenty, and working as a hired laborer, he had, by
industry and attention to business, accumulated some prop
erty, and was now engaged in the business of lumbering.
Sprung from English ancestry, he possessed the English
qualities of firmness, straight-forwardness and a love of
" fair^play."
At the call of Sydenham, the raftsmen, ten in number,
gathered near the largest cabin, which stood rather
towards the leftj or "larboard" side of the raft, about
forty feet back of the center, and directly opposite one on
the right of the center. There was a third cabin some
seventy-five feet forward of these, which was the sitting
and sleeping room of Sydenham and his guests.
After performing their morning ablutions, the whole
party sat down to a substantial breakfast of fish from the
lake, fried; broiled venison, boiled potatoes, fried cakes,
honey, bread, butter, coffee, &c. As the raft was provided
with a good cooking-stove, a pretty good cook, (an intel
ligent lad of sixteen) and was well supplied with stores,
the preparation of a comfortable meal was at all times
practicable, and cleanliness, order, regularity and good
cooking were the rule.
The meal was served on a table of new rough boards,
covered with a clean table-cloth, around which were
arranged benches. Plates, knives and forks, cups and
saucers, etc., newly purchased for the trip, were not want
ing, and though of the cheapest kind, were yet clean.
The dishes were all placed at once upon the table, but
the cook replenished the cups with coffee, and waited upon
the table with the promptness and courtesy that should
always be found at a first-class hotel, and which add so
much to the pleasure of the humblest meal from the hum
blest board.
12 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
" Your fish in these northern regions are very fine,"
said a large-framed man who sat beside Sydenham, near
the head of the table, and seemed to be either a passenger
or guest.
u Yes, Doctor, they are, indeed ; and this clear, cold, pure
water should furnish better fish than the warm and mttddy
water of the Lower River," said Sydenham.
"And yet we get some good fish in Louisiana," said the
person addressed, " and of game as great a variety as you
have here."
" You have a far greater variety of game, I think," said
Sydenham, laughing; "if you count the alligators and all
the different varieties of snakes, et cetera, that your swamps
can boast of,"
" I am too old a hunter," said the Doctor, "not to refuse
to go into an enumeration at breakfast, or we would see
which side was ahead."
"We can stand it if you can," said one of the men.
" Without making out a catalogue," said Sydenham,
"did you know that where we now are is considered to be
about the extreme northern limit of the country in which
the rattlesnake is found ! "
" I did not," said the Doctor, " although my St. Paul
friends claim that there are no poisonous reptiles in that
vicinity."
" Such is the fact," said Sydenham ; " though found in
Southern Minnesota and Wisconsin, they are unknown at
St. Paul."
"But you have mosquitoes," said the Doctor.
"A few," said Sydenham, " but in point of size and
numbers we yield the palm to you."
" I appreciate your generosity in admitting that we of
the south, are ahead on snakes and mosquitoes, but which,
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 13
think you, has produced the most ambitious and unprin
cipled demagogues?" said the Doctor.
" That is a question not so easily settled by an enumer
ation of the different species, and a catalogue would be
even longer than that we just now proposed to make,"
said Sydenham.
" It is, after all, a sorrowful subject, and one which we
will all have ample time to discuss hereafter," said the
Doctor, " for the race of demagogues will never become
extinct."
" Yes," said Sydenham, " they are now just what they
were two thousand years ago: the bane of republics."
" They correspond exactly with hypocrites in religion,"
rejoined the Doctor, " and our Saviour has described the
one, as the old Greek and Roman writers have the other,
as accurately as ever Cuvier or Buffon classified the lower
animals. They may almost be known at sight."
" At least their speech or roar will soon betray them,"
remarked Sydenham.
The raft was now fully in the broad lake, where it is
about three miles in width. Lake Pepin is surrounded on
all sides by very high bluffs, all crowned with forests, and
the scenery throughout its whole extent is very interesting,
and in many places beautiful and grand.
As the party rose from the table and walked out upon
the deck of their island ship, the sun was just rising over
the eastern bluffs, and bathing the lake and valley in a
flood of light. The woods and lofty hills cast their shad
ows along the eastern shore, but the western shore, still
fringed with ice, gleamed like a belt of silver. Down the
lake to the southeast considerable ice was still in sight,
but a channel of open water appeared as far as the eye
could reach. Through this, the steamer, a large fine
14 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
packet boat, held steadily on her way. She was now dis
tant less than one mile, and her lofty chimneys, jack staff,
cabin and " Texas," loomed up grandly from the smooth
surface of the lake. There was not a breath of wind, and
her smoke and steam ascended to a great height in the
clear air.
As she neared the raft, the pilot sounded the steam
whistle, a kind of double-base and tenor one, making the
whole valley and the gorges of the bluffs reverberate with
the shrill and startling sound. All had stood silently
watching the glorious scenery, and the beautiful gem of
art it enclosed, and, as the proud steamer dashed by with
the speed of a race- horse, every hat was off, and a cheer
went up for the " Northern Belle."
"That," said Sydenham, "is enough to make a man
sick of rafting : it is like a train of cars dashing by an old
farm wagon."
" In each case, however," said the Doctor, " the spec
tator enjoys the sight more than those on board."
"lam not so sure of that," said the other, " but your
philosophy is the best for us to adopt, for we will have
the pleasure or pain of seeing many fine boats pass by us,
like a bird by a tortoise, before we reach your State, and I
fear you will heartily regret embarking upon a raft."
" I think I can stand it," said the Doctor, " and I can
hunt and fish as we go along."
" Yes," said Sydenham, " you can, if you get tired of
floating, get off and walk, to rest yourself."
Although the ice was rapidly melting, and very soft
and porous, it was still quite thick, and the swell of the
steamer had broken off and detached large cakes, that the
raftsmen had to avoid by using their sweeps, (that is, large
oars,) and by pushing away from them with poles armed
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 15
with an iron pike at the end. In this way, the day wore
on, and, after a day of severe toil, in which all hands were
busily engaged, and in which even the Doctor participated,
when night came, they had not made more than ten miles.
Here, the raft was moored to the shore, at the base of a
very steep bluff, some five hundred feet in height, the
shore, sides and summit of the bluff being covered with
forest.
After sunset the air became quite cold, and the men
were glad to put on their coats. Owing to the sluggish
current in Lake Pepin, the ice freezes in winter to a great
thickness; consequently, in the spring it remains frozen
over after the river at St. Paul and above has been open
some time, and even when ice has disappeared from the
river above and below, thick masses can be found in Lake
Pepin.
After supper a large fire was built upon the shore, and
around this the men gathered, seated upon logs, or reclin
ing upon blankets or buffalo robes spread upon the ground.
Some were playing cards, some were conversing upon
various topics, (chiefly rafting or hunting adventures), and
others smoked their pipes in silence.
Sydenham and the Doctor sat apart at the base of a
high rock, the perpendicular and even surface of which
reflected the light and warmth of the fire a few yards in
front of it, conversing upon various topics.
The contrast between these two men was very great, and
yet there was harmony of opinion and sentiment, and both
were honorable and high-souled men. In person, Doctor
Ross was of a large frame. In temperament bilious,
with something of the nervous, lymphatic and sanguine.
Of very dark complexion and black hair, his eyes were
blue. His limbs were large and muscular, yet his figure
1 6 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
was somewhat loose and ungainly, and his deportment
rather careless than awkward. His forehead was high ;
his features were rather large, and strongly expressive of
reflection and deliberation.
His parents had removed from Virginia during the war
of 1812, and settled in northern Louisiana, near the Mis-
sisippi River, and here Patrick Henry Ross was born.
The Ross family were connected, both by blood and
marriage, with that of the great Virginia orator and pat
riot, and the subject of our sketch inherited not a few
of his mental and moral peculiarities, and, in a remarkable,
degree, that extraordinary foresight, sagacity and presci
ence of things present and to come, which so distinguished
the great Virginian.
But, in all the powers and arts of the orator, Ross, from
some inexplicable reason, had never excelled, nor had he,
even in this respect, reached the mediocre standing in his
own vicinity, which almost every man of any culture
was there expected to .attain. But he was, and had all his
life been, a profound student: of nature, of books, of men,
of God's works, and of God's eternal laws. And now, at
forty, his mind, after twenty-five years of culture, seemed
blossoming into a new stage of existence, and, in its
extended flights and fixed and accurate learning, gave
promise of one day yielding much wholesome fruit.
Ambition might lure him on more swiftly in the march
of life, but could never make him her slave, while for all
the petty distinctions of office and political life, he was
indifferent.
Yet, in a patriotic desire to see his country go down the
great procession of the ages on God's great highway of
virtue, trutl>, and a pure religion, no man excelled him.
He followed no man or party, and obeyed the divine
THE HEART OF THE WEST. I>J
injunction, " Put not your trust in princes, nor in any child
of man."
With such a man, the political situation of the United
States, at the time of which we write, could not fail to
excite the most intense solicitude. Sydenham was also
deeply interested, though not as yet alarmed. Both had
inclined, probably, to the political views of Clay, during
the lifetime of that statesman; and the younger, more
impulsive and ardent Sydenham, hoped and believed that
the principles cf Clay, (or rather of the Constitution itself,)
if not his particular plans, might triumph through their
own inherent force and excellence; but his older and less
hopeful companion saw, with great apprehension, the
many elements of discord wildly raging through the land,
and felt that a young, vigorous and prosperous nation, like
ours, full of the life, fire and energy which democratic
institutions give, would not bring to the solution of diffi
cult questions that calm analysis of facts necessary to
establish the TRUTH. Above all, he feared that the great
principles of charity, mutual respect between the people
of the different parts of this vastly extended country, and
kind regard for the interests and feelings of opponents,
was almost wanting, or was, at least, too weak to exercise
a controlling influence, and that partisanship and" section
alism would exercise a most baneful effect. This was, in
part, the subject of the conversation, continued until nine
o'clock, when the two friends, for such they seemed to be
rapidly becoming, rose and walked towards the fire,
which the men had just deserted for their beds in the rear
cabins on the raft.
After standing a few minutes by the half-burned log,
against which the fire had been built, they went to the
forward cabin, and, lighting a lamp, prepared for bed.
1 8 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
This cabin was about eight feet wide by twelve long,
built of rough boards, the sides about five feet high, and
the center of the steep, tent-like roof about eight feet in
height. Im the end towards the front of the raft was a
narrow door, and in the rear end a small window set with
glass, and made to slide so as to admit air.
A bunk was built in each rear corner, about three feet
from the floor, each one being strewn with pine boughs,
on which was placed a mattress and blankets. Each
bunk was also supplied with a feather pillow, stuffed with
the feathers of wild ducks, and on each was also a large
buffalo skin, trophies of a hunt on the waters of the Red
River of the north. A large bear skin covered the nar
row space between the bunks, serving for a rug or carpet.
Under the berths were stowed trunks, and on each wall
back of the berths, hung a splendid long-range rifle. A
couple of double-barreled shot guns stood in the corner.
Powder horns, pouches, &c., hung from the walls near the
foot of the berths.
Over the door were placed the antlers of a noble buck,
while at each end of the room was a small, rude shelf,
filled with various articles necessary for a gentleman's
toilet, (even on a raft) as well as a few books. Pinned to
the walls were a few pencil sketches of landscapes on
the upper Mississippi, while most of the remaining sur
face was covered with various articles of clothing hung
upon nails. A small table stood in the corner. There
were also three or four camp-stools. On the table lay a
plainly bound Bible. There were also one or two maga
zines and newspapers.
Our friends undressed, kneeled, each by his bunk, and,
after a short mental prayer, were soon in bed and asleep.
CHAPTER II.
Y the first grey light of morning, the lines that
secured the raft to the shore were cast off, and our
party were floating down the lake. The Doctor
and one of the men intending to hunt were landed, (after
breakfast), by means of the skiff, but at noon were seen
on the shore, making signals for the skiff to be sent for
them. They were soon taken on board, and reported
game scarce, having been unsuccessful. Several wild
ducks were, however, shot from the raft, and picked up by
sending the skiff for them. Some fish were also caught,
the raftsmen keeping hooks constantly "set" for that
purpose.
At night, no ice being in sight ahead, and the night
clear, Sydenham determined not to "tie up," and the
"watches" were arranged accordingly, and the table set
for a midnight meal, made ready to serve on short notice.
The Doctor had spent the afternoon in reading, while
Sydenham had been busy clearing floating cakes of ice.
No ice being now in the way, the benches were drawn
around the cooking-stove, after supper was over, and the
smokers lighted their pipes the men not on duty going
to their beds at once Sydenham taking the first half of
the night, and his pilot the last. Lamps were lighted and
placed in suitable positions to notify passing steamers in
time to avoid collision. The steersman held for a certain
object the outline of a spur of the bluff far down the
lake.
20 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
The night was one of remarkable beauty; the moon,
now near its full, lighted up the whole heavens, and from
the raft the bluffs encircling the lake were in plain view,
and the lake itself shone like silver. The least sound
was distinctly audible in the perfectly still and serene
atmosphere, and the shore echoed back the voices of the
men.
Attracted by the remarkable beauty of the scene, Sy-
denham and his friend left the cabin and paced backward
and forward on the slow moving mass. The starry
heavens, the beautiful and silent lake, encircled on all
sides by the lofty and sombre hills, formed a scene of
beauty and grandeur rarely equaled.
The two friends paused and silently gazed on the scene.
Almost simultaneously the beautiful words of the psalm
ist came into their minds and found utterance: "THE
HEAVENS DECLARE THE GLORY OF GOD, AND THE
FIRMAMENT SHOWETH HIS HANDIWORK."
Save the occasional ripple from the long sweep used in
steering, not a sound disturbed the profound stillness. All
seemed hushed as though they were floating in mid air.
Suddenly a loud thundering sound, mingled with the
crashing of trees and accompanied by a loud report, was
heard on the face of the bluff, on the western side of the
lake. The earth shook, and a slight tremor was felt in
the raft. The echoes of the bluffs took up the sound, and
it rang and reverberated far up and down the lake for
many seconds, causing the very air to thrill and jar with
the mighty sound.
"What is that?" exclaimed the astonished Doctor, all
hands rushing out from the cabins as he spoke.
"A mass of rock has become detatched from the cliff
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 21
at the summit of the bluff, and fallen or rolled to the
bottom," said Sydenham.
" It has produced a fearful noise and vibration," said
the Doctor, "such as I do not remember to have ever
heard before."
"And well it might," said the other, "for the bluff
there is almost perpendicular, and a mass of rock of per
haps ten or twenty tons falling five hundred feet is enough
to."
"Do such masses fall often along this lake and river?"
said the Doctor, "and have they ever caused loss of life?"
" They fall but seldom," said Sydenham, " and I never
knew of any one being hurt by them. But a few miles
below where we now are, a house was demolished by a
falling rock, not long since, but fortunately it was empty at
the time."
" I was once," said a man named Burto.i, " on a raft
that was lying at the foot of a bluff below Winona that
came near being smashed, but the stone stopped rolling
just a few feet before it got to us; and our old boss swore
he had stopped it by throwing his old pipe at it."
"Did he think the pipe was strong enough to stop it?"
asked Sydenham.
" I don't know," said Burton, " but it was a very strong
pipe; it was only a clay pipe, and he had smoked it four
years, and he smoked nearly all the time, except when he
was asleep or eating, and he never smoked anything but
plug tobacco."
"Perhaps," said one who went by the nickname of
" Sandy," " perhaps that was what brought down the
rock in the first place, and when it met the pipe it could
go no farther "
" I don't know," said Burton, " but the pipe struck the
22 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
rock and broke, and the old man was as cross over the
loss of it as he would have been if the raft had been
smashed, for he had to go nearly a whole day without
smoking before he could get another. He almost got
crazy snakes in his boots," he added, by way of explana
tion.
" You are spinning some tough yarns there," called out
Seth Lane, the pilot; "but I knew a little Frenchman
who smoked himself into a fit of delirium, if not delirium
tremens"
"How is it, Doctor?" asked two or three in a breath,
44 can a man get delirium tremens by smoking?"
" It is possible," said the Doctor, " to get something very
near it."
" Do you think smoking injurious?" asked Burton.
" The use of tobacco, whether smoking or chewing,
may or may not be injurious," said the Doctor; " it depends
upon the constitution and temperament, state of health,
&c., of the person using it, and, above all, how it is used,
whether in moderation or excess, &c."
" As a general rule, I believe the majority of men who
use it would better off without it, and of the remainder,
three-fourths use too much, leaving but a small number
who are benefitted by it; and yet/' said the Doctor, "there
is a mystery about tobacco that I do not pretend to fathom
fully."
At this point in the discussion a steamer from below
hove in sight, and the tobacco question was dropped,
Sandy having first remarked that the mystery referred to
might serve to account for Burton's pipe story.
Though still at a considerable distance, the sound of the
paddle-wheels striking the water could be distinctly heard
in the still air, and ere long the whistle broke upon the
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 23
quiet night, making the lake and lofty hills ring again.
Right onward came the good steamer, swiftly rushing
over the smooth, deep water, a thing of beauty and of
power. She soon passed them, leaving the raft gently
rocking in her swell.
All had watched the beautiful sight in silence, and
when it was gone the Doctor sighed audibly.
" Think you now that a spectator on a raft enjoys the
sight of a passing steamer as much as those on board ?"
said Sydenham, laughing.
" It all depends upon the state of one's mind," said
the Doctor, " if I allow myself to think of the pleasure
of travel on an elegant Mississippi steamer (the most
pleasant mode of traveling I have ever tried, and one that
I believe unequaled) I should soon tire of this ; but I had
determined to see the great river of our country, as travel
ers see and feel the Nile, in a perfectly quiet and tranquil
way, with plenty of time for thought, for study and com
munion with Nature, while floating along the quiet bosom
of one of her grandest works."
" I can appreciate your aim," said Sydenham, "and
hope you will not be disappointed. I know I have had
better thoughts, more true devotion and more true pleas
ure on a much-despised raft than anywhere else. I al
ways carry with me some works of favorite authors, and
have read more profitably, here on this river, from the
Bible and from all history and poetry, than anywhere
else ; but never before have I had an appreciative compan
ion, and when I have expressed these thoughts to friends
they laughed at the idea; some, no doubt, thinking it
affectation on my part."
" The difficulty is," said the Doctor, " that people overlook
and despise the great blessings a kind Providence places
24 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
immediately before them, and seek only the things that
are remote and difficult. Had you been a tourist from
Europe, come here to view and enjoy the Mississippi and
its scenery by floating quietly down it from the falls to
the mouth, they would have thought you a devoted lover
of Nature, and using wise means for improvement and
enjoyment, but as you were engaged in the business of
rafting, they could not appreciate the other uses of which
we speak."
" Naturally enough, too," said Sydenham "for we are
apt when in business to be so much absorbed by it as to
pay but little attention to other things."
The two friends remained in the glorious night watch
ing the beautiful heavens, the calm lake and its silent
shores, until midnight, when, calling Seth Lane, the pilot,
Sydenham and his friend retired to their bunks and were
soon asleep.
CHAPTER III.
'HE sun was up and shining full over the bluffs
when our friends were awakened by a call to
breakfast. Hastily dressing they stepped out, and
dipping up the clear, pure water, performed their morning
ablutions.
The raft was now just emerging from the lake and
entering the river; the swifter current carrying it along
much faster than the day before, and requiring greater
care and more labor at the sweeps, both on account of the
swifter current and narrower channel.
" Reed's Landing" was soon in sight. This place, a
small village, stands at the mouth of the Chippewa River
and is a noted resort of raftsmen ; the Chippewa being a
region of pine, and the seat of a heavy lumbering busi
ness. Here Sydenham determined to land ; and, as the
mode of landing a raft may be new to the reader, we will
describe it: To check the "headway" or momentum of
such an immense mass as a large Minnesota raft in the
swift current of the Mississippi, is an operation that re
quires considerable skill and prompt decision and action.
The raft was steered gradually nearer and nearer to the
right bank of the river, until within thirty or forty yards
of the shore. The skiff was then brought around to what
sailors or boatmen would call the " starboard quarter,"
that is, the right-hand side of the rear end. Here a huge
coil of heavy cable is ready. The skiff is manned by
three men, and one end of the cable taken on board. The
skiff is now rowed with the greatest possible speed down-
26 THE HEART OF THE WLST.
stream, the cable being payed out by those on the raft; at
the call of Sydenham the skiff is landed hastily, and two
men spring ashore, and drag the end of the cable coiled
in the boat up the bank, and run for a small oak tree,
around which they pass one end of the cable, forming "one
turn," and this some twenty feet from the end which the
men do not fasten, but hold in their hands. The raft has
passed them by this time, and soon the strain upon the
.heavy cable is felt, and it is allowed to yield many feet,
but yet strained to almost its capacity. The tremendous
friction under this cable (allowed to slip when at so great
a tension) causes smoke, and would set it on fire if water
was not thrown on. But now the momentum of the raft
is checked visibly, now a yielding of two or three feet,
and now the raft is "snubbed," and the cable is made
" fast" to the tree. The raft now swings close up to the
bank, and landing is made complete by means of a heavy
plank laid from the raft to the shore.
There were a number of rafts here from the Chippewa,
and during the day several more from both rivers came
down. Sydenham having laid in necessary stores and
made other business arrangements, about the middle of
the afternoon gave the orders to " cast off the lines," and
soon the huge mass was again floating with the current.
Among raftsmen (strange as it may seem) the same
emulation of speed and passing each other exists as
among steamboatmen, members of yachting clubs, and
owners of fast horses. The fact of their craft being so
slow as to make the idea of a race between rafts ludicrous
does in no degree diminish their zeal, but rather augments
it.
Some rafts float faster than others, and in so piloting
them as to save all the distance possible, and also keep
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 37
where the current is swiftest, there is room for the display
of great skill; and there are also, at times, in handling these
unwieldy masses, many desperate straits and emergencies
requiring the exercise of as great ability as that requisite
for the command of the proud ship or steamer. The
ship has her sails, the steamer her engines, but the raft
must be managed by means of her own weight, the cur
rent of the stream, the sweeps, poles and cable. Colli
sions with other rafts, with steamers and other vessels
must be avoided ; snags, rocks, shoals and sand-bars must
be shunned ; the vicissitudes of the weather encountered in
rude board shanties; storms and waves encountered with
out the power of propulsion. These are some of the diffi
culties and hardships of a vocation of vast importance and
benefit to the country, yet but little known to fame. Not
a year passes but many a brave man's life is lost on some
of the innumerable rafting streams of the United States
and Canada, and deeds of daring done that are never
heard of outside their own little circle.
There were now a large number of rafts in the river,
and the full measure of the excitement of the raftsman's
life began to be felt by the men.
Sydenham's mind was engrossed with other thoughts,
and he took but little interest in passing or being passed,
though anxious for a speedy and safe passage down the
river to his destination.
The men, however, were allowed their own way; but
Sydenham always insisted that nothing should be done to
trespass in the slightest degree upon the rights of others,
and that their competitors should always be treated with
courtesy. This prevented any of those disgraceful fights and
rows which sometimes occur, though less common on the
broad Mississippi than on some narrower rivers. As he
28 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
enjoyed the respect and good-will of those with whom
he was acquainted, he was sometimes enabled to prevent
difficulties that might become serious, and even fatal,
where large numbers of raftsmen were thrown together,
and their passions inflamed by whisky. Though not of
a very amiable or mild temper, he invariably treated all
others with respect, and was always a peace-maker among
the men with whom he was thrown. Straightforward,
prompt, honorable and decided in speech and action, his
courage was of that kind that never deserts the post of
duty, though it be the post of danger. The hardy men
who follow this vocation have the reputation among some
of the people of the river towns, with whom they are
brought in contact, of being rude, violent, and given to
rowdyism and vice; and, to a superficial observer, this
reputation might seem to be deserved. But a closer
acquaintance will show that these " manifestations" are
due to the peculiarities of the life they lead, and that
while men of robust and vigorous frames, plain in speech
and manners, yet in them are found as generous and noble
qualities, as in the more polished denizens of luxurious
cities, while their vices, though differently manifested, are
no greater in degree than those peculiar to the haunts of
wealth and fashion. Like sailors after a long voyage,
some raftsmen, after a long period of hardship and
exposure, seem to feel recreation to be a necessity, and
frequently this takes the form of drunkenness and debauch
ery ; especially is this the case with those who have no
families dependent upon them for support, or who do
not contemplate marriage. But those who have, or ex
pect to have, wives and homes are disposed almost al
ways to save their money, and shun these vices and temp
tations; while a few are restrained by religious considera-
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 29
tions, or by the virtuous teachings of parents. How often
does a period of hardship and constrained self-denial dis
pose men to yield at once to the allurementsof vice. The
remedy is to keep the lamp of faith and hope trimmed
and brightly burning. Without hope, mankind would
be miserable indeed, and evil and worthless as misearble.
CHAPTER IV.
'HE change from the lake to the river proper was
an agreeable one, as the swift current now hur
ried them on at greater speed; the river, too,
being narrower, brought the towering bluffs closer to the
voyagers, and made them appear more grand and lofty.
Spring had now advanced sufficiently to clothe the woods,
by the river side, in a garb of light, delicate green, and
the feathered songsters had appeared by thousands, mak
ing the air melodious with their notes.
Showers and thunder storms were now of rather fre
quent occurrence, but they only added to the beauty and
variety of the climate and scenery.
The most delicious fish, bass, pike, pickerel, &c., were
caught in abundance, and cooked in various ways. Fresh
butter, milk, eggs, &c., were to be had at the various land
ing places, together with stores of all kinds, so that all
fared sumptuously every day.
The delightful climate of Minnesota has been the
theme of many a tongue and pen, but never can it be
more enjoyed than on its great river in spring and sum
mer. The air is clear, pure and exhilerating, free
from that humidity, so common in the eastern States.
The showers and rain storms are usually of short dura
tion, and when they are over, clear off at once, leaving
the atmosphere more balmy and delightful than before.
The long, dreary periods of rainy, cloudy weather, so com
mon in most of the States, are here almost unknown.
The skies are usually cloudless, and both nights and days
THE HEART OP THE WEST. 3 1
are brilliant and glorious. Throughout most of the States
of the great valley of the Mississippi, the nights, during
the summer, are quite warm ; but in Minnesota and Wis
consin, the nights are cool, giving refreshing sleep, and
keeping the system constantly braced up and vigorous.
Our voyagers were in excellent health and spirits, and
the men were full of cheerful gaiety, even when their
duties were most arduous and laborious.
The pretty towns they were passing were busy with the
full press of the spring trade, now fairly opened. At
every landing place, barges were loading with wheat
(Minnesota's great staple) and steamers were descending
the river to LaCrosse, Prairie du Chien, and other points,
with large " tows " of loaded barges, and returning with
the same empty, or freighted in part with merchandise,
groceries, farming implements, harvesting machines, &c.
The surplus wheat product of Minnesota and western
Wisconsin is or was at the time of our story collected
chiefly at the towns along the Mississippi, and shipped
thence, in bulk, to La Crosse and other railroad termini
lower down, in large barges, towed by steamers. From
these barges, it is transferred by steam elevators to cars
carrying about ten tons each, and forwarded to Milwaukee
and Chicago. Large quantities are also shipped down
the river to St. Louis, and some to New Orleans for
export.
The river was now cheerful with the excrement of
commerce and travel, and beautiful in the warmth and
verdure of the genial spring.
Sydenham's duties were arduous, as they now floated
day and night ; but the Doctor seemed to enjoy, to the full,
the beauty of the glorious days and starlit nights.
While almost constantly in sight of steamers or towns,
32 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
glowing with the warm active energy of commerce, he
was yet floating quietly on the silent river, and enjoying
all the tranquil beauties of nature as much as though he
were exploring for the first time an undiscovered country,
the streams, hills and landmarks of which were yet
waiting to receive their names. And here we will
remark that very many of the localities of the upper
Mississippi retain the names given them by the early
French explorers, while not a few retain the original
Indian names.
On the lower river this is not so much the case. There
the bends, islands, &c., have usually been named by the
American pilots, while most of the towns have been
named by the early French or American settlers, in some
cases adopting names of places in ancient Egypt, France
and Spain.
The third day after leaving Reeds Landing was Sunday,
and Sydenham, according to his invariable custom, laid
by at midnight of Saturday night, near a place known as
Grey Eagle's Cave.
CHAPTER V.
'E have said that our party had laid by for the
Sabbath near a noted cave. This cave was
known among the river men as the abode of
an old hermit Sioux chief. It is not uncommon for the
traveller on the upper Mississippi to see Indians on the
river, in their canoes though their tribes have long since
moved west. But there is NO GREAT AND BEAUTIFUL
RIVER like this in their new home, and they seem reluc
tant to part fore\ er from its clear, sweet waters, so long
their own, ere the white man came in his power and
greed to drive them away.
Grey Eagle had been a noted chief in his day famed
throughout the entire Sioux and neighboring nations
and had known prosperity and power as a ruler and
leader. But misfortune had pursued him. His seven
sons had either died or perished in battle. He had out
lived his wives, brothers and sisters. His parents had
long since passed away. He had no near relative living;
his sons had left no offspring. Lonely and stricken in
years, when his tribe moved away from their old homes,
he remained, saying that he wished to die near the great
river. He had been to St. Paul frequently, and received
an annuity regularly from the government. He had, many
years ago, listened to the teachings of a good missionary,
and had been converted and baptized in the Catholic
Church.
At the point where our party moored their raft, the
river makes a bend to the left. Here the channel is close
34
THE HEART OF THE WEST.
to the Wisconsin shore, while opposite, on the Minnesota
side, is quite a wide expanse of water, a kind of bay,
with but little current. From the river bank, in the
44 bight" of the bay, back to the foot of the bluff, is about
three-fourths of a mile covered with a heavy forest, and
is a favorite resort of deer.
Back through the hills, a ravine or small valley,
drained by a fine trout brook, opens up from the large
river valley. To the left of this rises a lofty peak, sur
mounted by a large dome-shaped rock, plainly visible up
and down the river for many miles, and known as Grey
Eagle's Tower.
On the side of the bluff', about two hundred feet above
the valley, is the cave, and just below this, a few rods up
the little valley near the bank of the stream, in a beautiful
and sheltered nook remote from any white man's abode,
stood the lodge of the hermit chief. From his lodge a
zigzag path led up the steep side of the bluff to the
entrance to the cave, which opened to the east, and com
manded at all seasons of the year a full view of the rising
sun. From the cave the path led by a circuitous route to
the summit. Here Grey Eagle would often sit for hours,
his eyes fixed upon the river and the steamers the life
and commerce borne upon its tide. The cave was his
place of worship, and here, morning and evening, his ori
sons were offered up. It consisted of an outer room about
ten feet in width, twelve feet in height and fifteen in length,
with an entrance about eight feet each way. From this
room a passage about three feet in width led back into
the bluff* about one hundred feet to another room, larger
than the first, and dark except at sunrise or just after, when
for a short time it would be light enough to see objects
dimly ; but, at the winter solstice, the direction of the nar-
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 35
row passage was such, that at the moment the sun was
just above the horizon, its beams poured full into the inner
chamber, and were reflected from the white walls and
stalactites with dazzling effulgence. From the inner room
a very narrow and difficult passage led still farther into
the bluff; but it had never been explored by white men,
and if the Indians had, they would not impart any infor
mation concerning it. Their traditions declared that far
in the very heart of the bluff, under the summit of the
dome, rested the bones of a great chief, the favorite of the
Great Spirit, who died many hundred moons before the
first white man was seen upon the Mississippi, and that a
dreadful fate would overtake any who should penetrate
these hidden recesses to disturb his remains. The cave
itself was held sacred and believed by some to be the
abode of the Great Spirit. Others believed that he only
visited it at that time of the year, when the sun's rays, at
his command, penetrated to the inner chamber and made
it glorious while he remained.
Pilgrimages were made to. the cuve at all seasons, but
the most sacred period was the winter solstice. None
then presumed to enter the inner chamber save after long
preparation by fasting and penance. They then entered
before sunrise, and, while there, remained prostrate on
their faces, silent and motionless.
In this climate a cloudy day or sunrise is not common
at this season, and it is very rare indeed to have successive
mornings without a bright sunrise. Should there come a
season, however, when the sun's rays did not enter the
inner chamber of the cave at all, by reason of clouds, it
was viewed as an omen of evil, and of the anger of the
Grtat Spirit. Just before the white men came, their
traditions relate that this occurred for three seasons in
36 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
succession ; and they believe that in a future period a time
will come again when three winters will pass in which no
sunshine will enter the inner chamber of the sacred cave,
and, after that, great calamities will fall upon the 'white
race.
At the time of which we write, there were but few
Indians in the vicinity; yet no winter passed in which, at
the sacred season, there were not some devotees prostrate
in the silent vault, gladdened annually by the rays of the
December sun.
Grey Eagle was a devout Christian ; but no pilgrim vis
ited the cave who was as strict in this singular worship
as himself. He insisted that he could in this way keep
holy the Christmas season, that the God of the white man
was the Great Spirit of the Indian, and that the cave was
the Indian's church. White men, he said, worshipped in
their churches at Christmas ; why should not he, an
Indian, worship in this cave at the Indian's Christmas.
The good priest, rinding that there were no traces of" sun
worship in these rites, made no further opposition, but
hung the sacred symbol of the church on the walls of
both outer and inner rooms, and on one occasion held
mass in the outer room, and explained to the poor, naked
children of the woods what Christmas meant. Grey
Eagle firmly believed that there was a direct connection
between the sacred season of the Indians and the Christ
mas of the white men.
The good missionary viewed the coincidence with awe
and wonder, and saw in it an innocent means of gaining
the affections of these poor people to the pure and perfect
religion of Christ. And the transition is easy, for never,
on this earth, have any people, without the aid of divine
revelation, attained to so pure a religion as the unlettered
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 3^
North American Indian. Being uninstructed in the
Christian [principles of mercy and forgiveness, they are
sanguinary and revengeful, but Pagans they are not in
in any sense, and idol worship is unknown among them.
Compare the noble creed of the untutored Indian, of a
Supreme Being, and of immortal life beyond this world,
with the horrible and bloody fanaticism of India, the
stupid idolatry of China, the beastly and inhuman diabol
ism of Africa, or even with the creeds of the learned
and powerful nations of antiquity: Carthage, Rome,
Greece and Egypt, Assyria and Persia; and how sub
limely it rises before us in its simple beauty and grandeur.
A Great Good Spirit; an immortal future of happiness
for the just and brave these are the grand ideas elimin
ated by the Indian, and placed on a height above all forms
and systems of idolatry of every age and clime; above
the Aztecs and Peruvians, with their altars reeking with
human gore; above the mythology of Homer and Virgil;
above the curious creed of the men who built the Pyra
mids, and their sacred cats and crocodiles; above the mis
believing Jews, continually relapsing into idolatry, and
worshipping beastly images even at the foot of Sinai;
and, with shame may we ask, above how many of the
false and foolish ones who have perverted Christ's gospel,
from the time he stood on the mount to the present hour.
Whatever may be said of the Indian's cruelty in war, he
has been noble in this, that he does not enshrine Deity in
beasts, or images, or monsters, or sun, or fire.
Well might the devoted French missionaries of early
days desire to convert, and promote the welfare of such
a race. All honor to those kind, noble and enterprising
Frenchmen ; those devoted and gallant Christians.
CHAPTER VI.
'HE Sabbath morning sun rose beautifully clear,
and, though some clouds in the west and south
betokened a storm, yet our two friends prepared
to pay a visit to Grey Eagle, to the cave and to the peak
above it.
The fatigue of the past few days, and the night watches,
caused all to sleep late except the Doctor, who, having
had nothing to do, rose early, and with a spy glass made
a careful examination of what he supposed the locality of
the cave, from the description Sydenham had given him
the day previous. He soon, however, laid down his glass,
and, shoving a plank out to the shore, he landed and
started out for a morning walk on the soil of Wisconsin.
After an hour's ramble he returned, and found all hands
up and breakfast nearly ready. Sydenham invited him
to read prayers, which he did from his Episcopal prayer-
book, together with a selection from the Psalms. They
then sat down to an excellent breakfast of fresh fish from
the river, cooked admirably, boiled potatoes, baked pota
toes, fried pork, sour kraut, bread, butter, cakes, crackers
and excellent coffee. After breakfast some articles were
put up that could not fail to be acceptable to the poor and
lonely old man. A stout bag was procured, and in this
Sydenham placed a small quantity of coffee, sugar, tea,
tobacco, bread, crackers, matches, powder, lead, etc. In
another bag some flour was provided; in another,
meal sifted and ready for use. The doctor produced a
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 39
bottle of wine and a New York pictorial newspaper.
These articles were all placed in the bow of the skiff; and
the friends entered. The Doctor took the oars, and Syd-
enham took a seat in the stern and steered for the oppo
site shore, about three-quarters of a mile distant. They
were at first obliged to contend wit i a very swift current,
where the river swept around the bend, but, once out of
this, the current in the wide expanse between the channel
and the Minnesota side was very gentle, and they soon
reached the shore. Here they moored their skiff in a
little cove at the extreme terminus of the crescent-shaped
bay, and chained it securely to a small willow tree. Then
dividing the weight to be carried between them, they set
out for the bluff. Their way at first led through tangled
thickets and some sedgy miry ground, and they were
obliged to make a considerable detour to get upon ground
firm enough to bear them. At length they came to the
little brook which they supposed flowed from the little
valley. Crossing this on a small log, they soon came to
a deer path which they supposed led up the valley or
ravine. Nor were they mistaken, for ere long the barking
of a dog announced that they were approaching some
human habitation, and soon they cume in sight of a small
lodge made of skins. As we have said, this stood a little
way up the valley that opened out of the bottom-land of
the river. The land, however, was higher even at the
very entrance of the narrow valley, by several feet, and
the soil was more mixed with gravel and the fragments
of stone. The brook had here some rapids and one per
pendicular fall of about two feet into a deep pool a fine
trout hole. About one hundred yards above this, on a
little knoll two or three feet above the level of the sur
rounding land, stood Grey Eagle's lodge.
40 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
The little valley at this point was about two hundred
yards in width, dotted with scattering oaks, and, on the
right-hand side the brook as you go up the valley, a heavy
undergrowth of thickets; but the space on the left-hand
side was mostly open and free from brushwood. The
brook ran nearly through the center of the valley opposite
the lodge, but at other places curved from side to side,
laving the base of the lofty hills on each side. The val
ley grew gradually narrower back from the river, until, at
the distance of three-fourths of a mile, it came to an end,
or lather dwindled to a mere ravine, with steep sides, at
the bottom of which swiftly coursed the brook, entering
the heart of the valley by a perpendicular fall of about
fourteen feet.
The valley was a favorite resort for game at all seasons
of the year ; and Grey Eagle had little trouble in supplying
himself with meat, while fish, he said, swam up to his
door, the little knoll where the lodge stood being only
about thirty feet from the water.
On one side the lodge, at the distance of perhaps fifteen
paces, stood a large oak, near the root of which, under a
projecting rock, bubbled a beautiful spring. The lodge
was made of dressed deer skins sewed together and
stretched over poles, circular in form, and about twelve
feet in diameter at the ground.
The barking of his dog aroused the chief from a
dreamy reverie, and he came out to see the cause.
Sydenham, who had some knowledge of Indian man
ners, made a friendly salutation, which was returned by
Grey Eagle, who then in pretty good English invited them
to enter. He was a man of about six feet in height, and
rather slender, his features looking almost emaciated.
The erect form of the Indian has become proverbial, but
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 4.1
the tall form of Grey Eagle, from the weight of years and
sorrow, was a little bent. His face, while rigid with the
stoical indifference so characteristically Indian, was yet
softened by a pensive sadness, and his deep-set and
piercing eyes looked kindly upon his guests, whom he
saw at once were not prompted by the same motives as
most of those who came to see him.
Sydenham and the Doctor took their seats upon a bear
skin which he spread for them. The Doctor produced
his tobacco pouch and passed it to the chief, who took it
with an Indian expression of satisfaction, and, after filling
his pipe, passed it to Sydenham. Their pipes were soon
lighted, and all smoked for a time in silence. At length
Grey Eagle enquired if they " came from steamboat."
" No," said Sydenham, " we came from St. Croix with
lumber raft," and he pointed to where the raft lay.
" Ugh !" was all the reply Grey Eagle made, and all
smoked on in silence. At length the Doctor spoke :
" Why does Grey Eagle live here alone when his tribe
have gone away ? "
" Grey Eagle is not living but dying," replied the Indian,
and he extended his shrunken hand and arm, and then
bared his breast, withered, and seamed with a deep scar.
" Grey Eagle's fathers, and his wives and children, died
near the Great River, and so must he if the white man
will let him," and he looked enquiringly at the Doctor.
" Surely, no one will disturb you," said the Doctor, "for
you would not harm them."
u Grey Eagle has fought the Chippewas, but he has
never shed white man's blood: they have wronged him,
but he loves the good missionary."
" But you are all alone here," said the Doctor.
" No," said the Indian, " all around in these hills and
42 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
valleys sleep those Grey Eagle loved, and the Great
Spirit whispers to him in the winds, and speaks to him
in the thunder. Grey Eagle's fathers always believed in
the Great, Good Spirit, and he believes in Jesus Christ,
too, and he loves both." And he bowed his head rever
ently.
Neither theDoctor nor Sydenham made any reply, but
ruused in silence.
The clouds had been gathering all the morning, and
now overspread the whole heavens. While they sat
silently musing upon the words of the old chief, a peal of
thunder, long, loud and deep, rolled across the firmament
and died away in the distance-
Grey Eagle took his pipe from his lips, clasped his
hands and bowed his head.
Soon it ceased, and he rose to his feet, his eye kindled,
and his form dilated. " No," he said, "the white man
will have all the lands, the river, the hills, valleys and
paririe ; the trees, the little creeks, and the lakes, the fish,
the deer, the bear, all the grass, the rocks everything. If
the Indian gives them all, they will let him die in peace,
or the Great Spirit will punish them, for he watches over
his red children as well as the white. Your great book
tells you that not even a little bird falls to the ground
without his knowledge, and that he not only listens to all
that we say, but knows all that we think. The red man
does not talk as much as the white, but he will hear him."
The poor Indian sank upon the ground, while his whole
form quivered with emotion.
Again the thunders pealed across the heavens, louder,
sharper, fiercer than before. The terrific sound crashed
through the nairow valley like the discharge of a hun
dred pieces of artillery. It was accompanied by a blind-
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 43
ing flash, lurid and awful beyond anything that either
Sydenham or the Doctor had seen.
The Indian bowed his head to the earth, his lips moved,
his limbs trembled, and his heaving breast showed the
deep emotion that convulsed his soul. Not a word was
uttered for some moments. Sydenham and his friend
also bowed their heads in silent devotion. At length the
chief rose to his feet, extended one hand to each of the
white men, and clasped theirs warmly.
<4 You," he said, u are good white men."
" Our red brother is our friend," said Sydenham, " and
God is the Father of us all."
" The young elk loves the high ground, but the skunk
loves the swamp," said the Indian.
The rain now began to fall in torrents, but the skins of
which the lodge was made were dressed in such a way as
to shed the water very well; a little came through the
hole at the top, and hissed upon the embers of the morn
ing fire. Grey Eagle produced a few dry sticks, laid them
upon the fire and kindled a blaze, thus removing the
chilling influences of the storm which raged without.
Sydenham and the Doctor now had time to observe the
good order and neatness of the wigwam. Grey Eagle
was also cleanly in his person, and his dress was made of
neatly dressed deer-skin.
" Have they ever molested you here, or wanted to drive
you off?" said the Doctor at length.
" Yes," said Grey Eagle, " land-hunters and deer-hunters
have come here, and ate my meat and fish, slept in my
lodge, and then told me I had no business here, that this
was now the white man's land, and that I ought to go
west."
44 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
" Have you ever talked with the agent at St. Paul about
it?" enquired Sydenham.
" Grey Eagle should not ask leave of any white man to
stay here," said the Chief; "but I have asked the agent at
St. Paul, and he said I must go west. I told him I was
the last of my blood and would soon die, and wanted to die
here. He said then I had better buy the land at the land
office, or some white man might, and give me trouble.
I told him that as the red men had owned it all, they
might let one old man stay here until he died, and then
give him back land enough for his grave, and I asked him
to give me a paper to show the white men that came to
my camp. He said it would do no good if any one came
who claimed the land, and that I had better buy it. I
told him I had no money, and was too old to make any
by trapping. He said my tribe could pay for it out of
their annuities. I told him my tribe were very poor, and
needed more than their annuity. He then said he would
do all he could for me; he would talk to the river men
zibout me, and he did not think any one would ever be
mean enough to trouble me, and the good missionary said
so too; and most of the white men have been good.
Steamboatmen gave me many presents bread and flour ;
and I gave them trout. I rode on steamboat to St. Paul,
and one good lady gave me this," (and he produced a
handsome Bible) " but books are not good for Indians.
Another gave me this," and he showed them a small
ivory cross; "another one this," and he showed them a
small pair of shears. " But my white brothers are
hungry, and Grey Eagle will feed them."
The chief .accordingly set about and prepared some
dried venison, while Sydenham produced the articles they
brought for him, which were recived by Grey Eagle with
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 45
an expression of gratitude and satisfaction. The lodge
contained several tin cups, plates, etc., and the Doctor
found a small kettle in which he prepared some coffee, of
which the Indian was very fond.
Soon all were partaking of a comfortable repast, which
might be said to bear some relation to both civilized and
savage life. The common opinion that the Indian modes
of cooking are all rude and filthy may be correct in many
cases ; yet their mode of roasting and baking meats, &c.,
are not to be despised, and many epicures accustomed to
the most delicate and refined processess of the art of cook
ing have pronounced birds roasted in the ashes by Indians
superior to anything they had ever eaten.
By the time dinner was over the rain had entirely
ceased, and the sun was shining. The pipes were again
lighted, and, after smoking a few minutes in silence, the
Doctor made inquiry of Grey Eagle in regard to the cave,
its history, &c. As we have already given this, it need
not be repeated.
Both the Doctor and Sydenham expressed a desire to
see it, and the chief offered to guide them. They accord
ingly set out, having first prepared a torch to light when
they had entered it.
The way was steep, and so slippery from the rain, that
even Sydenham and the Doctor found the ascent very
toilsome. The old Indian complained of feebleness, and
moved with difficulty up the ascent.
When half-way up they paused to rest, and the old
man sat down. " When Grey Eagle was young," he said,
'* he could go up such a hill like the deer, but now he
could only creep like the tortoise."
As they neared the cave, Grey Eagle observed that a
solitary tree that stood near the entrance (the only one
46 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
for some rods around) had been riven by the lightning.
"Oh," said the Doctor, "I thought that must have
struck near, and so it did."
"Yes," said Sydenham, "it was terrific; I never heard
such thunder in Minnessota before."
The old Indian groaned audibly, and pointed his with
ered hand toward it. " That," said he, " was Grey
Eagle's tree ; it is gone, and death will soon strike Grey
Eagle."
It was an oak of beautiful shape, though somewhat
knotty and stunted. Yet it had adorned the rough hill
side, and its round and symmetrical top had been an
object of beauty, visible for a great distance, and from the
decks of passing steamers many a glass had been leveled at
it as marking the entrance to the cave.
The white men tried to console the chief, but he uttered
not a word.
The two friends looked off on the river. Two large
steamers were in sight, one bound up, the other down.
The Indian heard the boats and raised his head and gazed
long and earnestly upon them At length he rose and led
the way into the cave. After pausing a few minutes to
examine the iirst room, and the rude carving upon its
walls, they groped their way back through the long nar
row passage to the inner chamber. Here was darkness.
Sydenham produced some matches and lighted the torch.
In a moment a beautiful sight burst upon them. The
walls were remarkably smooth and even, and almost per-
tectly white. The roof was arched, and from it depended
numerous stalactites that shown in the light of the torch
like silver.
On the north wall hung a small wooden cross, placed
there, as we have said, by the missionary. Grey Eagle
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 47
moved toward it and kneeled with his hands upon his
forehead for some minutes, while Sydenham and the Doc
tor removed their hats and bowed their heads reverently.
" What a beautiful chapel," said the Doctor.
<4 Beautiful, indeed," replied Sydenham, " and I marvel
not that the good Father Martel saw lit to use it as such,
for, were the ascent to it less difficult, nothing better could
be desired."
The floor was as smooth and even as the walls, and the
air of the cave seemed perfectly pure. On the west was
the crevice that was supposed by some of the Indians to
lead to the tomb of " Great Buffalo," the famed chief of
ancient days.
Grey Eagle, when interrogated, seemed reluctant to
converse upon the subject. He, however, thrust the torch
into the crevice, lighting it up for many yards, and they
could see that for a considerable distance, at least, it did
not enlarge, and, as they were not prepared to attempt its
exploration, and as their kind host evidently did not wish
them to do so, the friends contented themselves with en
joying for half an hour the beauties of the inner chamber.
Leaving the cave, they determined not to ascend to the
summit of the peak, as both were fond of a quiet Sunday,
and had already encroached upon its hours of rest more
than their wont. Descending the hill, they bade Grey
Eagle a kind and respectful good-bye.
The old chief seemed touched, and held their hands in
his as though they had always been his friends, and he
would never see them again. Alas! little did either of the
party think how soon they would see him again, and
under what changed circumstances. But the events that
took place at Grey Eagle's lodge after the departure of
our two friends must form the subject of another chapter.
CHAPTER VII.
N the same day on which the men from the raft
visited Grey Eagle, a common two-horse wagon,
such as those used by farmers in the west for
hauling may have been seen on the road that led down
the river valley. It was drawn by two horses, and in it
were three men.
One of these was a hunter and wood-chopper named
Bill Smith, whose cabin stood on the river bank, about
six miles above Grey Eagle's lodge; another was the
surveyor of the county, named Farley; the third was a
burly farmer from Wisconsin, who had come out to buy
land, and was strongly impregnated with that " Anglo
Saxon propensity" to get land. His name was George
Brown; and he was one of that class of men never
troubled with hesitation of purpose, or conscientious
doubts as to the rightfulness of any course of action
which he had once decided upon. Generally honest (in
his way), and occasionally benevolent, he was yet arbitrary
and unscrupulous in matters that affected his pecuniary
interests, whenever he thought he had the law on his side,
this being the standard that usually guided him. Being
a man of powerful frame and very passionate, he was
frequently disposed to resort to violence, and was more
feared than loved by those who knew him.
The hunter was a man who hated ail Indians, and
thought they ought to be exterminated, or at least driven
away. Toward them he had no conscience, and thought
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 49
if he could buy an otter skin worth five dollars of an
Indian for a quart of flour it was all right. Yet he was
not a bad man in his intercourse with whites, and was
esteemed by many as quite an honest, kind, worthy man.
He seemed to have "two consciences one for white men
and one for Indians."
The county surveyor being an officer elected by the
people, had long since learned to so shape his course as to
suit the largest number of people. Popularity he regarded
not only as the sure and only road to office, but as the
highest evidence of the excellence of a man's character, and
the correctness of his conduct and really a great virtue
in itself. Being a popular man, he was therefore a com
placent, self-satisfied man ; never disputed with any one,
but smiled benignantly upon himself and all the world in
general, except political opponents. These he respected
greatly, if in a majority, but if a minority, he viewed them
with as much malevolence as could be expected from a
mild man who never got in a passion.
Here, then, we have the party who were en-route for
Grey Eagle's lodge. Brown had entered the land at the
United States Land Office at St. Paul, and was now going
to see it. He had engaged the surveyor to survey it, and
Bill Smith to guide them through the woods, carry the
chain, &c.
We will now return to the lodge. After Sydenham's
return to the raft, and the men heard of the cave, &c.,
they started in a body to look at it. On arriving at the
foot of the bluff, they were troubled to find the path, and
went to Grey Eagle's lodge. As soon as the old chief
found they were from the raft of the " Young Elk," as he
called Sydenham, he went with them and showed them the
cave, and explained to them its wonders and traditions.
50 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
This party had just gone, and the old man, fatigued
with the repeated ascent of the steep bluff, was stretched
at full length on his pallet of bear-skins, and was in that
dreamy state peculiar to age, when the wagon reached
the entrance to the little valley, and Brown, accompanied
by Bill Smith, started up the " hollow" in search of the
"Indian squatter," as he called Grey Eagle, of whom, and
his peculiarities, habits, &c., Smith had given him a
lengthy account, colored and exaggerated, as might be
expected, from an Indian hater; and he verily believed that
there was a vast amount of evil within the wrinkled and
shrunken hide of the old hermit. He had heard of the
Indian belief in regard to the cave; and these stories,
exaggerated and distorted in a hundred different ways,
had been rich food for his ignorant and superstitious
nature. He believed the poor, dried-up old Indian held
direct communication with the Devil, and that the cave
was the place of their meeting. He had often longed to
visit the cave, but dared not do so. Once, indeed, in com
pany with another hunter, who was equally superstitious,
he had entered the outer room. Here, with palpitating
hearts, they began examining the strange, rude carving on
the walls, when the sound of a voice from the recesses of
the cave reached their ears. Heretofore they had thought
that midnight was the hour at which old Nick came up
from below, to fill his appointments with Grey Eagle ; but
the instant they heard the strange sounds from the interior
of the cavern, they knew at once that Satan was there
in person. Grasping their rifles, they started down the
hill on a full run; nor did they pause a moment until, far
away and breathless, they paused and peered back through
the gloomy and solemn woods, to see if pursuit was made.
They could see nothing suspicious, but both fancied they
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 51
smelt sulphur or gunpowder, they could not tell exactly
which. For some time after this, Smith complained of
soreness and stiffness in his joints, and thought it some
spell that the old Indian necromancer had laid on him.
His wife, however, did not believe the Devil was in that
part of the country, and that the soreness was caused by
running and jumping down such a steep hillside. She
even expressed surprise " that he hadn't driv his legs up
into his body." Long experience had convinced her that
most of the ills. and mishaps that befell her husband were
caused by whisky; and she hinted that it was so in this
case; an insinuation that greatly exasperated the usually
good-natured husband.
Both hunters, too, complained that their rifles would not
shoot " worth a cuss," after this, and were in serious
trouble on that account, until they met an aged man who
hunted in Kentucky in very early times, when witches
were about, who assured them that a spell had been laid
upon their rifles by some witch or wizard, probably by
Grey Eagle, and that a sure remedy was to shoot out of
each a silver bullet. An old Spanish dollar was accord
ingly procured and melted; the bullets moulded, fired from
the guns, and all was right again. This remarkable proof
convinced even the good woman, who never again dis
puted the point with her husband about the old chief's
dealings with Satan. Still she looked with more dread
to his visits to the neighboring village than to his occa
sional meeting with the old Indian in the woods. When
ever this happened, Bill scowled upon the chief with no
friendly expression, and Grey Eagle passed on in quiet
indifference.
All this, and more, Bill had related to Brown, who lis
tened incredulously and remarked that he would not let
^Z THE HEART OF THE WEST.
any of the Devil's imps stay on his land ; that he was not
afraid of them, even if old Nick was there in person. He
would show them who owned that land. With this bra
vado they approached the poor hovel on the little knoll.
The dog was lying basking in the sun, and, at the sound
of approaching footsteps, sprang up and ran towards them
barking fiercely. Brown took up a stone and threw it at
the dog. It struck him on the shoulder, and the poor
beast limped yelling into the lodge.
Grey Eaele roused himself from his couch and sat up.
Just then the the burly form of Brown with Bill Smith
at his back entered the lodge.
" Hello ! " said he to Grey Eagle, gruffly, " what are you
doing here?"
The chief rose with dignity. " Grey Eagle harms no
one, and is the white man's friend," he said calmly. " Why
do you hurt my dog?"
" Because I don't 1 ke dogs or Indians," said the invad
ing ruffian, " as you will find out."
The chief's eye flashed fire, but he stood motionless as
a statue. At length he subdued his anger and spoke.
" The dog is the Indian's friend ; he would not hurt you,
nor would I. No white man has ever been turned away
from Grey Eagle's lodge. The sun is going down, and the
night wind is cold : stay in Grey Eagle's lodge and eat his
venison."
There is an antagonism between good and evil. There
is also an attraction and repulsion of good and evil impul
ses in the continuous action and reaction of the human
mind. Brown had only seen, heretofore, the most
degraded of the Indians, who occasionally lounged about
the towns of Wisconsin, whom he looked upon as pilfer
ing vagabonds. He had approached the lodge with the
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 53*
idea of his own importance, and the utter worthlessness
of the old Indian, who would not go west. As the chief
stood before him and spoke, there was that in his eye and
bearing which changed all this in an instant. He felt that
he had been wrong, that he had done wrong, and there, as
the old man proffered hospitality in return for his rude
ness and violence, he felt at first almost ashamed. But
the calm dignity of the chief was a keener rebuke than
he could endure. It nettled him, and touched him in his
sorest and meanest point. The chief had shown magna
nimity, and this called for a like return. Brown could
not give a proper return, for magnanimity formed no part
of his nature. And so the evil impulse predominated, and
his answer was what might have been expected.
" I am not beholden to you or any other red skin
for lodgings or food," he said. "I own this place. I
have bought it and paid for it. The land is mine, and the
law would give me this lodge if I wanted it; but perhaps
I will let you take it away if you will behave yourself.
But I shall use it while I want it," he added.
The old man heard the beginning of this cruel speech
with an expression of contempt upon his countenance; as
it proceeded, this changed to one of deep grief, and when
it concluded he fell back with a low moan. " Great
Spirit," he said, " help the poor Indian." He had borne
wounds and torture, but this was too much.
From the time the two white men had entered the lodge
the dog had remained in a remote corner out of sight,
giving, occasionally a low whine of pain or growl of
anger. He had watched the f ce of his master and of the
invaders alternately. The strange sympathy and knowl
edge of his race seemed at fault as to whether they were
friends or enemies or whether his old master would have
54 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
to fight or surrender. Brown (as we have said) was a
large, powerful man, and in the habit of speaking in a
loud, rough tone, and gesticulating in rather a threatening
manner, He did so on this occasion in announcing to the
astonished old Indian his rights of ownership. The ani
mal watched every motion intently, and when his old
master fell back with a cry of despair, the poor little lame
dog seemed to conclude that the time for action had arrived.
He flew at Brown with great energy, and fastened his
teeth in his boot-leg. That worthy was afraid of dogs,
and started back at first with an exclamation of fright.
He soon saw, however, that the dog was small, and the
leather of his boot-legs very heavy. The chances of bat
tle were, therefore, immensely in his favor. His rage was
roused to a fearful pitch, and he at once determined to
annihilate the enemy. He seized him with both hands,
and placed him under his feet preparatory to stamping
him to death with his heavy boots.
The old Indian revived. He saw the danger of his
four-footed companion. He rushed to drag him from
under the foot of the giant. Brown's blood was up. He
struck the old man a tremendous blow that felled him
senseless to the earth. In doing so the dog escaped.
Brown turned again to the Indian. He saw that he was
prostrate'and insensible, and that he could stamp him with
his heavy boots. He at first thought of doing so, but
concluded he would not. He contented himself with
dragging the insensible body out of the lodge to the side
of the knoll. His anger then cooled ; there was nothing
to oppose him. His eye rested on Bill Smith, who stood
looking on with amazement. The current of that indi
viduals thoughts had turned. What he had witnessed in
ten minutes had undone the fixed prejudices and opinions
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 55
of years. He was not entirely destitute of common-sense,
and he had human feelings. He heard the Indian call
upon his Maker in his grief, and this had shaken his faith
in his being in league with the Devil. Indeed, he began
to think that if the Devil was about, he had entered into
the person of Brown. The little black dog that he had
always supposed to be the familiar of the Indian wizard
he saw was a perfectly natural dog, and not at all super
natural; and he immediately liked and pitied the little
creature. When he saw the prostrate and bleeding form
of the old Indian, he remembered for the first time for
years favors granted him by Grey Eagle when he first
came to the country, before any towns were built; and a
twinge of remorse and pity shot through him. So, when
Brown lo >ked around for the hunter's approval, he saw a
very different expression from what he had expected.
" I have cleaned out your Devil's brood," he said.
"You did a' big thing, Captain," said Bill, who imme
diately brought water from the spring and bathed the
Indian's head, wrists and breast. As he did so, he saw
the deep sc^r that seamed it This at once exploded
another crotchet of his absurd superstition his belief in
the invulnerability of Grey Eagle, through the evil power
which he supposed he possessed. He bathed the old
man's head for some time, and then poured a little whisky
down his throat. The chief opened his eyes at length,
and stared wildly about him. Soon memory brought
back to him the recollection of all that had passed, and
his mind at once connected Bill Smith with the outrage
done him, equally with Brown. He did not speak, but
motioned him away. Smith drew back: slowly and with
difficulty the feeble man sat up and leaned his head on his
hands. Brown felt relieved at this, for he did not want
56 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
any danger impending over him of a chance of being
tried for murder if the killing of an Indian would be
accounted murder, or noticed.
At length the old man rose to his feet. Brown and
Smith both felt relieved, for both had feared that from his
age and feebleness he might not recover, but die where he
lay. When he walked away, therefore, this little shade
of anxiety was removed.
The surveyor now came up and joined them. Brown
produced a flask of whisky and tendered it t o Smith.
The hunter drank deeply, and soon all his old hate for the
Indians returned. Brown proceeded to relate to the sur
veyor all that had passed, stating that the Indian had been
insolent to him, and when the dog attacked him he came
on to the help of the dog in assaulting him ; and he had
" cleaned them out."
"Good enough for him," said the surveyor; "served
him right."
Bill Smith heard this, and knew its incorrectness, but
the spark of manly honor in him was not strong enough
to cause him to come out at once and maintain the truth
against a man like Brown. Indeed, as the liquor began
to have more effect upon him, and as he came more under
the influence of the strong-willed Brown, he joined in the
conversation and endorsed all that was said, denouncing
Grey Eagle and all Indians with many an oath.
Securing their horses for the night, and feeding them in
the wagon-bed or box, they began to prepare supper,
using partly articles brought with them and partly those
found in the lodge. After supper the property in the
lodge was overhauled and examined, and speculations
indulged in as to whether the Indian would ever come
back to claim it. All concluded that Brown could claim
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 57
and hold the lodge, 'the poles being firmly set in the earth.
Bill Smith^examined the rifle critically. It was beauti
fully mounted with silver, and the stock was handsomely
carved. On one side was an eagle with wings extended;
on the other the same bird at rest. There was also a
steamboat and a log house. Bill examined all this with
delight. He knew its great range and accuracy, and he
longed to possess it. The powder horn and flask were
also elaborately wrought, and stained with great skill.
The belt, hunting knife, tomahawk, etc., were all over
hauled and examined. So were all the little presents the
chief had received. The surveyor gave his particular
attention to the skins and robes that formed the bed
these were the articles that he coveted. The flask was
circulated again, and the probability of Grey Eagle's
whereabouts was discussed, and the danger of his seeking
revenge that very night when they were all asleep.
" But," said Bill Smith, " he has no weapons."
" No matter," said Brown ; " he might slip in and get
them."
" Yes," said Farley, " if we slept soundly he might
come back and kill us all."
It soon became the settled conviction of all that they
were not safe while the Indian was about.
" Even if he went west," they said, " he might still
plan some revenge." Soon they all agreed in wishing
him dead, and a regret was expressed that he had not
been killed. At length it was agreed that they should
keep watch that night, each one taking his turn. Smith
agreed to take the first part of the night. Brown and
Farley then lay down in Grey Eagle's bed of skins. So
the victor not only slept on the battle-ground, but enjoyed
the spoils.
58 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
But let us leave these men of diminished souls, who
give the lie to civilization, and follow the old Indian out
into the black and lonely night.
Who can describe the wild torrent that rolled through
his soul, as he recoiled and shrunk away from the loath
some tyrant and dastard. The Indian is cruel and merci
less in war, but with him as with the Bedouin, the rights
of hospitality are sacred. Grey Eagle had always prided
himself on this, and had entertained scores of white men
who were perfect strangers, without remuneration. To
these brutal churls he had, as usual, proffered his all, to
which they had retorted with a murderous attack, in his
own wigwam. No measure of infamy could equal this.
That they could claim his lodge seemed so monstrous a
perversion of the eternal principles of justice that he could
not understand it. His long-cherished hopes of dying in
peace, where his race had lived and died, were blasted in
an instant. He thought of the tree at the cave, riven by
the lightning stroke, and then the current of his thoughts
changed. He thought of his warning, and that the Great
Spirit had decreed the events of the day, and taken him
from his lodge. At once he prostrated himself in prayer.
He then thought of his visitors of the day before. He
had formed a high regard for Sydenham and the Doctor,
and he longed to see them. He instinctively knew that
they were men with the souls of men. They were
strangers, but he felt that they would succor and protect
him. Mechanically he started towards the river; then he
remembered that the raft was on the other side, and that
it was to start at midnight. Then he despaired of ever
seeing them again. The black night had now shut down
and rain began to fall. His fever increased ; he could go no
farther; his little dog, whining, crouched beside his master.
CHAPTER VIII.
'HILE the infernal discord of evil was being
enacted at the bluff, the men on the raft were
enjoying an excellent supper, and the cave and
the old hermit were the subjects of conversation. All
were delighted with the beauty of the cave, and all united
in warm commendation of Grey Eagle for his kindness in
showing it, &c. Nearly all, too, expressed sympathy for
his lonely condition, and utter want of companionship.
One of them expressed fears lest he might suffer some
harm from lawless hunters; but this idea was scouted
at once. As the land would not soon be wanted
for cultivation, it was conceded by all that he would
not be disturbed, and could end his days in peace, and
would secure, by his kind and benevolent acts, the good
will of the whites. Indeed, this was known to be the
case already, with nearly all the river men.
Soon after supper the men went to bed, but as it was
the intention to start at midnight, and as his "watch"
began then, Sydenham determined to stay up, and not
" spoil the night by a short sleep in the first part of it."
Accordingly, he and the Doctor went to their cabin and
passed the evening in reading and conversation. At ten
o'clock it began to rain, and seeing that it was too dark to
float safely, Sydenham retired, and was soon followed by
the Doctor.
At daybreak the raft was got under way again, and as
60 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
a rise in the river was just coming down, the current was
unusually swift.
Just below where the raft had been moored the river
bends to the left. It then bends sharply back to the right
again, and at the bight of this last bend, the channel sets in
close to the Minnesota shore. Here, at a distance from
the cave of about one and a half miles, in a direct line, is
a broad shelving rock that commands a view of the river
below for a long distance. As the raft neared this the
raftsmen's ears were saluted with a wild and peculiar
sound. It seemed like a human voice, but different from
anything they had ever heard. All listened in silence to
its wild, mournful wailing. At length one of the men,
who had been much among the Indians, said he thought
it was the death-song of a Sioux warrior. All eyes were
now turned in the direction from which the sound pro
ceeded, but a clump of willows obstructed the view.
This was soon passed, and they saw, standing upon the
rock, the tall form of Grey Eagle. He was looking down
the river, and with his right hand held aloft, was chanting,
in the Sioux language, his wild and solemn dirge. At
times the measure was slow and plaintive, and then sharp,
loud and discordant. As they neared him Sydenham
went 'to the edge of the raft and called to him. He
turned toward them, and all were startled at the ghostly
and deathlike expression of his face. His dress also was
soiled with rain and mud, and spotted with several blood
stains. He did not seem to notice them, but continued
the death-song with his face upturned and pointing with
his right hand toward the zenith.
" Some accident has happened him," said Sydenham,
" or he is mad. Throw her in," he said to the steersman;
" we will land and see what is the matter."
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 6 1
The men sprang to obey the order with alacrity; land
ing was effected a short distance below, and soon the long,
even mass grated against the gravelly bank. All landed,
but the Doctor suggested that they should not go to him
cr attract his attention until his mood changed. Accord
ingly, they crouched behind the bushes and listened ; and
this was the death-song of Grey Eagle :
" Great Spirit, God and Father of all men,
And Jesus, Savior of white men and Indians,
Master of all the earth,
Of the clouds and winds, of lightning and thunder,
Of the sun, moon and stars,
Of the white man and Indian,
Of the bear, the elk and buffa'o,
Of the little fishes,, of the deer,
And of all things ;
Oh listen to the voice of the poor Indian,
Grey Eagle is dying, he is passing away,
From the hunting-grounds of his fathers,
His spirit is broken, his heart is gone,
He is too old for war,
He can only die.
The bad white men have come,
When he offered them food and shelter,
They beat and robbed him ;
A dog is better than they,
They are worse than a beast.
Destroy them, sweep them away,
For Grey Eagle cannot, he is too old,
He is weak and sick, and will soon die,
His wives and his children are dead,
His kindred are dead
Or gone toward the setting sun.
His tribe have gone,
Hide them from the white men,
Or they will die and be gone.
2 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
Keep them from the bad white men,
Or much blood will be shed.
Give power to the good white men,
Give them children like the leaves of the trees,
And good deeds like drops of rain.
Keep away the white men's laws
From the red men,
And give to the red men
Peace and the white men's knowledge.
And now, Great Spirit and Father,
Forgive all Indians and all white men,
Reach out your hand and take Grey Eagle home."
The wild chant ceased, and the raftsmen saw the chief
prostrate himself upon the cold rock. Sydenham and the
Doctor knew that he was engaged in prayer, and motioned
the men to remain quiet. Soon they saw him rise to a
sitting posture, and turn his face down the river. Motion
ing to the men not to show themselves, the two friends
walked forward to the rock. The Indian saw them, but
gazed vacantly upon them, without any sign of recogni
tion. " Grey Eagle," said Sydenham kindly, " what has
happened ? what is the matter ?" They drew near to him
and each gently took one of his hands in theirs. The
wildness in his eyes changed, he uttered no word, but his
breast heaved and his whole frame trembled with emotion.
Tears rolled down his shrunken and emaciated cheeks.
Oh! the might, the power, of human kindness and sym
pathy. This stoic of the woods had borne wounds and
torture without a murmer, calamity of all kinds without
a tear; but the kind, sympathetic words of the white
stranger, went at once to his heart. He told them the
story of his wrongs. The Doctor felt his pulse, and found
it indicating an alarmed state; he was in a raging fever.
" God is good," said the old chief. " He has sent the
THE HEART OP THE WEST. 63
< Young Elk' and his friend to see that Grey Eagle shall
not die like a dog and be eaten by wolves."
The men gathered around; the suffering man grasped
the hand of each. They took him on board the raft and
laid him in Sydenham's bunk. The poor little lame dog
followed, and was fed abundantly by the men, and an old
coat spread for him to sleep on, he was adopted by the
raftsmen at once.
The Doctor prepared some medicine; but the sick man
said, " No use, no use." The Doctor finally prevailed
upon him to take something to allay the fever. He then
mentioned the name of his old friend, the missionary at
St. Paul; and Sydenham told him he would write a letter
to him, and send up by the first boat. This done, Syden
ham started with the men for Grey Eagle's lodge, leaving
two men on the raft with directions to hail the first passing
steamboat bound up, and put the letter on board by going
out in the skiff.
The Doctor remained with his patient, who seemed in
great pain, and was occasionally delirious. The raftsmen
took with them their guns. The little dog started to go with
them. He then ran back to his old master, whined, and
looked wistfully up at the bunk where he lay. He then
looked up at the Doctor, who sat beside the bunk, and
knew he was a friend. Then he started as fast as he
could go, after the party going to his master's old camp,
whose errand he seemed to know.
The raftsmen proposed nothing else than to " clean out"
the invading robbers. As for Sydenham, he was greatly
exasperated, but not at all disposed to take the least ad
vantage on account of the strength of his party. He felt,
however, anxious that they should attempt to treat
him as they had the poor, helpless Indian. He hoped
64 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
for this, and felt half inclined to make a special effort to
have them do so.
He finally concluded to send on a scout to reconnoitre.
Calling u Sandy " to his side, he explained to him that he
wanted him to know who and what the party at the lodge
were, and that he wanted to know whether or not the fault
was wholly on one side before he reached there, especially
as the men were excited, and the facts might be learned by
one man better than by a display of force.
The intelligent fellow at once expressed his readiness to
go on and see what they had to say for themselves, before
they knew that any one was in the neighborhood who
cared for an Indian's life or rights, and departed with an
admonition from Sydenham to keep cool, and not to come
back, but stay at the lodge until the party came up.
Sandy hurried along at a rapid pace, while the rest went
slowly, and finally sat down, and all took a smoke. And
this smoke seemed to dispose them all to act with deliber
ation, and direct their efforts, as Sydenham had indicated,
to get at the facts of the whole affair.
When Sandy reached the lodge, they (Brown's party)
had not left it, but had just breakfasted, and were pre
paring to begin the work of surveying running lines,
rinding corners, etc. Brown had bought half a section,
he said, and wished to have the lines established, and per
manent marks placed at each corner. The surveyor said
he knew of one u original corner " in the vicinity, estab
lished by the United States survey, and proposed to go to
that and make it a starting-point.
As Sandy drew near, he recognized Bill Smith, with
whom he had once been on a raft, and a colloquy ensued
in which all took a part; and Brown, supposing from
Sandy's comments, that he was highly gratified at what
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 65
had been done to the owner of the lodge, made no dis
guise, but seemed to take some pride in having been the
aggressor; and gave a pretty true account of the whole
affair, save in the matter of the Indian's trying to rescue
his dog; this he persisted in rendering, "The old villain
undertook to help his dog against me." At this Bill
Smith only grinned, and glared at the huge feet encased
in heavy cow-hide boots, and the stalwart form of the
speaker.
"Ain't you afraid," said Sandy, "that he will shoot
some of you, or get a crowd of red-skins and attack you
while you are here; or, after you settle here, if you do
settle, that they will retaliate in some way ? "
Brown gave an uneasy look, at this, and said he " wished
all the d d Indians were killed or moved a thousand
miles farther west." " There are none about here," he
said, " except the old squatter who lived here."
" Yes there are," said Sandy ; " there are six families
and eight men camped ten miles back of here."
Brown started as though a mine had opened, and both
Smith and the surveyor looked alarmed.
" Are you sure of this, and how do you know?" they
anxiously enquired.
" I was told so yesterday by a man who knows," said
Sandy. And so he had been, for when coming down
from the cave the day before, he had asked Grey Eagle if
there were any other Indians near, and he had mentioned
these, as also some on the river.
Smith reflected. He knew the vengeful Indian character,
and supposed Grey Eagle like all the rest. He knew full
well the heinousness of the outrage done him, and that he
had gone at once to the Indian camp he had no doubt,
not knowing that in his feeble state this was impossible.
66 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
He thought of his own exposed life, hunting through the
woods alone, and how easy it would be for an Indian to
shoot him from behind a tree. Brown lived in Wisconsin,
and could stay there, if necessary, and the surveyor too
would be safe enough ; he alone would have to suffer for it
all. As for getting possession of the coveted rifle, this he
now saw would be the height of folly, and sure to get
him into trouble. As he thought of all this, he felt a fierce
rage against Brown, whom he thought was the cause of it
all. He was at once greatly frightened and enraged.
While in this state of mind he saw a party of men ap
proaching. It was Sydenham and the raftsmen. Relieved
to see that they were white men, and not Indians, as he
had at first glance thought they might be, he went out to
meet them. Sydenham he knew, having once been
saved by him from drowning, when he had got drunk and
fallen off a raft. He was overjoyed to see him, and very
hearty and demonstrative, but his reception by Sydenham
and all the men was chilling. Brown and the surveyor
also felt sure of their scalps for the present, and safe
against the eight Indian warriors, when they saw the rifles
and stalwart forms of the raftsmen.
Sydenham did not bid good morning, or ask an invita
tion to enter. Sandy had whispered a few words in his
ear, and he knew Brown and his guilt.
That worthy was sitting upon Grey Eagle's bed of skins
beside the surveyor, examining a plat of the township,
which was spread upon their knees. He was a little sur
prised that the party entered without his invitation, but
supposed it was by the invitation of Bill Smith. That
individual, however, was outside, having a word with
Sandy.
" Glad to see you, gentlemen," said Brown, " glad to
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 67
see you, for we had just heard news that made us feel a
little uneasy, lest some of you should be killed and scalped
by some d d Indians they say are hanging around, a
few miles back."
"Ah," said Sydenham, "why should you be afraid?
The Indians are peaceable, and the hunters and fur-buyers
say they can go anywhere among them with bags of silver
coin, and be safer than among white men, if known to
have money. ' The word of a Sioux is good/ "
We have said that Brown was a self-sufficient, over
bearing man, always determined to have his own way,
and inclined to play the bully.
The words of Sydenham were calmly spoken, but his
eye blazed with a stern accusation that somewhat awed
and yet angered him.
"The reason I thought there was danger from them just
now," he said, " was that we had a difficulty with an old
Indian squatter, in the course of which I knocked him
down ; and he went away to bring the others down on us."
"Ah," said Sydenham, "where did you have the fracas."
"Oh, right here," said Brown, "here in the wig-
wanii"
He then went on to give an account of the affair, much
more favorable to himself than that given to Sandy ; yet
the essential facts, though obscured, still remained. Sy
denham heard him through patiently and then spoke :
" You came to this poor old man's lodge and assaulted
and maimed his dog for merely barking to give warning
of your approach. You then entered the lodge rudely,
but yet the Indian, instead of compelling you to leave,
tendered you his hospitality. You replied with a menace;
and then the little dog attacked but could not possibly hurt
you. You attempted to mangle or kill the dog which
68 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
you had already wantonly injured right under his mas
ter's roof and before his face. He, it seems, tried to save
his faithful dog from your brutal violence, without hurting
you ; and then you struck him to the earth, and afterwards
dragged his insensible body out of his own lodge, which
you have since occupied. No wonder you are afraid of
vengeance from Indians ! It is such villains as you that
bring on trouble, and jeopardize the lives of hundreds of
helpless families on the frontier; and for this, as well a s
for the wrong done to the Indian, you shall be punished.
You shall not play the ruffian and robber with impunity.
There is law enough to reach you ; and it shall be enforced."
Brown was thunderstruck, amazed, frightened. He felt
somewhat as a country village bully on his first visit to the
city might feel in finding himself in the grasp of the police.
As Sydenham spoke in a firm (and somewhat loud and
angry) tone, his face alternately flushed with rage and
paled with fear. He looked around, and saw only the
stern and angry looks of resolute men bent on him. He
turned to the surveyor by his side, but that gentleman saw
clearly that the wind of popular sentiment had changed
during the night, and blew now rather strong from another
quarter; and he had no notion of opposing it. If in favor
of Brown, he prepared to drift until he should get in a
crowd where that side would be strongest. But he had
fears that that would not happen, and so gave him no
sympathy or support.
Brown glared around him like a wolf caught in a trap.
He called out for Bill Smith, but that individual made no
response. He had heard of the summary practice of lynch
law; and he thought the crowd had come to lynch him.
His face became livid, and he quivered in every limb with
fear and rage. At length he spoke out that " it was his
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 69
land ; he had bought it and paid for it, and no one had any
business on it without his leave.
Among Sydenham's crew there was a large-framed,
powerful and good-natured man named James Brady. He
was a very quiet and peaceable man, but, when once
roused to anger, he was like a roused lion. He had felt
great indignation at the treatment of Grey Eagle, and now
that the whole matter was proven, this was intensified.
But the last assertion of Brown was the straw too much ;
it was the spark that fired the magazine of his wrath.
" You d d scoundrel," he said in a voice of thunder;
"do you tell me I have no right to walk through these wild
woods without your leave ?" and as he spoke he doubled
his fist and raised his arm in a menacing manner.
Brown saw that his peculiar ideas of the rights of own
ership were not " healthy" in that locality; and he replied,
slowly and deprecatingly :
" You have no right to cut my timber without my con
sent."
" Timber be d d," said the raftsman, "who is talking
of cutting timber? You come here talking this d d
meanness, and, like a d d coward, almost murder a
helpless old Indian; and now, when a man faces you who
is able to thrash the devil out of you, you talk about cutting
timber."
" Has not a man a right to forbid another to come on to
his premises?" said Brown, appealing to the surveyor.
Thus appealed to, Farley deliberated with great gravity
for a moment or two, and then replied :
" If a man has his land fenced, he may forbid another
to come inside his enclosure by proper notice."
" You," said Sydenham, "are a stranger here; and who
knows your ownership or the boundaries of your land?"
7O THE HEART OF THE WEST.
" I have here a certificate of entry," said Brown, " from
the Land Office at St. Paul ;" and he handed the paper to
Sydenham, who looked at it and made a careful memo
randum in his pocket-book of Brown's name.
" This is your name is it?" he said, turning to Brown.
That brave man had partly recovered from his fear of
being lynched by the raftsmen ; but this question awakened
another fear- that of being arrested and punished by law,
and he hesitated about answering, lest a warrant should
be issued for him ; but finally concluded that it would be
useless for him to deny his name, and so answered that it
was.
This hesitation, however, had been noticed by all the
men ; and Brady, whose wrath had not cooled, at once
challenged Brown to a fist-fight. This invitation Brown
very mildly declined ; and Sydenham, fearing Brady would
assault him, took Brady one side and explained his inten
tion to have Brown arrested, and, if possible, punished
legally; and requested Brady to let him alone, which he
promised to do.
He then told the men that Grey Eagle had wanted them
to bring all his things to the raft. Accordingly, the men
stripped the covering from the lodge-poles, folded it care
fully, collected all the various articles that belonged to the
chief, and, dividing the weight among them, started for the
raft. Sydenham took the surveyor one side, and explained
to him the necessity of righting this wrong in a proper
way, and the deep interest the people of the neighborhood
had in seeing to it that it was done. Farley did not say
much, but, after considerable urging, he gave Sydenham
his word that he would make no effort tc avoid being sub-
penaed as a witness, and that he would not throw any
obstacle in the way of a fair and speedy trial.
THE HEART OP THE WEST. 7 1
This settled, Sydenham called Bill Smith; and they
walked out some distance on the way towards the raft.
Pausing then, Sydenham spoke :
" Bill, did I not save your life once?"
" Yes, Captain, you did ; and I will never forget it,"
said the hunter.
" Well, Bill," said Sydenham, " I now wish to ask you
to act like a man about this affair."
" How, Captain ? what do you mean ? " inquired Bill.
" Why, simply this : You, I know, are an Indian-hater,
and think a wrong done to an Indian is simply no wrong
at all."
" That's a good deal so, Captain; yet I felt sorry for the
old man when this big fellow abused him."
" Well, Bill, I want you to promise me three or four
things. One is that you will drink no whisky before
Wednesday."
" That 's a long time, Cap. ; but I '11 promise you not to
drink but a small swig before breakfast/'
" All right," said Sydenham ; a now promise me that you
will not talk with Brown about this Indian affair."
" I promise," said Bill.
" Now promise to be on hand at the trial, and tell the
whole and exact truth."
" I will," said Smith, " and here's my hand on it."
They shook hands and Sydenham followed on to the
raft, while Bill went back to carry chain.
CHAPTER IX.
N arrival at the raft Sydenham selected a suitable
spot on the river bank, and directed the men to
cut lodge-poles, and set up the lodge just as it had
been, and place the articles belonging to Grey Eagle
inside. He then went on board the raft and found the
chief asleep.
A steamer had just passed up the river, and the letter
had been sent to the missionary at St. Paul.
Telling the Doctor what had passed, Sydenham, then,
accompanied by Sandy, started for the little town six
miles below. Arrived there, he went to the Justice of
the Peace, and soon succeeded in having the constable
dispatched on horseback with a warrant for Brown, and
subpenas for Bill Smith and Farley as witnesses. The
Justice showed little disposition to act at first, in a case of
an Indian against a white man, yet he finally agreed with
Sydenham, that justice demanded, and the public interest
required, that an examination should be had. After get
ting some refreshment, the two then started back, the
hour of the trial having been fixed at nine o'clock the fol
lowing morning.
The constable succeeded in effecting the arrest of Brown,
and served the subpenas upon the necessary witnesses;
and, as the above hour approached, the vicinity of the
magistrate's office was thronged by a mixed gathering of
men, boys, a few Indians and a few squaws.
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 73
At the time of which we write, there were more or* less
of the original Indian population scattered over the whole
of Minnesota, though some bands had drawn back to the
extreme western and unsettled parts. This was the case
with that branch of the great Sioux nation to which Grey
Eagle belonged. The whites, therefore, were the more
disposed to avoid difficulties with the Indians that might
lead to serious results. And so, on the occasion of this
trial, although with many the prejudices against the Indi
ans were strong, yet Grey Eagle had, through the official
action of Sydenham and the support of the raftsmen,
almost an even chance for that public sympathy which so
often influenc<is the course of justice. Sydenham had
engaged a lawyer (at his own expense) with whom he
was acquainted, to prosecute Brown, who had also found
a lawyer to defend him. To give all the details of the
trial, the arguments of the lawyers, the evidence of the
witnesses, etc., etc., would occupy more space than we
care to devote to that use. Briefly then : the jury was
impaneled, and the witnesses examined, re-examined and
cross-questioned, according to the most approved usage in
such cases, the jury of course cudgeling their brains,
as usual, to sift the few facts from the vast amount of
verbiage.
Bill Smith, of course, was the principal witness, and
upon his testimony, undoubtedly, the case hinged. And
right fortunate was it that he had been forewarned by
Sydenham, and a promise exacted from him, to hold no
conversation with Brown upon the subject, and to avoid
whisky. That worthy had tried to prepare the mind of
Smith to testify that he struck the Indian in self-defence;
but Smith invariably began a long hunting yarn, and left
no chance. Brown finally hinted at a handsome present
74 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
of money, but Smith only continued on another branch
of his hunting adventures. He tried whisky, thinking to
thus deaden his sensibilities; but Bill remembered his
promise to Sydenham the man who had saved his life
and excused himself on the ground of a headache. And
so it came to pass that when he was put upon the witness
stand, he complied fully with his oath, and told the truth
without bent or bias, and all the examination and cross-
questioning of the defence only made it clearer. Brown
was allowed to tell his own story ; but when the whole
testimony of all the witnesses was concluded, it only
made his case the worse. The little dog was brought
into court by a ragged Indian, who pointed to Brown's
huge boots and burly form, and then to the little beast,
with a grimace that greatly amused the crowd, and
annoyed Brown and his lawyer. Finally the case was
given to the jury, and, after a short absence, they brought
in a verdict of Guilty, and Brown was sentenced to pay
a fine of fifty dollars and costs.
This verdict gave great satisfaction to a majority of the
assemblage, and, paltry as was the punishment, Sydenham
had expected no more.
The charge had been made of unprovoked assault and
battery. This, the lawyer had advised him, would be
pretty sure to be sustained; whereas, as Grey Eagle's out
ward physical injuries were slight, graver charges might
not be, and he might be acquitted. The deep, deadly
and murderous wounds to the high spirit of the old chief,
the law provided no remedy for.
The news of the trial had spread, and quite a number
of Indians had assembled, and were intermingled with
the whites in the crowd in and about the little court-room.
The tall forms of these Sioux (for the men would aver-
THE HEART OF THE WEST.
75
age very nearly six feet in height, and they were pow
erfully built) were quite conspicuous in the crowd.
There were also some squaws : these were jubilant when
the result of the trial was made known. The men were
stoical and grave, as usual, but their eyes expressed satis
faction. They were soon shaking hands with the whites.
One old chief approached the magistrate with grave
courtesy and dignity, and shook hands with him. He
then went through the same ceremony with the prose
cuting attorney, jurors and witnesses, and all this with
out speaking a word. When he came to Bill Smith, he
said, " You hate Indians, but you tell truth this time."
This provoked a smile from many who knew the hunter,
and that to testify truly for an Indian against a white man
must have cost him a great effort. Unusual good^will
seemed to exist between the two dissimilar races. Upon
the whole, it was a pleasant scene; justice had been
appeased, and peace followed in her train.
The trial ended, Sydenham did not wait for the friendly
greetings of the Indians, but gathered his men, paid his
lawyer, and started for the raft. The day was almost
spent, and the sun was getting low, when he reached the
raft. Altogether, the time lost would have sufficed to
float his raft more than a hundred miles down the river;
and he was anxious to make a speedy passage. An
Indian runner had preceded him, and carried the news of
the result. The Doctor was indignant that the punish
ment was so trivial, but made no comment.
Grey Eagle lay in a tranquil state in the bunk, where
he had been placed. The medicines had produced the
desired effect, and the fever had abated, but had left the
vital powers at so low an ebb that his recovery was
doubtful, the Doctor thought. As Sydenham approached
76 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
the bunk, the Indian extended his hand and grasped that
of the white man.
" The Young Elk's heart is big, and his hand is strong.
He is just and wise. May he live long, and serve the
Great Spirit by just deeds between the white and red
men; for both are often bad, and the spirit of evil has
great ppwer over them. Has the Young Elk a wife?"
Sydenham replied that he had not.
" Has he father and mother, brothers and sisters?"
Sydenham replied that he had not; that all were dead.
The old chief did not speak for some minutes; at length
he said :
"Grey Eagle has lived alone, and would have died
alone like a dog, had it not been for the Young Elk; but
the young should mate. Has the Young Elk no maiden
whom he loves ? "
" No," said Sydenham, wonderingly, and yet interested.
" I have none. I have lived much in the woods where
there were none to be seen."
The old chief lay silent for some time, with one hand
over his face, and the other clasping Sydenham's. At
length he spoke as though dreaming:
" I see the young white chief at Grey Eagle's cave ;
beside him is a young white woman, beautiful as the stars
at night. She has come out of a cloud that was like lire,
to his arms, and is his wife. He shows her the inner
cave, and talks to her of Grey Eagle, and she weeps.
Dark clouds cover them, but the sunshine of love warms
them, and the Great Spirit shields them from evil. Sons
and daughters are born, and their house is built upon a
rock, and the red man is not forgotten."
Grey Eagle uttered these words in a dreamy tone, his
voice seeming to have diminished to almost a whisper.
THE HEART OF THE WEST. >]*]
The Doctor felt his pulse and found it excited. Sydenham
withdrew, and motioned to the men to avoid all noise near
the little cabin, where the sick man lay.
It was now dark, and lights were placed on each out
side corner of the raft. The boat from St. Paul was now
hourly expected, with the missionary on board. A few
Indians had come up to see the old chief; and these built
a fire on shore, and occupied the lodge that had been set
up there. About nine o'clock in the evening, the
expected steamer arrived, and opposite the raft, stopped
her engines, and the captain hafled the raft, enquiring
whether that was the place where Father Martel was
expected. Upon receiving the answer that it was, the
yawl was lowered, manned by two men, a 'passenger
entered, and the yawl was sculled rapidly to the raft.
Sydenham and the Doctor received the good missionary.
He was an old man of a mild and benevolent countenance,
but one that indicated energy and mental activity. His
manner was very grave, yet kindly After some little con
versation in regard to Grey Eagle's condition, etc., Syd
enham led the way to his bedside. The Indian had heard
the steamer, the voice of the captain, and the approach of
the yawl; and when Father Martel approached his bed
side, he expressed his gratitude in a voice husky with
emotion. The raftsmen and the Indians from the shore
gathered around, while by the light of the torch the sol
emn service of the Catholic church was performed.
After it was over, the chief signified his wish to be alone,
and all save the missionary withdrew ; and we must now
return to some of the other personages of our story.
CHAPTER X.
FTER the trial was over, we have said the result
was very satisfactory to the assembled crowd. We
should, however, qualify this by saying a majority
of the assembled crowd. It was in this something like the
result of an election, highly satisfactory to the successful
candidates and dominant party, but a matter disagreeable
and even disgusting to the defeated candidates and the
minority party.
Brown was gloomy and taciturn. Had he been sen
tenced to solitary confinement for a time, he would have
had abundant opportunity for reflection, and conscience
and self-crimination would have had a healthy effect upon
him, and he would have come out a better man, or at least
a less troublesome and vicious man. As it was, he was
mulcted in a sum for fine and costs that he did not greatly
feel, only that money, being a tiling he sincerely loved,
the loss of it caused some considerable grief.
Bill Smith he now hated bitterly, and dismissed at once
from his service, and engaged a village idler who professed
warm sympathy for him and hatred of " white Indians/'
to carry chain in his place.
After the departure of the raftsmen and Indians, the
"majority" seemed to be on the side of Brown; and the
surveyor, who had very little to testify to as a witness, but
been quietly scenting for the true course that "public
opinion " would take, now found voice and tongue, and,
curiously enough, u popped up" right alongside of Brown.
There is a species of small, wild ducks, known to
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 79
sportsmen as " Dippers," who, before percussion caps
came into use, would, it is said, dive at the flash of the
gun, and after remaining under water a considerable time,
would come up in a place where they were least expected.
Farley had found it necessary to dive for a time, but had
now popped up alongside of Brown, at the little village
tavern, where a thirsty crowd had gathered expecting that
somebody would treat.
Sydenham had gone off and left this great duty unper
formed. In this he had not shown good Generalship
left his rear open to attack.
Brown walked doggedly into the bar-room and began
grumbling and scolding abont the result. The jurymen
did not happen to be about. He soon found two or three
supporters, and the case was argued over, and very natur
ally, in this informal appeal, but one side was argued.
As the case was now viewed, Brown was on his own
land, and had some provocation from the dog; and when
he struck the old man he said he did not mean to hurt
him, and it was contended that he was not hurt, and that
his present sickness might not have anything to do with
it. Indeed it was said that he was often sick and unable
to leave his lodge. At this stage Brown called for the
drinks for all hands, and nearly all drank. After this
the general verdict was, that after all, Brown was not a
bad fellow, and that upon the whole, he was rather an
aggrieved and injured man. Some even said he had only
served the Indian right; but Grey Eagle was so well
known and liked that this atrocious sentiment found but
little favor.
Brown was in great haste to finish his survey, and start
for home, and soon called for his team, and, accompanied
by the surveyor and the new chain- bearer, started up the
So THE HEART OF THE WEST.
river, not, however, till he had privately counseled with
the landlord as to whether he would be in danger from the
Indians. He was assured that he need have no apprehen
sions; that the Indians had attended the trial, had been
satisfied with the result, and that the chief and others had
shaken hands, and had pledged their word to the Justice
that Brown should not be hurt.
"Now," said the landlord, "you are safe, perfectly so,
from these Indians, and so ought to be satisfied with the
trial ; for, had it not been for that, your life would not have
been safe."
He was an old Indian trader, and his word was consid
ered the best authority in the neighborhood ; and, although
he kept the house where this one-sided discussion had been
held, he had not expressed one word of sympathy for
Brown. On the contrary, he thought his punishment
wholly inadequate.
Brown drove rapidly out of town and up the river.
Arrived at his land, the work of surveying was entered
upon at once. As this work progressed, he felt considerable
dissatisfaction, and regretted that he had not gone out on
the smooth prairies, back from the river, where, the sur
veyor told him, there was still some good land not yet
" entered ;" good soil, free from rocks, stumps and bluffs.
Here, a large share of his land would be the steep bind
sides, useless for cultivation, while the remainder was
mostly covered with a forest, the timber of which, although
of some value in itself, would be greatly in the way in
getting the land under cultivation, and involve a heavy
expense for clearing. It was even worse than he had ex
pected, from what he had seen, the day of his arrival.
This, and the result of the trial, the fine, etc., made the
man very gloomy and ill-natured.
CHAPTER XI.
left Grey Eagle alone with Father Martel.
To him he confided the disposition of his little
property, which he knew had been rescued by
Sydenham from the clutches of Brown and his party.
His rifle and hunting equipments he wished to give Syd
enham; his lodge of skins to the good Father himself, to
use in any way he thought lit. The skins that constituted
his bedding, etc., he gave, part to the Doctor; and the
remainder he wished divided among the men. Various
other small articles he wished divided among such of the
Indians as came to his burial : for, although the Doctor
had not despaired of his recovery, yet the old warrior felt
that he was dying. After the allotment of these presents,
Grey Eagle paused for some moments; he then spoke:
" Good Father, you white men say that old men become
childish. Perhaps Grey Eagle is so now, for he longs to
have his body buried near the little waterfall, at the head
of the little valley in which his lodge stood; for there lie
many of his blood. Promise me, good Father, that this
shall be so."
" I promise you that it shall be as you wish," said
Father Martel.
The chief then expressed his readiness to die, and his
joy and gratitude to God for the promise of everlasting
life in a future world, and for death among friends. He
then desired the presence of Sydenham and the Doctor,
both of whom entered the cabin and took seats by his side.
82 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
The Doctoi soon saw that a change was taking place, and
that death was near. The chief grasped their hands and
attempted to speak, but could not. At the invitation of
the missionary, those of the men who were up entered the
cabin and gathered around the bunk. The dying man
gave each a look of recognition, but did not move or
speak. A few minutes more passed in silence, and the
Doctor placed his hand upon his pulse. It had ceased to
beat. The soul of Grey Eagle had passed away.
The morning came, and preparations were made for
the burial. The Indians on the shore sent a runner to
others, and soon quite a number had assembled, and their
plaintive wailing was heard during the entire forenoon.
Meantime, Sydenham, accompanied by the missionary,
with two of his men bearing shovels, had gone to dig the
grave. They both had misgivings that if the spot indicated
by Grey Eagle should chance to be on the land entered by
Brown, that that noble lord of the soil might object.
Yet, both had almost felt ashamed that they had harbored
a suspicion of this kind. Neither of these men had
learned that a thoroughly evil heart is a spring from
which evil issues continually. The fall was soon reached,
and, in a sheltered nook of the little valley, enclosed on
the side next the bluff" by a semi-circular wall of almost
perpendicular rocks, and close to the waterfall, but on dry
and suitable ground, they found the indications of a num
ber of Indian graves. Father Martel selected a spot near
the middle of the burying place, and shaded by a large
elm tree. The men marked out a grave and began dig
ging. After a time, Sydenham and the missionary took
the shovels and worked while the others rested. In this
way they relieved each other, and, in a little while, the
grave was finished. As they were about leaving, to meet
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 83
the funeral cortege, they saw a party coming down the
. hill, just above the cascade. It was Brown and the sur
veying party, they ran the line, and it passed a few rods
above the fall; so Brown owned all the valley, including
the cascade and the Indian burial-place. The surveying
party did not see the grave-diggers until they had crossed
the ravine and began ascending the hill. The chain-
bearer then saw them, and called to Brown :
" There's a lot of them fellers down in the holler dig
ging."
Brown stopped and looked; and it flashed upon him
that Grey Eagle was dead, and they were digging his grave.
For a moment a twinge of remorse shot through his small,
tough, hard conscience. This element, however, did not
predominate in his character; and its momentary ascend
ancy was soon lost. The next emotion was fear. He felt
fearful of another arrest, and of more serious consequences,
and reflected upon it for some minutes. Finally, he con
cluded in his own mind that they couldn't make anything
on the ground of causing the Indian's death, as he had got
up and walked away, and they had reported him sick with
fever. Besides, by law, a man could not be tried twice for
the same offense. He sent Holmes, the chain-bearer, to see
"what was up." On his return with the news of the In
dian's death, as no mention was made of him, he felt bolder
" D n them !" he said ; " they have no business mak
ing a graveyard of my land ; and I have a mind to warn
them off."
" I would," said Holmes.
The surveyor now came up ; and Brown appealed to him.
" You have a right to prohibit their burying on your
land, when you can clearly show that it is yours," said that
cautious individual.
84 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
" Well," said Brown, " can't you testify that it is on my
land?"
" It certainly is on the land as numbered in your certifi
cate."
" Well, then," said Brown, " I can prove by you that it
is my land."
Accordingly the trio started for the grave, where Syden-
ham and his party were awaiting the approach of the
funeral cortege, which was to start from the raft under the
direction of the Doctor.
" Did you know that this hole you have dug was on my
land ? " said Brown, addressing Sydenham.
"No; I did not," said Sydenham.
" Well, it is," said Brown, " as Mr. Farley, here, the
surveyor, can tell you."
" Yes," said Farley, "the line runs about where that oak
tree stands," pointing, at the same time, to a tree, about
fifty yards above the falls.
Just then the funeral procession appeared in sight, at the
distance of about two hundred yards. The corpse was
enclosed in a rude coffin, made by the men of boards from
the raft, and was borne upon the shoulders of four stalwart
Sioux Indians. Behind it walked the Doctor, with most
of the men from the raft, a number of Indian men, a few
squaws and some children. The procession was grave
and orderly, the only sound heard being the lamentations
of the squaws. Arrived at the grave, the rude bier was
placed upon the ground ; and both Indians and white men
gazed with wonder and indignation upon Brown.
" Well," said Sydenham, who had been musing for some
minutes, " suppose the land is yours; what of it?"
" Why," said Brown, doggedly, " I do n't want it used
for a graveyard ; that is all,"
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 85
A fierce, angry rhurmur ran through the assembled
crowd, from both white men and Indians : a word or sign
from Sydenham, and terrible vengeance would have been
wreaked upon the spot.
" Men," said Sydenham, turning to the crowd, a we have
come here to bury the dead. We must have no violence
or angry quarrel with this man."
Motioning, then, to the Doctor, the missionary and one
or two chiefs, he led them to one side to discuss what
should be done.
Among the Indians there was a wild, hare-brained and
supposed to be half-idiotic fellow, named by the whites
"Joe," and looked upon by his own tribe as but half
witted. Joe had watched all the proceedings with intense
interest, his eyes almost starting from their sockets. Joe,
when he saw the consultation going on at a little distance,
left the crowd and approached Sydenham, in a high state
of excitement, and thus addressed him :
u Don't bury Grey Eagle on that bad white man's land,
or he will dig him up and give his body to the wolves and
steal his blanket. I know it," said Joe, " for I saw white
men, away down the river, throw dead Indian out of tree
and steal blanket and bear-skins. Do n't do it," said Joe ;
" bury him somewhere else where they can't find him."
The poor fellow gesticulated wildly, and seemed greatly
excited. He was told they would bury Grey Eagle safely,
and that he should not be disturbed. The chiefs then
directed him to go back.
After some consultation it was determined to make an
effort to purchase the ground necessary for a grave, if
possible, but in no case to have any further difficulty with
Brown, but to get away from his revolting presence as
soon as possible.
86 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
Accordingly the party returned to the grave; and Rev.
Father Martel spoke, addressing Brown :
" This man, whose remains we come here to bury, not
knowing that this was your land, or that you would object,
if it was requested me to see that he was buried on this spot.
It was his dying wish, and I promised on his dying bed
that it should be done ; now we are here, and his grave is
dug; we ask if you will not sell us ground enough on
which to bury him."
Brown now spoke to the surveyor, and the two walked
to one side. While they were gone, poor Joe, wild with
excitement, mounted upon a fragment of rock and har
angued the crowd :
"Don't, I tell you, bury Grey Eagle on bad man's
land. He will dig him up ; wolves will eat him ; evil spirits
will take away his bones, and Grey Eagle will never enter
the happy hunting ground.'* Here, throwing his arms
wildly up, he went on : " Joe lay in bushes away down
big river, and saw white men throw dead Indian down
out of big tree, and take away rifle, powder, tomahawk,
bear-skins and blanket, leaving Indian body naked and
broken on the ground."
At this a wild wail rose from the squaws, and the war
riors knit their brows, and their eyes blazed with a frenzy
of rage; but, controlled by the missionary and Sydenham,
they stood silent and motionless.
Brown came back and said to Sydenham : " I won't sell
a small piece of the land, or have it used; but I will sell
it all to you; and you can do what you please with it."
Here there was a pause ; finally the missionary called
Sydenham and the Doctor to one side, and urged them to
buy it, if Brown would sell it for a fair price ; if not, he
saw no other alternative but to go elsewhere for a grave
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 87
After a few words of consultation, the friends concluded
that the first thing would be to enquire the price.
Brown, when interrogated upon this point, said if they
would pay him back the price he paid at the land office,
(one dollar and a quarter per acre), and give him one
hundred dollars, they should have the land. This would
make in all five hundred dollars for the half-section.
Again the friends consulted. Neither of them had
cared to buy land in that locality, nor had either money
enough with him for that purpose. The Doctor thought
he could not command any means, short of St. Louis,
unless by chance he could borrow from some friend in St.
Paul. Sydenham had no more money with him than
would suffice for his use, but had enough in the bank at
St. Paul to pay for the land. Finally it was agreed that
Sydenham should buy and retain the land, using- therefor
the ready money that both had with them, and should
send to St. Paul for his money to be forwarded at once to
Wenona, or some point below.
Sydenham then signified his acceptance of Brown's
proposition, on condition that Farley should finish the
survey, and establish the lines and corners, at Brown's
expense, and then come at once down to the neighboring
town and execute the necessary papers, to be prepared by
Sydenham's lawyer, and receive the money. Brown
placed his certificate of entry in Farley's hands, and
Sydenhan deposited with the same party, twenty-five
dollars; the white men present being called upon to wit
ness the agreement.. The whole matter was explained to
the Indians ; but they were not satisfied. They thoroughly
distrusted Brown, and feared treachery unless the writing
on paper was done at once. Finally the chief signified
to Brown to leave the money and paper in the missionary's
88 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
hands, which he consented to do, greatly to the satisfac
tion of the Indians, and of some of the whites who had
no confidence in the surveyor. Brown consented to the
change quite gracefully. His feelings had at length
reacted; he had, as he thought, made a good trade, and
he felt (for him) quite genial and kind. The presence of
the dead body of the man whose days he had shortened by
violence had but little effect.
To Sydenham and the Doctor, Brown's presence was
intolerable; and it was stipulated that not a moment's
time should be lost in completing the survey; that the
surveying party should proceed with the work at once.
To this no objection was made; and Sydenham and his
friends felt a sense of relief as though rid of a nightmare
of evil, when the burly form of Brown and his party
disappeared in the bushes.
The priest now proceeded with the funeral ceremonies,
according to the forms of the Roman Catholic Church.
White men and Indians listened reverently, with bowed
and uncovered heads. The ,body was lowered into the
grave, and it was rilled up and a mound raised over it,
after the manner of white men. The Indians then brought
large stones, as large as they could carry, from the foot of
the cascade, and covered this mound completely. The
raftsmen brought also a large slab, and set upright at the
head of the grave, and a smaller one at the foot. Powder
was then sprinkled upon the grave, among the stones,
and on the ground near; both white men and Indians
believing this would keep wolves and other wild animals
away.
When all was done, the Indian men, followed by the
squaws and children, formed a procession and marched
slowly around the grave singing a wild dirge in the Sioux
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 89
language. This lasted some time. When it was over
Father Martel dismissed the assemblage with a benedic
tion. And so the body of the Indian, Grey Eagle, found
decent burial at the hands of men who recognized the
rights of humanity and its obligations and duties. Not a
man, white or red, left the ground but was morally and
spiritually bettered by this triumph of humanity, and
human sympathy, over baseness and brutality. The very
stars shed a sweeter light into the little dell that night than
if Brown had had his unopposed will and way. The raft
had been delayed three days ; but a great wrong had been
righted as far as it could be, and a greater one prevented.
The old chief had been assaulted in his own home ; but he
had not been allowed to perish miserably and unaided.
He had been most kindly cared for in his sickness, and
the services of religion and of friendship had surrounded
his death-bed, and an honored Christian burial had been
given him, and his grave was safe on the spot where he
had so long wished it should be. Moreover, a collision
between the whites and Indians, with all its horrors, had
been prevented, and, in spite of the death of Grey Eagle,
and the baseness of Brown, more confidence and friendly
feeling than previously existed had been established.
Such were the reflections of Sydenham, as he walked
through the woods toward the raft, whither most of the
party had preceded him. The great loss of time, and
consequent expense, was, to him, a serious matter; but he
felt that he had done his duty, and was well repaid. As
to the land, he knew that he could enter plenty that was
more valuable at the government price, yet the wild,
romantic scenery of the place pleased him. Then he
thought of the cave; and the words of the dying chief
shot like lightning through his mind : " I see the young
9 o
THE HEART OF THE WEST.
white chief at Grey Eagle's cave ; beside him is a young
white woman beautiful as the stars. She has come out of
a cloud that was like fire, to his arms, and is his wife.
He paused and sat down upon a log. At the time, he
had taken but little notice of the words of the sick man
in his delirium ; but now every fibre of his frame thrilled
with emotion, and his mind embraced it at once, as the
electic current passes over the conducting wires.
"There are moments, I think, when the spirit receives
Whole volumes of thought on its unwritten leaves."
He was a man of ardent, impulsive nature, and of deep
and powerful feelings. He was of that temperament
" over which," Bancroft says, " beauty possesses a won
derful and mysterious power." Though he had often felt
this power, and, indeed, never failed to feel it when
brought within the circle of its attraction, yet the woman
who should be
" The ocean, to the river of his thoughts,"
he had never met ; yet he believed
" If thou art to have a wife of thy youth,
She is now living on the earth."
What wonder, then, at his emotion. Any bachelor
who would not sometimes be moved by such thoughts
must have been born under the influence of some of the
outside planets.
CHAPTER XII.
RRIVED at the river side, Father Martel distributed
Grey Eagle's little property as he had directed, and
so kindly, justly and gracefully did he discharge this
difficult duty that even those who received very little or
nothing manifested no dissatisfaction. The good Father
left the lodge-covering, given him, in care of an infirm old
Indian, who he learned was living in a very poor one, tell
ing him to use it as long as he wished. Sydenham, feeling
that the present of the rifle and hunting accoutrements
seemed a considerable share of the whole, and knowing
how great a luxury wheaten flour is to Indians, distributed
a considerable quantity among them, to their great satis
faction. He also gave the squaws and children a present
of some sugar, to their great delight. A few urgent
appeals for tobacco were also supplied.
Father Martel was going down on the raft as far as the
little town; but before it shoved off he called all the
Indians together and gave them some good advice, after
which he read a short prayer and gave them his benedic
tion. The Indians then shook hands with all the rafts
men, and manifested their good-will in their own peculiar
way, toward all, but toward Sydenham in particular.
Bill Smith, whose views had been entirely changed,
through the explanations of Sydenham and Father Martel,
of all that had seemed to him mysterious and supernatural
in Grey Eagle's character and mode of life, and who had
0,2 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
not been forgotten in the distribution of presents, was
now in a condition of perfect friendship with the Indians,
and avowed that he had " learned a heap in the last four
days."
Before the raft finally shoved off, the surveying party
(who had finished their work) came by in their wagon,
on their way to town, and Brown called out that he would
meet Sydenham at the tavern. It was now almost dark,
and the Indians who would camp there that night had
lighted their fires.
Bill Smith expressed a wish to go back to the town,
''and see the thing entirely through," and accordingly
stayed on the raft. The lines were now cast off, the poles
were brought into requisition, and the raft slowly drifted
out from shore. The Indians stood ranged along the
shore in the firelight, and gave a parting salute as they
receded from view.
An hour and a half brought the raft to the little town.
With some trouble, a landing was effected, and Sydenham,
the Doctor and the missionary, with Smith and one or
two of the men, went at once to the lawyer's office.
Here they found Brown awaiting them, as also the sur
veyor, who reported his work completed in proper form,
and gave Sydenham a memorandum of survey, bounda
ries and corners. But in the conveyance of the property
by deed, from Brown to Sydenham, a difficulty presented
itself, on account of the absence of Brown's wife; she
being in Wisconsin. Sydenham was determined not to
allow the slightest chance for future trouble with Brown,
on account of any willfulness, perversity, or dishonesty, in
that individual, and finally his lawyer, Mr. Bently, sug
gested a plan that was agreed to and adopted. By this,
Brown executed a full warranty deed, and also a special
THE HEART OF THE WEST.
93
bond, that he would have his wife execute and send
within one month, her quit-claim deed ; Sydenham paying
him three hundred dollars down, and leaving two hundred
with Mr. Bently, to be paid on receipt of the quit-claim
deed executed by Brown's wife. The deed, bond and
certificate of entry were delivered to Sydenham, and Mr.
Bently also gave him a receipt for the two hundred dol
lars left in his hands, stating the use to which it was to be
applied, a duplicate of which was given to Brown. Sy
denham then left the deed (together with recording fees
for both deeds), in the hands of Mr. Bently, to have placed
upon the public records at the county seat The business
concluded, the party from the raft bade Father Martel
good-bye (he intending to wait for the first boat for St.
Paul), and started for the raft, accompanied by Mr. Bently.
That gentleman took a deep interest in the whole case,
and the acquaintance between him and Sydenham, which
had been slight, seemed to be rapidly ripening into warm
friendship. A gentleman and a man of honor and edu
cation, with a strong sense of justice and humanity, he
appreciated fully the whole matter, and a strong bond of
sympathy, friendship and esteem was at once established
between himself, Sydenham and the Doctor. After
expressing his warm approval of the course pursued by
Sydenham, he told him the property he had been almost
compelled to buy aside from its romantic beauty of
scenery and association and historical interest, possessed
intrinsic value in the great quantity of wood which could
be cut upon it, for which the steamers navigating the river
afforded a good market, and that after being partially
cleared in this way, it would make a pretty good farm,
well adapted to the rearing of sheep. He also promised
to look after the property, which, with the assistance
94 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
Smith, the hunter, promised, he could easily do. Ar
rived at the raft the friends bade each other a warm
and earnest good-bye. Again the raft was shoved from
the shore and drifted away in the starlight night.
The Doctor soon retired to rest; but Sydenham's watch
was " on" and he had now time to reflect in silence, in
the lonely night, upon the strange events of the past few
days. . ;
CHAPTER XIII.
>HE morning was clear and pleasant, and a bright
May sun was shining upon the raft, when our
friends were roused by the call to breakfast.
Of course at the breakfast table the events of the few
preceding days were discussed, and the raftsmen expressed
their opinion of Brown in terms more vigorous than polite.
Sydenham felt, however, such a sense of relief in getting
rid of him and his evil deeds, that he almost felt disposed
to overlook all that he had done. The long delay caused
him to feel more impatient of the slightest delay hence
forward, as it was of the highest importance to him, in a
business sense, to market his lumber as soon as possible,
and return without delay to St. Paul.
As yet, the yoyage was not much more than well begun ;
and, while delayed in righting wrongs that happened to lie
in his path, a great number of rafts had passed him, some
of which were destined for a market as far south as he
proposed to go, and he had the rather unpleasant reflection,
to him, that the advantage of being first in market, he
had lost. However, he said but little, but gave strict atten
tion to the management of the raft, telling the men that
for little articles that were occasionally wanted, they must
row ahead in the skiff and get them at the towns they
were passing, as he did not intend to land the raft except
when absolutely unavoidable.
During the forenoon, the Doctor, seeing his friend take
96 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
up with business, and engrossed in his own thoughts, was
obliged to betake himself to his books. In the afternoon,
however, the weather was so delightful, and the raft mak
ing such fine progress, the two soon found themselves
together, watching the beautiful shores and the lofty bluffs.
The Doctor seemed lost in a reverie for some time; at
last he spoke abruptly :
" Sydenham, do you believe in a hell and in eternal
punishment ? "
"I do believe in the Bible, and in a state of future
rewards and punishments," replied the other.
" So do I," said the Doctor. " This idea of some, that
fear is not compatible with love, is not the true one. I
think it not only is compatible, but necessary, even in the
ordinary affairs of society, with a great majority of men.
Strange that men will insist that fear of the divine pun
ishment would utterly exclude love to God, when we
know that the child loves its parent, but also feels some
measure of fear in all cases, except where parents have
entirely surrendered the reins of government."
" Yes," said Sydenham ; " and take one step lower, to
the brute creation. Take, for instance, the horse and dog,
man's every-day companions; and any and every man
accustomed to them well knows that the good horseman
or hunter inspires both sentiments in his four-footed com
panion, and that the two are in no way incompatible."
" Still," said the Doctor, " the subject, doubtless, is not
yet fully understood,"
" No," said the other, u and right there, in the unity of
the two principles of love and fear, is locked up one of
the greatest of human mysteries, or, rather, it is the key to
unlock the wonders of God's government, and the great
divine plan of love, justice and salvation."
THE HEART OF THE WEST.
The raft was just rounding a point where the river
made a bend to the right, bearing to the west. The bluffs
on each side were quite lofty, but while those on the right
bank (or rather right-hand side of the river and back from
the bank) were bathed in sunlight from base to summit,
those on the left, cast their shadows two-thirds the way
across the river, and touched the larboard side of the raft.
Just opposite the raft, on the left bank, or Wisconsin side
two Indian families had erected their lodges. The squaws
were busied about the wigwams, while several Indian
children were playing near, and a canoe with two Indians
in it was approaching from down the river. As it drew
near the sandy shore, the children started on a run to meet
them, while the squaws followed more gravely to learn
their success in fishing.
The perfectly tranquil river, the quiet and lofty hills,
the shadow and sunlight, all formed a picture of beauty
and peace ravishing to the senses, and long to be remem
bered. The raftsmen in following the channel happened
for some time to be just on the line between the sunlight
and shadow, and the effect was so beautiful and peculiar
that all noticed it. Our friends watched the lengthening
shadows gradually changing the beautiful scene in silence
for some time. At length the Doctor remarked :
" What a pity that the Indians cannot be dealt with on
the plain principles of common sense, justice and Christi
anity! what is the matter? Those principles should guide
the action of a great, free, liberal republic like ours."
" They are supposed to do so, "said Sydenham, " but
they are obscured by demagoguism in politics, hypocrisy
in religion, and sectionalism in both."
" Yes," said the Doctor, " that is too true. I remember
in 1854 when the Kansas and Nebraska bill was under
98 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
discussion in Congress, Senator Houston stated, substan
tially, that while it violated compromises that should be
sacred, between the northern and southern people, it also
VIOLATED A NUMBER OF SOLEMN TREATIES MADE BY THE
WHOLE NATION WITH THE INDIANS INHABITING THOSE
TERRITORIES."
" Very true," said Sydenham, " and yet that announce
ment made not the slightest impression either in Congress,
or out of it*.
" The political leaders," said the Doctor, "may not have
been entirely destitute of respect for the treaties, and for
the principles of justice; but they were determined (each
party) upon maintaining positions that were most con
spicuous and interesting to the people, to whom they
looked for political preferment ; and the people of both
parties and sections were far more interested in the slavery
question than they were in the fulfilment of compacts
with each other, or treaties with the Indians."
" And yet," said Sydenham, " the great majority of the
people of this nation wished the compromise measures
and the Indian treaties, too, to stand, to maintain and
respect them, although their destroyers have gained pro
motion by their overthrow."
" Houston's words," said the Doctor, " will live in
history, as the utterances of a true statesman and patriot;
indeed, I believe the organization of those territories at
*" Washington's policy in regard to the Indians was always pacific and
humane. He considered them as children, who should be treated with tender
ness and forbearance. He aimed to conciliate them by good usage, to obtain
their lands by fair purchase and punctual payments, to make treaties with them
on terms of equity and reciprocal advantage, and strictly to redeem every pledge.
In these respects he looked upon the Indian tribes as holding the same rank
and the same rights as civilized nations. But their faithlessness, ravages and
murders, were not to be tolerated, from whatever causes they arose." Spark's
Life of Washington,} 431,
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 99
all, at that time, to have been premature; we expend too
fast in everything; far better is it to grow more slowly
and more solidly."
"In 1854," said the other, "the political heat engen
dered by the Mexican war, the acquisition of territory,
and the compromise of 1850, had not yet subsided. The
great Clay was dead, and could not defend his noble work.
His voice was heard no more in the Senate, but instead,
were heard the voices of men of almost as great abilities,
greater ambition and less principle. The heat and ex
citement, too, was not confined to the political world.
The gold of California, followed swiftly by the great
expansion of the railroad system, the building of cities,
towns, &c., made that an exciting period in the social and
business circles of the country; and the press and the
pulpit were fired with ambition to lead, to govern, to be
a part of the great and growing mass."
" In chemistry," said Sydenham, " certain tests may be
applied to determine certain results; so in the moral and
political world: the mass seems made up of so many
different elements that it is hard to tell which predomi
nates. Doubtless there was, and is, with many, a sincere
belief that negro servitude is wicked and wrong, and
some of this class may have a strong sense of justice
toward particular classes, and some, or, possibly, a majority
of all the people, may appreciate and wish to apply the
principles of justice to all; yet, that these principles did
not animate Congress, at that time, is clearly proved by
the fact that no attention was paid to the Indian treaties;
or, rather, that after their attention was particularly
called to them, they proceeded to deliberately trample
them under foot. One party professed great devotion to
a principle the principle of popular sovereignty; a princi-
100 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
pie sound in the main, but by no means infallible. And
yet its supporters claimed nothing less than absolute infal
libility for their pet, dogma and that, with the example
of Utah before their eyes "
" Were the perpetrators of the ' Mountain Meadows'
massacre ever brought to justice?" enquired the other.
" No, not one of that infamous band were ever brought
to justice. The government officials and the people could
not see farther west than Kansas. As to the political
parties, neither seemed to be alive to that fearful, deed of
blood, (in cruelty equaling and in treachery surpassing
far the wild warfare of the savages) although most
keenly alive to whatever might advance their chances
of success in the elections. In the great crucible of
American politics, the Kansas and Nebraska bill, there
fore, furnishes for future historians a test It proves
that in neither political party was there a majority in
Congress whose course was influenced solely by a de
sire to do right for its own sake, and that other motives
and aims warped them from the straight and narrow
path of truth."
The shades of night were now falling over the great
river, and a call to supper ended the conversation between
the two friends. After supper, however, it was resumed
by Sydenham :
" Do you think, Doctor, that the compromise of 1850
was right and sufficient."
"The scriptural axiom," said the Doctor, "Sufficient
for the day is the evil thereof,' is a good one in private af
fairs, and eminently wise in many great questions that arise
in the affairs of governments.
" Time will always furnish a solution to many questions
otherwise insoluble; men must labor, but they must also
THE HEART OF THE WEST. tOl
wait. The compromises of 1820 and of 1850 satisfied'
the people; but when they were overturned, the people
were like an angry swarm of bees, and the Northern people
were made to believe that slavery would spread, or might
spread, throughout the territories; and the Southern people
were led also to believe that the '-aggressive North'
would never let them take their negroes into any territory,
and that the States where it existed would be so out
numbered and outvoted that they would never have any
peace. Hence the desperate, disgraceful, foolish and
wicked struggle in Kansas. Here was sown the fearful seed
of dragon's teeth, which, as in the fable of old, I fear, will
bring forth a crop of armed men. Had the compro
mise been allowed to stand, even until this time, it would
have been very different. The lapse of time would at
once have cooled the passions of the people, and afforded
opportunity for arriving at more facts. The reaction of
1857 would have cooled the rage for speculation and
emigration. The Indian question, and the Pacific rail
road ; the Pacific coast, and the trade of Asia, (each and
all questions of vast practical moment) would have been
brought forward, and would have furnished an ample field
for the exercise of statesmanship, philanthropy and
enterprise, in fields most inviting and safe; indeed, en
tirely free from the fearful dangers that must, inevitably,
attend upon any rash measures or experiments with the
slavery question. Ignoring history, revelation and
present facts, there is a determination to make this a
moral question; and, setting aside the practical issues
involved, the theorists (both of abolition and propagand-
ism), hesitate not to attack everything that lies in their
path. Sectionalism never was so fierce, or party passion
so strong, as now, while consideration for political oppo-
102 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
nents, and regard for the rights, feelings, and interests of
each section by the other, is proportionately weak; indeed,
the extremists of each section (the radicals), seem ani
mated by intense malice and hatred against the other.
Should these extremists get the lead, then God help the
country; for fanaticism, violence and corruption will rule;
and a fearful rule it is. The great majority of the people of
the United States are conservative; yet they are liable to
be misled indeed they have already been misled by their
trusted leaders, and if still farther misled, untoward cir
cumstances may arise that will give the lead to these
same extremists, and to ambitious demagogues; and then
look out for a collision."
"And what after that?" said Sydenham.
"That is beyond mortal ken," said the Doctor; "but I
should look for many evils, vast in magnitude, infinite in
degree; even leaving out, altogether, the many valuable
lives lost in battle, and by the fearful vicissitudes of war,
for doubtless a terrible civil war, which would be one of
the first and most appalling evils, would certainly follow
the first collision."
"You mean the first collision of arms," said Syden
ham.
" Yes," said the Doctor, " although a collision of the
powers of the Federal and State Governments might
occur and not be followed by a collision of arms. Such
was the case in Jackson's time, in 1832, when, through
the wisdom and patriotism of a few men, aided by some
fortunate circumstances, a great calamity was averted.
But now, unfortunately, there is a disposition to pervert
the truth of history, and to make it appear that the array
of force, and the influence of fear, were the sole agencies
that were used to avert that great danger. This is an
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 103
ungenerous and a dangerous error an error in point of
facts In the present state of the public mind, excited by
sectional and party hate, (the political demagogues,
hungry for the spoils of office) wise- and patriotic councils
would be at a discount; would not be acted upon, either in
the North or South ; and when once a collision of author
ity occurred, a collision of arms would follow ; and this by
a mighty war a war, the heat and fury of which would
(without the exercise of magnanimnity) be liable to
consume the very qualities in the hearts of the people of
regard for each other, and for public welfare, upon which
the government rests. If this was all, it would be terri
ble for the present generation, but the next might revive
the principles of Christianity, and constitutional govern
ment, and rid itself of the corruption that would enter
upon their overthrow. But the peculiar misfortune of
civil wars is, that the succeeding generation reap the bitter
fruit, and gather the fearful crop of hatred sown by their
fathers."
" You take a gloomy view of the future," said Syden-
ham, " and I almost fear it may prove well founded ; yet
it would seem that such stupendous folly and crime
belonged to the dark ages, and not to the middle of the
nineteenth centuiy."
" You are right," said the Doctor, " it would so seem,
indeed; and," he added gravely, "I hope I will live to
see that I have been only a visionary alarmist."
With this, the conversation ceased, and the friends sat
in silent meditation. Near the stern or rear end of the
raft, one of the men was playing on a violin. The night
was calm and clear, but the moon had not yet risen; there
was, however, a bright starlight. The forests upon the
shores cast their dark shadows upon the river on each side,
104 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
but in the middle was a lighter streak, which reflected
upon its surface the stars overhead. Nature is often best
enjoyed in silence; and the men sat looking upon the
quiet river and its sombre shores for some time without a
word.
" Do you remember, Doctor," said Sydenham, at length,
"the words of Washington regarding magnanimity in
affairs ot state?"
" I do not know that I do," said the other : " what are
they?"
" There is an indissoluble union between & magnani
mous policy and the "solid rewards of public prosperity
and felicity."
" There," said Sydenham, " is a Christian mirror for the
statesmen of the world : hold it up before nations, and
what errors does it reveal ? Hold it up before our own
people, and our Congress, and see how given over to
partisanship, personal ambition and sectionalism we have
been."
Sydenham rose and led the way to their berths, and
soon both were soundly sleeping. The group at the
stern had already broken up and gone to bed ; and, save
an occasional word from the pilot and his watch, no
sound ot life came from the huge floating mass, as it drifted
onward upon the swift current of the Mississippi.
CHAPTER XIV.
'HILE our raftsmen are drifting on past the
beautiful towns and cities of the great States of
Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois and
Missouri, which line the banks of the beautiful Upper Mis
sissippi, and before they enter the turbid waters of the
Lower Mississippi, we must leave them and change the
scene of our story to a plantation on the banks of the lower
river, in the State of Louisiana. It was in that fertile and
beautiful delta known as " the Coast," a few miles below
Baton Rouge, the capital of Louisiana, and only about
fifty miles above New Orleans, the metropolis of the south
west. The river here is very different from where we left
the raft, and so is the scenery. That was beautiful and
grand, but a beauty and grandeur of a very different
style. There were clear waters, rocks and towering
bluffs. Here are dark and turbid waters, but a wide,
deep and most noble river, very deep and free from rocks,
snags and shoals. The shores are low, and the highest
part is but a few rods back from the river. Here the
famed " levees" are constructed ; an embankment of earth
reared upon the top of the little natural ridge near the
river. From this the surface gradually descends, as you go
back from the river, until, at the distance of from one
to three miles, you reach the swamp. These lands are in
the highest state of cultivation; or, rather, were at the
time of which we write ; and, as they had been so divided as
to give every planter a front upon the river, while bounded
106 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
in the rear by the swamp, the effect was to form almost a
continuous village on each bank of the river, all the way
up from New Orleans to Baton Rouge. Just inside the
levee is the public road, and upon the road and river
front the residences of the planters, with the groups of
negro quarters, sugar mills, &c., near each. Beautiful
groves and avenues of orange trees abound. The whole
country is cultivated in sugar-cane, the delicate light
green of which, forms a striking contrast with the sombre,
and very dark-green foliage of the live-oak trees, which
here and there dot the beautiful delta, or fringe its back
ground.
We have said that the dwellings and business of the
population and the public road was along the river bank.
Nevertheless, the scene, while enlivened by the life of a
quiet, yet strong and advancing civilization, population
and power, was in no way robbed of the simplicity, beauty
and grandeur which nature alone can give : for the great
and majestic river, was the leading feature in the picture;
and upon it man had wrought no change whatever. In
times of great floods, indeed, its superabundant waters
would be kept from extending far beyond their
natural banks by the artificial levees; but at all other
seasons (save that it bore upon its bosom the proud mes
sengers of a mighty commerce) its deep and silent waters
flowed onward to the sea in all the quiet majesty of
nature.
At the time of which we write, it was a rich feast for
the traveler, bound up from New Orleans, to take passage
on one of the large and elegant Mississippi steamers that
would leave that port in the morning. This would give
an opportunity to see the beautiful panorama of "the
coast" by daylight. From the upper deck you look down
THE HEART OF THE WEST. IQ*J
upon the shores; the land though highest near the river
being lower than the upper deck. But back from the
river the tops of the cane seem lower than the surface of
the water. The effect of this is most pleasing and
singular : you appear to be floating above the enchanting
scenes of fairy land. The river is dark, wide and sombre.
The country is below you, radiant in its mantle of pea-
green, (the color of the sugar-cane) dotted and edged with
the very dark foliage of the live-oak and cypress. The
river, a full mile or more in width, bears upon its broad
bosom many large steamers, and other water craft, and
upon its shores a teeming population.
But enough of description : our business is with one
family in this southern land this hive of sweets, and, we
may add, of industry and thrift. The plantation is one
of about the average size, and the buildings are not larger
or more costly than the average planters' residences on
the coast. Everything is in good order, as is usual here;
and considerable taste has been shown in the grounds
about the mansion, in the planting of shrubbery and trees,
and in the general arrangement of the place. The negro
quarters are neat and comfortable; and by day are
enlivened by the voices and gambols of children, and at
night by the songs, chatter and merry-making of the adult
colored people of both sexes. The residence is surrounded
by wide and airy verandas, and has a most comfortable
and homelike appearance, but by no means pretentious or
ostentatious. Its "expression," as Downing would say,
is of quiet, of comfort and of open hospitality. Nor does
this outside appearance at all mislead ; for tranquil, peace
ful, innocent enjoyment of life, adorned by the genuine
virtues of kindness, integrity, hospitality and faith are
the characteristics of its inmates.
IO8 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
Henry Barrona, the owner of this place, was born of
French and English parents, in this country, and had
been living in this very house about twenty-five years. His
father, Pierre Barrona, had left France during the horrors of
the " reign of terror," after the beginning of the revolution,
and, after many wanderings, had finally come to New Or
leans, about the year 1800. Here, not long after, he had
married an English lady, the widow of an enterprising
young English merchant, who had recently come out from
England, and had fallen a victim to the yellow fever.
Barrona belonged to an old and wealthy family of France,
but, as his parents died about the beginning of the revolu
tion, and as he had no brothers or sisters, he formed the
determination never to return ; and after his marriage in
New Orleans, (then an insignificant town) devoted him
self to mercantile pursuits. A fine specimen of the
French gentleman of the old school, chivalrous and gen
erous, with all the vivacity of his race, and its high sense
of honor. He was most ardently attached to his wife,
whose tranquil virtues and patient thoughtfulness of every
duty in life were in strong contrast with her impulsive
husband.
Here Henry was born, and afterward two daughters,
one of whom died young, while the other (Margaret)
married a planter on the coast, and lived only about three
miles from her brother.
Henry Barrona quite early showed a distaste for the
life of a merchant, and, on the death of his father, came
up on the coast and settled on land his father had pur
chased. Educated in the most careful manner, by the
most careful parents, and especially by the most devoted
mother, young Barrona did not altogether relish the
society of the fashionable circles in New Orleans, nor of
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 109
the coast, at that time; and soon after his plantation was
improved, leaving it in the hands of an overseer, he spent
several years traveling in Europe, in the north of Africa,
in Egypt and in Palestine. On his return from the East
he spent some months in Spain, and there married, under
singular and romantic circumstances, (of which we must
give a sketch) a daughter of that sunny land.
Juan Pinzon, of Seville, a man who, had circumstances
favored, might have become famous, was one of that
numerous class, all the world over, who have to struggle
through life for a subsistence.
Every one knows that bull fighting is a national amuse
ment in Spain; that thousands gather to witness these
gladiat9rial contests of man against brute.
Pinzon was a bull-fighter from necessity, and fought the
bulls for the people's amusement, because by it he could
gain his bread, Nevertheless, though a poor matadore, he
won the love of a high-born Castilian beauty, the daugh
ter of a house possessing a stock of pride sufficient for a
nation, if distributed out in small parcels. Fearful was
the rage and fury when she eloped with the matadore.
But in another city they dwelt in safety, and Juan pur
sued his trade, hazarding k his life for a support for his
fondly loved wife. His devoted wife loved him as only a
Spanish woman can love ; but the burthen of disgrace and
disinheritance heaped upon her by her family were too
much, and she died when her first-born and only child
was but ten years old. The poor matadore, whose life
had been gloriously brightened by the love of this self-
sacrificing, beautiful and affectionate woman, (who was
of that kind of whom Irving says: "one of the most
gifted and fascinating beings I ever met with, even among
the fascinating daughters of Spain,") was almost heart-
HO THE HEART OF THE WEST.
broken at his loss, but soon transferred all his earthly
affections to his beautiful child ; and, as she grew in years,
the more, to her father's eye, she resembled her mother,
and the more she absorbed the gushing affection of his
soul. Rejecting, with a scorn embittered by the thought
of his wife's long grief, all offers from her family to adopt
his daughter as their own, he managed out of his scanty
earnings to provide for and educate her in a manner
befitting her talents and beauty. And Isabella Pinzon
was beautiful, even in Spain that land of female loveli
ness. Her father had watched her with most jealous care ;
and her filial affection, heightened by companionship, and
a knowledge of the fearful danger of his life, caused her
to love her father as few fathers are loved, and ,to reject
the advances of suitors whom he disapproved.
It was at Cadiz that young Barrona first saw and loved
this beautiful girl. It was not long after seeing her at the
cathedral that he sought out her father at his humble lodg
ings, and asked permission to wait upon his daughter.
Pinzon was pleased with the manly foreigner, and well
knew the difference between this man of honor and the
butterflies of fashion against whom he had kept strict
watch over his pearl ; and after he had become satisfied
through a commercial house of the standing of Barrona,
he had introduced him to his daughter, to whom he paid
his addresses. But Isabella Pinzon rejected his offer. She
knew little of the world ; and the American did not win her
love. Yet she treated him kindly, though her eyes rested
longer on the gay and dashing cavaliers of Cadiz. They
were gallant in appearance, and looked brave, if not
heroic ; and she could discover nothing heroic in the rather
modest Barrona, who possessed much of his mother's
gentleness. Naturally enough, she did not appreciate him,
THE HEART OF THE WEST. Ill
nor did he know the mysterious secrets of a woman's
heart. As she treated him with gentle kindness, her
father hoped she would yet learn to love him. It was on
the occasion of a great tournament that all this was
changed, and a great grief came upon her.
Her father was considered one of the best bull-fighters
in Spain ; yet he preferred fighting the bulls on foot, and
always dreaded the dangers of the arena on horseback.
On this occasion the fete was to be one of extraordinary
magnificence. A wild bull of remarkable size and feroc
ity had been procured, and Pinzon, assisted by two others,
was to fight him on horseback.
Isabella knew the danger of her father in these encoun
ters ; but from her childhood he had rarely been hurt, and
she had no fears. A gay young gallant had invited her
to accompany him to the amphitheatre, and, against her
father's wishes, though not against his commands, she had
accepted his invitation.
The amphitheatre was one of the finest in Spain ; the
audience was brilliant; on all sides of the arena was a
blaze of beauty and fashion.
The signal was given, and in galloped the matadores.
Her father at the head elicited the praise of all. Another
signal, and the bull is released, and with a furious bellow
rushed into the ring. The other matadores pierced him
with their lances to increase his fury, and then, when his
rage was greatest, the signal was given to evade him no
longer, but 'begin the attack. Pinzon urged his horse for
ward, but frightened at the size and fury of the bull, the
steed shied and reared upon his hind legs. In an instant
the bull was upon him, and horse and rider were rolled
in the dirt. Pinzon's form was hidden for a moment, but
the next revealed to the spectators that the horse, impaled
112 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
upon the horns of the bull, had fallen upon him, and the
bull was fiercely goring both. The other matadores
could not bring their horses to the attack, and a moment
more would decide the fate of the man. Piercing screams
from the ladies were heard on all sides. Young Barrona,
snatching a sword and cloak from a Spanish gallant near
him, who had leveled his opera glass critically upon the
brutal scene, sprang into the arena. Instantly every sound
was hushed. Barrona paused not for an instant, but
bounded quickly to the side of the bull, and plunged
the blade into him. The monster turned with a roar of
pain, and Barrona struggled in vain to recover his blade.
It broke in the middle. The hot breath of the enraged
brute was upon him. Hurling the cloak, it caught by a
lucky chance over his horns, and for a moment blinded
him. That moment was enough: the stroke he had
received was mortal, and he soon reeled and then fell.
The amphitheatre resounded with applause. Barrona gave
no further thought to the bull, but rushed to rescue the
unfortunate Pinzon. Isabella was already there. The
matadores and assistants removed the dying horse, and
Isabella and Barrona kneeled beside the dying man.
Skillful surgeons were soon in attendance, and, to the anx
ious question of Barrona, answered that he had not long
to live, certainly not but a few hours. Yet, in spite of
his fearful injuries, and the sudden and terrible shock, the
unfortunate man was perfectly conscious. His upturned
eyes had rested on Barrona when he dealt the deadly
thrust to the bull ; he had seen his peril and his deliver
ance, and he had marked the burning glance of gratitude
and admiration the weeping daughter of his heart had
cast upon her rejected suitor, as they kneeled beside him.
Pinzon, although a bull-fighter from necessity, was a most
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 113
gallant, devoted, brave and sagacious man. He knew
that his daughter was possessed of a noble soul, and that
Barrona was every way worthy of her; and it had grieved
him very greatly that the American's quiet and gentle
ways had caused him to be outshone by the dashing but
really worthless cavaliers of Cadiz. Besides, he knew
that Barrona was wealthy, or at least possessed of a com
petency, and that he could place his darling beyond the
reach of that blighting poverty that her devoted mother
had borne for him, and with which he had all his life
struggled : for Pinzon would always tell his family and
friends, when allusion was made to his profession, that it
was poverty and not the bulls that he was righting. So
now the poor matadore, after periling his life for many
years to support his loved ones, and having passed through
dangers innumerable almost unscathed, meeting at length
his terrible fate, sees the hope revealed through that same
stroke of the fulfilment of his dearest earthly wishes.
He was borne away kindly and tenderly to his little home ;
and Isabella, with her beauteous face bathed in tears, min
istered to him with all the wild devotion of despair.
Pinzon suffered fearful agony, but his soul was roused to
its highest and noblest powers, and, despite his agony, he
longed to know that his wishes would be realized,
and his child given in marriage to so true and brave a
man. When all had gone save the physician, the priest
and Barrona, the dying man signified his wish to be alone
with his daughter. Silently they withdrew, and Pinzon
took the hand of his weeping girl in his own.
" My daughter," said he, " child of your sainted mother,
I will soon die, and you will be left alone in a selfish and
wicked world. Tell me, child, which one of these Cadiz
114 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
gallants do you love, and who will offer you his hand
when you are alone and friendless in the world ? "
" I love none of them, my father; they are all selfish and
base cowards, who would have let the bull gore you to
death. I despise them all," sobbed the poor girl.
A smile of gladness lighted the matadore's bronzed face.
" And what of the American," he asked, " do you still
despise him? He will soon sail for the New World.'
"Despise him!" said Isabella, "Oh, no, dear father; I
could not despise the noblest and bravest man in Cadiz."
" My child, could I give you to him before I die, I
should be happy. Tell me, will you not love him ? "
" I do now love him, my father," said Isabella, " but
he will leave me after what has passed."
Pinzon motioned for the door to be opened, and for the
others to approach, and there, in the presence of the
dying man, the weeping girl was betrothed. There were
no dry eyes there; even the old Spanish surgeon, who had
witnessed human agony on the battlefield, and in every
form, wept tears of sorrow and of joy, while the vener
able priest fervently blessed the weeping pair.
A moment more, and Pinzon, embracing fervently his
beloved daughter, and grasping the hand of Barrona,
motioned them back, and then the last rites of the church
were administered. This done, Pinzon motioned Isabella
and Barrona to join hands, and taking their clasped
hands in both of his, they kneeling by his bedside, he
with his last words invoked the blessing of God upon this
union and upon their posterity. His voice then sunk to a
whisper, and Isabella could only distinguish the name of
her dead mother. A few moments more, and the soul of
the matadore had winged its flight.
The Cadiz journals were filled with accounts of the
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 1 15
death of the most celebrated bull-fighter in Spain, and the
family of Isabella Pinzon's mother soon heard of her
father's death, and sent to ask her to come and live with
them ; and this, by the advice of Barrona and the good
priest, she finally did ; and there, some months later, the
marriage was solemnized ; and Barrona soon after sailed
for America with his bride. Soon after reaching New
Orleans his father died, and he then removed with his
wife and mother to the plantation ; and here Isabella Pin-
zon Barrona, the character we will now introduce to the
reader, was born. She was now almost twenty years of
age, a fully matured woman, rather tall, of a graceful
form of almost faultless proportions. She was indeed
most beautiful, but her beauty was rather of the Spanish
type, more than French, English or American, though all
were somewhat blended. It was in her character and
manners that Isabella happily illustrated the blending of
these nationalities; in the vivacity of the French, the sta
bility and dignity of the English, the practical originality
and adaptation to circumstances of the American, and
the warm affection and devotion of the Spanish woman.
Inheriting piety and religious faith, it was with her a fixed
principle, and a part of her nature, not yet, however,
sublimated and refined by suffering and trial to that high
degree that maturer years would bring; yet love to God,
and love and charity for all mankind, had been instilled
into her mind from infancy; and her generous nature
developed the seeds of pure instruction, so that now her
full and generous soul beamed from her eyes, and spoke
in every word and act and look. To minister to the sick,
the suffering and the poor, was with her no hard task,
performed only from a sense of duty, and leaving behind
a painful sense of meritorious conduct and great right-
Il6 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
eousness on her part. Noble and generous impulses were
with her like a perennial spring, bursting from the rock of
a lofty faith and pure character, refreshing everything it
touched, happy in the good deeds that made others happy.
The negroes on the plantation looked upon her as a kind
of ministering angel, and their love was tempered by rev
erence and resepct. Happy and contented with their lot,
(for they had a kind master) there was rarely much suf-
frying to alleviate; yet the sick always expected and
received a visit from the " young missus," the prelude
always of delicacies and supplies sent for their use. Her
life had been beset by few crosses and trials, and her spirit
was joyous and free, and yet thoughtful and contemplative.
Compared with the gay butterflies of fashion, she would
have seemed a sage. Well acquainted with the languages
of her parents and grandparents, she had read under the
tutelage of her father many of the choicest works in the
English, French and Spanish languages, and was well
grounded in history and science. Graceful in her move
ments and bearing, with eyes dark, lustrous and expres
sive, the great poet's words might fitly be applied :
" Grace in her form, Heaven in her eye,
In every movement dignity and love."
Such was our heroine. Nature had done much for her,
and the fortunate circumstances of her life, and education
under the eyes of a careful mother, and a father who knew
the world, had done more. The cold, chilling breath of
poverty had never blown upon her ardent and impulsive
nature, nor had the opposite influences of wealth and
fashion ever corroded her soul. She had been taught
respect for her parents in all things; and this had done
much to prevent her affections being fixed, ere the time of
which we write, upon some unworthy object. Her
THE HEART OF THE WEST. ll>]
mother had told her, over and over again, the story of her
girlhood, and of her own narrow escape from all the ills
of misplaced love ; of the terrible death of her father, her
discovery of the baseness of her lover, and the worth of
Barrona ; of her instant and full-grown love, even in that
fearful moment; of her dying father's devotion and hero
ism, in securing and confirming their betrothal when in
the very throes of death ; of her sorrow, and all the strange,
sad, unwonted incidents of that most singular and hal
lowed period of her life, in which grief and love so
strongly and so sacredly joined.
CHAPTER XV.
'HE other characters in this southwestern home
are quickly sketched. They are the younger
children.
Pierre, named after his grandfather, a fine and manly
youth of seventeen ; and Mary, a daughter of fourteen,
in whom appeared more of the English cast of features
of her grandmother than was shown by her elder sister.
Pierre was now at home from his iirst college vacation,
and the younger daughter was to be sent to an institution
in St. Louis, the following autumn.
Both parents were fond of reading and study ; and the
Spanish woman, under the tuition of her husband, had
amply made amends for the deficiency of her younger
days. Barrona attended carefully and diligently to busi
ness, in all its plans, arrangments and details, but as this
was done every day, so every day gave him also sufficient
time for study, social intercourse, open air exercise and
the family circle. With the lady of the house the same
excellent order and division of time prevailed, and a home
that was indeed " sweet " was the result. Here flourished
the genuine virtues and pleasures of life, and religion was
their handmaid. Very little attention was paid to fashion.
They rarely visited the city, but the climate obliged them
to go almost every season, for a period, away from the
malaria of the swamps. And this season they had pro
posed an extended tour, and for the first time to visit St.
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 119
Paul, which they could do by embarking for that pur
pose on a steamer at the landing near their sugar-mill, and
with a single change at St. Louis, disembarking at St.
Paul. On this trip they were soon to embark; and the
daughters and son, who had long been promised this, to
them, extraordinary recreation and grand summer tour,
were in a fever of anticipation and excitement. Barrona,
who was a " traveled man," looked with pleasure upon
this delightful expectation on the part of the younger
members of his family, and that of his sister who were to
accompany him. Of this sister and her family we must
now say a few words.
Julia Barrona was the only sister of Henry, and mar
ried, during her father's lifetime, a northern merchant
named Johnson, who had suffered a commercial ship
wreck of his fortune and business in one of the numerous
financial revulsions to which our country seems almost as
much subject as South America is to earthquakes. Sick
and disgusted with the world, he went to New Orleans,
where his capacity and integrity and steadfast sterling
character soon won him many friends, and where he in a
few years retrieved his affairs. A warm friendship existed
between him and the elder Barrona, which seemed also to
descend to the daughter, whom he wooed and won, and
they were married, on her brother's return from the old
world. Succeeding well in commercial pursuits, he yet
was not content to pass his life in the turmoil and risk of
commerce; and, some time after his brother-in-law had
settled on "the coast," he too bought a plantation a few
miles below, and, closing up all his business in the city, he
began the quiet life of a planter. Here, after some years
of happy domestic life, he died of yellow fever, about five
years before the period of our story, leaving his wife, a
120 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
daughter and son, possessed of a handsome fortune.
Amelia Johnson was now in her eighteenth year, while
her brother Thomas was in his sixteenth. Wealthy, and
deprived of a father's guidance while so young, certainly,
it was by no means strange if they were somewhat pos
sessed of those objectionable characteristics of the children
of so many wealthy parents, who are neglected or spoiled
by over-indulgence: and yet the sterling qualities of
father and mother asserted themselves, and they strictly
obeyed their gentle mother, who in her widowhood gov
erned her family, her home and plantation, with dis
cretion, ability and dignity, assisted of course by the coun
sel and advice of her brother. Amelia was a beautiful
girl, Anglo-American in appearance and character, with
fair complexion, blue eyes and auburn hair, amiable and
less impassioned and enthusiastic than her half-Spanish
cousin, Isabella, yet withal more self-willed and wayward.
Her brother was a promising boy, but rather slight and
delicate in form not robust, as if reared in a purer and
more bracing atmosphere. The mother, Mrs. Johnson,
was now thirty-eight years of age, and was a handsome
and highly interesting lady, of excellent head and heart,
and looked forward to the Minnesota tour with as much
pleasurable anticipation as did her children, and even
more ; for it would be a relief from the constant care of
the plantation, which, since her husband's death, devolved
upon her, and which had been like the government of a
little kingdom. Like Penelope, too, it furnished her the
means of escape from importunate suitors, which, from
the earliest ages, no wealthy, amiable and handsome
widow has ever been without.
Of Barrona we must now say a few more words. He
was now at that time of life when the reflective powers
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 121
are strongest, and judgment best. Singularly generous
and magnanimous in disposition, he yet knew enough of
the world to be wary and cautious in great and important
affairs; yet he was always open, frank and genial. A
Catholic by education, he was by no means a bigot, or a
blind follower of priestly guidance; but, taught by his
gentle English mother, he drew his faith from the pure
fountain of the gospel, and knew that in love to God,
and love to man, was found the only religious character
truly worthy. So in politics he drew his opinions from
the teachings of history, the study of the writings of the
founders of our government, and the analysis of its struc
ture and of present and settled facts. Such a man could
not of course be a sectarian in religion, or a sectionalist in
politics; and Barrona was neither. He was a Christian,
and loved his Maker and his Saviour, and revered his
word. He was an American, and reverenced the constitu
tion and laws of his country, and despised its demagogues.
And so very naturally he found himself without a church,
and without a party, and so, far less popular (though none
the less respected) than he would otherwise have been.
And maintaining thus his integrity, he had kept aloof
from all political ambition, and enjoyed the quiet of his
home ; but the days were coming when he could no longer
do this. Plain and unostentatious in his style of living
and personal expenditures, his wealth was used with
a free hand to promote the advancement of all worthy
objects ; and no worthy person in need ever went " empty
away" from him. To the pride of wealth, of position,
of family, or of section, he was a stranger. His greatest
pride was pride of character of a line of conduct gov
erned by the rule of right, and the principles of consci
entious, honorable behavior and even this was always
122 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
held in check by his religious feelings, Christian humility,
and charity for the errors of others. The character of
his wife had in the lapse of time assimilated greatly with
his own. The impassioned Spanish girl had now
become the staid matron, presiding over her household
with kindness, dignity and grace, and always the solace
and companion of her husband, leaning on him, and yet
strengthening his strength, and aiding to purify his char
acter by her love.
Having now sketched these two families, and something
of this most highly interesting part of what was once
known as the southwest, we will return to our friends on
the raft.
CHAPTER XVI.
; ITH the advancing season, the voyage on the
Upper Mississippi became more and more
pleasant and interesting, and to the Doctor,
(accustomed to a southern climate) the greater degree of
warmth was more agreeable, and the trip more and more
enjoyable And the Doctor did, indeed, find very great
pleasure in these quiet days and nights, floating down
the noble river. But it was not an idle, listless, sensual
pleasure. His mind was occupied with profound reflec
tions, (some of which he committed to writing) and from
this continual pressure of thought, reading and conversa
tion was a relief.
As for Sydenham, he had his constant round of duties
in managing his raft, relieved greatly, however, by the
enjoyment of the scenery, and by reading and conversa
tion with his friend, (the- Doctor) and the men on the raft.
But that was a period when thoughtful men feared
national trouble, and a cloud of anxiety for the political
future rested upon both the friends, which, although they
continually reasoned away, would return whenever they
obtained newspapers from the passing steamers, and saw
reflected there indications of the sectional hatred and
party passion that seemed to continually increase. .They
talked of these things often, in the quiet nights and long
and calm afternoons, (never in anger) but the future they
could not foresee and realize And happy is it for mortals
124 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
that the future is unknown ; that the coming days and
months and years are curtained from our view. But
while not one hour of the future can we claim, the past is
all our own that is, its teachings are at our command ;
its wisdom and experience are the store-houses to which
we may always resort. Thus, history calls us back from
theories that we fancy new, and shows us their counter
part in the dim and misty past. Science does, indeed,
seem to progress forward in many things, while in others
it moves, as it were, in a circle : yet who shall say what
arts of the past have been lost, or what of the present
may not be ? But, however this may be, certain it is that
the nature of man does not change, and that the human
heart is, to-day, as with the first man and woman created
upon the planet. The vicissitudes of all recorded human
history show the perfect correctness through thousands of
years, and up to the present hour, of the delineation of man
in the Revealed Word. And there is not, on all the crags
and battlements and ruins that line the highway of the
past, in all the world's literature, from ^ Homer down, a
hope hung out, save only in that Word and in the Gospel
of Christ, that shines in its pure effulgence like a moun
tain of diamonds in the weary 'waste. And yet, how
frightfully perverted; what crimes have been committed;
what woes heaped upon mankind in its name. Well
might Voltaire scoff, and point the ringer of scorn at deeds
done in the name of Christianity that would make a
Pagan blush. What candid student of the*past~will deny
this ? What candid and unbiassed student of the present
(if any such there be), will deny its follies, sins, hypocri-
cies and dangers? And, greatest of all its dangers, is
HYPOCRISY ! And where must we seek the path of truth
and safety? This world, hung in the 'mighty vault of
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 125
space, was not left without laws to guide its flying course,
and direct its diurnal motion. So in the moral world.
Man, created the highest inhabitant of the planet, and but
a little lower than the angels, was not left a prey to his
own natural passions and impulses; left a free agent, his
Creator guided him, or pointed the way. The awful sub
limity cf the book of Genesis can only be rightly appre
ciated by rising upon the wings of the mind, (the imagin
ation) placing ourselves in the vast realms of space, and
turning our eyes upon the earth, unfinished and crude;
passing through those wonderful stages until creation was
finished and time began, and the first pair, in their glo
rious beauty, stood before their Creator and Lord. Then
began the contest between right and wrong; between
evil and good ; between a little knowledge and supreme
wisdom ; between unrestrained liberty and necessary sub
jection.
The period of man's direct intercourse with God has
indeed passed, but his word remains; the record and the
law have been wonderfully and mysteriously preserved.
Left through God's providence in the hands of the high
est races of men ; and now, through the art of printing,
steam and electricity, with all the aids of civilization, art,
and human power, why may not the divine guide be
distributed through and adopted, at least by the civilized
Christian world, and the Gospel be received by the nations
in sincerity? Simply because man's nature is prone to
err; and the human heart is, to-day, as in that of the first
man, and worse; for his little stock of knowledge has
filled his heart; has made him now wear God's word as a
cloak, under which he sows the Devil's seed, and calls it
" law," or u liberty," as will best suit his purpose. This
age does not revere God's word, nor does it respect the
126 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
historic annals of the human race. Neither the teachings
of revelation or of history are studied or respected now
by the masses, or by a majority of the educated. This is
the age of the theorist, in morals, in government, in re
ligion.
The modern preacher seems to have little or no humil
ity. Unlike St. Paul, who feared that he might, at
last be a castaway, the modern preacher seems to have
no doubts, no humility; on the contrary, he seems to
almost feel that he may, himself, prescribe the terms of
salvation. He does not so much insist on the merit, truth
and excellence of the Gospel itself, as the truth and power
of his own deduction therefrom. Indeed, though he
generally patronizes the Bible, he feels obliged, sometimes,
to apologize for it, especially where it seems to conflict
with cherished theories of his own. In such cases, he
generally seeks out carefully, and presents those particular
passages that seem to sustain his point ; carefully omitting,
like a skillful lawyer, everything that makes against it.
In this way he gains credit for great ability.
CHAPTER XVII.
had now left Minnesota behind, and were
approaching the southern confines of Wiscon
sin, having the State of Iowa on the right, or
west bank of the river. The character of the scenery had
changed, the hills being less lofty. At Dunleith, the
north-west corner of Illinois, they landed for the first time
in some hundreds of miles. From this point a great line
of railway, the "Illinois Central," leads south-east and
then south, through the centre of the State to Cairo, at
the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. At
the north western terminus three great States unite Iowa,
Wisconsin and Illinois, so, at the southern Illinois, Mis
souri and Kentucky, separated only by the width of the
river. This great work, with its " Chicago Branch,"
leading from Centralia to Chicago, in all, seven hundred
miles in length, has performed, and is destined to perform
a most important part in the development of all the vast
country, whose wants it accommodates a splendid tri
umph of healthy advancement creditable to the genius of
Rantoul, the statesmanship of Douglas, to the State, and
the west, and to numerous eminent men connected with
it. The first great and complete success of the kind, it
has been most fruitful in promoting others, and, by its
successful precedent, and the connections offered by its
completed trunks, aiding greatly in the establishment of
that great and extended system of railways which now
128 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
penetrates and interlocks these vast areas of the west the
heart of the continent.
After a few hours in Dunleith, and Dubuque, which
lies just opposite, on the Iowa side of the river, they
shoved off and proceeded on their voyage. Just before
they started, a passenger came on board who wished to
go down the river a few miles to a point near Galena, 111.,
where he resided. The Doctor and he were soon enjoy
ing a smoke together, and a pleasant acquaintance, west
ern fashion, was soon established between the stranger,
Doctor Ross and Sydenham. He had been an officer in
the U. S. Army, was educated at West Point, and had
served in the Mexican war. The conversation turned
upon politics, and he expressed his preference for Douglas
for the Presidency in the ensuing fall election, and his
fears of the future if he should be defeated. He also
expressed, in strong terms, condemnation of the radicals
of both sections. To while away the time, the Doctor
produced a pack of cards, and a few social games of euchre
were played ; but there was no betting. Soon they arrived
at the landing for Galena, and Sydenham sent his skiff
out to land his passenger, with whom they parted with
mutual expressions of friendly regard. How wild a dream
would then have seemed the events in which this man
was to play so important a part in the near future.
For nearly six hundred miles now (as the river flows,)
it bounds the State of Illinois upon the west, while Iowa
and Missouri are upon the opposite side. At this time
there were not so many railroad bridges crossing the river
to accommodate the great lines stretching westward, as at
present; but at Rock Island there was one that was an
object of some dread to steamboatmen, and of great dread
to raftsmen, many serious accidents having happened
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 129
there. Sydenham had never passed through this bridge,
and naturally felt much anxiety about it. Seth Lane, his
pilot, had passed it a few times, and had once struck the
pier, damaging his raft. From Galena down, the bridge
and its passage was uppermost in the thoughts and con
versation of all on the raft. Arrived near the head of the
rapids, the wind blowing rather hard, the raft was moored
to the bank until it snould subside. The next morning at
daybreak, the wind having gone down, the lines were
cast off and preparations made for " running the rapids,"
and " shooting the bridge."
This bridge having been a subject of great controversy
between the river men and railroad men of the west, and
also between the cities of Chicago and St. Louis, (the one
the river, and the other the railroad metropolis) a brief
description of it may not be uninteresting; and it is inter
esting because it is the Jlrst bridge that ever spanned the
" Father of Floods."
From the Illinois shore to the island there is a causeway.
The bridge proper, then, is built across the main channel
of the Mississippi, from Rock Island to the Iowa shore,
There is, at this point, a rocky ledge or "chain," extend
ing across the bed of the river, known to river men as
the " foot" of the Upper Rapids of the Mississippi. On
this the bridge is built. The rapids extend from about
two miles below Port Byron, (some twenty miles above)
to this point, and throughout this extent the current of the
river is very swift; and when the water is at a low stage,
there are some dangerous places. The bridge is built of
wood on stone piers, with a draw resting on a round cen
tral pier on which it is made to turn. When turned, the
open space for the passage of steamers, &c., is one hundred
and twenty feet. There is, also, a frame work of timber
130 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
extending up and down from the central and side piers of
the draw for the protection both of the bridge and passing
vessels; and, as piles could not be driven, this is fastened
to the rocky bottom. In this, it is said, the engineer made
a mistake, in not studying the current sufficiently, and
getting these guards exactly parallel with the central line
of current. Certain it is, many accidents occurred here,
until this was remedied ; and from these rose much litiga
tion for damages, contention and bitterness. Perhaps
neither side were sufficiently considerate of the rights of
the other. The utility of railroads and the necessity of
bridging navigable rivers is not to be questioned ; but the
RIVERS AND LAKES are the people's highways, and, in
the language of the truly great statesman of 1789, should
be " forever free."
The river men, then, very properly were jealous of any
obstruction to the navigation of the river, and the railroad
men, with equal propriety, insisted that railroad bridges
must be~built to accommodate the great lines to be ex
tended west. These views on both sides were just and
reasonable, and perfectly capable of being harmonized
and reconciled, as are many other dogmas that seem to
conflict; but of course there were in this, as in other great
questions, many extremists, radicals and irreconcilables on
both sides : hence the trouble, expensive and hurtful to
every interest save the lawyers engaged.
As we have said, our raftsmen cast off their line at the
head of the rapids, some twenty miles above, at the first
grey of morning, and soon found themselves in much
swifter water than they had yet found. On right merrily
they glided, rapidly passing trees, bluffs and other land
marks. The river was now up, the high water remov-
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 131
ing all apprehension of sunken rocks; the bridge was the
only cause of solicitude.
" If we had such a stream as this," said the Doctor,
" all the way, we would soon reach Louisiana."
" Yes," said Sydenham, laughing, u but it would take
me a long time to get back, and steamboating would then
be a slower business than rafting."
" I do n't think we could alter or change the works of
nature so as to make an improvement," said the Doctor.
" No," said one of the men (Sandy) " but the Akansaw
man, running for office, told his constituents that if they
would only elect him to Congress he would try; that he
would unscrew all creation, take it apart, clean it and put
it together again."
" That," said the Doctor, "would seem to bear some
resemblance to the ancient fable of the presumptuous
youth who would drive the chariot of the sun, instead of
Apollo."
" It will do for a kind of Americanization of the old
fable," said Sydenham, " and should be set down in the
Arkansas classics."
" Seriously,' said the Doctor, " some people will not
grow wiser by experience, and have done with vagaries;
for many popular fancies do not even come up to the dig
nity of theories. They are vagaries, and vagaries only,
morbid, diseased and unhealthy."
" Were wagons a thing of which the people had only
heard and read, and heard explained and discussed, I
think it by no means certain that it would be generally
agreed that four wheels was the proper number. I have
no doubt that there would be found a large party advo
cating the advantages of six wheels, another in favor of
132 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
five, and still another in favor of having only three wheels
to a wagon."
After the laughter occasioned by this sally had subsided,
the Doctor continued :
" Moreover, I have no doubt that as good arguments
and as much eloquence would be displayed by either the
six, five, or three-wheeled party as by that in favor of four
wheels; and, though it should be shown by the four-
wheeled party that the other vehicles had been tried in
some remote part of the world, several thousand years
ago, and had failed, yet nothing short of a full and thor
ough trial would satisfy them to the contrary of their
opinions."
" The first trial, however, would end the matter," said
one of the listeners.
"I think not," said the Doctor, with a smile. " We will
suppose that before any were tried the whole subject had
been agitated for a time. The speculator is only a step
behind the theorist, and sometimes even gets ahead. Be
fore any trial could be entirely conclusive and generally
admitted to be so, there would be no village, town or city,
where some one would not be interested in the pecuniary
way in the success of the new vehicles, and, long after four
wheels had won the day, in the larger towns, three and
five-wheeled vehicles would be the style in the remote
settlements of Iowa and Kansas, and even the pavements
of Boston and other large cities would long resound with
the odd numbers driven by some plucky speculators in
those machines, who would not give it up."
"That would be called an extreme view," said Sydenham.
"I saw ship-loads of things sent to California," said
one of the men, " that were of no more use than the fifth
wheel to a wagon."
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 133
" Not so much," said another listener, " for the fifth
wheel might be taken along as an extra, and used in case
one of the others break down, whereas no possible use
could be made of hundreds of contrivances we saw in
California in '49 and '50, sent there from Boston."
The attention of all hands was now called to \some
work on the raft, and the conversation ceased. The raft
dashed swiftly along, while Sydenham and the pilot talked
of the passage of the bridge. Soon they came in sight
of it; a long train from Chicago, bound westward, was
just entering upon the causeway from the Illinois shore.
It rolled onward, and soon more than thirty cars followed
the iron horse out over the rapid river. It was a grand
sight, and all looked upon it intently ; the outlines of the
train, locomotive and its cloud of smoke cut sharply
against the sky beyond. Viewed from the raft, right
upon the surface of the river above, the sight was more
striking than from any other point. Soon it reached the
Iowa shore; and now all were absorbed with another
passage, and to them more important. Sydenham stood
by the side of the pilot : not a word was spoken while the
rushing flood hurried them on. Now they are close to the
bridge now under it now clear not yet; the stern is
drawn by the mighty current toward the pier, and all the
efforts of the men cannot prevent a collision. It strikes
and grates sharply; boards are broken and some torn out,
but now they are clear below the bridge and the rapid ;
the raft is not broken or much damaged. Now bend to
the sweeps to clear her of the eddy on the Illinois side.
Soon this is passed; then all breathe freely, and go to
work to repair damages. Some lumber is gone and some
displaced and broken, and Sydenham is advised to make
his claim for damages against the railroad company, but
134 THK HEART OF THE WEST.
well aware of the delay, difficulty, annoyance and ex
pense of this resort, he prefers not to do so; thinks it
cheaper to lose it.
Davenport, Iowa, and Rock Island, Illinois, both line
little cities, are soon passed, and hy afternoon the raft has
become quiet and monotonous as usual.
CHAPTER XVIII.
>HE general course of the river which, from Lake
Pepin, and, indeed, from a point far above the
falls of St. Anthony, is south-easterly, changes
near Savannah, Illinois, to a more southerly course, which
it holds past the towns of Fulton, Lyons and Clinton,
then south-westerly, then south to about the head of the
rapids, from whence to Muscatine it runs almost west:
then a sharp angle, and it runs almost south to Port
Louisa; thence it bears east, then south to Oquowka,
thence southwesterly, past Burlington, Fort Madison and
other places to Nauvoo and Montrose, thence south to
Keokuk, at the foot of what is known as the lower rapids.
Here it receives a large tributary from Iowa, Des Moines
river, and between here and Quincy reaches its most
westerly point of the great bend to the west, giving the
State of Illinois here its greatest breadth. From this
point it flows south-easterly until a few miles from the
mouth of the Illinois, when it turns and runs a north
easterly course to the point of junction, where it receives
the quiet waters of that river, when it again pursues a
south-easterly course to the mouth of the Missouri. The
union of these great rivers entirely changes the character
of the Mississippi. For some distance its waters do not
mingle with the tide waters of the Missouri, but keep
to the Illinois side, as though shunning the embrace. At
last, however, the whole volume of waters becomes charged
with the earthy water, never again to become clear until
136 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
far out upon and mingled with the deep waters of the
great sea.
The Upper Mississippi, although having these graceful
curves and bends, which are its ," lines of beauty," is by
no means a crooked river, as compared with its course
below the junction with the Missouri, from which
point, though swiftly going southerly to the Gulf of
Mexico, it seems to be continually turning around, as
though the " Father of Waters" was engaged in a waltz.
Searching its way through the deep, rich, alluvial bottoms,
changing its channel, filling up in a single season on one
side with vast sandy deposits, while removing solid acres
(covered with great trees) upon the other side, thus con
tinually changing its borders and channel, yet, after all,
remaining unchanged in all its essential characteristics,
typifying the changes of matter and of spirit, while strug
gling with the finite on its way toward the infinite, and
at last to be poured into the great ocean of eternity ; yet
never to be lost. Thus the great river rolls its waters
toward the sea.
But we are still between the upper and lower rapids,
and .must not get ahead of our time, on the great float
which now bears us onward. Of the river-towns which
we have passed and are now passing, many are very hand
some and thriving, and much of the country is in some
places well improved, and adorned with neat and hand
some homes, but yet the country contiguous to the river
is not esteemed so rich or favorable for agriculture as that
further back. The bottom lands are, of course, rich, but
of this a great part is in forest, and subject to overflow.
The great agricultural wealth is in the prairies, back of
the broken and comparatively poor lands of the river
bluffs. These bluff lands, however, are in many places
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 13^
esteemed good ; indeed, in some places very superior for
the culture of fruit, grapes, &c. Coal is generally abund
ant and easily accessible. Stone is also generally conven
ient, and abundant for building purposes, and there are
many quarries of very superior quality. At the rapids
there is a large waterpower which at Moline is extensively
used.
The metropolitan expectations of early days, before it
was known what railroads would do for Chicago (by
concentration) have hardly been realized by the Upper
Mississippi river towns; yet it is a desirable region, pos
sessing varied advantages and resources, and will yet
become the classic ground of America.
The Hudson has now its day, and its beauty will not
soon fade, or its fame be diminished ; it will continue to
be the gem of the east, but not of America; its location
and limited extent will not admit of that. The Missis
sippi is our national river, and its shores will be our classic
ground. Moreover, it will be anti- sectional ground, and
its literature will help to extirpate those twin dragons of
the past, sectionalism and fanaticism, and prepare the way
for that charity and truth which is alone able to aid in the
evangelization of the world.
Floating onward toward the west, the raft was making-
good time ; but our friends had had no papers for some days,
and were anxious to learn the political news. A steamer
hove in sight, and as she passed close to them they hailed
her and heard the news of the nomination of Lincoln for
the Presidency by the convention of the Republican party
at Chicago. At Muscatine they sent the skiff ashore and
obtained the late papers, giving all that had transpired,
and with the examination of these we will leave them for
the night.
CHAPTER XIX.
>HE next day the conversation very naturally
turned upon the convention at Chicago, and its
action, and both the friends agreed in expressing
regret that Edward Bates, (the choice of Horace Greeley)
had not been nominated instead of Lincoln.
" Few leaders, said the Doctor, " can resign into the
hands ot others political movements that have occupied
their minds for years, and see them perfectly comprehended
by men who have not shared that leadership. Seward
and Greeley are political leaders, who have formed the
Republican party, and who doubtless have a plan that is
harmonious and practical for neutralizing the errors of
southern propagandists (the extremists, and frequently the
worst demagogues that we have in the south,) and they
can the better do this, as they are not themselves consid
ered the extremists of their party. Doubtless these men
realize that time will make the slavery problem easier of
solution, and Greeley saw in Bates an able, popular and
conservative man, who, if elected, would allay rather than
increase the excitement, and leave his party, at the end of
his term, stronger than he found it strong enough to carry
the next election. Seward, doubtless, is ambitious, and
wanted the nomination, and his election would not cause
half the excitement that would that of Lincoln ; for he is
better known. Thousands of conservative, reflecting men
of culture, in the south, have waited and watched the rise
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 139
of the new party in the north, to see into whose hands
its destinies would fall. They respect Bates, and would
not greatly fear Seward, but they have no confidence in
Lincoln, and, with all his plausibility, consider him the
representative of Radicalism, and not a sound constitu
tion^ man."
" Has not his position been misrepresented ?" said Syd-
enham.
" Perhaps it has," said the Doctor, " yet he has assumed
the full panoply of the abolitionists, when he says that ' the
country cannot exist part slave and part free, but must be
come all one, or all the other/ and that ' slavery must be
placed in process of extinction/ This means revolution,
and its effect is not removed by assurances that c the exist
ing institutions of the south are not to be disturbed.' They
say they like Giddings and Lovejoy better, for they know
where to find them."
"How will your radicals, the secessionists, like it?"
said Sydenham.
" The worst of them will be well suited, for it will tend
to make them and their position stronger and more popu
lar," said the Doctor.
Here the friends sat some time in silence, each engaged
in his own sad reflections.
" What do you think of the clause in their platform
from the Declaration of Independence, declaring that all
men are created free and equal ?" enquired the Doctor.
" Why," said Sydenham, " as applied to the question
to which alone it was intended to apply when written,
justifying the colonies as against England, I think it cor
rect and true, but as now sought to be applied by a polit
ical party, I consider it nothing but a piece of arrant
demagoguism, and doubt whether three men in theconven-
140 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
tion believed it a month ago. Partisanship may yet make
them claim its infallibility as it did make the other party
claim the infallibility of the dogma of 'popular sover
eignty/ "
"What a great cable of truth could be made of all
these various strands of dogma, were as much pains taken
to harmonize and blend them into one as there is to
maintain their separate infallibility," said the Doctor.
" Parties rest their claims for office and political power
upon the maintenance of their political dogmas," said
Sydenham.
" We once had men who could rise to a higher plane
than this," said the Doctor.
" Yes," said Sydenham, " Washington and a few of
the great ones of the revolution could, and the result,
under God, was the formation of the Federal Constitution,
and a form of government that has commanded the ad
miration of the world."
" You are indeed correct," said the Doctor, " there was
displayed the most conscientious discharge of duty, com
manding intellect, and practical patriotism patriotism
large enough to extinguish sectionalism, and pure enough
to restrain ambition. How lofty was the eulogium of
Lord Brougham : * ' While time lasts the measure of the
progress of the nations of the world, in civil government
and true liberty, will be indicated by their regard for the
memory and example of Washington.' "
" And why," said Sydenham, "cannot we now have a
' National Constitutional Convention,' to settle all these
vexed questions of ' free *il,' 'territorial rights,' the 'fugi
tive slave law,' and all other distracting questions that are
*NoTB. This quotation is from memory, possibly not literal, but correct in
substance.
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 141
beyond the power of Congress, the States, or the people.
Such a convention is expressly provided for in the Con
stitution itself, is in harmony with the whole theory and
structure cf our government; with the opinions of Jeffer
son, the recommendations of Washington in his farewell
address, with the Christian religion, with sound political
philosophy, and with plain common sense."
" That is all true ; and yet that resort has been scarcely
named by our statesmen, so-called," said the Doctor.
"I have heard it suggested that it would be well to
hold such a convention once every twenty-five years,"
said the other.
" Perhaps it might," said the Doctor, "were we to begin
now; but the spirit of innovation has been too strong,
and it might have increased it; but were we to begin
now, it would be different. Twenty-five years, now, is as
much as fifty at the time of the adoption of the Federal
Constitution, in hurrying us onward to error or truth, as
the case may be. The people respect the prerogatives of
the Federal Government, as conferred by the Constitu
tion, and very properly are jealous of infringements upon
the rights of the people or of the States. If the temper
and disposition of the people is right, all necessary re
forms can be carried through at all proper times by Con
stitutional Conventions, if only men are sent as delegates
who will not sacrifice earth and heaven to their ambition.
Should the fearful calamity of civil war now result, pos
terity will fix the responsibility of it upon the politicians,
Congress and the party-leaders, as well as upon the
extremists of both sections."
u Yet," said Sydenham, " we already have some men who
talk lightly and glibly of war, as though it were some-
142 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
times a pure fountain of great good a kind of healthful
renovator. "
" It is only a great evil, growing directly out of the
depravity of human nature; yet, sometimes it becomes a
hard necessity," said the Doctor.
" Were the principles of Christianity adhered to by the
nations professing it, wars would cease," said the other.
u Yes," said the Doctor, " terminate hypocrisy and you
end wars."
" And were this done what vast armaments and bound
less expense could be saved enough to banish poverty
and extirpate crime," replied Sydenham, with enthusiasm.,
" You cannot banish poverty until you restrain avarice,
said the Doctor, " and covetousness."
" No," said the raftsman, u and avarice is regarded in
America as a cardinal virtue especially successful avarice."
" That is due," said the Doctor, " in part to the seeming
need in a new country of the concentrated power of
wealth to develop its resources; but capital, though a
good servant, becomes a bad master, and sometimes a
tyrant and robber ; v and, sheltered behind its legal preroga
tive, sucks out the life-blood of the embarrassed and the
poor, and, so establishes and perpetuates misery and degra
dation."
" How firmly in the very foundation of and throughout
the superstructure of the Bible, the adamantine princi
ples of truth are laid, and how solid a foundation for a
law-giver or legislator are the commandments of the
decalogue," said Sydenham.
" Yes," said the Doctor, " and did the entire world
accept them in completeness and sincerity, together with
those added by our Savior, it could afford to dispense with
an immense assortment of legal machinery."
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 143
" We would, however, need the Savior himself to
administer it the divine law," said Sydenham.
"Undoubtedly," replied the Doctor, "for I would
sooner risk the lawyers than the priests in civil affairs."
"This goes to show the logical consistency of the
doctrine of the millenium," said Sydenham, who now
rose to make preparations for running the Lower Rapids,
which they were now swiftly approaching.
CHAPTER XX.
'HESE rapids, unimpeded as they were by any
artificial structures, were not regarded with
apprehension, as the water was high and the rocks
were well covered. The rushing river bore them swiftly
onward, and soon Keokuk, the " Gate City," at the foot of
the rapids, was in sight. This fine little city, having the
beautiful and rich Des Moines Valley at its back, as it
were, and the Mississippi, with its channel unbroken by
any more rapids, giving it a fine outlet to St. Louis and
the south, is, and will always be, an important business
point. Being on the west, or Iowa side, it does not at all
interfere with its stately and beautiful Illinois sister, Qiiincy,
which is seated upon the other side, some forty miles below.
It is between these that the river, as we have said, makes
its most westerly sweep or curve to the west. Just below
Keokuk, at the mouth of the Des Moines, is the south
western extremity of the State of Iowa. Then begins
the State of Missouri, which we now have upon our right
for full five hundred miles a great State, indeed, and pos
sessed of vast resources. Entering the great family of the
United States at about the same period as her sister State,
Illinois, she has not gained so great a population. Corn,
the leading staple of Illinois, with its products, beef, pork,
etc., etc., was wanted first; but the time is close at hand
when iron must be produced from the ores of Missouri,
on a vast scale, in quantities as yet scarce dreamted of;
and then will come her day.
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 145
These two States, centrally located as they are, not with
reference to territory merely, but to the position of naviga
ble waters, the system of railroads, great cities, commercial
centres, and the direction and concentration of population
and wealth, must exercise a great influence in times to
come upon the destinies of America. Both great in terri
torial extent, they are far greater in exhaustless resources,
in minerals as well as in productive soil. In this last, as
Illinois excels in her number of acres of rich land, so
Missouri excels in greater diversity of valuable products.
Illinois has unlimited stores of coal, Missouri of iron.
Placed in juxtaposition, these staples will be combined,
and an iron-working business be developed surpassing in
magnitude anything yet seen in America. True national
economy demands that this be done; and if the "manufac
turer and the agriculturist" cannot be "placed side by side,"
they can and should be brought nearer together, and so
the immense waste of transportation be diminished, and
increase of wealth follow, rne railroads, and all the vast
interior demand for iron, should be supplied from western
furnaces and mills; and, by this means, that commerce
which increases wealth will flow through the land in strong
and healthy pulsations. Agriculture and manufactures
can thus be established on a basis more stable than has yet
been known, and political health will be promoted.
No single nation in Europe, except Russia, has greater
resources than these two States alone, of the great valley
of the Mississippi. Well might De Tocqueville say:
"The valley of the Mississippi is, upon the whole, the most
magnificent dwelling-place prepared by God for man's
abode." But, without a wise and just management of
public affairs, and the maintenance of public virtue, these
resources cannot be developed fully, and, if they were, it
146 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
would not be for the general welfare. The quiet life
upon the raft, with the tranquil enjoyment of the interest
ing natural scenery, adorned by farms, dwellings, fine
towns and palatial residences, beautiful steamers in sight
almost every hour, and occasional railway trains, made
the friends disposed to contrast the scene with that pre
sented to the first white explorers.
" These scenes are beautiful, and indicate increasing
wealth, power and advancing civilization, do they not,
Doctor?" said Sydenham, as they were floating quietly
along in sight of Quincy.
" They do, indeed," said the Doctor, "and most interest
ing and beautiful to look upon; but you must not think
me cynical if I say there is danger under this beautiful
exterior."
" From what source ? " enquired Sydenham.
" From the love of wealth, luxury and display," replied
the Doctor. ~
"And yet, as human nature is constituted, we could not
afford to abolish these," replied Sydenham; " and, if we
' appeal to history,' it would be hard to show that Sparta
did as much for the world as Athens."
" We must learn from both," said the Doctor. " A
Christian nation should be able to improve upon both, as
we do in some things, though not in all. Little Sparta,
by her virtue, temperance, valor, abnegation of wealth and
luxury, self-denying patriotism and steadfast adherence to
her institutions and laws, maintained her proud integrity
for five hundred years, in glorious contrast with the des
potism, luxury, corruption and crime of the eastern nations;
and her example has been most useful to mankind, a fine
national illustration of many most solid virtues that never
have been and never will be surpassed."
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 147
" And how of Athens?" enquired Sydenham.
" I do not think," replied the Doctor, " it could be cor
rectly claimed that she encouraged a love of wealth, luxu
ry, or display; but she did encourage and cherish a love of
the beautiful, in art, literature and oratory. The power,
originality and force of her genius never has been surpassed ;
the worn and broken ruins of her art are now our models,
the remains of her literature our examples, and her philos
ophy the delight of all philosophers. In science, her foot
steps were sure as far as she progressed, and the most
eminent surgeons to-day read Hypocrates with pleasure
and advantage. Yet with all this love of the beautiful,
the perfect, the complete and the true, and of success in
their attainment, avarice was looked upon, spoken of and
recorded as a " disgusting vice," and luxury was discour
aged as was the amassing of private wealth."
" Doubtless you are quite right," said Sydenham. " In
these things, and in many others, we can and should learn
much from them, not only in the things of which we have
spoken, but in politics and in political dangers."
" Yes," said the Doctor, " any republic from now until
the millenium can and should learn by the example of the
ancient republics to guard against danger from ambitious
demagogues, from violent partisanship, from sectional
feuds and jealousies, from the love of military pomp and
conquest, from too rapid acquisition of territory, from the
secret intrigues of monarchies, and, greatest of all, from
civil war."
" You make your enumeration of dangers longer than
our present popular writers," said Sydenham. "They
include everything in slavery."
"Yes," said the Doctor, "and therefore they fail to make
the safest and truest application of the political lessons of
148 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
the past : for all the ancient world practiced it, monarchies
as well as republics. So, though theories may be put for
ward, no comparison or analysis can be made; yet it is
clear that the institution, in a general sense in the abstract
does not harmonize with the spirit of the age. "
" Neither," said Sydenham, " do many other things.
For instance : A measure is now pending in Congress of
more practical importance, and that should be more bene
ficent in its results, than can well be estimated. I mean
Curtis' Pacific Railroad bill, a measure that has been
agitated for more than twenty years, greatly needed for ten,
and now ripe for consummation ; and this is the most
prominent bill before Congress, daily under discussion;
would quickly pass if the people urged it. And yet it
attracts less attention from the press and the public than
the prize-fight between Heenan and Sayers. Take the
newspapers of the country to-day, and where you find one
line urging this great work, you will find one hundred
lines relating to an exhibition so brutal that, in the early
days of the republic, it would have been looked upon only
with disgust; and yet, you must admit that the press is a
fair reflex of popular sentiment."
u True," said the Doctor, while he paced thoughtfully
back and forth on the raft, " the spirit of the age, public
opinion, or whatever you call it, while it should always be
considered, is not always a safe thing to follow; and the
frequent warnings of this in Holy Writ are undoubtedly
founded in perfect wisdom. ' Vox populi, vox Dei] will
not always do. How often in the history of the human
race has the very seed of truth, of right, of justice, liberty
and law been preserved by one man, when the populace
were, for the time being, given over to passionate or plaus
ible error, to base evil, to cowardice, or to apathy, until
waked at last by these faithful sentinels placed by God on
the silent watch-tower of truth."
CHAPTER XXI.
; E will now pass over an interval of a number of
days. Our raftsmen have passed the mouth of
the Missouri; have passed St. Louis, thence
on to Cairo and the mouth of the Ohio; then Kentucky
lies on their left. The narrow point of this State that
touches the Mississippi is soon passed, and then comes
Tennessee. On the other side, the earthquake region
about New Madrid is passed, and soon Missouri is left
behind. And then comes the State of Arkansas. The
summer travel from the south northward has now com
menced, and the larger and finer class of steamboats are
crowded with passengers.
We are now in a long stretch of the river above Mem
phis. The day is drawing toward a close, and the men
on the raft, oppressed with the heat of the long summer
day, and the increasing monotony and tedium of the
voyage, are not in so pleasant a mood as when we last
saw them. Seth Lane, the pilot, had been in a chronic
state of ill-humor, excitement and apprehension, from
the time of leaving St. Louis. The run through the
<; grave-yard," (as river men term that part of the river
between St. Louis and the mouth of the Ohio) had been
replete with difficulty and danger, from the numerous
snags, which might easily be removed, and the river kept
clear, if snag-boats were kept regularly instead of spas
modically in service by the government. A large steamer
was in sight a short distance below, the black smoke from
150 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
the tall chimneys pouring out in a dense cloud, indicating
that the firemen were making unusual exertions, and that
extraordinary materials of combustion were brought into
use. Soon she passed them her paddle-wheels beating
the water into billows, and her swell leaving the raft
rocking in her wake. Her guards were crowded with
passengers, and the after-part with ladies, who watched
the raft with interest, and some waved their handker
chiefs. The pilot, in his surly mood, seemed to consider
the gay crowds his personal enemies, and their waving of
handkerchiefs only a taunt, and swore some round oaths
as he took a fresh quid of tobacco.
" Hello," cried Sydenham, " there is another boat."
And as he spoke another large first-class steamer was
rounding the bend from below. The clouds of smoke
pouring from her chimneys, and the motions on her fore
castle deck, showing that they too were " shoving up the
fires" to their utmost. Indeed, a barrel of turpentine (on
freight) had been brought up from the hold, placed near
the capstan, and the head burst in ; and into this the fire
men dipped the sticks of cottonwood : for it was a race,
a Mississippi river steamboat race, and the excitement ran
high, both among passengers, officers and crew ; even the
cabin-boys, and children among the passengers, entering
into the spirit of it with all the enthusiasm ever elicited
by any contest on the turf; indeed, far greater, for each
and every person were direct participants. None can
appreciate the intense excitement, except those who have
participated, and these well know that the sense of danger
is generally lost sight of, and so in this case, or such ter
rible combustibles as turpentine would not have been re
sorted to. And on this boat were our friends, the Bar-
rona and Johnson families. Barrona was sitting on the
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 151
after-guards, surrounded by his family and a large circle
of traveling acquaintances ladies and gentlemen and
there were many children on board, playing about, and
talking of beating the other boat, which, it appeared, had
passed them while they were " wooding." Barrona had
taken no interest in the race, indeed, had deprecated it,
alleging that there was fully enough danger without
racing, and was talking with the ladies of the salubrious
climate of Minnesota, when his son Pierre came back
from the boiler deck.
" Now, father," said he, " we will beat the other boat,
for the captain has got up a barrel of turpentine to make
steam faster."
" Barrona rose at once in alarm, and started for the
forward part of the boat to remonstrate with the captain
against this recklessness. He had not gone half the length
of the main cabin, when a sudden outcry, a sharp com
motion, and the next instant flames climbing the forward
part of the boat, warned him that the worst he feared had
come. The men, in dipping wood into the open barrel
and carrying it thence to the furnace doors, dripping it as
it went, quickly made a pathway for the fire, and like a
train of powder to a magazine, the flames from the glow
ing furnace in an instant followed it to the open barrel.
An effort was then made to throw the barrel overboard,
'but in so doing it was upset upon the deck, and in an
instant the fire fiend had complete control, and in less
time than it takes to relate it, the whole forward end of
the boat was enveloped in red and crackling flames. At
once every soul on the doomed vessel realized that they
were in the very jaws of death; wild, piercing shrieks
rent the air; men of unflinching nerve and dauntless
courage were paralyzed by the awful suddenness of the
152 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
catastrophe. Women and children wildly clung to their
husbands and fathers ; men with blanched faces struggled
desperately to tear out the stanchions and light wood
work to make floats; others ran to lower the yawl; others
again to secure their baggage and effects; but all were
compelled to crowd back toward the stern by the swift
flames and suffocating smoke, which filled the cabin, for
already the heat, almost as far back as the wheel-house,
was oppressive beyond endurance. Isabella fell upon her
knees, and raised her hands in prayer. Barrona and his
son struggled to secure floats, but all realized that their
chance of escape was more than desperate. Many men's
hearts failed them utterly, and wild despair usurped the
place of reason.
Meantime, high excitement reigned on the raft. Syd-
enham saw the first outburst of flame, when it leaped
from the barrel; he saw the liquid flame spread over the
forecastle deck, when the barrel was upset ; he saw it leap
upon and climb the cabins; he saw the attempt of the
pilot to turn the boat to shore, which succeeded in chang
ing her course, but in another instant the pilot had to flee
from the pilot-house to avoid being burnt to death at his
post. He saw all this, and his blood almost ceased its
circulation, as the wild shrieks of despair rose on the
summer air from the burning boat. Then one thought
alone filled his mind, and prompted his whole soul to
action it was to save the people on the boat. One slen
der chance offered to do this, and he at once determined
to improve it. The boat, turned from the channel, struck
a sand-reef; her engines were still working, but the sand-
reef held her. Sydenham determined to lay his raft
alongside. Calling his men around him, he said:
" Men, there are hundreds who, in ten minutes, will be
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 153
drowned or burned to death; we must save them. I am
willing to risk my raft and my life. Will you help me ?"
All said, Yes; but when the order was given to lay her
alongside, Seth Lane swore he was " not going to be
drowned or burned to death to save anybody."
( " You will not," said Sydenham, " for you can swim if
the fire drives you from the raft/'
" I know this river too well," said the pilot; " few men
swim out who fall in the Mississippi."
" I will not talk," said Sydenham in a voice of thunder,
" while women and children are being burned to death.
Lay the raft alongside."
" I will not," said Lane with an oath.
" Then stand back," said Sydenham, seizing the sweep.
The pilot resisted. In an instant Sydenham felled him
to the deck, and aided by the best of the men (for some
sided with the pilot) the course of the raft was changed,
and the swift current rapidly bore her toward the fiery mass.
Isabella had first seen the coming relief, and with glad
cries called to her father. Then hundreds of imploring
voices were piteously begging the raftsmen to save them.
Those who had at first -sided with the pilot now came
gallantly forward and, under Sydenham's orders, began to
wet down with buckets of water that side that would come
in contact with the boat. The steamer ^lay with her bow
pointing towards the shore ; and, if the raft could be held
at the stern, the rescue could be made with ease ; but
Sydenham knew that if, in the confusion, they failed to
make fast to the stern, and were once carried by, then all
hope was gone, for they could neither return nor check the
raft. To lay her alongside, then, while by far the most
dangerous course in respect to the safety of the raft and its
crew, was the only course that ofiered any hope of saving
154
THE HEART OF THE WEST.
more than a small portion of the whole number on the
boat. The chance of saving nearly all the lives involved
a fearful risk, and it was this that his men feared ; but they
quickly said, if he was willing to risk his raft and his life,
they ought to be willing to HSK their lives ; and so, except
the pilot, they aided with all the roused energy and force
of brave, determined men. The Doctor worked with tre
mendous energy in spreading upon the raft the bedding
dipped in water, and in wetting the now dry boards by
throwing on water; but the time for this was too short to
effect a great deal. The current bore them on so swiftly
that soon the stern of the raft, which was next the bow of
the boat, was so hot that men could scarcely stay on it,
even by retreating to the further side.
Before she struck, Sydenham placed himself and most
of his men nearest the crowd on the stern of the boat, and
begged of them, in jumping on to the raft, not to crowd
one another, and charging his men to aid the women and
children first, and hurry them back to the other side, he
set such an example on the raft, and Barrona on the boat,
that, even in that fearful moment, something like system
and order was established.
The boat was now one mass of fire, from her bow back
four-fifths of her length, and, even at the extreme stern,
the heat was so great that it was with difficulty some were
restrained from plunging into the river. Before the raft
touched, several men sprang from the boat towards her;
and of these two or three fell into the water; and one was
caught between the raft and the boat and crushed to death
instantly. At the moment of contact the rush began, and,
although every effort was made by those seeking to save
others to prevent accident, many were hurt quite seriously
by falling, and others from behind falling or jumping upon
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 155
them. Directly after the raft struck, the chimneys fell
with a loud crash, and one fell upon the raft. The boat
also floated from the reef; and the fright caused by these
two circumstances added greatly to the panic.
Barrona took his post near a stanchion at the stern, and
had there gathered his own and Mrs. Johnson's family,
and had made all join hands and press close together, to
avoid being separated or pushed overboard by the surging
crowd. When he felt the boat afloat he started and feared
the boat and raft might part at once ; another look, how
ever, and he motioned them to stand still, yet a moment
or two, and the way was clear. With a quick motion to
Sydenham, he seized Isabella by the hand and passed her
to Sydenham, who bore her almost insensible form to the
other side of the raft. His wife, Mrs. Johnson, and all the
younger members of the two families, were quickly passed
over the side and received into the strong arms of the rafts
men and Doctor Ross; and, just as boat and raft parted,
Barrona, the last soul upon the boat, sprang on the raft.
And now a wild outcry was raised that the raft was on
fire. And so it was, and had been from the time the
chimney fell, and had been raging at one end of the raft
while all were busy at the other. Sydenham and Barrona
instantly consulted, (for such situations develop both con
fidence and perception of character) and, and at their
suggestion, a line across the raft was formed, and each man
or woman with a garment of some kind dipped in water
was soon beating out the flames which were licking over
the surface of the raft. This movement was so successful
that confidence was soon restored, and men, women, and
even children charged upon the flames from all sides with
wet coats, shawls and petticoats. As soon as this work
was well begun, Sydenham called all the raftsmen and
Ij6 THE HEART OP THE WEST.
steamboat-men to get them entirely clear of and away from
the burning wreck. To do this poles were brought into
requisition, and soon the men, with faces scorched to a
blister, had the satisfaction of getting the raft entirely clear
of the boat, and floating out of the range of that fierce heat.
Putting the sweeps, which were not greatly injured, in
charge of his own crew, with the steamboat pilot to indicate
the channel, Sydenham now superintended the complete
extinguishment of the fire upon the raft. This was soon
effected, and then all breathed free again, and could see
how fearful had been their danger and how great their
deliverance.
Within three minutes after the last had left the boat,
most of the upper deck had fallen, and the stern, even to
the rudder-post, was one mass of lurid fire. The light
upper- works of the boat being of pine, and painted with
oil paints, were now almost consumed ; but the hull burned
more slowly. Had the fire started in any ordinary way,
the precautions constantly taken on these boats against
such disaster, and the efficient discipline maintained, would
have insured its immediate extinguishment; but the ex
citement engendered by the race led to the careless use of
a dangerous combustible, and, after the upsetting of the
barrel of burning turpentine, no human power could save
the boat from quick destruction.* Order, discipline, cour
age, strength, or a self-sacrificing disposition, availed noth
ing then. Had every officer on the boat lain down his
life, it would have availed nothing.
The raft was different, the top courses only being dry,
and lying rather compactly together, and the whole surface
* About the year 1855, a steamer plying between St. Louis and Peoria was
destroyed exactly in the way here narrated ; but there was no rescue, and a large
number of lives were lost. The catastrophe occurred a short distance above St.
Louis.
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 1^7
except the little cabins being flat. Sydenham knew that
the chances of subduing the fire were very good, and that
if all would work that it was almost certain that it could
be done with ease. The great danger was that the panic
and confusion would prevent until too late ; but the prompt
action of Barrona and his family set an example that was
immediately imitated by most of the two hundred passen
gers.
Isabella, on reviving after swallowing a little of the
water hastily offered her by Sydenham, took her place by
her father's side, and, tearing the skirt from her dress,
dipped it in the river and sloshed the flames, after the
fashion of the early settlers on the prairies of Illinois,
"lighting fire" to protect their fences and crops when the
prairies were on fire. Barrona recognized an old college
friend in the Doctor, and, after a warm greeting and many
expressions of gratitude, enquired for Sydenham, who,
blackened, scorched and begrimed with smoke, fire and
cinders, was now examining the extent of his losses.
The Doctor, who had seconded Sydenham with all his
heart and soul, and had labored unceasingly in wetting
down the raft before contact with the boat, then in getting
passengers on board, and then in extinguishing the fire,
told Barrona of the high excitement and mutiny on the
raft, its prompt suppression by Sydenham, and the desper
ate and nnrrow chance by which they were enabled to
come to their assistance at all. Barrona had to this point
maintained his courage and comparative calmness, but he
now gave way, and tears coursed down his cheeks. The
Doctor led the way into the little lodging-room thus far
occupied by himself and Sydenham, and there the strong
men bowed their heads and returned thanks to God for
this great deliverance.
158 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
" And now, my friend," said Barrona, " let us seek your
noble friend, but for whom, under God, almost every soul
on board that proud steamer would have perished. No
words of mine can thank him enough, for he has saved
what is far dearer to me than life."
Sydenham had just washed the smut and dirt from his
blistered face, and was giving directions to his men about
landing at the nearest town, which, the pilot of the steam
boat told him, was about five miles below.
The Doctor approached. " My friend, Mr. Sydenham,
of Minnesota; my friend, Mr. Barrona, of Louisiana."
" I have already become somewhat acquainted with Mr.
Barrona," said Sydenham, smiling and extending his hand.
But Barrona took him in his arms and embraced him
with emotion. " You," said he, " have done for me and
mine what no words of mine can express. You have
saved all of our lives, and at the peril of your own ; and if
Henry Barrona, now or ever, can do aught to repay this
obligation, command him."
" I did no more than my duty," said Sydenham, u and,
without the aid of many others, among them the Doctor
and yourself, could have effected nothing; but I am most
thankful to God that you have all been saved, and that we
are now here on this raft in safety."
" But come," said Barrona, "let me present you at once
to my family and friends, that they too may thank you."
" I thank you for your kind offer," said Sydenham, "but
you see I am in no plight to go among ladies, and no
raftsman could face so many at once as I see in that crowd
forward."
" Tut, tut,'* said Barrona, "no wife or daughter of mine
would heed such trifles in such a case, or I would disown
them."
THE HEART OF THE WEST.
159
But Sydenham pleaded his duties on the raft, and beg
ged to be excused until after they landed. The Doctor
went with Barrona, and was introduced to Mrs. Barrona,
Mrs. Johnson, and the families of both. The ladies en
quired anxiously for Sydenham, and expressed their grat
itude in most earnest terms; and numbers of gentlemen
went to seek and thank him, while others proposed more
substantial rewards; and soon a committee was formed,
and a subscription of over five thousand dollars was made
up, as a compensation to Sydenham for losses and a reward
for his efforts. The paper was then handed to Barrona,
who glanced it over, and then placed his name on it for
five thousand dollars. Several other subscriptions were
made; and a number of ladies subscribed liberally. The
gentlemen then waited upon Sydenham, and told him
what they had done, and that the money should be collect
ed and paid to his order at any bank he might name in St.
Louis, Memphis, or New Orleans.
Sydenham was taken by surprise. He had indeed heard
that a subscription was being taken up to pay him for the
lumber that was burned, and make good his losses; and
he had been pleased at this; but, always self-reliant and
proud, he revolted from the idea of receiving the bounty
of these wealthy strangers, no matter what the circumstan
ces. He thanked the committee for what they had done,
but told them that his losses would not exceed one thou
sand dollars, and more than that he would not accept, and
even that he had not expected and did not ask.
The committee urged that it was all right for him to
accept the whole, and that they would not feel satisfied if
he did not do so; but Sydenham assured them he had only
done his duty as a man, and that he did not think it right
or proper to accept anything more than compensation for
l6o THE HEART OF THE WEST.
actual loss, and positively would not. Finding Syd-
enham decided, the committee retired to consult with
Barrona and the Doctor, who were surrounded by a
group of ladies, among whom were Isabella and her
mother. The committee stated that Sydenham would
not accept. Barrona felt mortified at this, and Isabella
blushed. Taking the Doctor to one side, the two talked
for some time. Returning to the group, he took the
committee to a remote corner of the raft, and said to them :
" Gentlemen, we have all made a mistake. This is a
very different man; and if we would even repay him his
losses, we must wait a day or two. His whole trip is
broken up, and his raft in a condition that he cannot go
down on the coast as he intended, but will have to sell his
lumber at Memphis. Perhaps the sum he named will
cover only the actual value of the lumber burned, and if
he is obliged to sell on a bad market he may lose in that
way, also. Let us retain the paper as it is, until we find
out his full loss; and this he can and must accept."
As most of the passengers designed stopping a day or
two in Memphis to recruit, this proposition met with
general favor.
The captain of the steamboat, who had been consider
ably burned and injured, and had been carried to Syden-
ham's berth, now sent for him, and suggested that instead
of landing at the little town which they were now very
near, that they go on to Memphis, where every accommo
dation could be had. This he gladly assented to if the
passengers would agree to it; and they, finding they could
reach the city in about three hours, or by eleven o'clock
at night, and that the trip would be entirely safe, were
nearly all in favor of it. It was now dark, but there was
a brilliant starlight; the signal lights had been put out,
THE HEART OF THE WEST. l6l
and the sweeps were in charge of the best men on the
raft, aided by some of the steamboat crew, while the
steamboat pilots stood by to indicate the channel, they
being at home with every bend, island and chute, as a
man with his door-yard, and by night as well as by day,
familiar with the channel, and knowing where are the
snags and where the deep and where the shoal water.
Few men realize what it is to be a good Mississippi river
pilot, and fewer still can make one. Of course the raft-
pilots, are not expected to know the river as thoroughly
as the steamboat pilots, nor is it necessary.
Seth Lane had not offered to touch the sweeps, nor to
assist in any way; nor would Sydenham have permitted
him to do so, since the affray when his resistance and re
fusal to obey orders had almost cost the lives of the people
on the steamboat.
The cooking caboose with its contents had been
burned, so that no supper could be had until they reached
Memphis. Seeing that all needed arrangements had
been made, Sydenham went forward with the Doctor, and
was presented by Barrona to his family, and that of Mrs.
Johnson; and here, by the starlight, standing upon the
charred and blackened boards, floating onward upon the
great river, we will leave them to converse upon the ter
rible events of the day, and other topics that would be
suggested by so peculiar and unusual a situation as that
in which they now found themselves placed.
CHAPTER XXII.
have said that Isabella was the first one on
the burning boat to discover the approaching
raft with aid and the hope of life; of rescue
from a watery grave, or a death of horror. With her
mind strung to its utmost tension, and every faculty of
mind and soul aroused, nothing on the approaching raft
escaped her eye, and, as it floated near, and Sydenham
stood forward, his form dilated by excitement, and gave
his orders, snatching them all from the very jaws of the
raging flames, she felt a torrent of wild emotions that she
had never known before. Tears rolled down her cheeks ;
and when her father handed her almost fainting form to
the arms of this gallant stranger, she could not speak nor
utter one word. When he gave her water, she could only
raise it to her burning lips, and when he left her, and her
father summoned her to aid in extinguishing the fire on
the raft, all her energies seemed to revive at once, and no
woman upon the raft rendered such efficient service; and
now, although the fire was over, and she stood beside her
father, mother, relatives and friends, and knew that all
were safe, her mind had not become tranquil. She heard
but little that passed around her; and, leaning her head
upon her mother's breast, she wept.
"Why, rny dear child," said her mother, " we are now
safe, and all are rejoicing, and yet you weep ; surely you
do not grieve for the loss of your jewels and clothing,
when God has spared us all alive and unharmed."
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 163
" No, no, dear mother, those things are nothing; I care
not for them, and we have been blessed and saved, and I
rejoice and praise my Maker; and yet my heart is sad."
Seating her upon a rude seat that had been hastily
made out of some boards from the part where the fire had
not reached, her mother bathed her throbbing temples
with water from the river, and tenderly wiped her face
with her handkerchief. Anxious inquiries were now
made by some of the passengers for the party who had
gone off in the yawl ; and fears were expressed that they
might have met with some accident, as it was overloaded,
and filled with men, the most of whom knew nothing of
managing a boat. It was at this juncture that Barrona
introduced Sydenham to the ladies of his family, as rela
ted at the close of the last chapter. By the dim starlight
all traces of weeping were concealed, and Isabella felt as
though she were in her father's house.
At first the all-absorbing topic with the whole circle
was the startling events of the day. Save the man
crushed between the raft and the boat, no lives were
known to be lost; though, as the boat's books and pa
pers were all lost, this could not be certain, especially
as it was not known, positively, who and how many
were in the yawl, and whether they were safe. Of
those who were injured, all would recover, it was thought ;
and as there were several physicians among the passen
gers, all had had all the attendance that could be given
until they reached the city. These subjects disposed of,
other topics came up, and the conversation went on, not
as between strangers, but as between friends, reposing
confidence in each other. All barriers of formality and
reserve were broken down, and Barrona, his wife, Mrs.
Johnson., the Doctor, and Sydenham conversed with that
164 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
warm and kind cordiality, the peculiar charm of which
can only exist where perfect mutual esteem, confidence
and sincere regard are felt. At first, Isabella took very
little part in the conversation, her mother and aunt lead
ing, but Sydenham was far too gallant a man to long
neglect any lady ; and Isabella expressed a desire to see the
way in which the unwieldy mass was controlled, and kept
clear of the eddies and snags her father had pointed out to
her from the guards of the boat. Sydenham offered his
arm, and they walked off to where the pilots and rafts
men guided the raft by means of the sweeps. They then
walked to the remote and unoccupied part of the raft,
and watched the dark and silent shores, covered with
primeval forests, and laved by the rushing river.
"Do you liKe to be upon the river, Miss Barrona?"
enquired Sydenham.
" Yes," said Isabella, " though I was born upon the
banks of the river, and have passed nearly all my life
there, yet I never tire of it; and when father took me to
the splendid Hudson, although I enjoyed it very greatly,
yet I was glad to get back home to the banks of the old
river."
" Have you ever seen the Upper Mississippi ?" enquired
Sydenham.
" No, I have not," replied Isabella; " and I had antici
pated so much pleasure from seeing it; but oh, how little
I thought of the horrors of the past day;" and she covered
her face with her hands, and again the unbidden tears
coursed down her cheeks.
" But this is, I hope, all over now," said Sydenham,
" and soon you will be safe in Memphis."
" Oh, pardon my weakness," said Isabella, " it is not all
for myself, but for father, mother, brother, sister, aunt,
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 165
cousins, all these, and friends and fellow-travelers, placed
in a moment between a horrible death by lire and drown
ing in this dark, rapid river, (and the poor girl shuddered
and sobbed) and from this dreadful fate you saved us all,
at the peril of your own life. Oh ! what if you had not
been in sight, or had not come to our aid; how can we
thank you enough ?"
" I thank a kind Providence for the opportunity," said
Sydenham, " but forget it all, Miss Barrona ; I did nothing
but simply my duty, and, had I been in peril, your noble
father would have done as much for me," said Sydenham.
" Indeed, I know he would do all he could," said Isa
bella, proud of the terms in which Sydenham spoke of
her beloved father; " and so," she said with enthusiasm,
" would I, if I could."
" Indeed you did," said Sydenham, " and noble service
rendered in extinguishing the fire almost under our feet."
Isabella laughed. " I must have made a singular ap
pearance," she said, " but I suppose you gentlemen were
too busily engaged to criticise me."
" Our criticism could not have been otherwise than
favorable," said he.
A steamer from below was now in sight, and they
paused to look at her as she approached. Steaming on
ward, in the plenitude of her power, it was a striking con
trast, and the quick mind of Isabella at once remarked it.
" How proud and grand a thing is that steamer," she
said; " and yet," she quickly added, " this raft is safer, and,
humble, as they think it, it saved us when they could
not," she said, with a wave of her hand toward the steamer.
" Yes," said Sydenham, " humility is sometimes safer
than pride."
" Is it not always?" said Isabella.
1 66 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
" Certainly humility before God, and before ourselves,
is always right," replied Sydenham.
" Then," said Isabella, " you do not believe in too much
humility before men."
" Not before some, I do not," said Sydenham decidedly.
Isabella smiled. " Tell me," said she, fixing her dark
and piercing eyes upon his, " why is it that some of your
northern politicians accuse us of the south of being proud ?
are we any more so than you of the north ?"
" Indeed, Miss Barrona," replied Sydenham, " that is a
question I cannot answer. I only know that there is
quite too much crimination and recrimination among the
politicians and newspaper men, of a sectional character,
for the good of the nation ; and as to pride, I do not see
how a few parallels of latitude can make much real dif
ference in human nature, at least with a people of one
blood and lineage."
" No," said Isabella, " and as to pride, how absurd
most of it is I mean nearly all pride."
" Yes," said Sydenham, " the love of the true and right
is far better; but you spoke of loving this grand old river
of your country. I sympathize with you in this, and
hereafter shall love it more than ever."
" And so will I," said Isabella, " in spite of its terrors."
The lights of Memphis were' now in sight, and prepa
rations were made for landing. Barrona took occasion to
explain to Sydenham and the Doctor, that he should re
main in Memphis a few days, and would expect them
both at his hotel, on the morrow, or at their earliest con
venience, when he had something to propose to them.
To this invitation the two friends replied that they would
be most happy to call, either the next day or the day after.
The bustle of preparation now took up the attention of
all, and in half an hour the raft was moored in front of
the city, and all the passengers and crew from the burned
steamer had left for the hotels, save only the two watch
men left on the raft for the night.
CHAPTER XXIII.':
next morning Memphis was full of excite
ment at the news (brought by the survivors them
selves) of the terrible disaster that had overtaken
the splendid steamer Comet. The hotels were full of the
passengers, and the all-absorbing topic throughout the city
was the terrible affair and the numerous incidents connected
with it. The captain of the boat was severely censured '
for permitting the careless use of turpentine; but, as he
himself was severely injured, and a heavy loser pecunia
rily, being owner of one-half the boat, on which there
was but little insurance, whiich it was thought might not
be paid, there was a disposition generally manifested to
overlook his fault, and extend to him sympathy in his mis
fortunes. This was all the more manifested as it became
known that but one life was lost the man crushed be
tween the raft and the boat. Many were seriously burned
but none dangerously. The escape of the people without
great loss of life was a standing marvel, especially with
the river men, and more particularly the officers and crew
of the Comet. And nearly all agreed that the rescue was
wisely and bravely managed. A few, of course, insisted
that it was all luck; that it might and should have been
managed better, etc., etc. The passengers having lost all
their clothing, except what they had on, tailors and dress
makers were in great demand, and some of the ladies
(among whom was Isabella) were obliged to keep their
rooms until new garments could be provided. As Bar-
1 68 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
rona had his money and drafts on his person, he saved all ;
but many were not so fortunate. Sydenham was busily
engaged among lumber dealers, in selling his lumber, for
which he found a favorable market. Dr. Ross, finding
that his expected voyage was now ended at Memphis, was
undecided what he would do; but, having made all his
business arrangements so that he could be absent from
home until the beginning of November, he was free to
choose as his wishes might prompt. He had already
taken up his quarters at the same hotel with Barrona,
removing his baggage from the raft.
In the afternoon he and Barrona called to see Sydenham,
* but [finding him busily engaged in landing his lumber,
they exacted a promise that he would come to their hotel
in the evening, after the day's work was done. Accord
ingly, in the evening, Sydenham laid aside his raftsman's
dress, and attired himself in a proper suit for an evening
visit, and, calling at the hotel, sent up his name to the
rooms occupied by his friends. But Barrona had placed
his son in the hotel office to wait for his friend ; and, before
the man could start with his message, Pierre Barrona came
forward and conducted Sydenham at once to the family
parlor, where were assembled all the members of both the
Johnson and Barrona families, except Isabella, by all of
whom he was most warmly greeted, with enquiries as to
whether or no he had suffered from the over-exertion of
the day previous. To all these kind expressions Sydenham
replied that he had not suffered otherwise than feeling
some slight soreness in his limbs and muscles; and all
complained of some soreness, to some extent, from over-
exertion, and a slight cold, from exposure to the night air,
after being so heated and so fearfully excited. None,
however, had suffered from the fire except Barrona himself,
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 169
whose neck, hands and face were badly scorched.
Soon Isabella was announced ; and Sydenham, dazzled
at the beauteous and resplendent being who now, clad in
simple attire, stood before him, rose with diffidence and
took her extended hand. In the wild excitement of the
rescue, he had too much thought of saving to pause to
admire; and, in the evening conversation on the raft, it
was too dark to more than see the outlines of her form and
features, and, although he had been charmed and delight
ed, he little dreamed of the vision of grace, goodness and
beauty that now stood before him.
" Mr. Sydenham," said Isabella, as she extended her
hand, " I hope you have not suffered personal injury in
your efforts to save our lives."
" Not the least, Miss Barrona," said Sydenham. " On
the contrary, I feel most happy that the issue was so suc
cessful, and that a kind Providence rendered it possible for
me to aid you."
Tears suffused the large, dark eyes of Isabella, and for a
moment she could not speak. At a sign from her father,
however, she mastered her emotion and said :
" Mr. Sydenham, to-morrow morning high mass is to be
held in the Catholic cathedral, to return thanks for our
deliverance ; and although we suppose you are not a Cath
olic, yet we would all most cordially invite, and, indeed,
urge you to accompany us, and participate as your feelings
may dictate."
" I thank you for this kind invitation, Miss Barrona,"
said Sydenham, gravely and respectfully, "and accept it;
for I can see no reason why Catholics and Protestants,
worshiping the same God, should always refuse to do it
together : certainly they are, or should be, one in Christ."
" You are quite right," said Barrona, " but you know
170
THE HEART OF THE WEST.
the walls of bigotry that have been built on both sides,
and which some say cannot and must not be overleaped ;
but I think and act otherwise."
" I rejoice," said Sydenham, turning to Barrona, " that
you hold such liberal sentiments. For myself, although
no Catholic, and believing that errors have crept into that
great church, as into others, yet I have always respected it,
and have not believed it to be the monster many zealous
Protestants honestly think it to be."
" I am a moderate and conservative Catholic," said Bar
rona, " and moderate and conservative Catholics and Prot
estants, it seems to me, need not be far apart, although the
priests of both too often tell us differently."
" Yes," said Sydenham, " and some of them are contin
ually rebuilding the walls and embattling them ; whereas,
we would level them, or, at least build them no higher
between the followers of the crucified Redeemer."
Dr. Ross was now announced; and the conversation
turned upon other topics. An hour two hours sped away
so swiftly that neither Sydenham nor the Doctor realized
that it could be so late, until a glance at his watch by the
latter showed that it was time to retire. Bidding Barrona
and the ladies good-night, Sydenham and the Doctor with
drew, but paused a moment at the room of the latter, who
gently rallied his friend thus, (after first closing the door
of his room, and glancing around to see that there were no
eavesdroppers :)
u Well, old friend, I must say that, for a raftsman, you
have proved yourself a great ladies' man ; indeed, I was
astonished, and did not know but we would have another
conflagration, so brightly sparkled the eyes of the young
lady ; and yours, though not of the fiery kind, usually were
not far behind. I did not know but the curtains of the
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 171
window near which you sat would take fire from the elec
tric flashes."
" Indeed," replied Sydenham, "to own the truth, I never
passed so pleasant an evening in my life; but I did not
intend to show it. Tell me truly, Doctor," he added,
gravely, " as a friend, was my behavior in any way amiss,
or in the slightest degree improper?"
" Not a bit," said the Doctor, gaily, " you only acted as
ingenuous young men of your age are apt to do when they
fall madly in love ; and she," he added, in a lower tone,
"seemed quite determined to make the plunge, also, with
out stopping to look."
" For shame, Doctor," said Sydenham; " say what you
will of me, but do not utter one word in even slight dis
paragement of such a being as this."
" Ah," thought the Doctor, " I have, then, a true diag
nosis of the case."
" Not for worlds, my dear fellow," replied he. " I never
saw but one lady whom I more admired ; and she was not
a thousand miles away."
"Ah," replied Sydenham, "now I think of it, I recollect
seeing a medical friend of mine, of mature years, paying
high court, recently, to the matronly beauty of a certain
lovely widow."
" Ah, my boy," said the Doctor, deprecatingly, " do n't
say a word, for you hit me in a tender spot."
"What! so soon?" queried Sydenham, maliciously,
" leaping headlong without first looking : you at least are
old enough to know better."
"Oh," said the Doctor, holding up his hands imploringly,
"murder will out; murder will out; but not another word
let us utter on this subject to night not another word,"
and, so saying, the friends shook hands and bade each
1^2 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
other good-night, Sydenham going to his raft and to bed,
but not to sleep. The bright vision of Isabella's beauty
was bright before him, and sleep he could not. He
thought of the Doctor's words almost in anger; but then
he knew that the Doctor was his friend ; and he rejoiced
that he had a friend with him who knew something more
of him than those whom he had so recently met.
CHAPTER XXIV.
>HE next morning at nine o'clock, the Barrona and
Johnson families, accompanied by Sydenham
and Ross, with a number of passengers from the
burned steamer, proceeded to the cathedral, which was
soon filled with the escaped passengers and crew of the
boat, and citizens of Memphis. A large number of
ladies were present The occasion was a most solemn
and interesting one; and to Sydenham the services were
new and unusual. As the beautiful and solemn music
pealed through the arches of the lofty building, his mind
and soul seemed to absorb and fill with the glorious influ
ences of religion, and he saw only the worship of his
Maker and Savior, and his soul seemed lifted above all
the petty distinctions of sect or dogma. The solemn
service ended, Sydenham escorted Isabella, and the party
returned to the hotel.
Here Sydenham left them and made his way to his
raft, where for two days he was constantly engaged in
superintending the landing, assorting and tallying of
the lumber. This done the sale of the different lots was
consummated, the account of the burned lumber made
up and settled for by the treasurer of the committee at the
same price he received for the other, which was all Syd
enham would receive.
The men on the raft were each presented with one
hundred dollars besides compensation for articles of cloth
ing lost by them. In this distribution Sydenham was
1^4 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
willing that Seth Lane should share ; but not so the men
on the raft, or the donors, who insisted that these rewards
were tokens of merit, and marks of esteem to the men,
in which he ought not to share; for, in addition to mutiny,
he had rendered no aid, even in the most dreadful moment.
Sydenham would have perhaps taken this same view, but
the man had come to him, after the landing at Memphis,
confessed his fault and asked his pardon ; and this had
taken away all his anger and disposition to punish him
any farther in any way. But the pilot felt deeply his dis
grace, and as soon as Sydenham had settled with him and
paid him his wages, he started for home on the first boat
bound up. The other men remained; and, after taking
Sydenham' s advice to remit most of their money to St.
Paul, went about the city, enjoying themselves in their
own way, and lionized by the Memphis boys greatly.
But after two or three days spent in this way, the more
staid portion induced the others to start with them for
home, which they did, in high spirits, and accompanied
to the boat by a large number of their new friends, among
whom were some of the crew of the Comet. Sydenham
bade his men good-bye on the boat, receiving from each
expressions of esteem and good-will. Barrona and the
Doctor also came down to bid them good-bye, and Isa
bella had sent to each one a handsome present by the
hand of Burton, whom the Doctor had brought to her for
that purpose. His business concluded, Sydenham took up
his quarters at the hotel, his room adjoining the Doctor's.
Meantime Barrona had made all the necessary arrange
ments for the families to go onto Minnesota; and now
tendered to both Sydenham and Ross a warm and press
ing invitation to accompany them. Sydenham accepted
this invitation, of course, for he was going at about the
THE HEART OF THE WEST.
'75
same time, and he knew that they were aware of this,
and to decline or make excuses would seem odd, or as if
designed. But the Doctor was embarrassed ; he wanted to
accept, but it seemed to him awkward to do so.
"You see," said he to Sydenham, as the friends sat in
the quiet of the evening twilight, by the open window,
in Sydenham's room, " for me to turn right about with
you and go back to Minnesota, from whence I have just
come, when I live down here, would seem unusual, and
even absurd ; and how do I know but they might have
only invited me out of politeness, because I was with you."
" You flatter me," said Sydenham ; " but I will not be
flattered . How do I know but the high favor you think I
enjoy is due entirely to my friend Doctor Ross, and to his
former acquaintance."
'* You have no grounds for thinking so," replied the
Doctor, " and every ground for thinking otherwise. True,
Barrona and I were old college friends ; but we had not
met for years, and my introduction of you to him amount
ed to nothing under such circumstances. You had been
instrumental in saving their lives that introduced you ;
and afterwards these high-souled people knew intuitively
what and who you was."
Suddenly the memory of Grey Eagle's dying words
flashed upon Sydenham; greatly agitated, he started to
his feet and paced the room. The Doctor looked at him
with surprise ; he trod the room with such a pace that the
floor quivered and vibrated; his whole form dilated with
excitement, hands clenched, and teeth set. The Doctor
rose from his seat in alarm.
" Sydenham," said he, " what is the matter? are you ill
or mad?"
"Neither, my friend," said Sydenham, pausing and
176 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
lying his hand upon his shoulder. " Pardon my behavior.
You recollect the dying chief, Grey Eagle. He died on
this same raft on which we were permitted to save the
lives of all these people, and of this bright being with
whom you say I am madly in love. He uttered some
singular words of prophesy about my future wife, and
how I would win her; and now your words of friendly
encouragement brought this to my mind, and fixed the
connection, and wonderful indeed if it should be fulfilled,
and this glorious girl be mine, but that is wild, and I
must not let so sweet a delusion possess me."
The Doctor paused a moment in thought. He recalled
the words of Grey Eagle: "She comes to his arms out of
the fire and is his wife." Instantly the excitement of the
Doctor knew no bounds. He manifested every emotion
of wonder, joy and fear, and seemed unable to control
himself. Seeing, however, that his friend was not disposed
to converse, he betook himself to his own room, and there
meditated in silence upon what seemed so great and
wonderful a mystery.
As for Sydenham, his mind was in too great a tumult
to think, and leaving his room, he walked out alone into
the streets of the city. Passing along out of the gay and
crowded thoroughfare, he entered a fine colonnade of
beautiful shade-trees. Here, near the lofty porch of a
public building, he was accosted by a woman one of
that degraded and unfortunate class who minister to the
sinful pleasures of others. Giving her some words of
kind advice, and handing her money to relieve her wants,
he passed on. Reaching the blufl back of the city, he
paused for some moments, and looked over the lights of
the city to the dark line of river beyond; and his mind
turned upon all the strange events of the last few days,
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 1^7
and then upon the aged Indian chief, and the strange chance
by which he was able to rescue and relieve him, to soothe
his dying hour, and to give his remains Christian burial.
Then before the voyage was ended, comes this fearful
calamity, and out of this the woman who now filled all
his thoughts. Would the prediction be fulfillled, or was
it but a delusion and a snare? Could it be possible
that he was to be so blest, or was he to drink the cup of a
bitter disappointment? He rose and slowly walked back
to his hotel, and to his room ; and here, in silent vigils and
in prayer he passed the night.
/ CHAPTER XXV.
'HE morning broke gloriously, the crimson and
yellow light streaming far up above the horizon.
Sydenham watched it until the great orb of day
was above the horizon's verge. Leaving his room, he
descended to the street and walked out. Passing through
the silent streets, he wended his way to the river-bank,
and sat down to muse. The great river rolling on its tire
less course seemed to him a type of life, ever changing, and
yet unchanging in its onward course towards the great
gulf and the greater sea, like to the tide of time rolling on
ward toward eternity.
Musing in listless reverie, he sat for some time, until at
length roused by the arrival of a large upward-bound
steamer from New Orleans. The lines were made fast,
the gangway planks run out, and soon the passengers
came ashore. The omnibus for the hotel drew up near
him, 0nd a gentleman of fine appearance, and most ele
gantly dressed in the hight of fashion, approached and
enquired of the hotel runner -for the Barrona family ; if
they were stopping at the hotel. Being answered in the
affirmative, he entered and the carriage drove off. A
sudden pang entered the heart of Sydenham. He felt
that this elegant and handsome stranger was and must
be the suitor of Isabella, and all the pangs of love,
jealousy and despair tugged at his heart-strings. He
hastily rose and went to the hotel and to his room, and,
after making his toilet, descended with his friend to the
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 179
breakfast room. They had not been long seated when in
came the Barronas, and Isabella on the arm of the hand
some stranger. They took their seats near, and the
stranger was introduced to the friends as Mr. De Vere, of
Baton Rouge. Sydenham rose and extended his hand,
and received his thanks and congratulations, (rather pat
ronizingly given) as the rescuer of his friends, &c. A
great effort was now made by De Vere and Sydenham
to be polite to each other, but the freedom and ease of the
little circle was gone. Naturally, the conversation turned
on the escape, in which Sydenham did not wish to say
much, and then on affairs in Louisiana, and then on poli
tics, in which De Vere maintained the extreme secession
view. At length the breakfast ended, and Sydenham
retired to his room. Here the Doctor soon joined him,
and said it had been proposed by him to Mrs. Johnson
that they (the whole party) have a ride to-day in the
country; and urged him to at once see Isabella and in
vite her to accompany him. Sydenham did so; and she
accepted his invitation before De Vere was aware what
was going on, and greatly to his chagrin. Finding that
the family were going, he invited Amelia Johnson to
accept his escort in a single carriage, but that young lady
had already accepted the invitation of her cousin Pierre.
Mortified at this second failure, he was a little soothed by
Mrs. Barrona, who invited him to a seat in the family
carriage, which her husband had then gone to engage.
This invitation he accepted, greatly to that lady's satisfac
tion, who considered the arrangement very proper and
right all round, and who made no disguise of her very
high esteem for Sydenham, in the course of conversation
during the day. Barrona, also, although a friend of De
Vere, took occasion to express, in unequivocal language,
l8o THE HEART OF THE WEST.
his gratitude to Sydenham, and his high regard for him,
in terms that he intended should effectually suppress any
further patronizing air from De Vere toward him.
De Vere felt keenly the gentle rebuke, but most deeply
was he pained when, half an hour later, the carriages
were announced, and Isabella, arrayed for the occasion,
entered the parlor, and, taking the arm of Sydenham, de
scended to the street. He had, indeed, aspired to the
hand of Isabella, and well might expect success. Hand
some, wealthy, talented, holding on eminent social and
political position in his native State, (Louisiana) few
ladies, indeed, but would be delighted with his attentions,
and ready to accept his hand. But neither Isabella nor
her parents were to be influenced by these things too
greatly, and although she had respected, and even admired
him, yet she never had loved him ; and this he felt more
than ever before, as he saw the look she bestowed upon
Sydenham, as she, radiant and happy, took his proffered arm.
It was arranged that the family carriage, being driven by
a driver acquainted with the roads, should lead; then fol
lowed the Doctor and Mrs. Johnson, then Sydenham and
Isabella, and then Amelia Johnson and Pierre Barrona. A
gentle shower, the night before, had laid the dust, and the
fresh morning air of early summer was loaded with fra
grance, and enlivened by the songs of birds. As they
ascended the bluff, the beautiful little city lay below
them, and from the summit they had a commanding view
of the city, river and valley.
Few cities can boast a more lovely site than Memphis;
and there are, upon the whole, few more beautiful towns.
From the river back to the summit of the bluff there is a
gradual rise, securing perfect drainage and a most beau
tiful effect, as viewed from the river, the bluffs, or from
THE HEART OF THE WEST. l8l
*
the city itself. The party halted for some time to enjoy
the beautiful panorama. While they looked, a stately
steamer rounded out from the landing place, and steamed
down the river, glittering upon its waters in the sunlight
like a floating palace.
Pursuing their way, they drove out into the country a few
miles, and returning by another road, reached the hotel about
eleven o'clock, except Sydenham and Isabella, she having
expresed a wish to enjoy the view of the city and river
again, from the same point, and they accordingly returned
the way they went, and, driving slowly, were half nn hour
later in reaching the hotel. The ladies withdrew to their
rooms on returning, and the gentlemen to theirs; but all
met again at the dinner-table; and here Barrona proposed
starting again for Minnesota, on the boat expected from
New Orleans that evening a very line and very safe
boat. And now the Doctor found himself in a position
that he must decide whether tc go or not. Barrona, Mrs.
Barrona and Sydenham urged him to go with them, as
did Isabella; but the Doctor hesitated. Finally Mrs.
Johnson remarked :
"Doctor Ross, indeed I hope you will decide to go
back with us; it will be so pleasant."
To this the Doctor at once replied : " Thank you, Mrs.
Johnson, I will go."
This settled, the Doctor's embarrassment was now over,
but De Vere found himself in an awkward position. He
had come up, on hearing of the accident, intending to
accompany the family, not doubting that his company
would be every way acceptable; but he found the situa
tion quite different from what he had expected, and, to use
a homely but expressive phrase, he was a kind of " fifth
wheel to a wagon." As for Barrona and his wife, the
1 82 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
friendship and intimacy between them and De Vere and
his family disposed them to the utmost kindness and
courtesy; yet they could not conceive how his presence
during the trip, as one of the party, could, tinder the cir
cumstances, add to its harmonious enjoyment. The
Spanish mother knew well the characteristics of her race,
and saw clearly the unchanging impulse of her child, and
knew that nothing from any other source would change
the current which neither father nor mother had tried to
check. De Vere rose hastily from the table and went
out. As the party rose from the table, Sydenham whis
pered a word in Barrona' s ear, and, after seeing the ladies
to the parlor, the two friends went to Sydenham's room.
Closing the door, and handing Barrona a chair, Syden
ham seated himself.
" Mr. Barrona/' said he, " since chance threw us to
gether, I need not say how great a pleasure to me has
been the society of your family and yourself, nor how
grateful I am for the courtesy and the marks of friendship
and confidence you have shown me."
" My dear friend," said Barrona, seeing his friend's emo
tion, "say not a word; it is me that should be grateful."
Sydenham continued: "You will, I fear, think me
abrupt, and possibly, presumptuous, when I say that
my own peace of mind demands that, before we start
north, I must ask you one question."
" Say on," said Barrona.
" Would you permit me to address your daughter with
a view of marriage, and win her if I could ?"
" I will," said Barrona, " and if you win her I will win
an honorable and high-souled man for a son-in-law."
Sydenham's emotion almost overcame him. Until the
last twenty-four hours, he had hardly dared to allow him-
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 183
self even to think of such supreme happiness as calling
this lovely girl his wife ; and now, that her father had so
nobly given his consent, and that he had learned from her
own lips that De Vere was to her only a friend, hope like
the full-orbed sun roused his passion to an impetuous tor
rent. But, checking himself instantly, he said :
" But, Mr. Barrona, remember, I am poor and have no
wealthy family connections, nor have I had the advanta
ges of a thorough education, or of social intercourse with
the gifted and learned."
" As to your circumstances," replied Barrona, " I think
you told me that the proceeds of your raft would pay
your debts and leave you some ready money, and that you
had some property, and that you had supported yourself
from a child, and had struggled, unaided, in the world for
all you had won."
"I did," said Sydenham; "but yet, I would not be
able to place your daughter in the position I would wish
to, should I be so fortunate as to win her."
" My daughter comes of a line of women who, if
necessary, are willing to accept even poverty, with those
they love. Isabella could not be won by wealth or posi
tion; so, my boy, if you win her, remember, it is for
yourself, alone."
Sydenham was deeply affected. He'pressed the hand of
Barrona, and that gentleman withdrew. An hour passed,
and Sydenham heard a knock at his door. Opening it,
De Vere entered. Offering his hand to Sydenham, he said :
" You are, allow me to say, a most fortunate man."
" How so, Mr. De Vere ?" said Sydenham.
" Why," said De Vere, " I came here this morning
with high hopes of winning a most lovely woman, and
thought that, after an acquaintance of years, my chances
154 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
were good; but I find you, my dear fellow, hold all the
cards father, mother, the lady herself, probably, and all
her family and relations. But," added De Vere, gravely,
" I learn that you are a brave man, a man of honor, a
Christian and a gentleman; and I resign all claims to the
man who saved her life, and offer you my friendship and
best wishes for your success and happiness, and assure you
I am not going to die of a broken heart, or of jealousy."
Sydenham grasped his hand with deep emotion, and
thanked him for his generous, manly and magnanimous
conduct; and calling his friend, Doctor Ross, the three
friends enjoyed a half-hour of pleasant, social intercourse,
and then left the hotel, to make their last arrangements
for the trip. De Vere, however, was not going until the
next boat, and then to Louisville, " where," (said he gaily,
as they parted) " I am going to make love to a lady even
more beautiful and accomplished, and every way as inter
esting as the good, true and charming Isabella Barrona."
" I wish you success and happiness," said Sydenham ;
" but can I too succeed, I would not exchange her for all
the women in the world, and the world itself added."
De Vere paused and looked at him intently a moment.
" It is all right," said he; " but I am not that kind of a
man, and can bear a disappointment of this kind better
than you can. But I again tell you that in this affair you
are the favorite of fortune ; for not often do men like you
succeed in these matters, and," he added after a moment's
thought, " let me advise you to marry her quick, while
the current is so strong in your favor, or else some adverse
tide may set in, and even you fail at last."
The young men pressed each other's hands. " Thank
you, a thousand times, thank you," said Sydenham, "and
may God bless you and yours forever."
CHAPTER XXVI.
r UST as the sun was setting, the splendid steamer
Constellation, Captain Scott, Master, steamed away
from the Memphis landing with the whole party
on board. Isabella and Sydenham sat near each other,
upon the after-guards, engaged in conversation ; while, at
a little distance, Barrona and the Doctor were reading
some late papers, the other members of the families being
in the cabin or upon the upper or hurricane deck. The
conversation between the pair, after the city of Memphis
was left behind, had turned upon books.
" Mr. Sydenham," said Isabella, " you have read Shak-
speare; now tell me which female character of his you
like the best"
" The purest diamond in the whole casket is, I think,
Miranda, in the play of Tempest," replied Sydenham.
"And which do you admire the most, Miss Barrona?"
" Indeed, Mr. Sydenham," replied Isabella, timidly, " I
am no critic, and have never read Tempest, but I have
heard my father say that he thought the best female char
acters in the Bible (the old Testament) and in Shakspeare
harmonized; that Ruth and Miranda were alike; and
then he would kiss my mother and call her his Ruth some
times, and sometimes Miranda, but her name is Isabella,
like mine."
" Your mother was from Spain, I believe," said Syden
ham.
" Yes," said Isabella, " and there my father married her
l86 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
and brought her to Louisiana, his native State, and where
his father died ; and there I was born, and there we have
all lived very happily; but my father says he fears now
that great troubles may come upon the whole country.
He says the people's minds are so inflamed by evil speech,
evil writing and falsehood, that the north and the south
hate each other, and he fears war may break out, and he
fears the prosperity, liberty and virtue of the country may
be destroyed, or greatly injured, besides the killing of
thousands and thousands of men."
" Indeed, it is too dreadful to think of," said Sydenham,
" and as foolish as wicked."
" Oh, Mr. Sydenham," said Isabella, while the tears
dimmed her lustrous eyes, and her bosom heaved, " you
would n't fight in such a war, would you ? "
" I think not," said Sydenharn, " for it seems to me the
duty of a true patriot to oppose civil war under almost any
circumstances."
" Mr. Sydenham, will you point out the place where the
Comet burned, and where you saved us from perishing
miserably," said Isabella.
" With pleasure, Miss Barrona ; but it will be after dark
when we pass there ; yet I can show you about the place,
and the wreck may be visible-"
" Oh, Isabella," cried Mary Barrona, " come up on the
hurricane deck ; it is so pleasant."
" Will you not go up, Miss Barrona?" said Sydenham;
" there is a fine promenade there."
Isabella rose. " With pleasure, Mr. Sydenham ; but I
will go and get a light shawl, for the night air will be cool
soon."
Sydenham stepped to his state-room and, exchanging
his light summer coat for one ot cloth, met Isabella in the
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 1 87
ladies* cabin, and, offering her his arm, escorted her to the
upper deck, where numbers were promenading in the cool
evening air. It was now twilight, but the landscape, soft
ened by the approaching gloom of night, offered its own
peculiar beauty at that hour, as the noble steamer held
steadily on her way. As they walked forward, the dark
eyes of Isabella were turned up the river.
Forward of the tall chimneys, near the bell, Barrona
and Doctor Ross stood in conversation with the captain of
the boat, and surrounded by some of the younger members
of the party and several other passengers. As Sydenham
and Isabella approached, Barrona introduced them both
to Captain Scott, who was an old acquaintance of his.
" I am happy to see you, Captain Sydenham," said he,
" and to thank you for saving the life of my brother, who
was captain of the ill-fated Comet, and of his passengers
and crew. A lucky thing, indeed, that you happened along
just at that time; and even then, with ninety-nine men out
of a hundred in charge of that raft, there would not have
been one-quarter of them saved."
" I saw," said Sydenham, "that it would be quite impos
sible to save more than a very few, except by laying the
raft alongside ; and this course looked so very dangerous
that it was almost defeated by an attempted mutiny on the
raft. Then, fear and panic on the boat came near ruining
everything; but our friend here (your brother being disa
bled,) held it in check ; and then this gentle lady," turning
to Isabella, " by her devoted efforts to stay the flames on
the raft, set a noble example that was quickly followed,
and we were soon safe from that last danger."
Isabella blushed deeply and cast down her eyes, and her
hand, which rested on Sydenham's arm, was observed by
the bronzed captain to involuntarily tighten its grasp.
1 88 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
Tears came into the veteran's eyes. He raised his hat
respectfully to Isabella, bowed, and said in a low tone,
" May God bless you both."
The pair resumed their promenade in silence, while the
Captain and Barrona sat down near the bell. Soon the
boat landed at a wood-yard, and, by the time she had
finished " wooding," the moon was up, and shed its pale
light over forest and river. As they passed the scene of
the disaster, the pilot pointed out the wreck, having learned
its exact position from a brother pilot in New Orleans,
who had noted it as he passed down.
The promenaders had now deserted the deck, except
only Sydenham and Isabella, who walked aft and looked
upon the charred and blackened wreck, upon a sand-bar
quite near the track of their boat. As they passed near it,
Isabella could not contain her feelings, and the horror of
that awful hour seemed to fill her mind.
"O surely it was a heaven-sent chance that brought you
to our aid," she said, with deep emotion. "Think of
father, mother, brother, sister, aunt, cousins, and all, per
ishing in a moment, and their bodies given to the fishes or
the flames. I can never forget it, never, never."
Sydenham gently soothed her ; and soon the swift steam
er had left the blackened wreck behind. The pale moon
rode serenely through the azure heavens, as the lovers sat
in that beautiful night, on the steamer's deck, and yielded
themselves to the serene and sublime influences of the hour.
No word was spoken for some minutes
"Isabella," said Sydenham, in low and gentle accents
for so she had told him he might call her " Heaven
forbid that I should claim gratitude from any one for a
simple performance of duty, which God made successful;
but I feel that I must tell you, even now, that my heart is
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 189
yours; that I love you with all my soul. Tell me, dearest
Isabella, may I hope for a return, or will you reject me?"
Isabella spoke not, but laid her hand in his. He pressed
her to his bosom, and kissed her again and again. She
leaned her head on his breast, and wept tears of joy. For
she knew from her mother, to whom she had confessed
her love, that her father would not refuse her hand to
Sydenham : and there and then their vows were plighted.
CHAPTER XXVII.
>HE next morning Sydenham told his friend, Doc
tor Ross, that which the good Doctor rejoiced
greatly to hear his engagement to Miss Barrona.
" My friend," said the Doctor, " I thought you looked
taller than usual, this morning; and indeed you do."
"And so I should," said Sydenham, "if my feelings
influence my stature ; for I feel happier, aye, and greater,
than if I had come in possession of an empire."
" But remember," said the Doctor, " that saying of the
eastern sage when asked for an inscription to put upon a
ring, that should moderate the transports of joy in the hour
of success and happiness, and soothe the pain of grief in
the moment of adversity and disaster : 'And this too shall
pass away/ "
" Excellent," said Sydenham, "but my life has been one
of toil and self-denial ; and now let me enjoy while I may,
for trouble will come soon enough, doubtless. This is the
time to be happy ; and I am determined not to go in search
of dark care, but hide from him, rather, for a time."
"You are quite right," said the Doctor, quickly. "I
would do so myself, if I was situated as you are ; and 1
wish 7 was" he added, with great emphasis.
" I think you stand high in the lady's estimation," said
Sydenham, " and as the successful usually assume to give
advice, allow me to suggest a homely adage : l Make hay
while the sun shines.' "
" Confound your adages," said the Doctor. "If I should
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 191
attempt a rapid movement and get floored, you could find
half a dozen old saws about the folly of too great haste."
" Pardon me, my friend, said Sydenham, seeing that the
other was not disposed to levity, " I will not and do not
intend to commit the folly of seriously offering advice ; but
you know you have my best wishes, as has all the world ;
and I would impart to all a share of my own happiness, for
I have too much ; and you may exercise the prerogative of
a friend in my behalf by restraining me, for I feel as though
I could walk right out through the thin air, and climb
the clouds.",,
" You really frighten me," said the Doctor, "and I have
no straight-jacket, nor is there any means of taking care of
the insane here."
" I wish," said Sydenham, " that you would hasten to
the same point in this delightful pilgrimage to which I
have reached; and then you, being afflicted with the same
glorious insanity, could, as a physician, prescribe a change
of air ; and we would go back to one of those beautiful
little lakes in Minnesota, away from the unappreciative or
envious crowd, where there was only woods and rocks and
the four pilgrims, devotees at Love's shrine."
" Really," said the Doctor, " I always thought you a
temperate man ; but here you have been drinking cham
pagne before breakfast."
" Champagne, indeed !" said Sydenham. " It was the
nectar of the gods, and taken hours ago; but now I am
going to be practical. Let us go down and see the ladies
to breakfast ; and do not you utter one word of all this, for
it might give grave oflense, not, I hope, to Isabella, but
to others."
Isabella had risen early, and, calling her cousin, Amelia
Johnson, the two had walked, arm in arm, for some time
192 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
on the after-guards of the boat. Both families were now
in the ladies' cabin, and, directly after the two friends en
tered, the polite steward announced breakfast, and Syden
ham escorted Isabella, and the Doctor Mrs. Johnson, to the
sumptuous table. The long and spacious cabin of the
steamer presented quite a vista of elegant comfort.
The western river steamers are, upon the whole, the
most pleasant and desirable mode of traveling yet inau
gurated. Free from the plague of sea-sickness ; free from
the intolerable smell of bilge-water and oil, that all-per
vading nuisance on ocean steamers; free from the dust of
railway trains ; large, airy, with ample space for exercise,
both in the cabins and on deck, shady and quiet nooks on
guards, etc., with ample opportunities for social intercourse,
or for privacy, with excellent fare in great abundance and
variety, and cleanliness and order everywhere, it is not
probable that any more delightful, safe or healthful means
of travel can be devised. Then one is free from the
annoyance of showing tickets, feeing waiters, making
bargains, etc. The traveler goes on board, engages his
neat little state-room, pays his fare, and is treated with
courtesy and attention. As to safety, accidents, of course,
do sometimes happen; but they are of rare occurrence.
Good order, discipline and efficiency are the rule, both
among officers and crew ; and courtesy and pleasant social
intercourse, combined with attention to one's own busi
ness, is the etiquette of the cabins. These rivers, drain
ing the whole vast interior of the continent, are used for
travel by thousands of every class; and an immense vari
ety of character is here met with. Men from the north,
the south, the east and the west; from the Pacific to the
Atlantic oceans, from the British Possessions to Mexico,
and from almost every country in Europe. A certain
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 193
class of somewhat narrow-minded and hypercritical writ
ers have given very unfavorable and unjust impressions
in regard to life upon these boats; and few, indeed, have
been found to pay a just tribute to the high ability, cour
age, generous manhood and honor of western boatmen,
or to appreciate the difficulty and hardships of their voca
tion, as well as its peculiar temptations. Not all these
critics would be able to fill even subordinate stations, or
to acquft themselves creditably in this kind of a life.
Captain Scott sat at the head of the table, and, after
those from the ladies' cabin were seated, the breakfast bell
was rung, and the long table was soon filled. Long and
leisurely meals are not the style here, consequently there
is less conversation ; but, as there is abundant opportunity
for conversation all the rest of the time, this is not objec
tionable. If the passengers can all be seated at the first
table, after they have risen, it is spread anew for the offi
cers of the boat; and here freedom, jests and repartee
prevail. Then, after this, the cooks, cabin boys, waiters
and chambermaids are served. The deck crew are served
below, and the mode of doing this might be improved.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
N board the Constellation were gathered a large
number of passengers from almost all parts of the
Union, of various character, vocation and station
in life; representing, in a good degree, the various phases
of American life and character, diverse in thought and in
interests, having all shades of political and religious opin
ions, and, upon the whole, not a bad type of the nation.
Of course, at the time of which we write, politics was the
all-absorbing thought and topic of discussion. The great
Democratic convention at Charleston had been held, and
had ended disastrously, in the dismemberment of the
Democratic party. Few reflecting men but had great
misgivings of the future; but as there are not a great
number of this class, the temper of the disputes and dis
cussions did not differ greatly from those preceding other
Presidential elections, only that there were more radicals
or extremists, and extremes were further apart indeed,
directly opposite. Although south of Mason and Dixon's
line, all shades of opinion were well represented and ably
maintained, and, through the example of a few leading,
high-toned gentlemen, courtesy and toleration were the
rule, so that, although passionate and angry discussion ran
high, yet personalities were generally avoided. Occa
sionally the hydrophobia of ultra slavery, propagandism
or its opposite extreme, would be developed ; but as the
number of those afflicted in this way was but small, and
as the radical element dominated, they were kept under
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 195
such restraint as to preserve the peace on board the boat,
and so prevent the spread of either contagion. On board
the boat, also, were several gentlemen who had attended
the Democratic convention at Charleston, S. C., as dele
gates, and many sad things, illustrative of the dangerous
elements entering into American politics, were shown to
have been in existence there, in the course of a long, calm
and analytical examination of the subject, entered into
directly after breakfast, and continued during the day, in
the quiet seclusion of the after guards, by a small circle
consisting of Barrona, Ross, Sydenham, and four or five
other gentlemen of various sections, (including some re
turned delegates) who were not in any way interested in
violent agitation, but were sincerely interested in the
peace and well-being of the country. The result of their
analysis of the subject was agreement upon these points :
i. That there existed two parties, one in each section,
who were inflexible in their purposes, unprincipled and
unscrupulous in the choice of means, and determined to
have their own way; and these parties, though really
small in numbers, were incorporated into and led the great
bodies to which they belonged; and, as neither could suc
ceed in their objects so long as the people were united, so
it was their interest and aim to dis-unite the people, and
encourage sectionalism and sectional hate, and the blind
fury of the populace.
2. That money from some source in large sums was at
Charleston, for the purpose of corrupting the delegates;
that this was well known, and that the very air seemed
tainted with bribery, as never before known in America;
and it ought to be known whence came this money for
purposes of corruption in such vast sums.
3. That European statesmanship and diplomacy do
196 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
not repose upon the basis of Christianity, but upon that
of self-interest, or national aggrandizement, and do not
and dare not dispense with vast armaments for their
maintenance.
4. That their secret fear of the spread of American in
stitutions is well known, and their intrigues to be dreaded
and guarded against.
5. That it is absurd and grossly improper, every way,
that the oldest, largest and most powerful political party
in America should have at the head of its organization the
known and accredited agent of the house of Rothschild.
6. That while permanent servitude as an abstract prin
ciple of right is fallacious, the real good of the country, or
of any portion of the people of the country, does not re
quire any violent measures, or the dissemination of any
revolutionary principles.
7. That men possessed of inordinate ambition, and vio
lent, brawling demagogues, and all other demagogues, are
and always have been the bane of republics, and have been
and will be of this republic.
8. That as the last resort of political differences in this
favored land, civil war should not even be thought of,
nor secession, nor coercion, but rather a NATIONAL CON
STITUTIONAL CONVENTION, assembled in accordance with
the constitution itself, and with the opinions and plan of
the founders and makers (under God) of the government,
above States and Congresses, and the fogs of partisanship ;
above the vile malaria of sectionalism, and above the dia
bolical perversion of Christianity, patriotism and truth;
and in the pure and bright light of true patriotism,
Christianity and truth, and, in a spirit of conces
sion and kind regard, each for the other, a spirit
of true humanity and justice, discarding public ap-
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 1 97
plause, disregarding the fear or favor of any party,
class, or section, and all the enticing dreams of ambi
tion; emulating the patriotism of Sparta, and follow
ing the divine precepts of Christianity ; refreshing, restor
ing and perpetuating democratic republican institutions in
all their purity, vigor and excellence ; conserving and pro
tecting all the interests of all the people, of all the States,
without antagonism toward other nations, but with good
will toward them, yet that good will guarded by vigil
ance and shielded by power; extending, also, its duties
to shelter beneath its ample breadth, and protect, in strict
justice to ourselves and them, the red and black species of
the human race, and all other types over whom our laws
are extended, or with whom we are brought in contact,
and who cannot become a part of the body politic by rea
son of essential differences that can only be abrogated by
Omnipotence.
9. That such a convention we believe possible and
practicable ; and even if it cannot come up to this stand
ard, it would still be the only proper resort; and should
the country drift on into the breakers of secession and
civil war, it can be THE ONLY ISSUE THEREFROM that
would preserve the principles of such a government as
ours inviolate, and protect the people from the manifold
dangers of corruption, violence and misgovernment.
After the gentlemen had discussed these points and
embodied them in writing, it was suggested that the pas
sengers, officers and crew of the boat be gathered in the
cabin, the propositions read to them, and the sense of the
meeting be taken upon them; and it was agreed that,
made up, as it would be, of people of all classes and sec
tions, it would represent, in a good degree, the real mind,
198 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
heart and feeling of the people upon these questions,
the sentiments of the heart of the west. But the day
was now so far advanced that it was thought best to defer
this meeting until the next day, especially as many violent
partisans would certainly oppose, from opposite points;
and to Barrona, Sydenham, and, indeed, all the party, it
was something more than mere amusement, they wished
to know whether or not these sentiments would accord
with the popular heart. That they would please politi
cians could not be expected; for both and all parties
might construe something therein contained into an attack
upon them, and so would oppose and deride the resolu
tions, and claim that they did not meet the points at issue,
etc., etc. But the party broke up with the understanding
that the voters on board the boat should be appealed to,
the next morning; and then Sydenham, Barrona and the
Doctor sought the ladies' cabin in time to escort the ladies
out to supper.
Isabella's serene beauty seemed illuminated, and, as
Sydenham gazed upon her, he felt a sorrow at his heart
at the thought that she could ever fade and die. And
then, with mighty force and power, came into his soul the
glorious hope of the Christian, and, after the supper was
over, they walked again upon the upper deck, until the
stars came out, and then sat down alone, and gazed into
the azure heavens, and talked of the brightness and glory
of the future world, and of the blessed Savior, and their
hope in him in the future, and gratitude and love to God
in the present existence. And so the sweet hours sped
away until ten o'clock; when, with a kiss, the lovers part
ed for the night, and then, each to their room, to devo
tions, and then to bed.
CHAPTER XXIX
F course the engagement of Isabella and Syden-
ham was made known to Mrs. Johnson, and the
immediate friends of the family, after it had been
assented to and ratified by her parents, which was done
the next morning, but in a very quiet way, to avoid the
publicity that otherwise would be given to it upon the
crowded steamer. But both Sydenham and his friend,
Doctor Ross, were treated as and understood to be of their
traveling party, and usually escorted the ladies to the table ;
and so upon this morning.
As yet the dark war-cloud did not overshadow the land,
and, although there had been some warm political discus
sions on board the noble steamer, yet genial and kindly
influences had always prevailed. This morning Captain
Scott seemed in a remarkably good humor, and, after the
passengers were seated at the breakfast table, remarked to
Barrona that he understood they were going to have a
Union meeting on board, and, on being answered that
they were, remarked gallantly that he hoped they would
secure the influence and attendance of the ladies; that, if
they were for the Union, the men would be, of course.
" They have got them all right," said Pierre Barrona,
roguishly; " and I think we may consider the Union safe."
Isabella blushed at this sally of her brother, and Mrs.
Johnson looked reprovingly at her nephew; but Barrona
replied gravely that he feared "if the men were wrong, the
ladies would be found generally in full sympathy with
200 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
their husbands, fathers, brothers and lovers ; and, therefore,
if the country were in danger of civil commotion, the ladies
would be found taking sides like the men. And men,*'
added he, " who refuse to take sides will, I fear, be mis
judged, persecuted and despised."
" But," said the captain, " the ladies, from their natures,
must be averse and opposed to . war, should anything so
terrible as that ever occur, which may God forbid."
" I do not know about that," said Barrona. " The love
of war seems to be innate, and its 4 pomp and circumstance'
are as captivating to the one sex as to the other."
"O, no, father," said Isabella; " I feel sure that is not,
could not be the case with me, for I should think too much
of the sufferings of the unfortunate victims, of the innocent
and poor, who suffer while war exists and after it ends."
" You may well say, * after it ends/ " said Doctor Ross,
" for the war ceases not with the fighting. It begins then;
and war suffering follows in the train of what is called
glory."
44 May heaven defend us from both the suffering and
the glory," said Mrs. Barrona.
After breakfast was over and the tables were cleared,
the passengers began to assemble ; and the officers and
crew who were not on duty were invited to join them.
The meeting was called to order in due form, and a gen
tleman from New York City was called to the chair.
Barrona then made a few remarks explaining the object
of the meeting; and the resolutions were then duly read
and offered by a fine-looking portly gentleman from Illi
nois, De Main, who had assisted in framing them, and
who had also been a delegate at Charleston, and had borne
testimony of the corrupt money influence brought to bear
there.
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 2OI
The chairman then rose and, claiming the privilege of a
few remarks, objected strongly to the fifth resolution, on
the ground that it reflected on the patriotism and integri
ty of an eminent gentleman of his city, who was his
friend, and whose character he considered assailed, and
thereupon he would ask the gentleman to strike out that
resolution.
Dr. Ross here rose and said :
" I can assure the gentleman it was not intended to as
sail his friend, for with us persons are nothing and princi
ples everything; and that the principle is sound and true,
I think the gentleman himself must admit; and his friend,
if, as he is said to be, a man of high and pure patriotism
and unblemished integrity, must also, if candid, admit the
correctness of the principle, and, if the application of it
reflects upon him, retire at once from a position he should
never have accepted ; for I repeat in the language of the
resolution, 4 That it is absurd and grossly improper that
the oldest, largest and most powerful political party in
America should have at the head of its organization the
known and accredited agent of the house of Rothschild/ "
A murmur of approval passed through the assemblage ;
and the chairman rose and said :
" Gentlemen, as you have honored me with the position
of chairman, of course it is not proper that I should de
bate, and I will only say that if the resolution was not
intended to be personal, I withdraw all opposition to it;
and, indeed, as a rule of action in a general sense, I heart
ily concur, and am obliged to the gentleman for the sug
gestion, for, when I reflect upon it, I am astonished that
such a thing ivas ever done."
Barrona. "For one, I thank the gentleman most
sincerely for his acquiescence and his candor, and earnestly
2O2 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
hope that perfect candor and disregard of the trammels of
party may, in this little assemblage of fellow-travelers,
for once prevail; for, even the memory of it may, in fu
ture, days be pleasant."
A gentleman from Ohio here rose and said :
" Mr. Chairman, with all proper respect for the gentle
man who prepared these resolutions, which in the main
I approve, I must say that I think in the second resolution
the great party to which I belong is reflected upon, and,
if they belong to the same party, as I am told most of
them do, I think it strange that they should give such a
weapon into the hands of the enemy as a charge that
corruption (through the use of money for purposes of
bribery) existed in the convention at Charleston. I, for
one, do not believe it, and even if it were true, cannot see
what good can come of publishing it to the world."
Sydenham. " Mr. Chairman, I object, in toto, to some
of the gentleman's views. He speaks of ' the great party
to which he belongs] and of the party to which we belong.
Now, with all due respect for the gentleman, I object to
that expression, at least for myself; for, while I am wil
ling to act with that party which I think right, or nearest
right, I am not willing to belong to any party whatever;
and this thing, of a man owing fealty to a -party, is, it
seems to me, an error ; and it is also an evil that should be
abated, banished forever. The question strikes me
very differently, and I would, first of all, wish to know
if it is true (and we have positive evidence that it is) ;
secondly, if true, it is a -public danger that menaces
the whole country, and may effect any and all parties.
Then, too, if it is kept concealed, it is far more
dangerous in every sense than if known; for, if
known, a remedy may be applied. But I am ready to
THE HEART OF THE WEST.
203
admit that, in the application of this remedy, some judg
ment should be used; and, of course, in times of high
political excitement, opposing parties are too ready to
seize every opportunity to injure an opponent, without re
gard to truth, or the real interests of the country, or to
healthy political action for the benefit of all. But this
little meeting is not designed to be a political party meet
ing, conducted by politicians seeking office, but a meeting
of citizens, seeking only the right, the true, and the
healthy transaction of the public business of the country,
for the country's good; and before such a meeting, all
parties may be properly called to an account; and, if gross
corruption exists in any party, it must be extirpated as
soon as practicable, or that party will be ruined, and, of
course, by its ruin the opposition would come into power.
It is not necessary, always, to publish a wrong to the
world, but it is always necessary, and a duty, to right it
if it can be righted. That corruption, in some form, will
creep into any party is expected, and the party that covers,
conceals and protects it will (or ought to) lose power,
while the one that is known to extirpate it will not be the
loser by so doing. We do not propose to give the wea
pons for this extirpation to the enemy to overthrow us,
but to use them ourselves, that he may not overthrow us,
for the party will be stronger after being purged of this
villainy than before."
The correctness of this position being conceded they
were about to vote upon the resolutions, when a northern
radical took the floor, and harangued the meeting with
mighty voice and violent gesticulation for an hour, oppos
ing the resolutions He was followed by his anti-type, a
radical lire-eating secessionist, for another hour, who, like
his predecessor, succeeded in inflaming the passions of his
204 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
auditory to a high pitch. He, too, opposed the resolu
tions. When he finished, Barrona spoke for twenty
minutes. The resolutions were then read again, by request,
and adopted, amid great applause, by nine-tenths of the
meeting, which then adjourned, just as the steward came
in to arrange the tables for dinner. But before the meet
ing dispersed, Capt. Scott proposed three cheers for a
National Constitutional Convention, which were given
with an energy that drowned the noise of the engines, and
made the echoes of the forest ring again.
CHAPTER XXX.
'HE boat was now nearing St. Louis, which city
the captain expected to reach by 4 o'clock P. M.
Meantime, after dinner, political discussion went
on in groups all over the boat; and cohserrative sentiments
dominated. But yet, as few or none could look into the
future and foresee the gathering tempest of civil war, so
few seemed to realize the full measure of the propriety and
necessity of a National Constitutional Convention the
ark of the covenant. The so-called statesmen leaders of
political parties had not presented this measure, nor urged
it, so only a few analytical thinkers saw in it the cap-stone
of the great structure of free constitutional government,
reared in America, under the Providence of God, by the
men of the Revolution.
Nor could it be expected that it should be otherwise ;
for the ship of state had floated so grandly in the ordinary
channel, that only those who saw an extraordinary crisis
could be expected to look for this extraordinary channel,
laid down in the original charts by men whose voices are
no longer heard on earth.*
* Washington, in his Farewell Address, evidently alludes to this resort; and
Jefferson says substantially that "foreigners have an idea that the States ore sub
ordinate to the Federal Government." This, he says, " is an error; that they
are not subordinate but co-ordinate branches of one great whole; that usually
the mutual interest and gx>od sense of the people of the States and the nation
will be sufficient to preserve the harmony of government, but that, tvhen these
restraining influences are not sufficient, then a convention of all the States must
be held." And, in the convention that formed the constitution, there was a party
206 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
Moreover, the long rule of partisanship and sectionalism,
each operating in different ways, like counter currents
wearing away an island in the Mississippi, had reduced
the amount of true national sentiment and kindly regard
by the people of different States for the other, and that
community of interests upon which it reposed, the people
were made to believe, did not exist ; and so the true senti
ment of nationality was reduced to so low a level that the
country was ready for civil war, when pride, fanaticism
and ambition joined, and a combination of unfortunate
circumstances favored.
But these views were not held by the little circle of
gentlemen referred to. They were full of anxiety, but
hope prevailed. Although they believed the so-called
Republican party contained the germ of mighty evils, like
Pandora's box, and which might be strewed, far and wide,
making a wreck of much that was good, and jeopardizing
all, yet they believed, also, that it contained some good
elements, and they hoped that these would prevail.
Barrona was sanguine that if the Republican party
elected their candidate, the leading men of all parties
would form a patriotic union, and that a National Consti
tutional Convention would result; whereas, if either the
Democratic or Union (Bell and Everett) parties were suc
cessful, secession would have no force or strength to effect
any harm ; that it would practically be a " dead cock in
the pit," and all would be well.
who thought this bond of Union (mutual interest, good will, etc.) was not suffl
cient; and it was proposed to give the Federal Government the power of the
sword. This was refused ; but especial careful and far-seeing provision was
made for the convocation of all the States in a National Constitutional Conven -
tion. Evidence might be multiplied ; but almost every intelligent, unbiassed
man, then and now, would be a witness that it is in harmony with the whole
spirit and structure of our government.
THE HEART OF THE WEST.
207
So, in this way, care was banished, and the approaching
union of his daughter with the man of her heart was un
clouded by aught to mar its happiness; and, yielding to
the solicitation of Sydenham, it had been arranged that the
nuptials should take place at St. Paul, within a week after
their arrival there.
The full and generous soul of Isabella reflected itself
upon all with whom she was associated, and brightened
the social circle of the cabin ; and, observ ing the hard and
scanty fare of the deck passengers, and thoughtful for their
comfort, she had quietly made arrangements with the
steward (first obtaining Captain Scott's consent) to send
them a bountiful meal, each day, from the cabin ; and the
deck crew were also the recipients of luxuries through her,
for the gallant old veteran, Captain Scott, and her father,
would deny her nothing.
As for Sydenham, he had sometimes thought, during
the trip, that he must be under a spell of enchantment,
in enchanted land, his happiness was so supreme, in the
presence of his affianced and the circle of such sincere and
appreciative friends, so new a thing to him. The religious
element, always strong in him, seemed now fairly at flood-
tide, and his soul seemed exalted into a new and glorious
existence. If dark and scowling glances of envy or suspi
cion were directed toward him, he never saw them : he
saw only the trusting, confiding countenances of friends,
and Isabella ; and, in the quiet of his little room, his soul
went out to God in grateful prayer.
And now the trip of the Constellation is about to end,
and the city of St. Louis is in sight. Stretching along the
great river for many miles, and back upon the hills and
slopes of Missouri, she sits a queen a "River Queen."
Chicago may claim justly to be the queen of the lakes,
208 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
and boast her Briarean arms of her railways, but St.
Louis has the rivers for her portion, and in this regard her
domain cannot be surpassed upon this earth. As the
steamer approached the city, the passengers came out upon
the guards, and looked upon the panorama of life and
commerce, outspread upon their left, and upon the river
above them. Long lines of steamers of various classes
lined the levee, from every part of the great valley of the
western continent from the Rocky Mountains to the
Alleghanies, and from St. Paul to New Orleans. And
besides the great main arteries of this vast rivc-r system of
the continent, the secondary tributaries were also repre
sented. Steamers from the Illinois, the Tennessee, the
Cumberland, the Red, the Arkansas, and many other
minor tributaries, lay side by side with those from the
Lower and Upper Mississippi, the Missouri and Ohio
rivers. And now the boat is landed, and the press and
bustle of metropolis is heard and felt; the staging is ad
justed, and the passengers walk ashore. And now follow
four or five days of city-life, and, of course, preparations
for that coming event which is to be celebrated at St.
Paul. And here we will close the chapter, and in no way
obtrude upon the secrets of the toilet; and we will ask
our lady readers to accompany our heroine, in imagination,
in these various details of shopping, &c., to which our
pen can in no way do justice.
CHAPTER XXXI.
FTER spending one day in visiting objects of inter
est in St. Louis, in company with the Barrona fam
ily, Sydenham was to take the evening packet for
Rock Island, where he had some business to transact,
intending to rejoin them on the steamer upon which they
would ascend the Upper Mississippi when she would
arrive at that point.
Mrs. Johnson had advised against so early a marriage
of Isabella and Sydenham, and insisted that it would be
more proper to defer it until the winter, and have it take
place at home in Louisiana. But Sydenham's ardent
solicitation, that it be not deferred, to which, finally, Isa
bella timidly assented, at last overcame all opposition.
And now that they were about to part for only a few days,
and be separated only by a few hundred miles, the open-
souled girl could in no way disguise her feelings of appre
hension for his safety, and told her mother, to whom she
confided all her thoughts, that she was glad she had refused
to delay their marriage, as her aunt wished.
The Doctor now found himself in a new position; for,
as Barrona had business in St. Louis that took up about
all of his time, the Doctor felt bound to escort the ladies
on all their shopping and other excursions, at least the
first ones. But the gallant Doctor entered into this new
line of business with great zeal, and with a full sense of
the responsibility resting upon him; and the lovely widow
smiled archly as she witnessed his heroic efforts to do all
210 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
that could possibly be expected, and to meet every require
ment. On one evening the whole party attended the the
ater, and witnessed the charming play of the Lady of
Lyons, greatly to the delight of Isabella and the younger
members of the family, though, indeed, it was about
equally enjoyed by all. Before the last day, the Doctor
paid a visit to a friend, a few miles out on the " Iron Moun
tain Railroad," and so was absent from the party during
a portion of their stay in St. Louis. But he returned on
Saturday evening, and accompanied them to public wor
ship on the Sabbath. And then, on Monday at four
o'clock, P. M., the party took passage for St. Paul on the
fine steamer Northern Belle. Before the boat started,
Barrona telegraphed to Sydenham, according to previous
arrangement, and Isabella, looking on as he was writing
the despatch in the cabin, asked for the pencil, and wrote
her name under her father's, asking him if he would
please see that the operator repeated both names.
"Why, my child, this is nonsense," said Barrona, "and
will cause remark."
" Dear father," said Isabella, " indulge me in this, for,
as I could not write him, and have never sent him any
message, what could be more proper than that I should
send him one first by the lightning's flash. It was through
the fire that we first met and became acquainted, and what
could be more appropriate."
Her father smiled and gave her his consent; but her
mother looked gravely on and said :
" I hope, my dear daughter, it will not prove to be an
omen of evil, for certainly it is unusual."
"Dear mother," said Isabella, "I know nothing of
omens; but it cannot be wrong to use the telegraph for
such messages any more than for business."
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 211
But in the years that followed, when their heart-strings
were wrung by swift, unutterable woe, when civil war
spread its dark pall over the land, the circumstance was
recalled, but the recollection caused no pain, but rather
soothed grief; for it was not the outgrowth of folly, or
vanity, but of love and truth ; and, if it prefigured destiny,
the warning was kindly and salutary.
And now the beautiful steamer for the north backed
out from the levee, and the party went upon the hurri
cane deck to have the better view of the upper part of the
city. The steamer held her course just outside the long
line of boats that lined the city front; and it was highly
interesting to observe these various boats (the representa
tives of a vast interior commerce) and the people upon
them. St. Louis is built almost entirely of brick, and a
very good view of it may be had from the river, along
which it extends much farther than it does back from the
river. At present, intercourse with the east side is kept
up by means of ferry boats; but doubtles, a bridge, for the
passage of railway trains, will soon be finished, although
the work will be one of great magnitude and difficulty.
The city is soon left behind, but the turbid flood is enli
vened by numerous steamers ascending and descending
the river.
The first point of special interest, above the city, is the
mouth of the Missouri ; which the party did not wait for
upon the upper deck, but went down to the after-guards,
and there took their seats to wait until it was passed ; and
then Alton; and then, just before the gathering twilight,
the captain of the boat pointed out, by special request,
the locality of the famed " Piasa rock" and cave, in the cliffs
that line the river above Alton. Here tradition has pre
served the record of one of those surviving monsters of
212 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
an earlier age, some of which seem to have existed until
man came upon the stage; and a cave filled with bones
was shown by the Indians, and a rude painting on the
tall cliffs marked the spot embalmed in tradition as the
scene of an heroic, self-sacrificing deed and a great deliv
erance. As runs the tradition :
Many hundred (or thousand) moons before the white
men came, a monster bird, called by them the Piasa,* of
fearful ferocity, size and power, had his haunts in these
clhTs, and devoured his prey in the cave near the creek,
which to this day bears the name of Piasa. The monster
was far more terrible than any of which tradition gives
any account, and destroyed great numbers of Indians, as
well as deer, buffalo, etc., which he carried to the cave,
and there devoured. All attempts to destroy him failed,
until finally a young brave, in a lofty spirit of patriotism,
proposed a plan, and offered himself as a victim to secure
its success.
Accordingly, he was placed in an exposed position near
the cave, where the monster would see and swoop down
upon him, while near by lay concealed in ambush a chosen
band of warriors. The monster returned from a distant
flight across the great rivers, and seeing the Indian perched
upon a rocK near his den, swooped down in fury to des
troy him. Like the thunder was the sound of his wings,
and like the lightning the fierce flashes from his eyes.
But just before the mighty talons grasped the young brave,
the Great Spirit interposed an invisible shield over him,
and a shower of arrows, from the "concealed warriors,
pierced the Piasa so that he rolled upon the earth and
died, while the hero escaped unharmed; and, in com
memoration of this great event, the tribe, with solemn
* Piasa, in the language of this tribe, signified Devil Bird.
THE HEART OP THE WEST. 213
ceremonies, executed the rude painting upon the face of
the cliff, fronting the great Father of Waters. .
All listened with intense interest to this interesting relic
of the shadowy history of the early ages of this continent,
that should as much be preserved in our literature as those
of ancient Greece or Rome, or the story of St. George
and the dragon, but which will soon have passed into
oblivion, unless rescued by some true lover of the shadowy
and romantic legends of the past, and of real history and
science. For the evidence that much of this tradition is
veritable truth, is remarkable, in the bones in the cave,
(in enormous quantities within the memory of white men)
the painting on the rock,and in geology and natural science.*
It was now dark, and the party withdrew to the cabin
to .listen to some music from Isabella, her cousin and
others, for there was a large company on board from
Cincinnati, Louisville, Pittsburg, St. Louis and the south.
This entertainment over, and another hour spent in social
intercourse, and most of the company retired. But Isa
bella sat musing in her room upon the heroic chief of the
primitive age; and, drawing a parallel in her mind, be
tween him and her absent lover; and then she shuddered
at that a 1 wful peril of a fiery death ; and then her heart
glowed with joy and gratitude
"That Heaven had sent her such a man;"
and so, with a full heart and soul, she went to her silent
devotions, and then to bed, but not to sleep, until hours
had passed.
* NOTE. See Dana's " Text-Book of Geology," pages 172, 182, 183, 201, 230,
231, 239, 241. The early settlers of Alton, 111., well recollect this famed
" Piasa" rock, with the traces of an ancient, rude painting- representing the
monster, as also the cave in which were quantities of bones of animals, said
by the Indians to have been carried there by him. Why our antiquarians and
men of science have given such interesting facts so little attention is indeed
singular.
CHAPTER XXXII.
N board the " Northern Belle," politics was again
the absorbing topic of discussion, and, as on the
other boat, all shades of opinion were represented.
Barrona and Doctor Ross took an active part in these dis
cussions, and their views were not generally well received
by those on board who talked politics the most; but an
appeal to the voters on board resulted much the same
as on the New Orleans boat, only that being a stranger
to the captain the same friendly influence from that quar
ter was not exercised, and the majority was not so over
whelming, though still large. One gentleman from
Cincinnati seemed especially impressed with the import
ance of a National Constitutional Convention, and of the
necessity for abating the wild rush of fanaticism, section
alism and partisanship; and, on the morning after the
discussion was had, and vote taken, he handed to Doctor
Ross a paper he had prepared, and which read as follows :
" 1776 AND 1860.
" The men of the Revolution were not confident, self-
sufficient men; they were men who, while they learned
from the wisdom of the past, were practical in the present,
and far-sighted in the future. Governed by principle and
firm convictions of duty, they seldom yielded to the syren
of expediency. Constant and firm of purpose, they possess
ed RviAj of that stupid obstinacy which, once embarked
in a certain course, adheres to it, right or wrong. Wash
ington possessed these high qualities in the most eminent
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 215
degree. Forming his opinions from established facts,
constantly and reverently asking divine aid and guidance,
and viewing things as they are; firm in his integrity,
constant as the stars, he governed his life by a few simple
rules that were in harmony with his character and posi
tion, and with the principles of Christianity, and true
manhood and patriotism. His path was the path of duty
and of honor, not the wild comet, flying through the
wide realms of space, carrying dismay and terror, but the
planet, careering steadily onward in its orbit, governed by
fixed laws, and swerved not from truth and right by any
wild impulses of ambition or erratic instincts of passion
or of fancy. Far different is it now with the great major
ity of the public men. They do not enquire, ' Is this course
right? will it promote the best interests of the country?'
but, ' Will it win?' Washington's noble rule that 'to men
on earth it belongs to deserve success, not to secure it,' has
been exactly reversed, and the modern theorist, philoso
pher, or demagogue, as the case may be, shouts, ' To secure
success is a duty!' and priests and people say, Amen. The
flood-gates are then open for violence and fraud. Hypoc
risy robs sincerity of her garments; vice snatches the
sword of virtue, and stalks through the land; justice no
longer wields power; her seat is usurped by policy, and
passion, attended by a crowd of time-servers, fills up all
the channels of public opinion. Meantime, our politi
cians, instead of seeking faithfully the true path of recti
tude, and conscientious performance of duty, are diligently
watching the horizon to see from which quarter the wind
of popular favor will blow, intending to trim their sails
accordingly; while 'public opinion,' in turn, is, peihaps,
influenced by a few well-prepared, lawyer-like speeches,
or newspaper articles, or lying ' statistics/ A vitiated or
2l6 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
corrupt press can work untold evil, (until known to be
such) and fully verifies the old adage that a lie will go a
thousand leagues while truth is putting on his boots.'
We hope great things from the press for good ; but we
must not forget that it has also a fearful power for evil,
and when steam was applied to the art of printing, error
stood ready to use it first. And so it has been. Bold
pretenders are everywhere ; the trade of the reformer will
now be good. The profession of philanthropy, philoso
phy and humanity will now be profitable. Religion, be
trayed and perverted by corrupt priests, will be taken
from the service of Christ and harnessed to the car of
politics. Hypocrisy will thrive; rant, cant and fustian,
will pass current as pure gold. There will be a fearful
plowing and harrowing, nominally in the interest of vir
tue, religion and truth ; but when the crop has ripened,
the fruit will betray the vile seed; for God's laws of
reproduction are immutable, in the moral, as in the phys
ical world, and cannot be cheated."
The little group before whom this short paper was
read sat silent for some moments after its reading was
concluded. At length a gentleman from Indiana spoke :
" Evidently, the writer of this has not a good opinion
of his own times, and, it seems to me, is somewhat ruth
less in running the plow-share through everything that
most men revere."
" I yield to none," said the Cincinnati man, " in rever-
erence for the good and true, but I think it right, in view
of the fallibility and error in all human affairs, to apply to
the test from Holy Writ : ' By their fruits ye shall know
them ;' and in this way I conclude that much is error that
passes current for truth, and error of the most infernal kind."
" Yes," said the other, " but, in trying to uproot error,
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 217
you will tear up truth too ; you should remember the para
ble of our Savior, and leave the tares with the wheat until
harvest, lest, in seeking to get rid of one, you destroy both."
" The beauty, force and truth of that illustration we
admire," replied Cincinnati, " but must bear in mind that
it relates to future judgment, under God's government,
and not to the present duty of opposing error ; moreover,
in its application, we can remember that all fields of grain
are not wheat-fields, nor are all situations of error alike.
In our corn-fields, we plow up the weeds and leave the
corn, and so secure a good crop, which otherwise the
weeds would destroy or render unfruitful; the corn being
planted in exact rows and hills, renders this possible,
which would not be with wheat sown broadcast. So in
our most highly-favored age and country ; with the benign
light of Christianity, and the straight rows of well-estab
lished society, constitutional government and science, we
should be able, by peaceful beneficent constitutional means,
to cultivate truth, and subdue errors and hypocrisies in
public affairs ; and so now we should resort to the peaceful
means of a constitutional convention, and so cultivate
the field, rather than endorse ' Helper's Crisis/ and so risk
the tearing up and destruction of the whole crop, truth and
error included; for the danger is that this violence and
perversion of truth may bring on civil war, and, though
the forms of our grand government might last for a time
in spite of so rude a shock, yet it would certainly jeopar
dize its vital principle, which is the mutual interest and
good will of the people, which should be maintained by
kind and honorable dealing between the different sections/'
" I believe you are right," replied the gentleman from
Indiana; " but I think you over-estimate the danger."
Here the bell rang for dinner, and the discussion ended.
CHAPTER XXXIII.
'E have said that the company on board this
northern-bound steamer was large It was also
brilliant and fashionable.
Isabella, as we have said, was no devotee of fashion;
but yet she was not at all dazzled, blinded or confused by
the style and tone of fashionable society, but quite at her
ease and self-possessed, as if among her own chosen
friends at home. And she soon had many friends and
some admirers.
On board the boat was a certain handsome and fashion
able gentleman from New York, of very great wealth,
and quite a lion in society. This gentleman was acquain
ted with some St. Louis and Louisiana people, with whom
Barrona was acquainted, and so was introduced to him,
and by him to his family and to Isabella, to whom he at
once showed great attention, which she received as a mat
ter of courtesy, and showed a gentle courtesy in return.
But Mr. Bell, for that was the gentleman's name, meant
more than courtesy, and could not understand Isabella's
manner on any other hypothesis than that which he was
accustomed to find current, that is, that the ladies were
ready and willing to be captivated by his fine person, tal
ents, polished manners and immense fortune; and Isabella
was so ingenuous and true that she could not think of
anything of this kind. But he was too discerning not to
soon see through his error; yet this only fascinated him
the more. Great, then, was his chagrin when he learned
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 219
that this "Pearl of the Soth," as he called her, had
given her heart, and was soon to give her hand, to a north
ern raftsman, whose whole fortune did not amount to hrs
income for a single month. His resolution was at once
taken : he determined to win this southern girl if money
could do it; and he cultivated a close acquaintance at
once with Barrona. But Barrona was too well acquainted
with the world and with men not to see through his
design, and, yielding to his friendly advances, was soon
on terms that he could with propriety speak of his daugh
ter's engagement and of Sydenham, in terms that closed
the door forever against further advances in that direction.
Isabella, in a state of joyous anticipation and impatience,
in the expectation of soon meeting again her lover, did
not dream of the conquest she had made, and treated Mr.
Bell, as she did all her other acquaintances, with genial
courtesy and freedom. In this frame of mind, on the
second evening after leaving St. Louis, she accepted Mr.
Bell's invitation to walk on the hurricane deck. Glowing
with the thought of seeing him who filled her thoughts
on the next morning, she was gay and joyous, and talked
with vivacity and interest. With consummate tact, and
using all his great conversational powers, he turned the
conversation upon everything splendid, rich and grand,
in America and Europe, upon all the delights and splen
dors of Paris, the grandeur of Rome, the beautiful land
of Spain, (her mother's birthplace) the classic shores of
the Mediterranean, the grandeur of courts, the treasures
of art and genius, and all, in short, that unbounded and
well-used wealth could command. To all this Isabella
listened with the greatest interest and pleasure, and she
did not conceal her admiration in the slightest, either of the
subjects or of the splendid conversational powers of this
220 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
elegant and handsome stranger; for she really was greatly
interested and delighted, just as she would have been in
hearing a fine actor declaim from the stage. He then
went on to describe how he had longed to fit out a splendid
steam yacht, whose cabins should be gorgeous as a fairy
tale, whose strength and speed set danger at defiance, and
in it to sail for England, then France, then Spain, thence
to Italy, thence to Greece, Egypt, Constantinople and the
shores of Palestine.
44 Ah," said Isabella, " that would be most delightful
and grand, indeed, to see all that is so interesting, rare
and wonderful on the earth; and I almost envy you the
trip."
" You need riot," said Bell, " for I would be too mis
erable to be envied, unless I have a companion in it."
" Indeed," said Isabella, " but you will have a compan
ion, of course."
44 That, Miss Barrona, I cannot tell, for it depends
upon another."
44 If that is all," said Isabella, innocently, 44 you should
not be disappointed, for no one would refuse so delightful
a trip."
44 1 rejoice to hear you say so," said Bell, in a deep, low,
earnest tone, " for you are the one upon whom it depends."
44 How, Mr. Bell, what do you mean ? " said Isabella,
starting abruptly.
44 Pardon me, Miss Barrona," said he, in a low tone,
44 you may think I am too bold, and presume too much
for so brief an acquaintance as we have had, but I feel
that I must say to you, to-night, what I should have
deferred until you had known me longer; but I offer you
to-night my hand, my heart and my fortune."
" Mr. Bell," said Isabella, starting, " you surprise me.
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 221
Did not my father tell you that I loved another, and that
my hand was pledged to him ? "
Mr. Bell stammered and hesitated ; for there was that
in the simple, direct question of the lady before him,
and its calm tone, that turned him back as he had never
before been turned back in the pursuit of any object.
But she waited for bis answer, and he had to give it, and
to admit that he had been told, but he hoped he might
yet win her; he plead his love, and again painted the
splendor, boundless wealth and pleasure, that should be
hers, and he her slave, and she a queen, instead of the
wife of an obscure raftsman.
Isabella heard him quietly to the end, so quietly that
he thought he might win her; and when he concluded he
took her hand. Then she started back; and, like the
lightning's flash, her glance pierced him, and her words,
like cold steel, cut down at a stroke the arrogant presump
tion of immense wealth and high position fostered and
nourished for a whole lifetime.
" Sir, I am not for sale. My love I have given to another :
and if you were the monarch of those countries you pro
pose visiting in such splendor, I would not be tempted,
in the slightest, to give you my hand and be your queen
when I loved Walter Sydeham, and we were soon to be
united. And oh ! ' He is but a poor, obscure raftsman ! '
Ah, yes, but he holds a patent of nobility from the Most
High, Himself, and this all your wealth will not buy.
So, Isabella Barrona goes to the arms of a richer man than
you, and a nobler, and a braver; for you come as a tempter
and a thief. Away from me ! let me go to my mother."
And so, with a wave of her hand, and a proud step,
she descended alone to her mother's room; and there,
with sobs and tears, told her all of her temptation.
CHAPTER XXXIV.
S nature is never more lovely than after a summer
shower, when the lightning of heaven has purified
the air, and the falling rain has refreshed the earth,
so, never did Isabella appear more beautiful, and almost
sublime in its expression, than on the following morning.
As the boat neared Rock Island, she went on deck with
her father, and endeavored to see if Sydenham was in the
crowd of people who thronged the steamboat-landing.
At length she saw him, standing a little back from the
crowd, and watching the boat intently. She waved her
handkerchief, and he instantly saw and answered the sig
nal. As the boat landed, she descended to her mother's
room, and there received him with as much joy as though
they had been separated for months, or years, instead of
only four days.
As for Sydenham, he had almost reasoned himself into
the belief that, in the caprice of fortune, it could not be
possible that such immense happiness should be his longer
than a few days, and that some accident or disaster must,
in the nature of things, occur, to prevent a happy meet
ing, and interrupt his marriage; and when he told Isa
bella this, she smiled archly, and leaned her head upon
his shoulder, while her mother related what had happened.
To this Sydenham listened with a swelling heart, but with
some pangs, at the thought of his own poverty, and at
her sacrifice for him. And he told her this, and then how
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 223
it happened that he had been prompted, other than by his
love and hope, to dare to ask her hand.
Isabella listened to the story of Grey Eagle's death with
wonder; and when Sydenham narrated the prophetic
vision of the dying chief, her emotions were quite beyond
control; and Barrona, his wife and Mrs. Johnson, (who
was present with Doctor Ross, by Sydenham's request)
were all deeply affected, and saw, with awe and wonder,
the mysterious links in this chain of strange and unwonted
events, as though the spiritual and infinite had joined in
this mysterious web of destiny, in saving the lives of those
on board the Comet, and giving this pair to each other.
" Now," said Isabella, fondly, " I know I did well in
resisting this tempter, this handsome adorer, with his five
millions, and taking this raftsman; and if ever I repent,
you may produce this book of destiny; and if ever you
repent, 1 will remind you of this five millions, &c. ; and so
we are even," she said, smiling, and gently pressing her
hands upon his head; "and now go and bring Grey
Eagle's rifle and hunting gear."
These were examined with deep interest by Barrona
and the ladies, who all expressed a wish to visit the mys
terious cave, and the secluded romantic valley, with its
dells and waterfalls; and it was arranged that a small
dwelling should be erected on the ground occupied by
Grey Eagle's lodge, so that the party could visit it after
the marriage at St. Paul. And now the polite steward
knocked at the door and announced dinner.
Mr. Bell, it now appeared, had left the boat at Rock
Island, and taken the cars for Chicago; and so the party
were relieved from any embarrassment; and, in the pres
ence of so large and gay a company, he was soon forgotten.
In the evening, on the upper deck, Isabella related to
224 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
her lover the legend of the Piasa, and he pointed out to
her various objects of interest along the shores, with
which, from Rock Island to St. Paul, he was familiar.
Mrs. Johnson and Doctor Ross sat near, and she seemed
greatly interested in the story of Grey Eagle, and all
relating to the cave, the lofty dome above it, &c., all
which the Doctor promised to show her, and to write out
for her the entire story, and the death-song of Grey Eagle ;
she promising to repay him by writing an account for
him of the escape from the Comet, and a copy of a short
poem she had composed upon that event.
" These manuscripts," said the Doctor, " we can place
in our library."
" Yes," said the lady, " they will form quite an addition
to our libraries; and I will do my best to make mine in
teresting."
" I only hope," said the Doctor, " I may succeed in
making mine interesting, and worthy to be read by you,
dear madam."
" How," said the lady, " could it be otherwise than
worthy and interesting, when written by my noble friend,
Doctor Ross, who snatched me from the very jaws of
death itself."
Sydenham and Isabella rose and walked forward. They
were then alone. The evening was balmy and glorious;
the moon was rising over the bluffs ; love was in the air ;
the sweet contagion had seized upon both; who could
doubt the result? In less than fifteen minutes the stately
lady had accepted the hand of the gallant Doctor, and
before they left the deck he had gained her consent to
keep her niece company, and celebrate their nuptials at
St. Paul, instead of awaiting their return to Louisiana.
" For," said the lovely lady, " we can sometimes afford
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 225
to do what we know to be right, proper and conducive
to the happiness of our friends and ourselves, even if it is
not in strict accord with the conventionalities of fashion.
My friends in Louisiana will be surprised, doubtless, but
I think they will approve, as I know my brother and his
family will, and Isabella will be delighted ; and will you,
my dear friend, truly approve?" said the lady, smiling
inquiringly.
"No," said the Doctor, "I will not approve; that word
is too tame, unless we multiply it a thousand-fold, or so;
say I ten thousand times approve it, and it will do."
CHAPTER XXXV.
s
UR tale is now drawing to a close, as it is expected
a love story should, on the marriage of the parties,
it being usually expected that then romance ends,
and practical life begins. We propose to conform to the
rules, although the adventures of the characters of our
story, during the five years succeeding, would be suffi
ciently varied and thrilling to form the subject matter for
several books.
Within two weeks after the arrival of the party at St.
Paul, the marriage of Isabella and Sydenham took place ;
and, at the same time, that of Dr. Ross and Mrs. Johnson.
Shortly after this, the two newly married pairs took the
packet for Grey Eagle Valley, where a neat and cosy
dwelling, built of pine lumber, was finished and ready
for them ; and here, in this " lodge in the wilderness," in
the midst of these cool, sylvan shades, they spent the
remainder of the summer, Barrona and the rest of the
party remaining at St. Paul, or the places of interest in
the vicinity, most of the time. About the beginning of
September, all were collected at the lodge, and, on the
second morning after, climbed to the summit of the dome
like peak of the bluff, over the cave, and looked out upon
the grand panorama below and around them. The fc whole
party were delighted with the beauty of the prospect, but
Isabella seemed sad, and, after a long silence, said :
" My father, you have often told me our country is one,
and that the different States are all united in one body, the
United States."
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 227
" My child," said Barrona, tenderly kissing her on the
forehead, " you are quite right ; they are, or should be,
united ; and loyalty to one, means loyalty to all ; and pat
riotism means love of country therefore, the whole coun
try. But why do you ask?"
" Because," said Isabella, " I wish we could all live
here, in Minnesota, where there is no malaria, nor yellow
fever, and health and vigor is the rule. You know, father,
I love my home in the south, and our colored people
could not bear to have me leave them, but I have often
heard you speak with regret of the deadly diseases we are
subject to there, and wish it were otherwise, so that part
of the summer and fall would not be so dreaded. Do
you know, Walter does not wish to go to Louisiana to
live, but wants to stay here, and wants you should all
come here and settle, and make a new home in the north ?"
" I have thought of all this," said Barrona, sadly, u and
I believe it best that you and he should do so; and it is
right; but I cannot feel that it is right for me^ at least not
now. For, although I might wish to do so, I could not;
nor, however much I might like the north, and hold to a
sentiment of broad nationality that knows neither north
nor south, I could not feel it right to make such a change
on the eve of great troubles, which will probably be
greater for the south than the north. I hope there will be
none of either; yet, in the crisis, if there is to be one, my
place is at home, But you, my daughter, and Walter, are
differently situated. This is his home, therefore it is yours ;
on the same great river, but further north. It is hard to
part with you, my dear child ; but your mother left her
native land when she married me, because my home was
in America ; and it was best and right for her to do so.
She crossed the seas, but you only go a few hundred miles
228 THE HEART OF THE WEST.
up the great river, on whose banks you were born. So
do not weep, my child, for you will visit us, after a time,
and we will visit you ; and perhaps Walter may move to
Louisiana, in time, or I to Minnesota, or both to some
intermediate parallel of latitude, well fitted for the health
and well-being of both ourselves and our posterity ; for I
bear in mind that portion of Grey Eagle's prophesy, as
well as that we see fulfilled, and hope," he said, turning to
Walter, who stood beside his wife, (her hand in his) " that
a blessing may indeed rest upon your house, to the remot
est generations. You, my children," he continued, " have
been most richly blessed in each other's love, and in all
other things. So let us, here and now, worship our
Creator, and return thanks for his favor, and invoke its
continuance."
And there, on the summit of the lofty bluff, under the
shade of an oak, all kneeled in prayer; and then Isabella
broke forth in song, in which nearly all joined. And so
their vine was planted, their household altar established,
and love's victory was completely won.
But while thus, this serene light of virtue, peace and
love, spread over this secluded dell, the dark cloud on the
political horizon had grown larger and larger ; and larger
yet it grew. And the time will surely come when it will
be asked why the safe constitutional ha\en was not
sought by any; why sectionalism and partisanship still
held sway, and why WAR finally swept over the land.
We think we have already answered these questions; but
they are with the past, and with the past let them re
main. When it shall be asked whether the government
of Washington and his compeers was so faulty that it
could stand no longer without a war to maintain it, then
may history unravel some webs of error, and weave anew
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 229
from the plain, incontrovertible facts that are found upon
the very surface, and accord with the theory and genius of
the constitution and government, a record that shall stand
for all time; a warning against violent resorts, rebellion,
and warfare against the good and true, whether that re
bellion be open or covert, and, an incentive to " THAT
MAGNANIMOUS PUBLIC POLICY WHICH BRINGS THE SOLID
REWARDS OF PROSPERITY AND HAPPINESS," and aCCOrds
with true religion. The Duke of Wellington said that
" war, after all, was no remedy," and we may well pause
and inquire if this expression of the Iron Duke we have
not proved true ? Even now we feel the want, daily and
hourly growing greater and greater, of a re-adjustment of
the lost balance ; of the giving back to the people of the
States; the power that is theirs; of the refreshing of the
principles of the constitution, and, instead of contending
for laws in regard to national finances, national debt,
&c., simply ENGRAFT PERMANENTLY UPON THE CONSTI
TUTION AN EQUITABLE POLICY RELATING THERETO,
thus REMOVING these vexed questions, and endless sources
of CORRUPTION, forever from the halls of CONGRESS and
front the arena of party strife; removing, also, the
causes of much jealousy, and strife of classes, with all
its evils and dangers.
Happy will be the day when the people of America,
forgetting or forgiving the past, shall meet in a National
Constitutional Convention; and great are the abuses it
will reform ; and great the dangers and troubles, and en
ormous and augmenting the evils that demand it. Let it
be held speedily; and happy will be the memory of it for
the ages to come, and glorious the immediate results.
THE END.
APPENDIX.
" I like to see gentlemen as prodigal of their own blood as
they are of the blood of other people." Gen. Shields.
"Are the Christian nations patterns of charity and forbear
ance? On the contrary, their principal business is to destroy
each other. More than five millions of Christians are trained,
educated and drilled, to murder their fellow-christians. Every
nation is groaning under a vast debt incurred in carrying on
war against other Christians, or defending themselves from
Christian assault. The world is covered with forts to protect
Christians from Christians ; and every sea is covered with iron
monsters ready to blow Christian brains into eternal froth.
Millions upon Millions are annually expended in the effort to
construct still more deadly and terrible engines of death. Indus
try is crippled, honest toil is robbed, and even beggary is taxed
to defray the expenses of Christian warfare, There must be
some other way to reform this world." Ingersol.
Since this little book was written, the tragic and ghastly farce
of "Military Glory" has been performed upon a mighty scale
in Europe, with an afterpiece by Thiers and the Communists,
yet more deplorable. Many wars seem necessary evils, and can
point to results that are beneficent. But can these? Has any
good result been won ? If so, could it not have been better won
by a convention ? And the working men of Paris, that class tha t
stood forward so prominently in the Great Revolution of 1790,
afterwards the right hand of France, when France stood as a
giant, confronting and defeating embattled Europe, ranged
under the banners of absolutism ; a class that, whatever its
faults, (which are not so great as its sufferings) has not been
equaled, since the days of the Democracy of Ancient Greece
and Rome, for heroic, self-sacrificing patriotism and valor
these men are driven into a desperate conflict, deformed by the
mad frenzy of despair, and at its close are butchered and in
many cases their wives with them. And the directors of what
THE HEART OF THE WEST. 11
is called the Versailles government, and who refused compro
mise with their countrymen, and rejected their oft-repeated
overtures, and that of the Masonic bodies, were men who had
not risked one drop of their blood, or one hair of their heads in
defence of their country when it was being ground under the
heel of a foreign invader. They succeeded, through havoc and
ruin ; but would not a magnanimous policy have better secured
the solid results of public prosperity and happiness? But des
potism, in all its varied forms, is cowardly, though clothed in
triple mail " prodigal of the blood of other people," cruel, and
cannot be magnanimous.
The Thiers government has now formed a mutual Admiration
Society, and appear to enjoy themselves; but does it repose
upon the good will of the people? Has the volcano been ex
tinguished by the blood that was poured into it? The Paris
correspondent of the London Times writes that the Working-
men's International Association in Europe, for the promotion of
a Universal Republic, numbers two millions and a half of men.
Some of these men's views may be Utopian, impracticable and
wrong, but they all clearly discern the old stupidities of military
ambition, vast standing armies, useless wars, and their inter
minable burthens, and recognize many cardinal principles of
common sense, humanity and pure Christianity. Bismarck's eye
is upon them, and he cannot brook that one of them should hold
an humble position for the United States government on Prus
sian soil. So the policy in Europe is, in the future as in the
past, to be suppression, not COMPROMISE. The world is said to
be exceedingly wise at this present day very enlightened, pol
ished and humane, but it has a curious way of showing it.
Some such a convocation as that held in England, at Runny-
mede, some centuries ago, when school-masters were very
scarce, and newspapers scarcer, would do even for these wise
times ; but if held, it would not promote the cause of absolutism,
or demagoguism, or hypocricy, or fanaticism, or public plun
der. Have these things suppressed true manhood, and rendered
useless the teachings of history and experience, and the appli
cation of plain truth divested of theory impossible ? If we lift
the gorgeous curtain of this European military glory, we see
Ill THE HEART OF THE WEST.
behind it the old features of despotism, and the gaunt forms of
poverty and woe; and in our own land, if we lift the curtain of
Reconstruction, on which is painted a caricature of universal
suffrage, we see behind it the corrupt adventurers making off
with the spoils say to the extent of thirty-five millions from
one plundered, impoverished and ruined State. Well may the
atheist scoff and point the finger of scorn at what he calls Chris
tian government. Well may men despair, when violence and
corruption, fanaticism and plunder join hands and are so often
successful. It is related of Bruce, that when defeated and over
borne, he took refuge in a cave, and was upon the brink of
despair, he gained new courage from watching an ant endeavor
ing to carry a grain of wheat up a steep ascent, and after many
failures, succeeding ; and so his royal heart renewed its hope.
Truth is now a poor fugitive, and her place has been usurped.
Even the voice of Lincoln denounces from his grave the things
that have been done. And there is no hope in any political
party, anxious only for office and power ; but in the great castle
of God's eternal truth, whose gates are not kept by any priest,
is the record of our land. And there, in the chamber (or vault)
of the American Constitution, is the provision for the convoca
tion of the States.
CHICAGO, July 27, 1871.
ERRATA.
The publishers would apologise to the public for the errors that have crept
into this work, as is generally the case in first editions, the most palpable of
which are pointed out below :
PAGE 99. " We expend too fast in everything," should be expand,
PAGE 135. " The tide -waters of the Missouri," should read : The turbid tidt.
PAGE 135. " Earthy water" should read : Earthy matter.
PAGE 137. " Mississippi river; towns," should be Mississippi river towns;
PAGE 144. " South-western extremity of Iowa," should read : South-easter;*.
PAGE 157. For " Sloshed" read slashed.
PAGE 194. For "Radical element dominated," read: Conservative element
dominated.
M26851O
THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA UBRARY
