J56 ~^" ^ 'V ^ \(jldwin'' s Biographical Booklets ■fifM'^.-'- THE STORY OF David Crockett FUR YOUNG READERS t BV V\ CER '^^HOOL BOOK COMP^'^'Y CHIC.A. VEW YORK BOSTON BALDWIN'S BIOGRAPHICAL BOOKLETS THE STORY OF DAVID CROCKETT FOR YOUNG READERS By FRANCES M. PERRY WERNER SCHOOL BOOK COMPANY NEW YORK CHICAGO BOSTON 63345 — ' * - : 11: . BALDWIN'S BIOGRAPHICAL STORIES ■ .■ f ■ ■' ■ h^"'' FOR YOUNG AMERICAN READERS EDITED BY JAMES BALDWIN, Ph.D. FOUR GREAT AMERICANS George Washington, Benjamin Franklin Daniel Webster, Abraham Lincoln By JAMES BALDWIN, Ph.D. Cloth, 246 pages. Illustrated - - - Price, 50 cents FOUR AMERICAN PATRIOTS Patrick Henry, Alexander Hamilton Andrew Jackson, Ulysses S. Grant By ALMA HOLMAN BURTON Cloth, 254 pages, Illustrated - \- - Price, 50 cents FOUR AMERICAN NAVAL HEROES, Paul Jones, Oliver H. Perry • David G. Farragut, George Dewey By MABEL BORTON BEEBE Cloth, 254 pages, Illustrated ... Price, 50 cents FOUR AMERICAN POETS William Cullen Bryant, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, John Greenleaf Whittier Oliver Wendell Holmes By SHERWIN CODY ,/., Cloth, 254 pages, Portraits - - • Price, 50 cents FOUI^ FAMOUS AMERICAN WRITERS Washington Irving, Edgar Allan Poe James Russell Lowell, Bayard Taylor By SHERWIN CODY Cloth, 254 pages, Portraits - - • Price, 50 cents FOUR AMERICAN PIONEERS Daniel Boone, George Rogers Clark David Crockett, Kit Carson By FRANCES M. PERRY and KATHERINE BEEBE Cloth, 254 pages. Illustrated - - - Price, 50 cents HENRY CLAY, By FRANCES CRAVENS Booklet, Illustrated, 64 pages - - Price, 10 cents LEWIS AND CLARK, By NELLIE F. KINGSLEY Double Booklet, Illustrated - - - Price, 25 cents other volumes in preparation Copyright, 1900, m WERNER SCHOOL BOOK COMPANY El)e ILaftfsftic ^prcss R. R. DONNELLEY & SONS COMPANY CHICAGO TWO COPIES RECEIVKD, Lfbrsry of Coiigr9f% Offleo of tbS ,o MAY 2 5 1900 III Rcgliter of Copyriglfib r/H-^ ^ CONTENTS. ^9^^^ SECOMi_COPY. CHAPTEB PAGE I. A Neglected Child : .... 5 II. A Homesick Bf)Y ..... 8 III. A Runaway . . ..... 12 IV. A Hired Hand , . . , , 15 V. A Householder » ..... 20 VI. A Soldier ....... 24 VII. A Leading Citizen . . . . .28 VIII. A Bear Hunter ..... 35 IX. A Congressman ...... 42 X. A Traveler XI. A Daring Adveniurer 45 49 XII. A Hero of the Alamo . , , . 58 DAVID CROCKETT. DAVID CROCKETT THE HERO OF TENNESSEE I. — A Neglected Child. A little ragged boy with frowzy hair and dirty face stood on the bank of a river screaming with rage. He was angry with his older brothers, who were paddling about in a canoe. They did not heed his screams, and would soon be carried out of hearing by the swiftly flowing water. His little heart was full of anger because they had not taken him with them. But since there is no use in crying when there is no one to hear, the child presently began to sob more quietly. In a little while he saw a workman running toward the stream, and his screams grew louder. But to his surprise the man ran past him, plunged into the water, swam to the canoe, and with great efforts dragged it ashore. The little boy did not imderstand that if the man had been a few minutes later his brothers would have been swept over the falls and dashed to death on the rocks 5 6 DAVID CROCKETT. below. But he did know that they were badly fright- ened, and he thought they deserved it. No one told him that it was wrong to lose his temper, or that he should be very thankful to have his brothers still alive. For no one cared very much what little David Crockett thought or how he felt. He was left to take care of himself. No one coaxed him through tlie mysteries of the alphabet, no one sang him to sleep, or taught him to lisp a prayer. His hard-working father and mother did not wish to be troubled with children's quarrels. Each one was allowed to fight his own battles. As David had several brothers older than himself, he learned early to stand up for his rights with voice and fist. He usually had his own way with the boys ; for when he did not, he made a great trouble about it, and they found it easier to give up to the headstrong youngster than to oppose him. His mother scolded him when he bothered her. His father whipped him if he did not mind. The only com- mandments the boy knew, were: "Mind your father," and, " Don't bother your mother." David Crockett's first home was a poor little floorless log hut near the present village of Limestone in East Tennessee. There he was born on the 17th of August, 1786, and there he was living at the time of the incident of which I have told you. The cabin was a comfortless place, with nothing in it A NEGLECTED CHILD. 7 to make life cheerful and happy. But David had never known anything better^ and so he enjoyed himself, in his own way, as well as though he were living in a palace. His father was a restless man, never satisfied to remain long in one place ; and in a short time the old home was abandoned, and the family moved to another about fifty miles farther west. Thus the Crocketts went about from one part of Ten- MAP OF TENNESSKE, SHOWING Ply ACES WHERE CROCKETT LIVED. nessee to another, seldom staying in any one locality longer than two or three years. Wherever they went the wild, wooded country was beautiful. But the shanties in which they lived were always dark and dismal. David spent most of the time out of doors and grew to be a rugged and active boy. He had a strong will and generally succeeded in doing whatever seemed worth while. He thought it worth while to make his play fellows do as he wished. They looked upon him as their leader and liked him. 8 DAVID CROCKETT. On the other hand he had learned that it was not worth while to displease his father. He therefore did his best at any work that his father told him to do. Mr. Crockett thought David a handy boy and found plenty of small jobs to keep him busy. II. — A Homesick Boy. When David Crockett was twelve years old his father kept an inn on a forest road where teamsters stopped for food and rest. One evening David came in whistling. He knew by the wagons outside that there were guests at the house, and he was sure of a good supper. He noticed that everybody stopped talking and looked at him as he entered. He glanced at his mother, who was working over the fire with tearful eyes. Then he saw that his father was dropping silver pieces into his drawer with a look of satisfaction. He listened with a fast beating heart while his father explained that a driver had hired him to help drive his cattle to market and told him to be ready in the morn- ing to start to Virginia with his new master. A great lump rose in his throat and he found it hard to talk. His mother piled his plate with good things, but he could not eat. The thought of going so far from home among strangers gave him a queer, lonely feeling. On that other day, long before, when his brothers had A HOMESICK BOY. left him alone on the shore, he was angry and wished to punish them. But now he had no idea of objecting to his father's order and he knew better than to make a scene. He struggled manfully with his feelings and kept back the tears. That was in 1798, and there were then few roads or bridges between East Tennessee and Virginia. A four hundred mile tramp over mountainous land was a hard- ship for even so strong a boy as David Crockett. Our little hero often got cold and tired and hungry. He was glad when night came. Then after a hearty supper of wild turkey or venison he would throw him- self upon a bed of dry leaves and sleep, and dream of home. The journey ended a few miles from the Natural Bridge in Virginia. David's master was pleased with the work he had done and was kind to him. In addi- tion to what he had paid Mr. Crockett he gave the boy six dollars. No plan had been made for David's return. His employer wanted him to stay with him, and offered to do well by him. But David was so homesick that no place seemed good to him without his father and mother and sisters and brothers. One day when he was alone he saw some teamsters traveling west. He knew them, for they had once or twice stopped at his father's inn. He begged them to take him home. They were afraid they would get into trouble if they did so without asking his employer; but lO DAVID CROCKETT. they felt sorry for him and promised to let him go with them if he would j6in them at daybreak the next morn- ing at a tavern seven miles up the road. That night David tied his clothes into a little bundle and went to bed, but not to sleep. He was so happy thinking of going home, and so fearful lest he might DAVID'S ARRIVAL AT THE TAVERN. oversleep, that he could not close his eyes. In the middle of the nio^ht he got up and left the house while every one was fast asleep. When he opened the door large snowflakes blew against his cheeks. It was dark, but he could see that the ground had a heavy coating of white and the snow was falling fast. This would make his tramp harder. But he had no idea of giving up. A HOMESICK BOY. II Blinded by the snow and the darkness, he stumbled along toward the highway. He was afraid lest some one should find out that he had left and follow him. When he reached the road he felt safe, for he thought they would not follow far in the dark, and in the morn- ing his tracks would be filled with snow so that they would not know which way he had gone. With a lighter heart he trudged along in the night and the storm, and reached the tavern a little before daylight. The men were already up and harnessing the horses. They were surprised to see the lad wading through snow almost up to his knees. They warmed and fed him, and then the party started in the gray dawn. David made himself so helpful that he won the good will of the men, and they wished to keep him in their company all the way. But the heavy wagons moved too slowly for the impatient boy. When within two hundred miles of home he left his friends and set out on foot alone through the wilderness. Just before he reached a large river he was overtaken by a man riding in his direction. This man was lead- ing a horse and kindly invited the small adventurer to mount it. David continued in the care of this good-hearted man until within twenty miles of home. There their ways separated and David hurried to his father's house as fast as his nimble feet could carry him. 12 DAVID CROCKETT. In this adventure the boy showed the energy and determination that in later life won for him the title of "Go-ahead-Crockett." III. — A Runaway. David stayed at home that summer and helped his father. In the following autumn a school was opened in the neighborhood. The settlers were glad to give their children a chance to learn to read and write. The young people, large and small, gathered in the log schoolhouse, where the new schoolmaster set them to work to learn their letters. David was one of the pupils. The first day he watched, in wide-eyed wonder, every- thing that was done. Then he grew tired of school and thought it very stupid to sit still all day and study. Most of the people whom he knew were unable to read and write, and he did not see why he need know more than they did. It seemed to him much more manly to be at work. However, he persevered for four days, and was beginning to make some headway with the alpha- bet, when his school education was brought to a sudden check. He had a quarrel with one of the school boys. The two boys had a fight on the way home from school. Although the other was the older and the larger boy, David proved to be the stronger. He bruised and A RUNAWAY. 1 3 scratched his foe unmercifully, and the next day he was afraid to go back to school, lest the teacher should find out about it and punish him. For several days he left home in the morning with his brothers, but went to the woods instead of to school. Most of the boys liked him too well to tell his father, and the others were afraid of displeasing him. Finally the schoolmaster wrote a note to Mr. Crockett to ask why David did not come to school. When the severe father learned that David had played truant for fear of a whipping, he said he would give him a harder thrashing than any he had ever dreamed of if he did not go back to school. As David refused to obey, he cut a heavy hickory stick and started after him in a rage. The boy outran his half-drunken father, and hid till the latter gave up the chase. He felt well satisfied with his escape; but when he began to be hungry he was afraid to go home. He remembered how easily he had made friends among strangers, and decided to run away. He went to the house of a man who he knew was about to take a drove of cattle to Virginia. As David had had experience in this kind of work, the man very willingly hired him to go with him. When the work was done, instead of returning to Tennessee, the boy found other employment. He went as far east as Baltimore and engaged to work 14 DAVID CROCKETT. on a ship bound for lyondon. The wagoner, whom he was with at the time, was a sensible man and would not let him go to sea. This seemed to David great cruelty, for he did not know what a miserable, friendless little drudge he would have been on the ship. Compelled to stay on land, he wandered from place to place working on farms, driving cattle, and tending horses. It was never hard for him to make friends or get work. He was a cheerful, jolly boy; every one liked him, and he was so lively and industrious that his work always gave satisfaction. But, work as he would, he could not make more than enough to feed and clothe himself. And new friends and new scenes could not make the faithful boy forget old ones. He often thought of home, but his father, with a hickory stick, was the most prominent figure in the home picture, and he could not make up his mind to go back. If his father had been angry with him for run- ning away from school, how much more angry would he be with him for running away from home! He was fifteen years old before his longing to see home and friends overcame his dread of punishment. When at last he came in sight of the familiar little inn after his long absence, he saw wagons before the door. He knew strangers were there and the idea occurred to him to ask for a night's lodging as if he were a passing traveler. He was curious to see if any one would recognize him. A HIRED HAND. 1 5 When he went in, the men were lounging before the fire, and the women were getting supper. He sat in the shadow of the chimney corner and took no part in the conversation. When they went to the supper-table the women gave their attention to their guests, and David could not escape the sharp eyes of his eldest sister. She looked at him keenly for a moment, then jumped up and rushed at him, crying: *'Here is my long lost brother." There was great rejoicing over the returned runaway. When he found how glad all were to see him again, and when he realized how great grief his mother and sisters had suffered, he felt humbled and ashamed. He saw that it would have been more manly to stay home and take his punishment than to make others suffer so much; and he wished that he had done so. It is needless to say that in his joy at the homecom- ing of his big boy, the father forgot the threatened whipping. IV. — A Hired Hand. The law of Tennessee required a man to give his son a home and support until he was eighteen years old. In return for that the son's time, labor, and money were under the control of his father. David Crockett had shown that he could take care of himself. He had unlearned the lesson of childhood, I 6 DAVID CROCKETT. "Mind your father"; and Mr. Crockett saw that it would be hard to keep him at home unless he chose to stay. So he promised to give him his liberty if he would work out a debt of thirty-six dollars which he owed to one of the neighbors. David was ready to do that. He went at once to the man and agreed to work for six months in payment of his father's debt. He worked faithfully, never missing a day for half a year. At the end of that time he was his own master. His father had no more right to his time or labor. The youth had no money, but he was capable of making his own way. The man for whom he had been working wished to keep him. But he refused to work longer for him, because the men who met at his place were men of bad habits and character, and he did not wish to become like them. He went to an old Quaker farmer and asked for employment. The Quaker allowed him to work on trial for a week. Then, being satisfied with his services, he told the boy that if he would work for him six months he would cancel a debt of forty dollars that Mr. Crockett owed him. David thought it over. He was not responsible for his father's debts. He had done his duty; and his father expected nothing more of him. Surely he owed nothing to the man who had hired him out when he was twelve years old to work among strangers, and who A HIRED HAND. 1/ in drunken fury had driven him from home. But he* was a generous boy, and the thought of giving his old father a pleasant surprise pleased him so much that he accepted the Quaker's offer. ■ . For another six months he worked hard and faith- fully without even visiting his home, though he was only fifteen miles away from it. At the end of that time the Quaker gave him his father's note for the forty dollars. Then he felt proud as a king. One Sunday afternoon he brushed his hair and his old clothes, borrowed a horse, and rode over to his home. The family gave him a warm welcome. He was now the family pet. He had traveled so much and had so many interesting experiences to relate that even his father listened with respect to his conversation. Then, too, he was his own master, making his own living; and that made them all feel proud of him. As they sat chattering about various things he took out the note and handed it to his father. The old man looked at it with a troubled face. He thought David had been sent to collect the money. He shook his head sadly, and said he didn't have the money and could not see how he could get it. That was a proud and happy moment for David, but he tried to speak care- lessly: "You needn't bother about the money. The note's paid. I paid it myself and just brought it to you for a present. ' ' The hard old man knew that he had not been a very l8 DAVID CROCKETT. good father to David, and he was so moved by this undeserved kindness that he shed tears. When David saw his father so overcome by his generosity he felt repaid for his six months' labor. He had now worked a year for his father, and, as he had had no money in all that time, his clothes were nearly worn out and too small for him. So he bar- gained to work for the Quaker for a suit of clothes. While he was doing that, a niece of the Quaker came to the house on a visit. She was a pretty girl and David fell in love with her. When he told her so, and asked her to marry him, she said she had promised to marry her cousin. The poor boy thought he never could be happy again. He could not be gay and light hearted. He became dissatisfied with himself. He thought that if he had had some education the Quaker girl would have liked him better, and so he decided to go to school. He was seventeen years old, but had never attended school but four days in his life. He did not even know his letters. The Quaker was willing to give him his board and allow him four days a week for school if he would work for him the rest of the time. Poor David was a big fellow to start to school. But it was not unusual to find boys of his age in the A, B, C class at that time; for there were few schools, and many boys, like David, had had no chance to go to school when they were children. He tried hard and in time learned to write his name, to read from the primer, and A HIRED HAND. I9 to work problems in addition, subtraction and multipli- cation. But he made slow progress and liked active life better than study. In the course of time he forgot his disappointment and began to enjoy life again. He was fond of fun and enjoyed dances, harvest frolics, and such rude backwoods amusements. He liked to hunt and was considered one of the best shots in the neighborhood. It was much easier for him to hit the center spot of a target than to get the correct answer to a problem in subtraction. One of his keenest pleasures was a shooting match. The good Quaker with whom he lived did not approve of this pastime, but David and the young men of his time thought there was no better sport. When a farmer wished to raise a little money he would put up one of his fine cattle to be shot for. Tickets were sold for twenty-five cents each, and one man could buy as many as he wished. Bach ticket entitled the owner to one shot. Boards with crosses in the center served for targets. Every young man who could get a gun came to try his luck in winning a portion of the beef. The one who shot nearest the center was given the hide and tallow; the^iext got his choice of the hind- quarters of the beef; the third got the other hindquarter; the fourth was given his choice of the forequarters; the fifth took the remaining forequarter; and the sixth got the lead in the tree against which they shot. 20 DAVID CROCKETT. David was very successful. He sometimes bought several tickets and won not only the first but several other portions of the beef He could easily sell the meat for money. And you may be sure a youth who worked so hard and was paid so little was glad to hear silver clinking in his own pockets. V. — A Householder. In all the country there was no young man more popular than David Crockett. The old people liked him because he was honest, kindhearted, and industri- ous. The boys thought him the best company in the world, for no one could tell such a funny story, or invent such prime jokes. The girls admired him very much; for they liked to dance with the graceful youth who wore his tattered buckskin suit with the air of a prince. It is not surprising that after several disappointments he at last found a pretty little Irish girl about his own age, who loved him so much that she did not object to his poverty. His only possessions were the clothes on his back and an old horse he had bought with half a year's work. But he felt so rich in the love of the little maid that he did not think that the possession of houses and lands was at all necessary to happiness. After the wedding David took his bride to his father's house, where a large company had gathered to A HOUSEHOLDER. 21 welcome the young couple. They stayed there for a few days, and then returned to the bride's mother, who gave them a spinning wheel and two cows and calves for a wedding present. David rented a cabin and a few acres of ground near by and started farming. He had the horse and cows to begin with, but no fur- niture or tools. They could make chairs and tables and beds ; and as for a stove there was no need of -ife -^ that, for everybody cooked by the fireplace in those days. The Crocketts' cabin was better fitted up than that of most young ^ couples of that neigh- borhood. David's former em- ployer, the Quaker, gave him fifteen dollars. This seemed like great wealth to David and his young bride. They went to the store together and bought pans, dishes, tools, and such other things as they needed, but could not make; and they soon had a cozy home. The little housewife was a beautiful weaver and her fingers were never idle. David worked on the farm and sometimes went hunting, but he had a hard time to make enough to pay his rent. A good many families were moving further west, and \^:^Ml-' DAVID'S CABIN. 22 DAVID CROCKETT. David Crockett thought it would be a sensible thing for him to move also. It would be pleasanter to support his family by hunting than by farming. Game was, of course, more plentiful in the more unsettled parts of the state. It was little harder for people who lived as he did to move from one home to another than it is for Indians or Arabs to change their dwelling places. The few house- hold articles worth moving could be packed on two or three horses. The wife and the small children were made comfortable on the back of some old nag. The rest of the family could walk. Wagons were sometimes used; and in some places where roads had been made through the wilderness, long trains of movers might be seen making their way slowly towards the unsettled west. In fair weather the travelers spent the night under the open sky by a camp-fire, with perhaps a watchman to keep off wolves and mountain wildcats. If it rained a rude shed was made of tree boughs. A tender wild turkey browned over the wood fire furnished the hungry wayfarers with a delicious repast. When a spot was found that seemed good for a home, it required but a lew days' work to clear a garden patch and make a "camp" or hut of logs. In this way David Crockett moved several times. Hunting was then as profitable an occupation as farming, especially for a poor man who did not have money enough to buy good farming implements and A HOUSEHOLDER. 23 stock. Young Crockett was a fine hunter, and, after moving to his new home, he spent most of the time in scouring the woods for choice game or in dressing skins. The fame of his woodcraft and marksmanship spread through all that part of the country. This seems to us a shiftless way to live, but it was the best way those poor backwoodsmen knew. We are glad A TRAIN OF' MOVERS GOING WEST. they could be happy and contented with so little. We shall find that they were intelligent and brave, as well. When Crockett was living in Franklin County, Ten- nessee, trouble broke out between the Creek Indians and the white people. The Indians suddenly attacked the settlement at Fort Minns, in southern Alabama, and murdered about four hundred people. Men, women, and children were killed without mercy. This happened 24 DAVID CROCKETT. far away from Crockett's home in Tennessee. He had no friends there to write to him about it. He had no daily paper and there was no telegraph then. But one man told another, and not many days passed before the lonely settlers on the remote frontier were talking over the terrible deed with fear and anger. David Crockett had always been opposed to war, but he was one of the first to volunteer to fight the Indians. When he told his wife that he was going to the war she urged him not to leave her and her two little children alone in the wilderness. It was hard for him to with- stand her tears and entreaties. But he told her that no pioneers, not even they themselves, would be safe unless the Indians were punished. He reminded her that there was a good supply of meat and corn, sufficient to last till his return; and he said that he would probably be back safe and sound in two months. He did his best to comfort her, but never wavered in his determination to do what seemed as much his duty as any other man's. He could talk well, and his wife, who was really a brave, sensible woman, was soon won over to think as he did. Bach went to work to provide for the other's comfort during the separation. VI. — A Soldier. The Tennessee boys proved to be the heroes of the war with the Creek Indians. In that war Crockett did A SOLDIER. 25 good service as a private soldier. He liked adventure, change of scene, and excitement, and the war offered these. Because of his skill with the rifle and knowledge of forest travel he was chosen as a member of a scouting party. This little band of men went before the army to see where the Indians were and what they were doing. The country was unknown to them, and they were in danger of falling into an ambush of Indians. It was hard to find the silent, swift-footed foe. But the scouts were helped by some of the Cherokee Indians who were friendly to the whites. When the scouts found a Creek village they sent word to the army. If the town was deserted when the soldiers reached it they plundered and burned it. But sometimes the soldiers came upon the towns before the inhabitants knew they were near. Then the troops surrounded the surprised savages. The Indians usually tried to break through the line of soldiers, and some- times did so. But generally the fire from the guns was so terrible that the- Indians were driven back. They then rushed frantically against another part of the wall of soldiers, only to meet the same deadly fire. At one time when so many of the savages had fallen in this way that there was no hope of escape, the women and children asked for mercy and were made prisoners. But the warriors were too proud for that. Nearly forty of them crowded into a log house hoping to fight from 26 DAVID CROCKETT. that shelter. But the soldiers set fire to it and burned them, or shot them as they ran from the flames. The white people were so infuriated against the Creeks that they treated them as if they were wild beasts. Detachments of soldiers were sent out to scour the country for Creeks and destroy them by fair means or foul. While our soldiers caused great suffering they had a very hard time themselves. At times the Indians surprised them. Once the famous General Jackson himself was almost defeated by them. But the enemy that gave the United States soldiers the most trouble was hunger. They were in thessouth far from any source of supplies. Before deserting a town the Indians destroyed their crops and provisions so that they would not fall into the hands of the white men. Therefore the soldiers got no food from the country through which they traveled. At times they had noth- ing to eat but acorns. Their horses became thin and feeble, and the men were nearly starved. David Crockett was not less cruel than others to the Creek Indians. But he did much to relieve the hard- ships of his fellow soldiers. He was always ready with a hearty laugh and a funny story to rouse their droop- ing spirits. By nature strong, patient, and generous, he INDIAN IN AMBUSH. A SOLDIER. 27 was able and willing to help those less fortunate than himself. Often he got permission to go hunting and risked his life alone in the forest. Men offered him large sums for the squirrels and wild fowls he brought back. But he refused their offers. He might have gained favor with his officers by giving them his game. Instead he gave all to some sick soldier or divided freely with his mess- mates. His popularity with the men, his good common sense and ability, might have secured him promotion to the rank of an officer, had it not been for the independent way in which he sometimes conducted himself. At one time, becoming dissatisfied with the way in which the captain divided the scant provisions, he led his mess off in the night. It was a good thing for the starving men, for they found plenty of fat turkeys and some bee trees full of honey. The party rejoined the army with a fine buck, and just at the same time some men from the settlements arrived with a supply of corn. Crockett was one of the men who went home in spite of Jackson's order to stay in the field. The volunteers had served one month longer than the time for which they had enlisted. Their clothing was in tatters and their horses almost worn out. But Crockett was also one of the few who went back to the war. After visiting his family he supplied him- 28 DAVID CROCKETT. self with new clothes and a fresh horse and returned to the army to serve six months. In all he enlisted three times. The Indians were then so subdued 'that there were no more battles. Soldiering became very uneventful and uninteresting. Then Crockett was glad to go back to his cabin on the western frontier. VII. — A Leading Citizen. After so much roaming about, David Crockett was at last content to settle down to the quiet life of a farmer. For two years he worked away happily enough. Then a great sorrow came into his life. His wife died, and all the cheer and comfort that had made home sweet to this rest- less man left the little cabin and it seemed a very poor place. There was no one now to "'''iSfJ^ff.^/'?^^ object to his going to war; no POOR PLACE. ' -^ fc> & ) one to welcome him when he carr.e home. He missed the busy hum of the spinning- wheel. The room she had kept so tidy refused to look neat. The children were forlorn and dirty. They cried, and he could not comfort them. They quarreled, and he could not settle their disputes. He saw that he could not fill their mother's place. A LEADING CITIZEN. 29 He felt helpless and homeless and began to think it would be best for him to marry again. This time he did not select a gay, dancing, rosy-cheeked girl, but a sensible, kindly woman, a widow with two children of her own. After his marriage, he wished to move again and start afresh. Having been pleased with the country he had passed through during the war, he organized a little party of friends and they started out to explore. When far from home in the wilderness he was taken ill with malarial fever. He did not lack for good care and kind, if clumsy, nursing. Those were days of true hospitality. The pioneer living alone in the forest had no neighbor on whom he could shift the responsibility of caring for the needy stranger. The sick man was received at the home of a backwoodsman and taken care of. He was ill for a long time. When he reached home at last even his wife was surprised to find that he was still alive. Soon after his recovery he moved to a famous hunting-ground in southwestern Tennessee that had been purchased from the Indians. At first there was no law or local government in the new settle- ment, and none was needed; for the few people who lived there were honest and industrious. But as the fame of the district grew, great numbers of settlers came. Some of these settlers were selfish and ready to take 30 DAVID CROCKETT. advantage of the weak. Some were wicked men who had come west to escape punishment and find new vic- tims to cheat. With such characters in the settlement trouble began, and some sort of government was needed to protect the good from the bad. The settlers met and chose officers to take charge of affairs. They selected good men and left them free to do whatever they thought was right. Thus the officers had great power. David Crockett was one of them. When word was brought to him that a man had stolen, or had refused to pay a debt, or had injured another in any way, he sent his constable after the offender. He listened attentively to both sides of the story. If he found the accused guilty he had him punished. Sometimes the punishments were very severe and humiliating. Whipping was very common. One of the most frequent crimes was pig-stealing. The pigs were marked and turned loose in the woods. They were an easy and tempting prey for the hungry man. During the time David Crockett served as officer no one ever questioned the justice of his decisions. He knew nothing about law. He could scarcely write his name; but he had a great deal of shrewdness and com- mon sense, and he understood the men among whom he lived. Later, when the settlement was recognized by the state, Crockett was appointed "squire" by the legis- lature. The work of his office became more formal. A LEADING CITIZEN. 3I He had to keep a book and write out warrants for arrests. At first he had to ask the constable for help in this. But now that he saw a use for writing he tried hard to learn and soon was able to write his own war- rants and keep his own books. When David Crockett started to do anything he was pretty sure to "go ahead." That was true of him in his boyhood when he ran away from his employer to go home, and again when he ran away from school and home. When he was older and began to work he went steadily ahead and gave his father double service. Then, as hunter and marksman, he had won dis- tinction as the bravest and most skillful. In the wars, his neighbors had been satisfied with two months of service, but he had enlisted three times. As a pioneer he had moved again and again ; keeping always in the vanguard of civilization. It was still his disposition to make the most of his opportunities, and having gained some prominence among the settlers he became ambitious. He borrowed money and built a large grist mill, distillery, and powder factory. He was very popular among the backwoodsmen and was made colonel of a regiment of militia. He was ever afterwards called "Colonel" Crockett. His friends urged him to be a candidate to represent his district in the state legislature. He consented and gave his name as a candidate in February. In March 32 DAVID CROCKETT. he went to North Carolina with a drove of horses, and was gone three months. When he returned home he went to work to secure his election. He knew nothing about government. He did not even know the meaning of the word. But CROCKETT'S FIRST SPEKCH he knew that the men who did the voting understood as little about governmental affairs as he did. He "^ knew also that most of them were willing to elect a man whom they could trust to take care of their political interests. So he sought to be popular with the voters. His reputation as a hunter, his ability to tell laughable stories, and his timely *' treats" did more to win the good will of the A LEADING CITIZEN. 33 voters than his rival's learned speeches. He was suc- cessful from the first. At that time people came from far and near to the political meetings and had a good time. The first one that Colonel Crockett took part in was held in Heck- man County. Both parties joined in a squirrel hunt that lasted two days. After the hunt, they were to have a great feast in the open air, and the party that got the smallest number of squirrels had to pay all of the expense. Crockett shot many squirrels in that hunt and his party brought in the largest number. The feast was to be followed by dancing, but as they lingered at the tables talking, some one called for a speech. Both candidates were present, but Crockett was called for first. This was new business for him. He had never paid any attention to public speeches and did not know how to begin. He felt ill at ease and made excuses. But all clamored for a speech, and his rival was especially eager, for he knew Crockett was an ignorant man, and he wished to see him fail. Perceiving that he could not escape, he mounted the stump of an old forest tree and began. He told the people bluntly that he had come to get their votes and that if they didn't watch out he would get them too. Then he could think of no more to say. After making two or three vain attempts to go on with his speech he gave it up, saying that he was like a man he had heard about who was beating on the head of an empty barrel 34 DAVID CROCKETT. by the road. A traveler passing by asked him what he was doing that for. He answered that there was some cider in the barrel a few days before, and he was trying to see if it was there yet. Crockett said that he was in the same fix. There had been a little bit of a speech in him a few minutes ago, but he couldn't get at it. At this the people all laughed. Then he told several funny stories. Seeing that he had made a good impression, he stopped. As he got down from the stump he remarked to those around him that he wasn't used to speaking, and his throat was so dry that he thought it was about time to take a drink. His friends gathered about him and he entertained them in true backwoods fashion, while his rival was left to make his speech to a slim audience. Before Crockett was called on to speak again he had the good fortune to hear several strong speeches on both sides. In that way he acquired some political ideas which he was able to mix with his funny stories in such a way as to make a very popular stump speech. When election day came there was good evidence of his suc- cess. He received twice as many votes as his com- petitor. He had a quick, active mind and, by listening to discussions and debates in the legislature, Crockett soon knew as much about public affairs as the other mem- bers. He was not at all timid, and spoke frequently. A BEAR HUNTER. 35 His wit, his easy, familiar manners, his blunt, straight- forward ways, gained him many friends and admirers. He could argue as well with funny stories as most men could with sharp words. When the session closed and the members went to their homes in various parts of the state, they repeated his stories, and the name of " Davy Crockett" becanie known all over Tennessee. Vni. — A Bear Hunter. A heavy misfortune befell Colonel Crockett while he was in the legislature. His mills were washed away by a spring flood. He was obliged to sell all the prop- erty he had left to pay what he owed on the mills. Then he resolved to make another start in the world. With his little boy and a young man, he went farther west to look for a suitable location. He found a place that seemed to be what he wanted, on the Obion River not far from the Mississippi. The traveler was reminded by the yawning cracks in the earth, that a great earthquake had visited that section. There had also been a great storm or hurricane there not long before, and the fallen timber made a good retreat for bears. The region was almost uninhabited; but many Indians came there to hunt. It was wild enough to suit any hunter's fancy, and Crockett began to make preparations for the coming of his family. 36 DAVID CROCKETT. With the help of some passing boatmen who were taking a cargo of provisions up the river he hastily built a cabin. The men had to wait for the river to rise to take their boat up the shallow stream. They helped Crockett build his house and gave him some pro- visions, such as meal, salt, and sugar. In return for this, he went with them up the river and helped them unload their boat. He then went back to his new dwelling. He spent some time hunting deer and bears, clearing a garden, planting and tending his corn, and making rude furniture. When all was ready he returned for his wife and children. It seemed like old times to live in a little forest cabin, miles from any other white family, depending on the hunt for food and clothes. But since poverty made it necessary to live so humbly, David Crockett could take up the old life cheerfully. His patience and fortitude were as well displayed in the small things of life as in the great. That winter his supply of powder gave out. It was time to hunt. Then, too, Christmas was coming and the most glorious part of the Christmas celebration was the firing of Christmas guns. Clearly he must have some powder. HUNTING DEKR. A BEAR HUNTER. 37 There was a keg full of powder that belonged to him at his brother-in-law's, who had settled about six miles from him. But the river was between them, and the country was flooded by the fall rains. In order to reach that keg of powder he would have to wade through water for a mile. There were four inches of snow on the ground, and the water was almost freezing cold. His wife begged him not to go. But it was of no use. He cut a stout stick to feel the way, so that he should not fall into a ravine or hole, and started. He waded through water almost up to his waist. Once in cross- ing a deep place on a floating log he fell into water neck deep. He was so cold that there was scarcely any feel- ing in his limbs. He tried to run when he got out of the water, but found that he could scarcely walk. Still lie struggled on through five miles of rough forest, and at last reached his journey's end. After hot drinks and a night's rest, he awoke refreshed and well. A thin coat of ice was forming over the water, and he waited two days hoping it would become strong enough to bear his weight. The ice was not so heavy as he had hoped, but he knew that his wife would worry about him and that his children were without meat, and so he shouldered his keg of powder and went ahead. In some places the ice was thick enough to support him, but he could never tell at what moment or in how ;^S DAVID CROCKETT. deep water it would break. When lie fell through he had to take his tomahawk and cut a path for himself through the thin ice. He reached home safe, and you may be sure the Crockett family fired a merry salute to Christmas that year and feasted on juicy steaks of bear's meat and plump wild turkey. Bear hunting was Colonel Crockett's favorite sport. In one year he killed one hundred and five bears. The meat was considered a great delicacy, and bearskins were very useful to the hunter and brought a good price in the market. Then there was enough danger and excitement in hunting those great ferocious creatures to suit Crockett. He had several dogs, scarred like old soldiers from many a battle with the bears. They loved the sport as well as he did. He would tramp through the woods with Betsey (as he called his gun) on his shoulder, and Tiger, Rattler, and the rest of his dogs at his heels, until one of them got the scent of a bear. Then off it would go, fol- lowed by the others barking in full chorus. Crockett hurried after them, guided by their barking, and usually found them at the foot of the tree in which old bruin had taken refuge. He took careful aim, fired, and the great creature would come tumbling to the ground, sometimes dead — usually wounded. Then while the hunter was reload- ing his gun the nimble dogs would beset the enraged A BEAR HUNTER. 39 animal, biting it here and there but keeping out of the way of its sharp teeth and strong paws. If the bear was small the dogs would not give it a A BEAR HUNT. chance to climb a tree, but would attack and pull it down before their master came up. In that case he 40 DAVID CROCKETT. would slip up quietly, put the muzzle of the gun against the bear and shoot, or draw his hunting knife and plunge it into his prize. He then went home, marking the trees with his toma- hawk so that he could find his way back with horses and men. The skin was dressed and the choice parts of the flesh were dried or salted down for food. The bear often led the dogs and men a hard chase through the thick cane and underbrush, and a faint- hearted hunter would call off his dogs in despair. Crockett rarely gave up. Occasionally he followed the game so far that he had to stay out in the woods alone all night. Once after a long chase he succeeded in killing a bear in the dark with his hunting knife after a hard tussle. Then he spent the rest of the night in climbing a tree and sliding down it to keep from freezing to death. In the winter time the bears go into winter quarters. They usually choose some place very hard to reach, like a hole in a dense canebrake or a hollow tree. Then the dogs worry them out of their snug quarters to sorne place where the men can shoot and handle them conveniently. Colonel Crockett did not spend all his time hunting bears in the cane. He was engaged in numerous enter- prises to increase his wealth; but none of them was suc- cessful. Once he tried to make some money by taking two boat loads of staves down the Mississippi to market. A CONGRESSMAN. 4I But his men were unacquainted with the river. They could not manage the big boats. They had an accident, and Crockett lost his boats and his staves. IX. — A Congressman. David Crockett had gone into the wilderness to get a new start. He was not the man to lie around and wait for a job to turn up. He was poor and must earn a living. As he was a good hunter he found a hunting ground and went to work. He did it simply and natur- ally, without any idea of attracting attention by it. But this move made him more prominent than ever. People remembered the odd man who could tell such sound truths in such laughable stories and usually had his way and gained his point with a joke. When they asked what had become of him they were told that he was "hunting bears out in the cane." Then followed thrilling stories of his narrow escapes and the great bears he had taken. When he went to market to sell his skins people crowded around to see them and to hear his stories. It was no wonder that his friends wanted to send him a second time to the legislature. The opposing candi- date was a man of some wealth and culture known as Dr. Butler. He lived in a frame house, and in his best room had a carpet which covered the middle part of the floor. 42 DAVID CROCKETT. The pioneers of that region had never seen a carpet and were ignorant of its use. One day the doctor in- vited some of them, whose votes he hoped to get, to come in for a friendly talk. They accepted his invita- tion, but could hardly be persuaded to set their feet on the wonderful carpet. They soon went away in no pleasant humor. ''That man Butler," they said, "called us into his house and spread down one of his finest bed quilts for us to walk on. He only wanted to make a show. Do you think we'll vote for him? Not much ! Davy Crockett's the man for us. He ain't a bit proud. He lives in a log cabin without any glass for his windows, and with- out any floor but the dry ground. He's the best hnn- ter in the world, and a first-rate man all round. We'll vote for him.'^ And so the man of the people carried the day. At the election he had a majority of two hundred and forty- seven votes — and this was a great victory in that sparsely peopled district. His friends were now so proud of their ' ' bear- hiinter from the cane " that they wanted to send him to Washington to represent them in the national Con- gress. The first time he ran for that office he was defeated. He was bitterly disappointed. But he did not lose con- fidence in himself or in his friends. He said the elec- tion had been conducted unfairly. When the time for A CONGRESSMAN. 43 the next Congressional election came around he tried again. Crockett had two opponents, Colonel Alexander and General Arnold. Each was more afraid of the other than of Crockett. On one occasion all three had to make speeches. Crockett spoke first and made a short, witty speech. Colonel Alexander then made a long political speech. When Arnold spoke he made no ref- erence to Crockett's speech, but discussed all the points made by Alexander. While he was speaking a flock of guinea-fowls came near and made such a noise that he stopped and asked that they be driven away. When he had finished, Crockett went up to him and said in a loud voice: "Well, Colonel, I see you understand the lan- guage of fowls. You did not have the politeness to name me in your speech, and when my little friends, the guinea fowls, came up and began to holler ' Crockett, Crockett, Crockett !' you were ungenerous enough to drive them away." This amused the spectators very much, and they went away laughing and talking about Crockett's cleverness, and all forgot the long speeches of the other candidates. On election -day Crockett was chosen by a large majority to represent one hundred thousand people in our national Congress. His fame had gone before him to the capital and he found himself the center of observation. He had too 44 DAVID CROCKETT. much self-respect to feel uncomfortable or shy in his new surroundings. He was himself under all circumstances, and did not affect the manners of others. He saw that he differed from the men about him in many ways; but what of that? Their manners suited their lives and were the outgrowth of their habits; they were like the people they represented. His manners suited his life; they were the outgrowth of his habits; he was like the people he represented. He had nothing to be ashamed of. On the contrary, he was proud of himself. However, when the president of the United States invited him to dinner, the thought occurred to him that the table-manners of a huntsman, used to dining on a log in the forest, might not fit the presidential dining table. But he decided to watch the others and *' go ahead." Of course the newspapers made a great many jokes about the uncouth manners of the backwoodsman and held him up for ridicule. But most of the jokes were made in the spirit of fun and only served to whet the curiosity of the readers, and make them wish to know more of the "gentleman from the cane," as he was called. At the close of his first term Crockett was re-elected. This time he gave the newspapers more to talk about than his bad manners. He had been sent to Congress by a people who regarded Andrew Jackson as their hero. Crockett had served under Jackson in the Indian A TRAVELER. 45 wars and had been a Jackson man. But when Jackson was elected president, Crockett did not think some of his measures right and voted against them. He knew this would displease most of the men who had sent him to Congress, but he said he would not be bound by any man or party to do what he thought was wrong. By this time he was well acquainted with pub- lic questions, and had strong convic- tions as to his duty. He was inde- pendent of parties and men in his views. He was a candidate for the next election, but his turning against Jackson had made him so unpopular that, much to his disappointment, he was defeated. ANDREW JACKSON X. — A Traveler. After two years more of hunting in the backwoods, David Crockett was again returned to Congress by his district. It was during this term that he made his famous tour of the northeastern states. He started in the spring of 1834 and visited most of the large cities. On this trip he saw a train of railroad cars for the first time. This is his description of it: ^'This was a clean new sight to me ; about a dozen big stages hung to one machine, and to start up hill. 46 DAVID CROCKETT. After a good deal of fuss we all got seated and moved slowly off; the engine wheezing as if she had the tiz- zick. By and by she began to take short breaths, and away we went with a blue streak after us. The whole distance is seventeen miles and it was run in fifty-five minutes." Crockett received a warm welcome at Philadelphia. Thousands of people were at the wharf to meet him. When he stepped from the boat he was greeted with cheers and the waving of hats. Men came forward with outstretched hands, saying: "Give me the hand of an honest man." Colonel Crockett was not a modest man, but he was surprised and a little overcome by this reception. They put him into a fine carriage drawn by four horses, and drove him to a hotel. There was another crowd there, calling for a speech. He was so surprised that he could not make a long speech then, but after a few pleasant remarks he promised the people to talk to them on the following day if they cared to hear him. He received calls from- many distinguished citizens. On the next day, when he stood before a vast crowd and looked into the expectant, friendly faces, he felt abashed for a moment. But some one shouted: "Go ahead, Davy Crockett." The sound of his old watch- word gave him courage and he went ahead and made a speech that did him credit. Some of the citizens presented him with a watch chain A TRAVELER. 47 and seal. On the seal were engraved two race horses at full speed. Above them were the words "Go ahead." The young Whigs of Philadelphia gave him a fine rifle. He was received with great kindness in New York and Boston, where he was invited to banquets made in his honor, and taken around to see the sights of those great cities. At each of the places he made short speeches, greatly to the entertainment of his hearers. Harvard University had recently conferred the degree of lyL. D. upon President Jackson ; and when Crockett was in Boston, he was invited to pay a visit to that famous seat of learning. "There were some gentlemen," he says, "who invited me to go to Cambridge, where the big college or univer- sity is, where they keep ready-made titles or nicknames to give to people. I would not go, for I did not know but they might stick an LL.D. on me before they let me go. . . . Knowing that I had never taken any degree, and did not own to any — except a small degree of good sense not to pass for what I was not — I would not go it. There had been one doctor made from Ten- nessee already, and I had no wish to put on the cap and bells. I told them that I would not go to this branding school ; I did not want to be tarred with the same stick ; one dignitary was enough from Tennessee." Crockett was astonished at the comfort and elegance of the homes of the eastern people, especially in New 48 DAVID CROCKETT. England where the land was so poor. For he was used to measuring people's wealth by the rich- ness of their land. The extensive shipping business of the coast cities was new to him and filled him with wonder. His eyes were open to all that was strange or new. He noticed the New York fire department, which was a great improvement on the bucket system to which he was accustomed. On visiting the blind asylum he was astonished to find that the blind were taught to read. Even the distribution of work seemed strange. It looked very queer to him to see New England women working in the factories and New England men milk- ing cows. Crockett visited several other cities. He found friends wherever he went, and he always left more than he found. He had many warm sympathizers and admirers in the northeast because of the stand he had taken against President Jackson. Some people were curious to see him because they had heard so much about him. He did not disappoint the curious. He could shoot as wonderfully as rumor h?.d reported. His stories were as ludicrous and his grammar was as bad as any one had imagined. But at the same time his sense and sincerity won the good will and respect of those who laughed. He went back to Washington pleased with the East and the eastern people, and well satisfied with himself. A DARING ADVENTURER. 49 At the close of the session he returned to his Tennessee cabin to work for his re-election, proud of the honors he had received and sure of more to come. XI.-^A Daring Adventurer. David Crockett was greeted at all the large towns he passed through by crowds of people. They always wanted a speech and he was always ready to make one; for his head was full of ideas on public questions. He said some wise things. Men called him a great man and said he would be president some day. No doubt he thought that they were right. But in the meantime a seat in Congress was worth working for and much more certain. He made tours of his district, speaking to the people more earnestly than ever before. Though he knew that his enemies were working hard against him he felt sure of success. When the news came that he was defeated, he was almost crushed with disappointment. He was so deeply interested in politics, and so much better fitted for the position than ever before. It seemed cruel that, just at the time he felt most ready to help and be of real use, his services should be rejected. Hunting had lost its charm. He could not stay in the wilderness doing nothing. There was a war in Texas. The people were trying to throw off the gov- 50 DAVID CROCKETT. ernment of Mexico. There was a field for action and glory. David Crockett resolved to go to Texas and help the people in their struggle for freedom. He arrayed himself in a new deerskin hunting suit and a fox-skin cap with the bushy tail hanging down behind. He was well armed with tomahawk, hunting knives, and his new rifle. His good wife in the dreary cabin bade farewell to her hero with tears. Her heart was full of regret for his past disappointment and full of fears for his future success. But he had not lost his happy faculty of turning his back on bad luck and going ahead. New sights soon made him forget the family parting, and even the bitterness of defeat wore off as he pressed forward, hoping for new and greater honors and victories. He stopped for two or three days at Little Rock, Arkansas, where he was treated with great cordiality. A feast was made in his honor and when he left the town a company of men rode with him fifty miles. He rode across the country to Fulton, on the Red River, where he took a steamboat for the village of Natch- itoches. On the boat he met a curious vagabond who was gambling in a small way and winning money from the passengers by a game that he played with a thimble and some peas. He played this game so constantly that Crockett gave him the name of Thimblerig. Any one else in Crockett's position would have A DARING ADVENTURER. 51 scorned this trifler. But he was pleased with the fel- low's wit and good nature. He learned his history of idleness and wrong-doing, and persuaded him to go with him to Texas and at least die better than he had lived. At Natchitoches he met a handsome young man with a free, graceful bearing and a clear, ringing voice. He said that he was a bee hunter and had been over the Texas prairies many times. He wanted to go to the war, and hearing that Crockett was going had come to join him. The three men, well mounted on prairie mustangs, left Natchitoches in good spirits. They told stories, or the bee hunter sang spirited songs, as they rode along. The country was new to Crockett, and full of interest. Canebrakes, loftier than those "the gentleman from the cane" was accustomed to, crossed their way. In one place they rode through an avenue of cane, wide enough for two horses. The tall, slender rods of cane, each as long and slim as a fishing pole, fell towards each other at the top, making an arched roof that completely shut out the sun for a quarter of a mile. Wolves, wild turkeys, and droves of wild horses roused the instinct of the hunter. Crockett longed to have a buffalo hunt, but the bee hunter told him he would surely get lost if he attempted it. One noon as the travelers were resting in the shade of one of the little clumps of trees that dotted the great 52 DAVID CROCKETT. prairies, David Crockett said he had made up his mind to have a buffalo hunt. The bee hunter said he thought they ought not to separate, and Thimblerig shook his head solemnly as he played with his thimbles and peas on the top of his old white hat. Suddenly the bee hunter sprang from the ground, where he had been lying gazing at the blue sky, jumped upon his mustang, and without a word started off, leaving his companions in wonder, fie had seen a bee, and forcrettinor his advice to o o Crockett, had started off in quest of its hive. While his deserted companions were talk- ing over his strange conduct they heard a low rumbling. The sound grew louder and the earth trembled. The two men seized their weapons and sprang to their horses. A herd of five hundred buffaloes came careering towards them with the speed of the wind and the sound of thunder. The leader of the herd was an immense fellow with long mane almost sweeping the ground, and stout, bony horns ready to bear down everything that came in his A BUFFALO BULL. way. "I never felt such a desire to have a crack at any- A DARING ADVENTURER. 53 thing in my life," says Crockett. "The big buffalo drew nigh to the place where I was standing. I raised my beautiful Betsey to my shoulder and blazed away. He roared, and suddenly stopped. Those that were near him did likewise. The commotion caused by the impetus of those in the rear was such that it was a miracle that some of them did not break their heads or necks. The leader stood for a few moments pawing the ground after he was shot, then darted off around the clump of trees and made for the uplands of the prairies. The whole herd followed, sweeping by like a tornado. And I do say I never witnessed a sight more beautiful to the eye of a hunter in all my life." Colonel Crockett now realized that they were escap- ing from him and he could not resist the temptation to follow. He reloaded his gun and started in full chase. He rode for two hours, but he could not keep pace with the fleet buffaloes. At length he lost sight of them. Then he gave up and began to think of his friend. In his attempts to go back by a short cut he lost his way entirely. The country was so fair and beautiful it was hard to realize that it was uninhabited. But Crockett looked in vain for signs of the hand of man. Seeing that he made no headway, he determined to find a stream and follow that. He soon came upon a herd of mustangs. They no- ticed his horse and began to circle around it. The circle of prancing horses grew ever smaller and smaller until 54 DAVID CROCKETT. Crockett found liimself in the midst of the herd. His pony seemed to like the situation well enough and frisked and played with its new friends. Anxious to escape, Crockett plied the spurs without mercy and his horse darted forward to the front of the herd. A wild race followed. Every member of the herd strove to overtake the stranger, but encouraged by voice and spur, Crockett's mustang kept in the lead for some time. "My little mustang was full of fire and mettle," says Crockett, "and as it was the first bit of genuine sport that he had had for some time, he appeared determined to make the most of it. He kept the lead for full half an hour, frequently neighing as if in triumph and deri- sion. I thought of John Gilpin's celebrated ride, but that was child's play to this. The proverb says: ' The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong,' and so it proved in the present instance. My mustang was obliged to carry weight, while his com- petitors were as free as nature had made them. A beautiful bay that had kept close upon our heels the whole way now came side by side with my mustang, and we had it hip and thigh for about ten minutes in such style as would have delighted the heart of a true' lover of the turf I now felt an interest in the race myself, and determined to win it if it was at all in the nature of things. I plied the lash and spur, and the little beast took it quite kindly, and tossed his head, and neighed, as much as to say, ' Colonel, I know what A DARING ADVENTURER. 55 you're after — go ahead! ' — and lie did go ahead in beauti- ful style, I tell you." AtJast, however, the unburdened horses gained, and one after another galloped past. Crockett was not able to turn his horse from the race until they reached the brink of a river. Here the other mustangs leaped down the bank, plunged into the swift stream and galloped away on the other side. But Crockett's horse seemed too tired for the leap. It was utterly exhausted. He relieved it of its saddle and did what he could for its comfort. As evening was coming on he looked around for a safe place to spend the night. There was a large spreading tree near the river. He began to examine the tree to dis- cover its possibilities as a resting place. He w^as inter- rupted by an angry growl, and was startled to see, almost within reach of his arm, a huge cougar glaring at him. He stepped back hastily and shot at the beast. The ball struck the skull and bounded back, merely scratch- ing the skin. There w^as no time for reloading. The animal sprang at Crockett, but he stepped aside and it fell upon the ground. He gave it a blow with his rifle. The cougar turned upon him. He threw away his gun, drew his knife and stood ready to meet it Then came a desperate struggle. He tried to blind the creature, but only cut its nose. He tripped on a vine and fell. The beast was upon him. It caught his leg. The 56 DAVID CROCKETT. hunter grasped its tail and plunged his knife into its side. He tried to push it over the bank. ]\Ian and beast rolled down together. Fortunately Crockett was uppermost. Quick as thought his knife was buried in the creature's heart and he was safe. He looked at the dead cougar in silent thanksgiving for a moment, and then returned to the tree. He made a bed in its topmost branches by spreading a mat of the moss, that hung from the branches, upon a network of twigs. He threw his horse-blanket over the moss and had a comfortable bed; not a safe one, perhaps, but that did not disturb him. He soon fell asleep, and did not wake till morning. In the morning his mustang had disappeared. The thought of being alone in that wild country, without friend or horse, was not pleasant. While eating his breakfast he heard the sound of hoofs, and looking up saw a party of fifty Comanche Indians mounted and armed coming directly towards him. They looked very fierce and warlike, but proved to be friendly. Crockett asked them how they knew he was there. They pointed to his fire in answer. They asked about the big cougar that had been wounded so many times. When they heard the adventure they said, "good hunter," invited Crockett to join their tribe, and gave him a horse. He told them he could not stay with them, but would be glad to travel in their company as far as the Colorado River. A DARING ADVENTURER. 57 Before they had gone far, they saw a herd of mustangs. One of the Indians rode towards them swinging his lasso. All fled but one little fellow. It stood still and ducked its head between its legs. It was easily taken and was found to be Crockett\s horse. He was aston- ished, and wondered why it had allowed itself to be caught. The Indians explained that a mustang never forgets the shock of being thrown by a lasso and is so much afraid of one afterwards that it will never run from it. While on the march they saw many buffaloes and Crockett had the good fortune to shoot one. When they were nearing the river the' alert Indians noticed a thin blue line of smoke curling up against the sky from a clump of trees. The whole party dashed to the spot. Whom should they find but Thimblerig playing his foolish game ? "The chief shouted the war whoop," says Crockett, "and suddenly the warriors came rushing in from all quarters, preceded by the trumpeters yelling terrifically. Thimblerig sprang to his feet and was ready to sink into the earth when he beheld the ferocious-looking fel- lows that surrounded him. I stepped up, took him by the hand, and quieted his fears. I told the chief that he was a friend of mine, and I was very glad to have found him, for I was afraid that he had perished. I now thanked the chief for his kindness in guiding me over the prairies, and gave him a large bowie-knife, which 58 DAVID CROCKETT. he said he would keep for the sake of the brave hunter. The whole squadron then wheeled off and I saw them no more." Thimblerig explained that soon after Crockett had left him the bee hunter had comeback with a load of honey, and thinking that Crockett was lost, they had started on to Texas without him. While they were talking the bee hunter arrived, bringing a fine turkey for supper. The three were glad to be together once more and went to work with a will to prepare a good supper. Thimblerig plucked the feathers from the turkey; Crockett made forked stakes, which he erected on either side of the fire, and sharpened a long stick. This was thrust through the bird and suspended on the forked stakes so that the turkey might be turned and browned evenly. The bee hunter brought fresh water and made coffee, and they had a merry feast. XII. — A Hero of the Alamo. These three men were shortly afterward joined by three others, who were going to the war. They were glad to have company, for they were getting so near the scene of war that they were in danger of meeting parties of Mexican scouts. They were all bound for the fortress of Alamo, just outside of the town of Bexar, on the San Antonio A HERO OF THE ALAMO. 59 River. They kept on the lookout for the enemy, but did not encounter any until the last day of their journey. When within twenty miles of San Antonio they were attacked by fifteen armed Mexicans. They dismounted and stood back of their horses. From that position they returned the fire of their assailants with such effect that the party scattered and fled. They then went on their way without being further molested. They were received at the fortress with shouts of wel- come.. The bee hunter was known and admired by many of the garrison, and all had heard of Colonel Crockett. Thimblerig, too, though unknown, was warmly welcomed. The town of Bexar, which is now known as San Antonio, w^as at that time one of the most important places in Texas. It had about tw^elve hundred inhabit- ants, nearly all of whom were Mexicans or of Mexican descent. It was held by a small band of Texan rangers, most of these being adventurers from the United States. Through the influence of such adventurers the Texans had declared their independence of Mexican rule and had set up a government of their own. This had of course brought about a war; the IMexican army had invaded Texas; and the scattered people of that great territory were forced to fight for their liberties. David Crockett was well impressed with the "gallant young Colonel Travis," who was in command of the fortress, and thought that he and his little band of one 6o DAVID CROCKETT. hundred and fifty soldiers would be a match for the en- tire ]\Iexican army. He was glad also to meet Colonel Bowie, of Louisiana, and hear his tales of adventure and see him handle his famous knife. On the twenty-third of February the Mexican army marched against San Antonio. Their president, the cruel Santa Anna, was at their head. The impossibility of holding the town against such a host was apparent. The soldiers withdrew to the Alamo, as the fortress was called, and the troops of Santa Anna marched into the town carrying a red flag, to show that no quarter would be given to those who resisted. The little band of patriots did not lose heart. They raised their new flag — a great white star on a striped field — over the fort. While the flag was going up, the bee hunter sang: "Up with your banner. Freedom" ; then the drums and trumpets sounded. Santa Anna sent a message to Colonel Travis demanding the unconditional surrender of the fort. He was answered with a cannon shot. So the siege of the fort was begun. That night Colonel Travis sent a messenger to Colonel Fanning asking aid. But, even if the colonel had received word in time, he would have been unable to send assistance to the THE ALAMO. A HERO OF THE ALAMO. 6l beleaguered fortress. The little orarrison must defend themselves as best they could, and with small hope of success. The Mexicans cannonaded the Alamo from various points. One morninj^ Crockett was awakened by a shot against the part of the fort in which he was sleeping. He dressed hurriedly and ran to the wall, gun in hand. He saw that, opposite the fort, a cannon had been charged and the gunner was stepping up with lighted match. Crockett took careful aim, fired, and the man fell. Another took his ])lace. Thimblerig, who was with Crockett, handed liini anotlier ritle. The second gunner met the same fate. Imvc men tried in turn to light that cannon. All fell before the deadly fire of Crockett. The others were seized with fear and ran off, leaving the loaded cannon. The sharpshooters of the fort kept watch, and any one venturing within gunshot of the fort had little chance of escaping. There were occasional skirmishes, as when the mes- senger sent out by Colonel Travis returned pursued by the enemy. The bee hunter saw and, calling to some of his friends to follow, rushed out to help him. The brave fellow succeeded in driving back the Mexicans, but he received his death wound in the fray. Day by day, the fortunes of the besieged grew darker and darker. There was no hope of aid. Food and 62 DAVID CROCKETT. water failed them. The force of the enemy increased constantly, and the attack upon the Alamo became more and more determined. David Crockett kept a journal of the daily happen- ings in the fortress. On the last day of February he wrote: ''Last night our hunters brought in some corn and had a brush with a scout from the enemy beyond gunshot of the fort. They put the scout to flight and got in without injury. They bring accounts that the settlers are flying in all quarters in dismay, leaving their possessions to the mercy of the invader. Buildings have been burnt down, farms laid waste, and Santa Anna appears determined to verify his threat to convert this blooming paradise into a howling wilderness." On the sixth of March the entire army attacked the Alamo. The resistance was desperate. When the fort was taken only six of its defenders were living. Crock- ett was one of these. He was found in an angle of the building behind a breastwork of Mexicans whom he had slain. A frightful gash in his brow made him look grim and terrible. His broken musket was in one hand and a bloody knife in the other. Poor Thimblerig was found dead not far from him. It is said that in this assault upon the Alamo the Mexicans lost more than a thousand men. The six prisoners were taken before Santa Anna. Crockett strode along fearless and majestic. Santa Anna was displeased that the prisoners had been spared so long. A HERO OF THE ALAMO. 63 He frowned, and said he had given other orders con- cerning them. The swords of his men gleamed and they rushed upon the unarmed prisoners. The daunt- less Crockett gave the spring of a tiger toward the dark leader, Santa Anna. But before he could reach him he had been cut down by a dozen swords. Crockett had had no thought of such an ending of his Texas expedition. But as the dangers had increased, he expressed no regret that he had come. He displayed the utmost devotion to the cause of the Texans. His last written words were: '* Liberty and independence forever!" At the time of his death he was not quite fifty years old. In studying the life of this remarkable man we must always keep in mind the fact that he had no opportunities when a boy to improve his mind. He grew up among ignorant people, and knew but very little about the refinements of civilized life. He was there- fore rough and imcouth in manners, and lacked the polish of the gentleman. He was naturally a man of strong character; and whenever he undertook to do a thing he devoted all his energies to it and never gave up until he succeeded. He was very vain of his own achievements, and for this we may pardon him when we remember how much he accomplished with so little capital. In 1834, less than two years before the tragic close of his career, Crockett had written and published a highly 64 DAVID CROCKETT. entertaining history of his own life. It was full of grammatical blunders and of misspelled words, even after it had been revised and corrected by his more scholarly friends; but as the work of a man wholly without school education it was not discreditable. On the title page of the little volume was the motto whi<:h he had adopted as the guiding principle of his life. Although he may have often failed to observe this motto as wisely as could have been wished, it is well worth repeating and remembering. It is this: " I leave this rule for others when I'm dead; Be always sure you're right -THEN GO ahead! " ' ''nim&i:immM. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 014 495 588 2