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I think I see the early settlers harnessing their horses, and hitching them to their wagons, which are already filled with bedding,provisions, and the younger children.
On the outside are fastened spinning-wheels and looms. Several axes are fastened to the wagon, and the feeding-trough of the horses contains pots, kettles, and pans.
A driver rides one saddled horse; the wife is mounted on another.The husband shoulders his gun, and his sons drive the cattle ahead,followed by the hounds and other dogs.
Their day’s journey is short. The cattle, stubborn or wild, often leave the road for the woods, giving the travelers much trouble. A basket which has been accidentally dropped must be gone after, for nothing that they have can be spared. The roads are bad, and now and then all hands are called to push the wagon. By sunset they have gone perhaps twenty miles. The weary travelers gather around a fire, supper is prepared, and there they pass the night.
Days and weeks pass before they gain the end of the journey. They have crossed both the Carolinas, Georgia, and Alabama. They have been traveling from the beginning of May to the first of September.With heavy hearts they approach the Mississippi. They cross the river, and select a place where they build a cabin.
A small patch of ground is cleared by the ax and fire. A bell is fastened to each of the cattle before it is let loose in the canebrake.The horses remain about the house, where they find food.
From the first trading boat that stops at their landing they get flour and fish-hooks and ammunition. The looms are set up, the spinning-wheels soon furnish yarn, and in a few weeks the family throw off their ragged clothes and put on new suits.
The father and sons meanwhile have sown turnips and other vegetables; and from some Kentucky flat-boat a supply of live poultry has been bought.
October colors the leaves of the forest; the morn-ing dews are heavy, the days hot and the nights chill; and the family in a few days are attacked by ague.
Fortunately, the unhealthy season soon passes, and the hoarfrosts come. Gradually, each one recovers strength. The largest ash trees are felled, and their trunks cut, split, and corded in front of the building. Soon a steamer calls to buy the wood, and thus the settlers add to their comfort during tie winter.
This gives new courage to them; they work still harder, and when spring returns, the place has a cheer-ful look. Venison, bear’s flesh,turkeys, ducks, and geese, with now and then some fish, have kept up their strength; and now their field is planted with corn, potatoes,and pumpkins. Their stock of cattle, too, has increased.
The sons discover a swamp covered with excellent timber. Saws are purchased, and some broad-wheeled “carry-logs” are made. Log after log is hauled to the bank of the river, and in a short time their first raft is made on the shore. When the next freshet sets it afloat, the husband and sons embark on it and float down the mighty stream.
After many difficulties they arrive at New Orleans, where they sell their logs. They supply themselves with such articles as will add to their comfort.
Then with light hearts they return home on the upper deck of a steamer.
Every year increases their savings. They now own a large stock of horses, cows, and hogs, with abundance of provisions, and comforts of every kind.
( John James Audubon )
settlers : people who first live in an are
stubborn : difficult to persuad
ammunition : bullets for hunting
articles : useful groceries or equipment
A) Answer the following questions.
1) How long did this journey take?
2) What things that now make travel easy were unknown then?
3) How do we know these early settlers were thrifty?
4) In what area do you think settlers had the most problems? Why?
5) Would you enjoy life as a settler? Why or why not?
B) Missing information—Fill in missing information from the story.
1)These animals often left the road -c _ _ _ _ _
2) These are planted in fields -p_ _ _ _ _ _
3) They finally arrive in this city -N__ O__ _ _ _
4) Wood is cut with these -s _ _ _
5) This is another word for deer -v _ _ _ _ _ _
C) Summary—Write a short summary for this story.