That
cabin," he continued, as a shade passed over his features, "has been the
scene of carnage and bloodshed. But why wake up old feelings--let them
sleep, let them sleep;" and the veteran drew his brawny hand over his
eyes. All the curiosity of my nature was roused; and the old men seated
by his side gazed upon him enquiringly, and put themselves in a
listening attitude. The speaker, observing this, sat silent for a few
moments, as if collecting his thoughts, and then related the following
tale:
"There has come a mighty change over the face of this
country since the time when I first emigrated here. The spot where now
stand your prettiest towns and villages was then a howling wilderness.
Instead of the tinkling of the cow-bells and the merry whistle of the
farmer-boy as he calls his herd to the fold, might be heard the wild cry
of the panther, the howl of the wolf, and the equally appalling yell of
the aborigines. These were 'times to try men's souls'; and it was then
the heart of oak and the sinews of iron which commanded respect. Let me
describe to you some scenes in which such men were the actors; scenes
which called forth all the energy of man's nature; and in the depths of
this western wilderness, many hundreds of Alexanders and Caesars, who
have never been heard of.
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