David Crockett: His Life and AdventuresAbbott, John S. C. (John Stevens Cabot)
History
David Crockett: His Life and Adventures
Abbott, John S. C. (John Stevens Cabot)
Crockett, Davy, 1786-1836
The day of election came, and Crockett was victorious by a majority of
two hundred and forty-seven votes. Thus he found himself a second time
a member of the Legislature of the State of Tennessee, and with a
celebrity which caused all eyes to be turned toward "the gentleman from
the cane."
CHAPTER IX.
Adventures in the Forest, on the River, and in the City
The Bear Hunter's Story.--Service in the Legislature.--Candidate for
Congress.--Electioneering.--The New Speculation.--Disastrous
Voyage.--Narrow Escape.--New Electioneering Exploits.--Odd
Speeches.--The Visit to Crockett's Cabin.--His Political Views.--His
Honesty.--Opposition to Jackson.--Scene at Raleigh.--Dines with the
President.--Gross Caricature.--His Annoyance.
Crockett was very fond of hunting-adventures, and told stories of these
enterprises in a racy way, peculiarly characteristic of the man. The
following narrative from his own lips, the reader will certainly peruse
with much interest.
"I was sitting by a good fire in my little cabin, on a cool November
evening, roasting potatoes I believe, and playing with my children,
when some one halloed at the fence. I went out, and there were three
strangers, who said they come to take an elk-hunt. I was glad to see
'em, invited 'em in, and after supper we cleaned our guns. I took down
old Betsey, rubbed her up, greased her, and laid her away to rest. She
is a mighty rough old piece, but I love her, for she and I have seen
hard times. She mighty seldom tells me a lie. If I hold her right, she
always sends the ball where I tell her, After we were all fixed, I told
'em hunting-stories till bedtime.
"Next morning was clear and cold, and by times I sounded my horn, and
my dogs came howling 'bout me, ready for a chase. Old Rattler was a
little lame--a bear bit him in the shoulder; but Soundwell, Tiger, and
the rest of 'em were all mighty anxious. We got a bite, and saddled our
horses. I went by to git a neighbor to drive for us, and off we started
for the Harricane. My dogs looked mighty wolfish; they kept jumping on
one another and growling. I knew they were run mad for a fight, for
they hadn't had one for two or three days. We were in fine spirits, and
going 'long through very open woods, when one of the strangers said, 'I
would give my horse now to see a bear.'
"Said I, 'Well, give me your horse,' and I pointed to an old bear,
about three or four hundred yards ahead of us, feeding on acorns.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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