Stories of Old KentuckyPurcell, Martha C. Grassham, Mrs.
History
Stories of Old Kentucky
Purcell, Martha C. Grassham, Mrs.
Kentucky -- History
The men and larger boys generally walked ahead, to be sure no Indians
lurked in ambush; the smaller boys and girls drove the cows and sheep,
and watched to keep them from wandering off through the woods; while the
women rode horseback, having tied on the backs of the horses all the
absolutely necessary household utensils.
In this party the usual plan of travel prevailed. Mrs. Craig and baby
Bennie were on one horse, followed by another loaded with meal, bacon,
salt, and skillets and tools; another one of these pack horses had,
strapped across its back, some hickory withes holding on each side a
basket made of the boughs of the same tree. These baskets carried what
bedding and clothing were needed for the new homes. In one of these
baskets was placed also a little boy of six, in the other a little girl
of four. Sometimes the mother permitted baby Bennie to ride in the
basket with his little sister. All three children found many things of
interest as they rode along in this strange, new land.
One morning Mrs. Craig laid baby Bennie, who was asleep, on a bed of
leaves amid the boughs of a fallen tree, while she helped pack the
things to start. As Mr. Craig was anxious to overtake some travelers who
were ahead of him, because in numbers there was greater safety, he
hurried Mrs. Craig on her horse; when she called for the baby, the
little sister begged that it be allowed to ride again with her. The
mother consented, rode on, and the father began to load the other horse;
he safely tucked the little boy and girl away in the baskets, but in the
excitement of overtaking the other travelers both father and children
forgot baby Bennie.
About an hour later Mrs. Craig, looking back, saw only two children and
cried out, "Where is the baby?" All were frantic with fear when they
realized that the baby had been left behind.
Mr. Craig hastily stripped the pack from one of the horses, sprang up on
its back with gun in hand, and with all possible speed hurried back. For
nearly two hours the rest waited and watched, wept and prayed. Finally
the sound of the horse's hoofs was heard and Mr. Craig came at full
gallop, shouting, "Here he is, safe and sound! The little rascal hadn't
waked up."
[Illustration: "Here he is, safe and sound!"]
THE FIRST ROMANCE IN KENTUCKY
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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