CHAPTER X.

Cross the River Hu Vase. Improved Qualities of the Soil. Indian Convicts. Pass the Kaskaskia River. Proposed Canal. Geological Transformations.

Mounds. Cross the Mississippi.

Belleville.

A

WE reached Great Muddy river* at an early hour in the afternoon, and were ferried across in a scow. few miles beyond, we drove across the Little Muddy river on a wooden bridge, being the only one, as yet, witnessed on our route, bating an Indian bridge on the head of the Wabash. The names of both these rivers are too strictly characteristic. We could disregard the distasteful influence of inelegant names, but we cannot forget the lengthened mire through which we approached these streams. The recent rains had rendered the roads uncommonly bad, and filled them with pools of standing water. These sloughs were so frequent, as we came towards the Little Muddy, (which is only a branch of the other,) that our carriage at length stood still. No efforts of the horses were able to move it, but every succeeding exertion served to sink it deeper. We were effectually mired, and at a spot where it was impossible to

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* Riviere au Vase, ou Vaseux, of the French.

get out of the carriage without stepping more than ankledeep into plastic mud. Example, on these occasions, is better than precept, at least this appeared to be the opinion of Governor Cass; and, when we saw him place his shoulders at one of the wheels, there could be no hesitation in seconding his exertions. As our party numbered four, exclusive of the driver, we succeeded by this means, with the aid of a few perches, in extricating the carriage. But it was only to sink it in fresh sloughs a little further on: in fine, it required several efforts of this kind before we could reach the brink of the river.

After passing Muddy river, there is, perhaps, an improvement in the qualities of the soil, which becomes decidedly fertile in the approach towards Belleville. But the prairies are still too frequent and too large, too barren of fuel and timber, and too completely destitute of running streams. These disadvantages, where the soil itself is good, will some day be remedied by digging wells, and planting hedges, as we learn the English emigrants have done at Albion; but such improvements cannot be too early followed by the rearing of foresttrees, on a scale compatible with the future wants of society. Forty years would, probably, cover the bleakest prairie with a promising growth of oaks and maples.

In the course of the afternoon we crossed a single prairie, six miles over, but this, it will be recollected, is but the narrowest part of it. The length of the Illinois prairies is, generally, in a transverse direction, so that by casting the eye aside, they appear interminable.

The weather, which had been calm and sultry during the earlier part of the day, to a degree that was quite oppressive, underwent a sudden transition in the afternoon. Thick driving clouds, heavy peals of thunder, and an agreeable coolness of the air, were the rapid

d

May not coal abound beneath these level tracts?

precursors of a tempest of wind and rain-against which the single curtains of our carriage afforded but a partial defence. It was, however, the best our position could command, as the buildings are much scattered along this part of the road; and, after driving a number of miles in this confined situation, we reached Rees's Inn,* where we determined to pass the night. The rain continued with increased fury; and we were happy to beguile away an hour in conversation before a cheering fire.

INDIAN CONVICTS.

We observe that the two Winnebago prisoners, Horojinka and Chewacara, who were lately convicted for the murder of two soldiers at the post of Rock Island on the Upper Mississippi, and condemned to be hanged on the 14th inst., have been reprieved by the President; not, however, it would seem, to the entire satisfaction of the people, among whom there appears to exist an unconquerable prejudice against these unfortunate people. Owing to this feeling, there was some alleged ill-treatment of the prisoners while they were confined at Vandalia, in consequence of which, one of them died, we think, after his condemnation. We hope, for the honour of our country, that the reports on this subject are greatly exaggerated. The proof, on trial of these men, was full and positive against them; and, as is usual with the Indians when guilty, they both came forward and acknowledged that they had killed the men, and deserved death. After the judge had pronounced sentence, Caramara, an aged chief of the Winnebagoes, who, with five of his people, had attended the trial, arose in court, and addressed the presiding judge as follows:

*Thirty-seven miles from M'Creary's.

"Father, I came from my nation to hear the trial of Horojinka and Chewacara. You are an American, father; I also claim to be an American. When I give my hand to you, I give it to our great father, (the Presi dent,) and call the Great Spirit to witness the sincerity of my desire, that peace may exist between us. But I have not the same power in my nation as you, father, have over your children here, (pointing to the multitude.) This causes me great sorrow.

"I look up to our great father, as I do to the Great Spirit, for protection. When I came here, I hoped to find that Horojinka and Chewacara had been better treated; but my heart bleeds at the cruelty they have received. I hoped that pity would have been found for them that mercy would have been shown to them-and that justice would have been done to them; but I have found neither pity, mercy, nor justice. But let peace be between us. Caramara is the friend of peace. It is a clear sky that he seeks. Caramara is likewise honest, he speaks what he thinks:-he shakes you for the last time by the hand." We must respect the feelings and admire the force and simplicity of the oratory # of the aborigines, although it should occasion no sur prise that they cannot accommodate their conceptions of justice to the severe maxims of civilized nations.

24th. The weather, which continued tempestuous during the night, calmed as daybreak approached, and the rain soon after abated. An immense quantity of water had fallen, which, on so flat a surface, could not fail to make plashy and heavy roads;—an effect that was still further increased by the clayey and retentive nature of the soil, in this section of the country. We set out a little before six o'clock, and drove to Hutchins's for

* Illinois Paper.

breakfast.*

Six miles of this distance is through open oak woods, and four, through prairie. There is a perceptible improvement in the qualities of the soil, and in the uniformity of its character. But we found much water in the roads, and proceeded slowly; indeed, we now found our progress retarded from a new cause, of which we had witnessed the first effects on the preceding day. The badness of the roads near Muddy river, and the violent exertions of our horses, on being repeatedly mired, united to the great heat on the unsheltered prairies, had greatly exhausted their strength, and gave us cause to fear that they would give out at every succeeding stage. What we had apprehended now happened, they were so completely jaded by the morning's drive, that it became necessary to hire others, with an additional driver to convey back the extra horses ;-and with this arrangement, we again set forward at ten o'clock.

Although the scenery of this part of the Illinois, presents no grand or strikingly diversified features, the agreeable and often sudden transition from forest to prairie, the profusion of flowering plants, which beautify the surface of the latter, and even the slight changes in the colour and mineral characters of the soil, constantly tend to keep awake attention. The soil appears more decidedly and uniformly rich, as we approach the long lines of woods, that mark the course of the Kaskaskia river; but there is throughout this country, a want of living water, which, during a sultry day, is severely felt both by man and beast. It was late in the afternoon before we entered the dark woods bordering this river, and nothing could be more grateful than its refreshing shade, after a long day's exposure on the sunny and woodless plains. Our route brought us to the brink of