hern Tennessee. Crockett
thought that in those new lands he would find the earthly paradise of
which he was in search. The region was unsurveyed, a savage wilderness,
and there were no recognized laws and no organized government there.

Crockett mounted his horse, lashed his rifle to his back, filled his
powder-horn and bullet-pouch, and journeying westward nearly a hundred
miles, through pathless wilds whose solitudes had a peculiar charm for
him, came to a romantic spot, called Shoal Creek, in what is now Giles
County, in the extreme southern part of Tennessee. He found other
adventurers pressing into the new country, where land was abundant and
fertile, and could be had almost for nothing.

Log cabins were rising in all directions, in what they deemed quite
near neighborhood, for they were not separated more than a mile or two
from each other. Crockett, having selected his location on the banks of
a crystal stream, summoned, as was the custom, some neighbors to his
aid, and speedily constructed the cabin, of one apartment, to shield
his family from the wind and the rain. Moving with such a family is not
a very arduous undertaking. One or two pack-horses convey all the
household utensils. There are no mirrors, bedsteads, bureaus, or chairs
to be transported. With an auger and a hatchet, these articles are soon
constructed in their new home. The wife, with the youngest child,
rides. The husband, with his rifle upon his shoulder, and followed by
the rest of the children, trudges along on foot.

Should night or storm overtake them, an hour's work would throw up a
camp, with a cheerful fire in front, affording them about the same
cohorts which they enjoyed in the home they had left. A little meal,
baked in the ashes, supplied them with bread. And during the journey of
the day the rifle of the father would be pretty sure to pick up some
game to add to the evening repast.

Crockett and his family reached their new home in safety. Here quite a
new sphere of life opened before the adventurer, and he became so
firmly settled that he remained in that location for three years. In
the mean time, pioneers from all parts were rapidly rearing their
cabins upon the fertile territory, which was then called The New
Purchase.

CHAPTER VII.

The Justice of Peace and the Legislator.

Vagabondage.--Measures of Protection.--Measures of
Government.--Crockett's Confession.--A Candidate for Military
Honors.--Curious Display of M