whirled the heavy barrels about in every direction. The escape of David
from very serious injuries seemed almost miraculous. But our little
barbarian leaped from the ruins unscathed. It does not appear that he
had ever cherished any conception whatever of an overruling Providence.
Probably, a religious thought had never entered his mind. A colt
running by the side of the horses could not have been more insensible
to every idea of death, and responsibility at God's bar, than was David
Crockett. And he can be hardly blamed for this. The savages had some
idea of the Great Spirit and of a future world. David was as
uninstructed in those thoughts as are the wolves and the bears. Many
years afterward, in writing of this occurrence, he says, with
characteristic flippancy, interlarded with coarse phrases:

"This proved to me, if a fellow is born to be hung he will never be
drowned; and further, that if he is born for a seat in Congress, even
flour barrels can't make a mash of him. I didn't know how soon I should
be knocked into a cocked hat, and get my walking-papers for another
country."

The wagon was quite demolished by the disaster. Another was obtained,
the flour reloaded, and they proceeded to Baltimore, dragging the wreck
behind them, to be repaired there. Here young Crockett was amazed at
the aspect of civilization which was opened before him. He wandered
along the wharves gazing bewildered upon the majestic ships, with their
towering masts, cordage, and sails, which he saw floating there He had
never conceived of such fabrics before. The mansions, the churches, the
long lines of brick stores excited his amazement. It seemed to him that
he had been suddenly introduced into a sort of fairy-land. All thoughts
of home now vanished from his mind. The great world was expanding
before him, and the curiosity of his intensely active mind was roused
to explore more of its wonders.

One morning he ventured on board one of the ships at a wharf, and was
curiously and cautiously peering about, when the captain caught sight
of him. It so happened that he was in need of a sailor-boy, and being
pleased with the appearance of the lad, asked David if he would not
like to enter into his service to take a voyage to London. The boy had
no more idea of where London was, or what it was, than of a place in
the moon. But eagerly he responded, "Yes," for he cared little where he
went or what became of him, he was so glad of an opportunity to s