dal
Days.--They commence Housekeeping.--The Bridal Mansion and
Outfit.--Family Possessions.--The Removal to Central Tennessee.--Mode
of Transportation.--The New Home and its Surroundings.--Busy
Idleness.--The Third Move.--The Massacre at Fort Mimms.

David took possession of his horse, and began to work very diligently
to pay for it. He felt that now he was a man of property. After the
lapse of a few weeks he mounted his horse and rode over to the
Irishman's cabin to see his girl, and to find out how she lived, and
what sort of people composed the family. Arriving at the log hut, he
found the father to be a silent, staid old man, and the mother as
voluble and nervous a little woman as ever lived. Much to his
disappointment, the girl was away. After an hour or two she returned,
having been absent at some meeting or merry-making, and, much to his
chagrin, she brought back with her a stout young fellow who was
evidently her lover.

The new-comer was not at all disposed to relinquish his claims in favor
of David Crockett. He stuck close to the maiden, and kept up such an
incessant chatter that David could scarcely edge in a word. In
characteristic figure of speech he says, "I began to think I was
barking up the wrong tree again. But I determined to stand up to my
rack, fodder or no fodder." He thought he was sure of the favor of her
parents, and he was not certain that the girl herself had not given him
sundry glances indicative of her preference. Dark night was now coming
on, and David had a rough road of fifteen miles to traverse through the
forest before he could reach home. He thought that if the Irishman's
daughter cherished any tender feelings toward him, she would be
reluctant to have him set out at that late hour on such a journey. He
therefore rose to take leave.

His stratagem proved successful. The girl immediately came, leaving her
other companion, and in earnest tones entreated him not to go that
evening. The lover was easily persuaded. His heart grew lighter and his
spirit bolder. She soon made it so manifest in what direction her
choice lay, that David was left entire master of the field. His
discomfited rival soon took his hat and withdrew, David thus was freed
from all his embarrassments.

It was Saturday night. He remained at the cabin until Monday morning,
making very diligent improvement of his time in the practice of all
those arts of rural courtship which instinct teaches. He then returned
home