able parts. Around these they would generally
mark trees, or otherwise define boundaries, by which they could be
afterwards identified. The cession by Virginia to the United States,
of the North Western Territory, and the manner in which its lands
were subsequently brought into market, prevented the realization
of those flattering, and apparently, well founded expectations.

There were also, in every settlement, individuals, who had been drawn
to them solely by their love of hunting, and an attachment to the
wild, unshackled scenes of a wilderness life. These were perhaps,
totally regardless of all the inconveniencies, [101] resulting from
their new situation; except that of being occasionally pent up in
forts; and thus debarred the enjoyment of their favorite pastimes.

Although hunting was not the object of most of the old settlers, yet
it was for a good part of the year, the chief employment of their
time. And of all those, who thus made their abode in the dense forest,
and tempted aggression from the neighboring Indians, none were so well
qualified to resist this aggression, and to retaliate upon its
authors, as those who were mostly engaged in this pursuit. Of all
their avocations, this "mimickry of war" best fitted them to thwart
the savages in their purpose, and to mitigate the horrors of their
peculiar mode of warfare. Those arts which enabled them, unperceived
to approach the watchful deer in his lair, enabled them likewise to
circumvent the Indian in his ambush; and if not always punish, yet
frequently defeat him in his object. Add to this the perfect knowledge
which they acquired of the woods, and the ease and certainty with
which they consequently, when occasion required, could make their way
to any point of the settlements and apprize the inhabitants of
approaching danger; and it will be readily admitted that the more
expert and successful the huntsman, the more skillful and effective
the warrior.

But various soever, as may have been their objects in emigrating, no
sooner had they come together, than there existed in each settlement,
a perfect unison of feeling. Similitude of situation and community of
danger, operating as a magic charm, stifled in their birth those
little bickerings, which are so apt to disturb the quiet of society.
Ambition of preferment and the pride of place, too often lets and
hindrances to social intercourse, were unknown among them. Equality of
condition rendered them strangers a