Red Plume — page 15: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

ON THE PRAIRUS. 18 and hopeful, cool in judgment and deliberate in speech and action. Having grown tired of civilized life, and feeling the pioneer spirit strong within him, he had resolved to build a home for himself, and a fortune for those who should come after him, in the wilds of the far West. Accordingly, accom- panied by his family, with his household goods contained in two wagons, and with the Delaware Indian for a guide, he was on his way to the almost unknown region of Oregon. Sarah Carver was of about the same age as her husband, and possessed many of his characteristics. She was’ a “ well- preserved” woman, though a life of Jabor and care had left its lines upon a face that had once ybeen handsome. Her daughter, Ellen Carver, possessed beauty enough for the whole family, beauty of the fresh, healthy, hearty, New England style. Her bright blue eyes, her rosy cheeks, her rich’red lips, and her dimpled chin; had caused many a swain to sigh in. her old home, and it seemed a pity that such sweetness should be wasted on the desert air, or be appreciated only by her cousin Eben, whose ‘ungainly admiration often excited nee mirth. David Carver, the son, was a stalwart youth of swanty: ac- tive, hearty and industrious, with a fair share of intelligence, with a great love of adventare, and with any amount of cour- age. Eben Gookin was a tall, angular, awkward-appearing ‘individual, who always seemed to be loose in the joints, and looked as if he was continually outgrowing his ¢lothes. He had left his home as soon as he was old enough, and had en- deavored to see the world ona whaling ship. When he return- ed after a long cruise, he concluded that he was tired of that amusement, and eagerly embraced the opportunity of accom- ‘panying his uncle on his journey to the West, especially as he had taken a great fancy to his fair cousin, | The Delaware was, like most of his tribe, an excellent guide and hunter, a brave warrior, and a man who took pride in dealing justly with his employers. Under his leadership, the party had come ‘thus far without any serious misadventure, and were slowly traveling on the Oregon trail, from’ which they had turned aside, to seek a proper camping-place for Pi night. The spot chosen for the encampment was in a little grove, connicloooks.comn