David Crockett certainly was not a model man. But he was arepresentative man. He was conspicuously one of a very numerous class,still existing, and which has heretofore exerted a very powerfulinfluence over this republic. As such, his wild and wondrous life isworthy of the study of every patriot. Of this class, their modes oflife and habits of thought, the majority of our citizens know as littleas they do of the manners and customs of the Comanche Indians.
No man can make his name known to the forty millions of this great andbusy republic who has not something very remarkable in his character orhis career. But there is probably not an adult American, in all thesewidespread States, who has not heard of David Crockett. His life is averitable romance, with the additional charm of unquestionable truth.It opens to the reader scenes in the lives of the lowly, and a state ofsemi-civilization, of which but few of them can have the faintest idea.
It has not been my object, in this narrative, to defend ColonelCrockett or to condemn him, but to present his peculiar characterexactly as it was. I have therefore been constrained to insert somethings which I would gladly have omitted.
JOHN S. C. ABBOTT.
FAIR HAVEN, CONN.
The Emigrant.—Crossing the Alleghanies.—The BoundlessWilderness.—The Hut on the Holston.—Life's Necessaries.—TheMassacre.—Birth of David Crockett.—Peril of theBoys.—Anecdote.—Removal to Greenville; to Cove Creek.—IncreasedEmigration.—Loss of the Mill.—The Tavern.—Engagement with theDrover.—Adventures in the Wilderness.—Virtual Captivity.—TheEscape.—The Return.—The Runaway.—New Adventures. . . . 7
David at Gerardstown.—Trip to Baltimore.—Anecdotes.—He ships forLondon.—Disappointment.—Defrauded of his Wages.—Escapes.—NewAdventures.—Crossing the River.—Returns Home.—His Reception.—A FarmLaborer.—Generosity to his Father.—Love Adventure.—The Wreck of hisHopes.—His School Education.—Second Love adventure.—BitterDisappointment.—Life in the Backwoods.—Third Love Adventure. . . . 35
Rustic Courtship.—The Rival Lover.—Romantic Incident. The Purchase ofa Horse.—The Wedding.—Singular Ceremonies.—The Termagant.—BridalDays.—They commence Housekeeping.—The Bridal mansion andOutfit.—Family Possessions.—The Removal to Central Tennessee.—Mod