CHAPTER VI.   THE SETTLEMENT—AN UNEXPECTED VISIT.   A "herd" of wild turkeys—Turkey-buzzards—A startling apparition—Dr. Normann—The doctor's accomplice—The reconciliation—Sinister speculations—Plans for abduction—"Bear-tracking" 195-210   CHAPTER VII.   THE FLIGHT.   Purchase of horses and cattle—Backwoods hospitality—The wolf and the sheep—"Salting" cattle—Elbow-room in the woods—"Westward Ho!"—Farming in the Backwoods—"Chicken fixings"—Rail-fence making—Mutual secrets—The deer-calf—Success of the ruse—The arrival of the cattle—Treachery discovered—Bertha's fears—The Mulatto's sudden appearance—The abduction completed—The Serpentine water-course—Narrow escape from discovery—The pursuers at fault—The last gleam of hope 211-249   CHAPTER VIII.   THE MOUTH OF THE BIG HALCHEE.   The shores of the Mississippi—Girdling—Settlers' errors—New mode of banking—Settlements by communities—Schwarz's plans—Wood-carrying on the "go-ahead" principle—A backwoods "river"—A Mississippi steamer captain—American hospitality—The landing—An unexpected discovery 250-268   CHAPTER IX.   TREACHERY WITHIN TREACHERY.   Normann's suspicions awakened—The Yankee's escape—The pursuit—The deliverance—Suspense—Bertha restored to her father—An unpleasant recognition—The mulatto's escape—Death struggle on the Mississippi—The return to the settlement 269-290   CHAPTER X.   THE MIGRATION.   A new home—The old bachelor—A ride through the woods—The deserted pastor—The break up of the colony—The pastor's removal—Bringing home the bride—Two households arranged—The fortunes of some of the colonists—Conclusion 291-310

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THE

WANDERINGS AND FORTUNES

OF SOME

GERMAN EMIGRANTS.

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CHAPTER I. THE SEA VOYAGE.

The majority of the intending passengers by the new and smart bark, the "Hoffnung," Commander Wellbach, bound for New York, were assembled at Meier's, the host of the Hull Arms Tavern, in the ancient Hanse-town of Bremen, prior to their departure, to hear the laws read, which had been drawn up by a committee chosen by themselves, from among their leading men, and to subscribe these laws. They related not only to the voyage across the ocean, but also to the proceedings of the Emigrants on their arrival in their new home, and were intended, as the preamble expressed it, "to unite firmly the Emigrants in a band of friendship for the attainment of one great object."

The committee consisted of six members—namely, the Lutheran clergyman, or, as he is styled, the Pastor Hehrmann; Becher, an advocate; a Mr. Von Schwanthal; two brothers, merchants, named Siebert; and a gentleman named Herbold, formerly a landed proprietor. They were zealous for the general welfare, and had, by these laws, reserved equal rights and assigned equal duties to each, so far at least as was compatible with the foregone determination of buying a block of land somewhere in the United States, immediately on their arrival in New York, of occupying it, of tilling it, and of harvesting it in common; and such of the party as had never handled a plough or a spade, were as pleased as children with the thought of working hard in the New World—in the primeval forest—and pictured to themselves how well they should relish the bread to be raised by the toil of their own hands.

The requisite funds for the voyage, as well as a small surplus for a beginning, had been previously handed over by each of the little community to the elder Siebert, as treasurer, who had accordingly bargained with the broker and paid for the passage; and when all the passengers had signed the laws there no longer appeared to be any obstacle to their future happiness, or, at all events, none to their future concord and good-fellowship.

Scarcely had this been concluded before a clerk of the shipbroker entered the room, and announced that one Peter, the master of a river craft, would start on the following morning at seven, with the passengers and lighter part of the baggage, such as they might want to get at during the voyage, for the "Hoffnung," a new copper-fastened and fast-sailing ship, then moored at Bremerhafen, waiting for them.

There remained, therefore, but one night more in their native land; even the most callous among them felt their spirits droop at the thought, and several wrung their hands in silence.

"How shall we feel, then," said Pastor Hehrmann, who noticed this movement, "when the last grey strip of land disappears in the distance, when the great desert of waters surrounds us, and our native land, which is still ours, torn from us, perhaps for ever? 'Tis a serious step we are taking, and let us all recollect how necessary it is for us to hold together with heart and soul. We are to face these dangers together, we must therefore act together for the common good, and not only unite our interests, but sincerely love each other as brothers."

Pastor Hehrmann was a worthy man, and meant what he said, and those who were acquainted with him knew it and honoured him. A long pause followed; at length, the elder Siebert, not without reason, reminded the Emigrants of their approaching departure, and that, no doubt, there must be many little matters to buy and to provide. This string once more touched, soon caused a universal movement and bustle; the feelings were forgotten, and the body, particularly the stomach, for which they had to provide, asserted its just claims.

Two large boats received the Emigrants at the hour fixed on the ensuing morning, and all of them—including the committee and a few others of the travellers who had preferred passing the thirty-eight miles, which separated them from the ship, in the steamer which started five hours later, but was so much faster—were before long under way for the ship to which they were about to confide their property and their lives, for an uncertain