We have now to dispose of the hunters and Gay Foreman; and first in place, comes our old friend Earth, whom to forget would be a crime. Having, as we have seen, returned with Rolfe to Kentucky, he for some time devoted himself to the duties of his office: but the exciting events of the north-western war, calling for the assistance of every patriot, he buckled on his armour anew, and formed one of the regiments of mounted volunteers who accompanied Colonel Richard M. Johnson, to the scene of battle. Upon leaving home, he was still heard to repeat the words, “take a last brush,” and to caution the boys, as he called the citizens of his county, “to settle up, and not hold back merely because he was absent.”
As each one in that gallant corps bore himself bravely, it is needless to pass encomiums on Earth, but let us take it for granted from what we know of his character, that he did his duty, and as he himself would add, “a little extra.” After the close of the campaign, he returned to Kentucky, and though not then very far advanced in years, yet he was a weather-beaten and war-worn soldier. Settling down quietly in life, he also followed Rolfe's good example, and married. But as it often happens in like resolves, he married directly counter to all the promises he had made himself; for, notwithstanding his often avowed predilection for large and fat ladies, he chose for his partner, one who was remarkably thin and delicate. And some time after, upon being rallied by Rolfe on his choice, he answered,—“I did always think, Rolfe, that if by any very singular quirk, I should happen to be married, that it would be to a large woman. But Polly,” for so he called his wife, “was an orphan; her father fell fighting the battles of his country, and her mother dying soon after, she became dependent on the world's charity. I always thought her a good girl, Rolfe, and when left alone, her being thin and delicate, I regarded as a strong reason why she should have a protector, and, therefore, I have sworn to love and cherish her.”
“Pardon me, Earth,” said Rolfe, “thou art a noble soul, and may the choicest blessings of heaven attend thee.”
Rolfe, upon his return to Kentucky, was married to Gay Foreman, and they long lived happy in their domestic relations, beloved by all who knew them. Assiduous in the discharge of its duties, he won for himself the highest place in the profession to which he belonged; and honoured by the confidence of the people, became conspicuous in the councils of his adopted state, and afterward stood among the foremost of the Kentucky delegation to the seat of government, where, during hours of recreation, he was often seen dashing through the streets of Washington, in a handsome curricle, with his forest bride, whose powers of conversation, grace of manner, and singular story, rendered her the idol of every circle she entered, and enabled her to exercise not less influence in the gay and fashionable world, than did her husband in the councils of the nation.
APPENDIX.
NOTE A.—[Page 7.]
This being the identical speech sent by General Harrison to the Indians, on hearing of the burning of the chiefs, we make no apology for inserting it entire. The beauty of its composition and its remarkable adaptation to the Indian style, will render it interesting to every reader, and the spirit of humanity which it breathes does honor to the head and heart of its accomplished writer.
NOTE B.—[Page 26.]
The speech here attributed to Kenah, is reported by Tanner, who was thirty years a captive among the Indians, as having been made to him by one of the Prophet's agents, and he also farther states, ridiculous as it may seem, “that very many of the Indians killed their dogs and obeyed the commands of the Prophet, in every particular, as far as it was practicable.”