as being the best hunting-ground in
the West. The fear of earthquakes and the general desolation had
prevented even the Indians from rearing their wigwams there.
Consequently wild animals had greatly increased. The country was filled
with bears, wolves, panthers, deer, elks, and other smaller game.

The Indians had recently made this discovery, and were, in
ever-increasing numbers, exploring the regions in hunting-bands.
Crockett does not seem to have had much appreciation of the beautiful.
In selecting a spot for his hut, he wished to be near some crystal
stream where he could get water, and to build his hut upon land
sufficiently high to be above the reach of freshets. It was also
desirable to find a small plain or meadow free from trees, where he
could plant his corn; and to be in the edge of the forest, which would
supply him with abundance of fuel. Crockett found such a place, exactly
to his mind. Being very fond of hunting, he was the happiest of men. A
few hours' labor threw up a rude hut which was all the home he desired.
His rifle furnished him with food, and with the skins of animals for
bed and bedding. Every frontiersman knew how to dress the skin of deer
for moccasins and other garments. With a sharpened stick he punched
holes through the rank sod, and planted corn, in soil so rich that it
would return him several hundred-fold.

Thus his tastes, such as they were, were gratified, and he enjoyed what
to him were life's luxuries. He probably would not have been willing to
exchange places with the resident in the most costly mansion in our
great cities. In a few days he got everything comfortable around him.
Crockett's cabin, or rather camp, was on the eastern side of the Obion
River. Seven miles farther up the stream, on the western bank, a Mr.
Owen had reared his log house. One morning, Crockett, taking the young
man Henry and his son with him, set out to visit Mr. Owen, his nearest
neighbor. He hobbled his horse, leaving him to graze until he got back.

They followed along the banks of the river, through the forest, until
they reached a point nearly opposite Owen's cabin. By crossing the
stream there, and following up the western bank they would be sure to
find his hut. There was no boat, and the stream must be swum or forded.
Recent rains had caused it to overflow its banks and spread widely over
the marshy bottoms and low country near by. The water was icy cold. And
yet they took to it, says Crockett,