Page:History of Delaware County (1856).djvu/95

DELAWARE COUNTY. 71 as a buiying-groundj and where, but a year since, a large con- course of relatives and friends consigned his lifeless remains to the silent chamber of the tomb,* and where, crossing the Bear Hill, a short distance below the village of Moresville, he came near losing his life, in the following manner :— In those early times, the streams were guarded by high banks on either side, which were effectually prevented from yielding to the inroads of the current, by the rooty projections of trees, making the crossing exceedingly difficult for a horse with a heavy bur- den, as the animal would, in most cases, have to step down full two feet into the stream, and to spring with all his force to attain the bank on the opposite side. It was while the horse was performing this last act of springing up, that he slid off' behind, and went over backwards into the water, sticking his head beneath the mire in the bed of the stream, which filled eyes, nose, and mouth — the father, who was immediately in front, perceiving him fall, sprang and rescued him from the unpleasant situation, and carried him to the shore, exclaiming, when he found that he was apparently lifeless, and could not speak, with all the feeling peculiar to his native tongue, Sondy ! Sondy, is thee dead ?" He soon recovered, however, after a copious effusion of cold water, which effectually re- moved the mud; and not being otherwise injured, they again proceeded on their journey. After a short digression from the main subject, we will return and complete our description of the family: across the other horse were slung two baskets, one on either side, and which were fastened together by a rope ; they were filled with provisions and clothing. The animal was managed by the elder of the boys, aged about eight years — this person is still living, although bowed down by the weight of years — the ^ Alexander More was the first white male child born in Delaware County. Born January 5t,h, 1775,