Explore "The Frontiersmen" by Gustave Aimard on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
"Tis pleasant, through the loop-holes of retreat, To peep at such a world; to see the stir Of the great Babel, and not feel the crowd; To hear the roar she sends, through all her gates, At a safe distance, where the dying sound Falls, a soft murmur, on the uninjured ear. " WILLIAM COWPER
The individual we have mentioned, who now came rapidly, towards Ralph, was somewhat advanced in years -- not less, perhaps, than sixty. Yet, in his whole bearing and appearance could be seen the iron frame and hardihood, which in these days have given place to a certain effeminacy of manners. The hardy, robust race of men who cleared our forests, and encountered cheerfully the sufferings and privations, and endured the toil incident to a pioneer life, are passing away; and however much our vanity may suffer in making the confession, their sons and successors are apt to lack in those iron qualities which succeeded against obstacles, the magnitude of which most of us do not appreciate.