Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1843-11-10
TAKING THE CENSUS.
A SCENE ALABAMA.

PART II,
Our next adventure was decidedly dan.
gerous one. Fording the Tallapoosa river
where its bed is extremely uneven, being
formed of masses Of rock full Of assures,
and covered with Shiny green moss; when
about two thirds of the way across. we
were hailed by Sol Todd from the bank
we were approaching. We stopped to
hear him more distinctly.
Hellow! little squire, you chicken
hunting to-day!'
Being answered affirma,ively, he con-
tinued-. You better mind tie holes in
them ere rocks; if your horses foot gifts
ketched in 'em you'll neve, git it out.
You see that big black rock down to your
right! Well, there's good bottom down
below that. Strike down thar, outside
that little rifle and now cut right into
that smooth water and come across
We followed Soils directions to the let
ter, and plunging into the smooth vafer,
we found it to be basin surrounded with
steep lodges of rock and deep enough to
swim the horse we rode. Round and
round the poor old black toied without
finding any place at which he could effect
landing, so precipitous were the sides.
Sol occasionally asked Us : if the bottom
want first-ra,e,' but did nothing to help
us. At length we scrambled out, wet and
chilled to the bone--for II was sharp
September morning-and continued our
journey not a little annoyed by The bois-
ferrous, roaring laughter Of the said Solo
mon. at our picturesque appearance.
We had not more than got out of Soils
catchina,ory explosions. before we met
one of his neighbors who gave US TO un-
derstand that the ducking we had just re-
ceved, was bu. the ful6lment of a threat
of Soils. to make the chicken-man' take
a swim in the Buck Hole He had
heard OF our stopping on the opposite side
of tire river, the night previous. and learn
ing our intention TO ford just where we
did, fixed himself on the bank 10 ensure
our finding the way into the Buck Hole.
This information brought our nap right
up, and requesting Bill Splawn to stay
where he was till we returned, we gallop-
ed back 10 Soils, and found that worthy,
rod on shoulder, ready to leave on fishing
excursion.
SOL, old fellow said we, that was a
most unfortunate lunge made in tina, hole
in the river-Pye lost $25 in specie out
Of my coat pocket, and I'm certain IFS in
.ha, hole, for ! felt my pocket get light
while / was scuffling about in there. The
money was tied up tight in buckskn
pouch, and | musl get you 10 help me to
get it,
This, Of course. was regular old-fash-
Toned lie, as we had not seen the amount
of cash mentioned as lost, in a coon's
age 1t took, however, pretty well, and
So! concluded, as it was pretty cold spell
of weather tor the season and the water
was almost like ice, that half The contents
Of the buckskin pouch would be jus, abou,
fait for recovering it. After some chatter
ing we agreed tina, Sol should dive for the
money, ION shares and we went down
with him to the river, to point out the pre-
else spo. at which our pocket grew light
We did so with anxious exactness, and
Sol soon denuded himself and went under
the water in the Buck Hole, like Snuff
Ter duck with his wing broke. Puff! puff
as he arose to the surface. Got it Sol 2
No, dang it, here goes again'-and Sol
disappeared a second time. Puff! puff
and considerable rattle Of the teeth as Sol
once more arose into upper air. What
luck old norse?' by jings, felt it that
time, but some how il slid OFT of my fin.
gers Down went Sol again, and up he
| came after the lapse ola minute, still with
out the pouch. Are you right sure,
Squire. that you lost it IN this hole said
Sol, getting out upon large rock, while
the chatlering Of his teeth divided his
words into rather more than their legi'l'
mate number Of syllables. Oh perfectly
certain Sol, perfectly certain. You know
s25in hard dollars weigh pound or two
did not mention the circumstance when
| first came out of the river, because | was
so scared and confused that didn't re-
member it-But know just as well when
the pouch broke through my coat pocket,
| as can be = sife
Thus assured, Sol took the water a.
| gain, and as we were in a hurry, we re,
ques,ed him TO bring the pouch and hal
| the money TO Dadevilie, if his diving
| should prove successful.
TO be sure | will said he--and his
blue lips quivered with cold, and his whole
frame shook from the same cause.
The river ages' made Sol shake worse
than that, tina, fall
Blu. we left him diving for the pouch
induslriously, andno doubt he would have
got il IF it had been there