Hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1843-1845, 1844-02-15

depth from four to six inches. Like con-
yicts newly transported to Botany Bay. per
iectly satisfied that variety was the spice of
life, We took whatever various positions
seemed most agreeable around the festal
blanket and proceeded in common with the
grim household to transport the spiced ar
rangements from the blanket elsewhere.
Some, to show that they too had all the
necessary ''tools," assumed tailors posi-
tion and vigorously piled slasher and
'tooth pick" whilst others valulng their
proves tried on former occasions, very de-
libe.ate,y distributed themselves about IN
recumbeEt positions and fingered the yari-
atoms with all the Indifference of the pic
I tured Orientals. The more knowing ones
of both parties bracing themselves like
gladators against the sides Of the house
and clenchng their fists, gnawed their
| bones and kept an eye on the motions OF
all concerned Cards, iiddling, ''yarns"
and whisky afterwards occupied the atten
ton of our hosts, and two or three know
! ing ones, whilst the remainder OF us wrap
ped our heads in our blankets to pfeuent
suffocation and rolled over iii the dust
At the time OF our leaving ia the morning,
''more light" on the subject of our leaving
the States was demanded. Our Santa Fe
trader informed them that we too were
loaded down with weapons and that day
light should shine through them, If they
ventured to interrupt our departure. They
showed no further hostility and thus pass
cd our debut tower Jordon." Travelling in
Texas is attended with no danger whatever
and the usages and customs OF the country
scarcely differ from those Of the South
western States. In Workmanship, the
young men of Texas and Louisiana are not
excelied any where. l have frequently
seen them pursue wild cattle and on coming
up with drove, dismount and seize iuri'
Gus bull by the tail. With u single twist
of the tail, they throw him on his back and
tie his hind legs with it. Mounting again.
they drive another until he tires and shows
fight. This is what the horsemen wants
The bull soon finds backing and just as
soon finds himself essentially tied up. In
the thinly settled parts of Texas and Lou
isana, the winters are principally spent III
fox hunting and driving deer by torch-llght'
1t is not an unfrequent occurrence Tor a
whole village to be walked up at midnight
by the blowing of fifty cows horns and the
bowling of twice as many hounds, whilst
the whole town is lighted up with the torch
es OF the hunters In passing over con-
siderable extent Of country, at one time
i, on account of high water. we were detaln
ed three days in deserted cabin, llVing or
nothing but blue beef, roasted on sharpenet
, cane, over cane fire and trying to sleep Oh
cowskins among ten thousand iicas, TO th'
music Of about the same number OF muske
toes. Gentlemen, said the travellers to TN
, emigrants, we are fully satisfied with thi
! country and the former bidding adieu t
a the latter, wheeled about. Taking anothe
route back, through beautiful country w
:, were agreeably disappointed. Jogging a
long one evening through French an
:. Mexican settlement, we were magnah
moUsly informed by a troop OF fox huntin
Il Kalmuc Tartars, that the Christmas holi
n lays were in full blast and that by draw:n
\ up at the Green Cottage and making oul
selves agreeable, we would be well receive
u at the landango We did SO and soon be
e came acquainted with the stars, the plane'
!, and all the gay brgnettes, who courtesie
and smiled and Oui Monsieured and pal lie
voused and sacre dieued in the politest MAJ
ner ina ginabe The night was spent
= all the various maZes OF the french an
: Spanish dances, business in which tn
!, French ladies excel in agility ana grac'
:, and the Spanish ladies IN dignity. VI
particular attention was engaged by sue
$ combined attractions and as matter
! course we spent the holydays with thei'
a discussing and participating IN the ehlus
6 ments of the occasion, many oil "hlcn We
very peculiar Leaving psa our aive1 r's sa
our Jersey wagon and took BOAT, lu,
restored to an equilibrium in contrasti
n The PLEASURES and 4cpriyat.cns Of our icy
:, and our entrance on the Texan stage al
; fully satisfied that if The country al
its population is at present heteroseneo
compound Of gardens and deserts, patrio'
domagogues, devils and angels, iexas "
soon shine as star Of the first magniIao
i. The Red River country is at present,
,e ocean Of water as far as the eye can see
$. either side. The planters have ie
n and cotton, fences, cane, and every TIM
d is submerged. The weather is as warm
u northern June and we are favoured WI
: the finest toned salutes Of heavens artliie
n accompanied with IL very brilliant quail
Ie of lightning. X. I. Rooo.
II