Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1845-05-16

O""oy b1ggs' Scrape at CockcrelPs Bend
BY THE cHIcKEN-MAN;"
The author Of IS Simon Suggs,'' 8: Taking the
Census in .alabama," etc.
Cockerell's Bend is well known rendez-
vous for the hunter and fisher of the Talla-
poosa; and beautiful place it is. The up-
per end of the curb is lake-Iike in its stiffness.
and Is very deep; while half mile below. the
river spreads itself to double its usual width,
and brawis among rocks and islets frnged
with the tall river grass. The part above is
resorted to by those who fish with the rod, and
that below by seiners. Opposite the deep
water, the hills come towering down to with
in twenty yards Of the river, the narrow inter-
venlng strip being low-land, covered with
tremendous growth Of gum, poplar and white
oak. Late Ia the afternoon of warm May
day, this part of the Bend is most delightful
spot. The little mountains on the South and
West exclude the sun glare completely; and
the mere comfort-seeker may lay himself fiat
in the bottom Of old Indian canoe he finds
moored there by grape vine, and float and
look at the clouds and dream-as have Of
ten done-with no living thing in sight to
disturb his meditations, except the musk-rat
on the end of the old projecting log, and the
matronly summer duck with her brood of IT,
ny dnckIings swimming close hudded, in the
shade of the huge water-oak, whose overhang-
ing limbs are covered with close network Of
muscadne vines-whereof,' (of the vines !
mean,) L have story Of my friend, Captain
Suggs, which will be related at the proper
time. Take care, ye little downy rasca!s r.
especially you, little fellow, with haitian egg
she'll stuck to your back true. there are not
many or large trout in the Tallapoosa, but
lhere are some; and occasionally one is found
of mouth sufficient to engorge young duck
and almost always in a cool quiet shade
Just like -hist! nap!-there you 90,
precisely as tod you! Now, old lady, quit
that fussng and futtering, and take the
"yonng 'uns" ont of the way that other one
that isn't far off! Trituration in trouts nav
must be unpleasant, one would think
1t CHANGED once that the writer encamped
for day or two on the narrow strip spoken
jof, with company of the unsophlstIcated
Jewellers the rough lands in that region, of
whom the principal parsonage was - Daddy
ELIAS Blggs." sometimes called s. Daddy
'Lias." but more commonly "Daddy Biggs."
We were on fishing expedition, and at nj ght
hung a short line or two from the branches of
the trees which oVerhung the water for 'cat."
One night, as we had just done this and were
Gathered around the fire, gallon jug passing
from hand to hand, Daddy Biggs'
was short squad man, rosy cheekd, bald and
:" inclined TO core"-remarked, as he
extended his hand towards a long, gaunt fell
8 low, with a very long nose. aud very long
black beard
Boys, amt you never hearn what terri
: Bile scrape had here, at this very spot, last
years Billy Teal, let me have a suck at that
Iyearthen-war, and I'll tell you all about it,
The old man took suck smacked has
: lips and began his relation:
You all member the time, boys, when them
Chatohospa fellows come here a hshin! ID lrr
'em, wish they could fish about home, with.
J, out goin' twenty miles to interrupt other PEG
, pies Tange-well, they camped right here
and right here THEY SEED THE Devil!
Seed the devilr exclaimed Billy Teal.
Did they, in right down airnes, now! ask
r ed Jim Waters, looking around at the dars
: woods, and insinuating himself between ABB
Ludlow and the fire in evident fright.
'They seed the Devil repeated Daddy
J. Biggs, with emph isis and ketched hin
}, too!' he added; shut they couldn't hold him.
Good Gracious!' said Jim Waters, looking
J. around again-'do yon think he stays abou
h here ?-and Jim got nearer to the fire.
k 'He stays about here sone.' replied Dadd,
5, Biggs. But jim, son, get out from the fire
J. you'll set your over-hauls ahre and &c
d me the sperres. lll buss the jug again, am
Al tell you all about it,
e Bill! Teal had deposited the Jug behind
j. loo, some ten feet off; but Jim Waters wa
l. not the lad to back out, if the Devil ouas about
> so he made two desperate strides and grabbe
5 the 'yearthenwar,' and then made two NOR
IS which brought him, head first, jug and all, in
e to the fire. ChuucI1 and sparks flew ever
e where as he pIoughed through!
A. Hes got you, Jimn shouted Abe.
e. Poll the boy out!' exclaimed Bill and my
D. self, in a breath, 'or he'll burn up
to Some on ye save the jug! scream
Of ed Daddy Blgcs, who was standing horror
er stricken at the idea of being left without IL
E. quor, in the woods.
" In a minute both Jim and the jug were res
le cned; the former with burnt face and hands
IS and singed hair-the latter entirely unInJured
" Well, well,' chuckled Daddy Biges, w
e come cuten that tust-rate-the jug amt hurt
nor no liquor split. But Jim, I'm raaly as
% tonished at you!-pitchin' in the fire that way
e. and you a-knowin' that was every drop c
er sperrets we had!'
e. 'Oh, but Daddy LAS interposed DC
IN Mccoy, you must look over that-he seed
We DeUiN'
$. We'll, we'll, that minds me was gwin
n to tell you all about that monstrous scraPe
1e had wi them Chatohospa fellows, last summer
,ir so I'll squeeze the jug one time more, and te
Id you all abou:it.'
Throwing his head into an admirable pc
sition for taking view of things heavenly
ne Daddy Biggs inserted the mouth of the jn
as In his own mouth, when for a short spac
ne there was sound which might be spelle
On Observation-Disclosures and the
IS, Daddy Biggs sci the jug down by him, an
of began his story once more.
ed well, boys. they was camped rig INT her
and had sot out their hooks for cat fish, jIs
as we've done tonight. Right thar, th