Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1858-02-03


like common hunter. Ohio! he's the
very devil, do believe"
After the tub full Of whisky and water
which the host had provided was all
drank, the crowd began to disperse, and
shortly afterwards. 1 went up again to
bed; and this time slept on uninterupt-
edIy ill morning.
had just eaten my breakfast, and had
gone out to the front door, when a horse
man came flashing up the place, himself
and animal all covered with mud. It had
been raining all night. The first thing
the newcomer did was TO enquire for me.
answered at once to The Dane, and he
then Informed me that Lyman Kemp
could not live, and that he wished to see
me as soon as. possible.
"Poor Lymanp murmered to myself,
$50 young--so hopeful-with so many
friends and fond relatives in his far off
homeland taken down to die in strange
land!' l told the man would set out
Oh my return as soon as possible. lie
ate some breakfast and resumed his.iour-
ney, being bound as far up as the Potta
wattamie, border.
settled my bilInand then sent for my
horse; but bitter Disappointment awaited
me. found the animals foot swollen
very badly, and i panied him SO that he
could hardly step on it, Had the road
been good, should haveabeeu tempted to
4 try him; but knew that in some places
the mud would be deep. ] went to the
host, and asked him if he could lend or
sell me horse. lie could doneither. Ills
only spare horse had been shot the night
before by the WabashFohber, There was
not horse in the place 10 be obtained
for any amount of money. returned TO
the stable and let my horse out, but he
could not even walk with any degree Of
ease. could not use him, was in des
pair.
"Look ye, said mine host, as begada
10 despond, "can yer manage a canoe!"
/ "Yes; very welI.'' toId him.
"Then that's your best way, the cur
rent is strong this morning, and withou,
the stroke Of paddle it would take you
along as fast as horse could walk
through the mud. Yon shall have one of
my canoes for just whatitis is worth, and
.ye can seIlit at Logansport for as muclr.'
] caught the proposition Instantly, for
| saw it was a good one.
Ifye daren'tshoot the rapids, added the
landlord, ye can easily shoulder the canoe
and pack it ronnd; it isn't far.
| found the boat to be well fashioned
sdngout, large enough 10 bear four men
with ease, and al once paid the owner
his price, Ten dollars, and then had my
luggage brought down. ] gave directions /
about my horse, and then pn off. The +
current was quite rapid, say f9pr or five 7
miles an hour, but moi at all turbuleut, /
and | soon made up my mind that il was
far better than riding on horseback. Tle
baniSs Of the river were .lhickEy covered
with large trees, and saw game in plen
II, and more than once L was tempted to
fire the contents Of my pistol at some of
the boldest 'varminfs; but ! had no time,
50 i kept on. Only one thing seemed
wanting, and that was d companion; but
was destined to find one soon enough.
It was shortly after noon, and ! had
lust eaten my dinner of bread and cold
meat, when came to place where the
-iVer made an abrupt bend to the right,I
md little farther on came to an alb
'upt basin, where the currant formed d
perfect whirlpool. did not notice it un-
il my canoe got into it and found myself
soing round instead Of going ahead. 4
lied my wood paddle Wiih.all my power,
md soon succeeded in shooting oat from
he current; but in doing SO ran myself {
lpon the low sandy shore. The effort (
lad faiigned me not i little, aud as {
ound myself tins suddenly moored, 4 re- {
olYed 70 rest Il few minutes. A. .a 5000
/ had been in this position some ten !
Minutes whenaT was startled BY hearing a I
ootfall close by me, and on looking up / 5
aw man at that side of my boat. He /
Tas young looking person, not over i
vo-andrthirty, and seemed to be a hum Z
r. He wore aswolfslsin shirt, leggings /
{ red leather, and a cap Of bearsskin.
Which way are you bound stranger 7 !
e esasked ID I pleasing tone. :
Down river, to Logansport,' 4 replied. :
y Thats fnrtunate, ] wish 10 60 there
lyself, the stranger resumed. What
" you 70 my taking your second paddle,
nd keeping you company 4
81 should like II, told him frankly; d
'ye been wanting company. s.
So hare Il added The hunter, and I've 4
zen waiting some better mode of con- y
1yauce thar those worn out legs through
d deep forest. !.
'sjot7le On, said; and ns ] spoke, he II