Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1859-06-30

+. on ebony then Hanson on "Quecny' and
John with Betty Martin" Col. with carpet
bag over his shoulder; next, Davis with va
lise. Jake with snndres, Billy with net &c,
and George with bucket, boots and frying
ipan. We hardly know who looked the most
Icomical, but the palm was awarded to Coll
onel. Our march, the farther we advanced,
grew the more tedious and difficult and fl
nally the rocks, bushes, fallen trees ard logs
thr, atened to arrest our progress altogether;
we were now upon n very steep mountain
side, where we Rad much trouble in gettin :
along, it was with difficulty the horses could
move steadily under their heavy load, and at
last down went "Queeuy," scattering Hanson
on one side, and basket, robes, quilts and
oats on the other; then over went the Squire
and ebony" and away down hill backed
Betty Martin. This was a critical moment
night had set in, we were almost exhausted,
our loads upon the horses must be rerGcked,
and some place to camp must be reached, for
we could not stay where we were, so like dcs-
pcrate men, 're solved to do or perish we gath
cred things up, and pushed forward iu spite
Of the many obstacles that met us at every
step. Finally level spot was reacle and
Squire +. ordered halt, which it is needless
to say, was cheerfully and quickly obeycd.
Some of the thoughtful ones, on looking
around for place to sleep, enquired of
Squire L. ''where would we repose our weary
bones?' Why right under this big tree
which will give us a good shelter" replied
the Squire.
A large and cheerful fire was soon made,
the horses properly cared for, the oats sacks
brought up before the FIRE to serve as supper
tables, bread, butter, ham, eggs. bologna saul
sage, cheeSc.and pickles, were spread out over
them, and we fell to eating as only hungry
men can eat We certainly presented an in
teresting group for IL painter seated there
before a huge log fire, each man with his fist
/ full of bread and meat, devouring it with a
savage eagerness, whilst the glaring light
which fell upon the surrounding objects gave
them an almost supernatural appearance
Supper ended, the cloth removed the tdJtes
were brought to the foot of Squire F's big tree
to serve as pillows. Buffolo robes, blankets,
and quilts were spread out, & each man threw
himself down for sleep. What the others
thoughts were, before lost in slumber, tile
writer knows not perhaps some were too
tired to think at all, perhaps some thought
of home and their downy beds, their falrer
and dcarer bed-fellows than those that now
I shared the buffalo robe with them. As for our
selves we thought good dcal-the time, the
place. and the circumstances all combined to
make it a charming subject for silent medlta-
tions. And as we lay listning to the murmur-
ing little brook, that went musicaly laughing
by our camp. and gazing at 4 little twinklins
star far in the azurc vault of heaven, we
thought of two other bright smiling blue
orbs, that laugh and twinkle till ones heart
is set q flutterng like caged bird. Silence
now reigncd supreme, not sound was heard
| not even the plaintive notes OF the "N hip
oor-wil'-aIl was still Perhaps we had
been asleep 2 hours or perhaps A, when we
were awakened by the patterinS of rain up
on our faces, and soon every one ol the party
was aroused. But concluding to "take it as
it comes" again went to sleep in spite of the
rain. Just at the break of day, Davis called
all hands up, and soon the camp presented n
busting scene of activity. On looking above
in broad-daylight at Squires big tree, it was
fonnd to he nothing but the bare trunk Of \
deed oak-t could rot boast of single
branch or limb. Calling the Squires atten-
ton to the fact, he merely remarked 'Weil,
blame my buttons, if | didn't think that was
thick tree, and as good shelter as knoxs
house roof" Billy, Jake and the Col. set the
table on Champagne basket, Sqcire F. per-
formed the duties of chief cook, and soon a
rood substantial hreakias was despatched.
We set thing. to rights cleaned up house "
hung She vet blankets and quits out to dry,
and .hcn started off on fishing tour down
| Middle Fork. We fshel the stream on
which we encamped, about one mile to Its
mouth, and caught a number of fine trout; at
this point the party divided, and one half
going down, and the other up Middle Fork. -
To one unacquantcd with trout streams, and
the haunts Of that fish, he would be astonlS-
ed to find them in little holes, which at ho
time contains more than few taIs full OF
water We were lucky in securing a num-
Der of fine fish in a short time, and at about
! 9 A. NJ, Davis, Jake, and George returned
to camp to prepare some of them for dinner.
BY IL NJ. the whole company had gotten in,
! and Squire F. set to work flying trout, bu5-
ness at which he has no superior. We made
an exceedingly hearty dinner ON trou'. In fact
! it was "a real trout feast After dinner wc con-
cluded to return 10 Mr.. SwauGers, and the
next day fish in Savage river The work Of
rcpackng things. and transporting our bag
gage and plundcr to the wagon, WAS accom-
Dlishcd with better success than We had in
coming out owing in great measure to the
experience gained the night before, and that
we had daylight for our return trip
| We reached the wagon with all things IN
safety. Mr.. and Mrs. Knox had returned, and
we had the pleasure of making the acquain-
tancc of the former. Anxious to get to Mr,
Swaugcrs as early as possible, we did not tarry
long at the "knoX House,
1t was agreed whilst We were returning,
that David should fish Black Warrior stream
! that afternoon and the next morning, and to
meet us at Swaugers at o'clock 7. VI. the
next day, to which David most heartily as
sented, because we had promised him jug
Of whiskcy for company. Arriving at the
place where David was to leave us, he was
again fully instructed in what he was to do
the jug, plug of tobacco and some provisions