The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1860-01-28
I was about to refuse: but an instant,s

petter chance at tue pump, perhaps
The we'll was now overbrinming with wine
and according to the adage, | ought to
be able to draw the wit out of its vinous
fulness so l replied, I've no objection. ,
And we sat down to play with the Gene
raj and stranger-whose name | did not
distinctly catch-wrapped in blue blan-
ket, although the weather was unpleas-
antly warm.
We played till midnight, but all my
pumping was in vain. My blanketed
neighbor, who was small thck-sct man
with keen gray eye and remarkably
white teeth, appeared to divine my pur-
pose, and disposed to help me by occa-
sional ingenious questions on cotton-buy-
ing and Red River planters, which,
though they elected some general infor-
nation from Fibbins and the General,
failed to enlighten me as to the plans or
place of landing of the former. And the
white teeth of the stranger glittered with
sngularly provoking smile, as he per-
ceived my establishment.
Finally, after losing both money and
patience, retired to bed, resolving as
last resource, to stick to Blue Coat till
he landed, follow him ashore, and making
sure of his route, take a short cut and
head him off at the first plantation. In
this resolve | fell asleep.
ii.
The next day passed without incident
though | continued to make vigorous but
vain efforts at the pump of Fibbin's con-
lidence, at cost of indefinite brandy-and
waters. In the evening we smade' Col
onel Struts landing, where | had been
used to commence my cotton-buying trip
going up by land, generally, to the
succeeding plantations that lay more or
less near the river along line of some
forty miles. l looked sharp after the
Blue Surtout, but did not see him; and
nothing landed here except fifteen barrels
of flour, and the stranger in the blanket,
who waved a grinning farewell as we
swept off again. | watched him, Abstract
eddy, as he held a moments parley with
half naked negro boy, who then sLoul-
dere his valise, and 'marshalled him the
way he would co. after which | sought
Fibbins, whom L found snoring in the
barber-shop.
We've just left Colonel Struts land
ing said |, as he awoke at my entrance.
YOU'RE not going to call on him this
time q
Il reckon not lie REPLIED and instant
ly fell to snoring again.
He intends to land at David's, thought
|, and take the plantations coming down.
But LII be even with him, and lectle
over
We 'made' and passed several other
landings during the evening, but Fibbins
gave no sign of disembarklng and | was
consequently strengthened in my suppo-
sition. At length we approached the
plantation of Mr.. David, which was the
highest point on my list, and | was in
sanity on the alert, hot foot after Blue
Coat. | discovered him immersed in
set back and brandy-and-water with
the general.
'We'll make your friend David's wharf
in twenty minutes said I.
FWill We answered he little th,ckly.
well Colonel, if you are going off, give
my respects to the Doctor
Chen you are not going to land 2 ex-
claimed |, doubtfully.
Il reckon not Colonel-left bower,
General
My diplomacy and patience were both
exhausted.
'Are you not the-the new cotton buy
er for Slywitt Brothers 2 cried l des-
pcrately.
Cotton b-buyer! l reckon NOT said
he with gain.
'What the ID are you, then 2
almost howled.
'Well, Colonel, as you're going off here
I've no objection to tell you now. l am
trader, and Pm going to Natchitoches
to do little private business With the
General. But added he, after a mo-
ment's pause, during which his uncon-
scious sconcc stood in imminent danger
of being cracked, if he had only known it;
'but reckon you mistook your man.
You wanted to catch Scuddcr, 1 reckon;
he's turned cotton buyer, | believc--'
'Sc-Scudder,' stammerel l, swas he
-p
'1our partner, you know, last night;
got off at Struts, [ reckon
sLost lost! lost!' muttercd I, like
SCOTS Elm Page. Buta thought struck
me: q was told he-he wore blue sur
tout like yours ola ban laus hed the
trader. Il reckon you was told right;
but Scudder was took with chill, and
traded my blanket for his coat, just as
the boat left Orleans
l could have pummeled his bloated
carcase to jelly, and torn the internal
coat to ribbons, with savage pleasure
But | didn't. For just then the boat
stopped, and I sprang hastily ashore,
determined to visit my planters going
down, and so, perhaps, catch Mr.. Scud-
der coming up, or, at least, be before
hand with him at David's and one or two
neighboring farms.
Fresh disappointment awaited me at the
Doctors. He had gone to Natchitochcs, and
would not return for three days. OF course
could not wait now; so, leaving note with
a flea in it to tickle friend Scudder's car,
rode at day break. five miles down to Major
p--S Hprn T f,,itnd tha N,;,r -, ~,