The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1867-11-21
Jdcs, gkettbes, AnetOotes, &e.
A NIGHT IN A BAYOU.

The Mississippi, like the Nile, is divi-
ded at its mouth into number of outlets,
thus forming a delta of islands, which,
though devoid of anything like scenic
beauty, are not devoid Of interest
The great river, washing as it does the
banks of country many thousand miles
in extent, carries down IN solution great
masses of soil, which the impetus of its
current, through the reaction of the sea,
aided by subterranean salt springs and &C
cumulating drift logs, causes to settle in
banks at the mouth, which in the lapse of
time and the ordinary nature, obtain an
elevation above its surface, and becomes
sprinkled with tokens of vegetable life.
Those islands nearest the sea possess
the fcwest traces of vegetation some of
them being adorned by only two or three
tufts of red grass, wisite teros= on tire e11-
! treme confines of the coast are wholly
without vegetable production; the forma-
| ton of the latter being too recent TO allow
time for the termination of chance seeds
TIE numerous creeks which intersect
| these islands are called bayous, and wind
amongst interIninable spaces of marshy
ground oSergrown with tall and cane-like
reeds. These are the favorite haunts Of
all aliigators, snakes and other acqueOus
and amphibeous reptiles, whose solitude
is rarely disturbed by man. An explor-
ing party entering these precincts, will
find the navigation, from the shallowness
of the water, both troublesome and diff
cult
On the afternoon of hot day in sum-
mer, boat with crew of four men and
coxswain, belonging to an outward-bound
ship lying at anchor in the stream, was
seen TO make its way into one OF the bay
Gus. The coxswain was the chief officer
Of the vessel, and the men at oars were
picked men from his watch. Embarked
: as they were, for no other purpose than
! the qualification Of curiosity, the reserve
usually maintained between master and
men was laid aside, and jokes and COM
, ments freely passed, proceeding which
Mr.. Adams, the officer rather encouraged
= than suppressed, Indeed the latter oc
!. casionally put in a remark likely to in
Il crease hilarity and dispel restraint. Tn
der such auspices, their labor was light
J The oars bent to their strokes, and tn
: boat cleft the water like fish.
"Give way, my lads" said Mr.. Ad
n ans 'spulI with will. Make a noise
:. some of you Jack, strike up with some
e thing"
9 Jack who sung well and had a goo
= voice, commenced a roaring song.
g 'Ease the starboard oar" iEterrupte
!. Mr. Adams. ''Pull in for that creek, d'y
IS see. There-steady she goes
: "Aye, aye, sir" said Jack.
y They had not moro than reached th
" middle of the creek before the boat touche
the bottom, and though she moved slow
TO the strokes of the oars, yet the lab'
- of propelling her became greater every M
r ment and the men at last paused
, II breathe.
O. 81 thought it was only bank, and v
a should have got over, but the mud SCENE
he sticky here" said Mr.. Adams. ''Ba'
10 her off, She was accordingly back
he off, and they pulled for narrow bay
in nearer the entrance of the creek, whi
70, proved deep and navigable. Mr. Adai
nd directed them to make for a small cove
D one of the islands, at which he proPos
to land. The landing was effected wi
. some difficulty, upon the trunk of trt
. one end of which rested on the shore wh
a'e the other hoated in the water. The b'
4n pr was run aground, and the party had
all walk some distance OH '"e ios' ""ion
ate washing of the water had rendered 81
rly perry and insecure. However they lal
in- ed in safety; and Mr.. Adams direct
axe two of the men to make fast the boat
remain to bail her out, set off with
nrs. other two to investigate the island.
found the place wooded with large