The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-05-12

safety. About the middle of the night we
reached John Smiths, where we remained
till morning. Next day we resumed our
Journey. About the middle of the afternoon
we found cabin by the way.side, at which
we eat comfortable dinner of hard corn
bread and butter-milk. Fearing we might
fail to obtain lodging place we began ear
ly to ask permission to spend the night, but
all were denied upon the ground of not hav-
ing accommodations, but always told of a
good house mile or two ahead. AT length
twilight came on, and the only house we
could now find was small cabin whose as
pect was such that we concluded we would
prefer our saddles to lodging in it. So we
pursued our way, mile after mile in the dark
ness, our path in many places overhung with
cane dripping with water from a gentle rain
which fell part of the night. Near midnight
we discovered path on our right which we
hesitated about taking, but took the left.
We had not gone far before we found a fence
across our way, and concluded the path on
our right was the one which should have
been taken. We retraced our course and
when we came to the path on the right l
called to Mr.. G., who was before, that here
was our right hand path. He insisted that
l was mistaken and that he was in it. AS l
had been nodding on my horse l presumed l
might be mistaken and followed on. Hour at
ter hour passed amid the darkness. Atlength
day dawned, when to our CONSERVATION We
found ourselves at the miserable cabin we
had despised in the preceding twilight!
We had now been twenty-four hours in
our saddles. 1t was raining, and we were
very wet We alighted and knocked at the
cabin door. No one was there but a servant
woman who told us that the family were
from home. We told her we wanted break
fast. She at first objected, saying that al
most every thing was locked up, but she at
length consented. A fire was made. Mr.. G..
kindly urged me to remain by it while he
would procure feed for our horses. 1 spread
my blanket before the fire and placed my
saddle for pillow. know not that | ever
enjoyed sweeter sleep than | here did for
a short time until awakened to breakfast. /
will not attempt to describe the fare, but it
was the best the poor woman could do, and
to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.
She apologised for offering us molasses for
our cofee-which indeed was no cofee-say-
ing that sugar was "scace."
We now entered upon our path for the
third time, and after pursuing it for many
mile took the right hand which led us
round the fence which had obstructed our
course the night before. That evening we
reached the Arkansas river, near where
Pine Bluff now stands. Here we separated.
I crossed the river to the north side and
spent the night at Mason's Mills. The next
day was the Sabbath. A number of law
yers lodged at the same place who were re-
turning from court. While preparing to
leave one of them seeing me still keeping
my seat inquired if I were not going to ac-
company them, as they were going to Little
Rock. Irepled that I intended to stay that
day if Mr.. NJ. was willing to keep me. Mr..
NJ. hearing this remark replied he would be
glad for me to remain and preach for them.
He then sent out and gave notice to the
neighbors, and about mid day a good con-
gregation had collected. 1 had seldom
preached with more satisfaction to myself, or
to more attentive congregation. Many
were in tears and came round me at the close
entreating me to leave an appointment for
another time, to which l assented.
1 confess I had strong temptations to
travel that day. 1 was less than day s
journey from my family, from whom I had
not heard one word since 1 left them, more
than a month before. But 1 dared not go
in the face of the Divine command, espe-
cially as from my mode of travelling it was
optional with myself. On Monday morning
1 felt unusually bouyant, and my horse was
in fine spirit. The miles passed swiftly be-
hind me, while my mind was in feverish ex-
citement. When l had arrived within a few
miles of town l saw carpenter at work
who lived near my residence. A few words
passed between US. | asked him how all
were in town. He asked if l had not heard
from home since left, and went on to say,
"your wife has been tremendous sick, but, -
said he, "she is well now" l spurred my
horse onwards, while the words, "But she is
we'll now" were revolved in my mind with
exceeding anxiety. They were of equivocal
import. had heard the expression used
when death was intended. [ crossed the
river, making no inquiry of any one. |
had still half nile to go. When came
to my dwelling all was silent. l saw no one
astir. l rode to the back gate. In mo-
ment open few the gate, and 1 found my
self, feet, hands and neck, pinioned to the
spot. My wife was well, and all were well
My beautiful Choctaw pony, after his long
journey, not being in sympathy with this
movement, nor understanding the nature and
reason of things, took fright and scampered
off to distance, scattering saddle bags and
every thing movable from his back I have