Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1874-08-28

with his son-in law. Here we learned
that II was six miles further TO Log
Shoal our destination on Duck river,
Six miles it was, and part of the way
over the toughest wagon road IN Amer
lea. On the way several other jolly,
clever countrymen Joined us on their
mules, until we had quite cavalcade.
shall never forget the descent from the
PERCEPTIONS hill that frowns from ar i'm
mense hight down in Duck river valley,
Most of the party had gone down by
path as a shorter route Those on horse.
back were all ahead of the wagon ex-
cept two, who got down and led their
animals. Your quill driver had assumed
the reins as mule driver The road was
dug out in the hillside and made the
most tortuous windings, and it was fuil
of small rocks. The descent at places
was fully forty-6ve degrees, and the
wagon almost stood on end against the
faithful little mules, while the men walk
ing held on behind. But the bottem
was reached and then the river. We
had a splendid seine ordered from Mem
phis, and dozen men, dressed in old
clothes, were soon up to their necks in the
water dragging the river. The quarter.
master general struck camp mile lower
down, where fire was built and the
horses fed but no water found except
from the river. The dragging COM
menced at shutdown and continued until
ten o'clock at nigh. with the most salts
factory results. A canoe loaded with
fish came down to camp and was soon
followed by all the seiners, who by that
time were chilly and anxious to get into
dry clothes. About four hundred pounds
of fish had been taken, and was laid on
the bank for division. Each one pres
ent drew an equal share. Our party
proper was entitled to seventy-fve or
one hundred pounds. Some of the fish
weighed twenty pounds each. Several
trout we're caught which weighed four
mounds apiece. These fell to our share.
We caught chiefly buffalo and jumping
mullet. After cup of coffee and
scanty supper we decided to get out of
the valley that night. We came out by
a different gap through rugged noun
tain gorge, and made four miles in about
three hours. At two o'clock we halted
until daylight, slept little, and then
made haste for Bon Aqua, where we put
in forlorn appearance about noon. 1t
was well for us we had the fish
to show for our trip, or it would
have been long time before hear
inc the last of it. The contrast
between the looks of the party starting
and returning would make a good carri'
eature for Frank Leslie or Harper
Weekly. We went out in high spirits
but came in jaded, sleepy, muddy and
slightly disfgured in the toilet. But
successful treason is not treason after
ward. So with us There were tsh
enough to feed everybody on the ground,
and congratulations continue to pour in
on the bold fishermen. We are so much
elated that another expedition is already
organized to start Friday at daylight.
1t will be second only in outfit and dis
cipline to the great Yellowstone expe'
dition to the Northwest or Mark Twain's
crowd that went to Jerusalem and Da-
mascus. l will not 20 into particulars
about the gentleman who lost his coat,
the one who mislaid his boots, and the
other one who threw away his good
pants instead Of his old ones. This
would be a breach OF confidence; besides,
they requested me not to mention the
matter. 1t shall be uncomfortable.
No mail of any description from Mem
phis to-day, not even my missing papers
of last week. If anything important
happens, try aud send us word by some
passing emigrant.
uC.;li 1our friend j III NJ