The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1889-09-07

RANDOM SKETCHES.
CONTINUED FROM LAST ISsUE,)
AMONG THE HILLS.
For the SENTINEL

lFor the SENTINEL
We left Hamilton after an early
breakfast, while slow, uncertain, ex-
aspcrating rain was falling, with in
dications clearing off, after awhile.
Some doubts had been expressed as to
the state Of roads aud creeks, but our
arrangements had all been made, we
were expected in New Orleans that
night, and Notwithstanding the impor-
tunities to remain at Hamilton day
or two longer, determined to set out
in an open vehicle well wrapped up in
cloaks and gOssamers, with strong
horses to draw us, and an intelligent,
reliable cOlOred man as driver. One
of our little party had fallen victim
to Mississippi chills and fever. but fire.
qnent doses OF quinine had, l hoped,
broken up the attack, and we I'LL
started off in good spirits. A young
nephew was to accompany It's us far as
Knoxville. returning home the same
day. We passed Kingston, and then
struck across the country, with the
misty rain falling upon us, travelling
at steady pace until we had gone
| about three Or four miles. Then we
crossed a creek about which our driv-
er had expressed some anxiety. To
! Onr relief it was not much swollen by
the rain, and as we labored through
| the sand on the other side, we con-
graduated ourselves that one danger
was passed. But too soon The creek
| made an abrupt curve ut this place
and we had to cross it again. Not SO
easily done this time The ford was
wide, the waterabout knee deep. current
rather swift. sand at the bottom
treacherous. In we plunged. not with
out some trepidation. Ere we reach
ed the middle Of the stream the horses
stopped, and not urging by voice or
lash could make tlen advance. FL
nally, one struggles. the other refuses
to pull, and some part Of the harness
is broken. Down gets the. driver, and
in adjusting the harness finds that the
horse1have been hitched wrong. The
one accustomed to pull on the right
has been harnessed to the left side,
and takes this inopportuDe moment to
protest against the new order of things.
So there we sit, Il fOrlorn party i'll an
open carriage, in the midst of rising
creek, the horses untractable. the
rain almost soaking through our wrap
pings, in danger of being overturned
and injured, 10 dwelling, no friend In
sight, no one to aid rs, and we due at
Knoxville before 12 o'clock. What
should we do 2 Must we leap from the
carriage and wade to the bank, en-
dangering health, soaking our shoes,
and making ourselves decidedly unit
to 20 on a train, not to speak of en-
tering the City in sucl, II plight
Never looked terra .frma more invi-
ting than at that moment. The situa-
tion had its ludicrons side, and we
could ldugh over it afterwards, but
the trouble was too serious just then,
to excite mirth.
/ Our Jehu finally took my nephew in
his arms and carried him to, shore
Why couldn't we all get there, any
where, aay-,cay, out of that awful
creek Seeing no hope of being pulled
out with such load in the carriage,
in desperation I offered the driver a
dollar to get us all on land. Being a
man of few words, he said nothing,
but quietly set to work, making trips
back and forth, until the carriage was
left with only the baggage in it. How
good it was to be on land again, even
though our situation was not much
| improved. The dollar was cheerfully
paid Oh the spot. At last the horses
consented to pull ont cur conveyance
with the baggage, and in a few
minutes we were again on our way,
hoping the worst OF the trip was over.
The tongue Of the carriage had been
fractured, but was tied up with ropes,
and we breathed more freely as we re-
sumed our journey. Up hills, over
rough strips of open ground, and we
came to residence aud negro quart
ers, where a hatchet was procured,
, and further repairs made on the ton
! CUE and harness. Dr.-the neighbOr-
hood physician, lived here, and, on
: learning our names and destination.
discouraged our hopes about the roads
: we should have to pass over. Still he
{ did not deter us from our purpose Oi
), reaching Knoxville if possible. The
!. way became wild and lonely. We
met only one or two persons. A ne.
gro lad, mounted on Il mule, with q
large bread tray in front Of him
= trudged along with us for some dis
tance, and then disappeared down
some by-way. We entered new
} road cut through the woods, barely
wide enough to pass through, and j
there had been a top to the vehicle j
could not have gone through at all
for frequently we had to bend low
down to keep from being swept Of
our seats by over hanging branches
;, of trees. We were glad to emerge in