Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-28
CHAPTER VI.

cate our road. l carried compass and we
each had an ak; rifles we left at the
landing. but we carried our revolvers and
three days provisions.
From one OF our disused wood roads we
struck into the forest. shaping general
course little south of west. our plan being
to go straight for the creek. then spot back
on the trees and clear our road. We had
spotted few trees on the way over to
mark trail: this very necessary. as
We expected to make some very short turns
to avoid windfalls and swampy land.
About o'clock we left the head of the old
road, travelling through the close woods az
thu rate of about two miles an hour Hav-
ing accomplished four miles. we halted and
left One-third of our provisions.
AT a point some four miles farther on
left the second installment. intending to
have supper and breakfast only at the
creek AT o'clock in the afternoon. tired
and well scratched with briars, We arrived
at a little pond about one-half mile distant
and having a good outlet leading from the
creek This was the end Of our land jour
ney at this section of the route. and We
prepared to encamp for the night
We stretched our tired limbs by the fire,
lighted pipes and smoked for a few mill
utes in silence.
Moore" said l. this Is rather desper-
ate game to play
Captain" replied he, "our greatest dan
ger lies in being obliged to trust some
scoundrel that Will betray US. Now, as to
the risk at this end of the route. il is small;
once get your negroes here. and they are
safe, for l do not think il has been visited
by man for twenty years. The treachery
of some persons We may be obliged to trust
is our only danger. and that We must care
fully guard against. Never trust a negro
after you get him started. You perhaps
may have little philanthropy or some
sentimental feeling in this thing, l haven't;
with me il is business, nothing else.
al confess that / not quite SO DraC-
teal as yourself Moore, but really nave
no particular love for the master. nor re-
spect for the system You and are prac-
teal abOlitioniStS, or will be.
Yes, it sizes down to about that" Moore
answered. but 1t isn't exactly the way
was raised and in few minutes We were
fast asleep.
Next morning at daybreak We We're up
and moving. and by the time It was light
enough TO see plainly were at work. Both
of us were quite experienced woodmen and
to cut off the dead limbs and clear out the
brush, to form a trail passable for foot
passengers and plain to be seen by people
not well versed in woodcraft.
In three DAYS We had accomplished our
purpose and had a path sufficiently wide
for the transportation of our canoes and
such other material as we intended 10 move
and were pretty well faugued when we re-
turned TO the woodward. We unpacked our
canoes taking them apart, to enable US TO
pack them on the back of mule. and this
by the aid of an inprovised saddle We ac-
complished satisfactorily.
Monday We started and al . o CLOCK polh
canoes were on the banks of Baker creek,
put together and ready 10 launch AT
d m we We're back with our mule
The next morning, putting one of the
hands in charge of the yard while Moore
was absent. We started, mule and ALL and
by 4 o'clock we were at the creek again.
We tnlilt a pen q few yards square and
penned the mule leaving him a supply of
I..v rbraa DAYS and = side OF the
pen was on the water front, he need not go
thirsty.
AT daylight the next morning We were
Up and by o'clock were off. Taking the
small canoe in tow of the other We padded
quietly across the little pond into the out
let, forced our way through the ovcr1ang-
ing branches. and in less than an hour were
on the waters of the crock We ran down
not over two miles. dis EMBARKED and pre-
pared to carry the large canoe across TO
Big creek. The next two days We spent in
clearing the road. The third day sue
ceeded in getting our large canoe through,
but We're obliged to take it apart and make
two trips, one with he frame and one with
the canoe cover
canoe safely hidden four miles from the
mouth of the White river, Moore was on
board steamer bound for Bradley's yard
ard | was on my way to New Orleans.
one thing in undertaking was scored,
viz: a safe and secret route from the
mouth of the White river to our yard.
For the navigation at the Teche and
Tensas We could easily procure boats; but
the manner of crossing from the point
where would leave the TcnScs to our
big canoe was vet to be provided for. In
This ] wanted and must have George Wes-
ner'S help
Ten days from the time ] left tn" mouth
OF the White river / was on board the little
steamer St. Mary. bound up the Bayou
Teche from Brashear City.
The next morning / was at Wesner's Iian-
tatiOn. George had been at home nearly
two weeks. and had small building for a
store we'll under way. II would take two
w eks' time TO complete the building ready
for occupancy.
Throughout the Artakapas country the
plantations were large, ;he prai-i2s rolling
and timber scattering. Our work must be
night work and the dark s'vanps our
refuge We must find a location at once.
secure from the visits of the coon hunter
or his proving hound We selected a large
swamp some distance from the Teche. A
small creek made up into II. The land along
its banks was low, and the country for
miles around was covered with its stag
n&nt overflow Twisted cypress, Fnarled
oaks and pecans grew in luxuriaEce and
the underground was black and dense. In
this swamp. upon a small hummpck we
located our depot or rendezvous, the only
oasis in this noisome wilderness.
Across the wide stretch of prairie but a
mile 50 from the outer edge, was the
main travelled road to OpelOusas and the
northern parishes.
A narrow but unfrequented road skirted
the edge of the swamp. Between the TWO
roads We're scattered patches of timber, ana
through this we've bride and cattle paths
few miles above the point where the
White river entered the Mississippi there
was 4 chute leading into the Arkansas this
chute We determined 10 use, as il was near
the hiding place of our big canoe From
the Teche 70 this point it was necessary
10 explore and locate a route by water
practicable for our use. and also to estaI,-
lsh safe places for our cncampment
As our travelling would bc by night WI.
must have secure hiding places by day. and
know where 10 find them. Now was the
time to locate these while We were Vet
guiltless With a party Of fugitives and
the purSuer following there would be little
time for celebrating or changing routes
one bright December morning We started
for the swamp communicating with the
Tensas bayou. Osteasihly on duck Shoot
ing expedition.
Near 4 plantation owned by a man by
the Name of GilrOy We ran across a free
negro with an old rattlc-tTap OF a canoe
The Old man was p&ddlinS around the
bayou looking out for his duck snares
George b2ntered him TO sell the old trap
me maSssl, don't like to-seems too much
like selling an old friend: dis yer boat an
ME has been togcdder for lots of years
can't sell her 'thout n powr of money"
well daddy replied George thou,