The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-09-12
CHAPTER TX.
CONTINUED.

Vasseur in his pursuit OF Rameau, out
the reader will understand the state
of society prevailing in the gulf coast
at the time of which we write If we
sketch here q scene or two in the by
play we are now in view of-a by-play
fairly characteristic of the time and
the place, and at the same time i'm
portant as foundation for some later
developments of our drama.
Among the acquaintances made by
yasseur in the Pearl River region
was the preacher Burns. These two
men. after a casual meeting, held to-
gether as if by the force of some hid
den, sympathetic attraction. The
fact was that Vasseur's instinct dis
covered in Burns trustworthy
spirit as we'll as a valuable
store of information touching the
country, its topography and its in
habitants. Moreover, the little French
man quickly made out that the preacher
was not all preacher-that the old
man had some important object in
view other than the comforting and
saving of the souls of men.
Burns read more of Vasseur's true
character than the latter suspected,
but he did not reach his secret. Each
man, indeed, kept his innermost pur-
pose we'll shrouded. =
They often rode together, Vasseur,'
on his stanch, muscular pony, and
Burns astride of large, bony animal,
presented to him by group OF his
rough but generous frontier admirers,
who had agreed that his preaching
was "wo'th hoss, saddle an, brldie;
and in these somewhat eccentric jour
neys they met many strangers whose
movements and purposes were more
or less mysterious, and many others
whose open faces and frank speech
proclaimed them honest men.
Vasseur quickly noticed that Burns
made his way by the point OF his piety
and with the wedge Of religious senti-
ment. The hint was not lost on the ready
Frenchman. He, too. was, apparently,
very religious, very devoted to prayer
and pious reflection. He even let it
be understood that preaching was o
part of his life work. If Burns saw
through this shrewd use of an impious
sham. he did not appear to notice it.
In the rude but comfortable cabins
of the settlers the itinerants were
given welcome to shelter and food in
return for their songs and prayers.
Often enough the family would IN
in the hymn-singing; always the mem
bers would kneel during prayers. 1t
was persistent, universal element of
the American pioneer life, this rever-
ence for the simplest forms OF wor-
ship. Even among the most lawless
and desperate classes tho influence of
religious sentiment went long way,
and the minister of the gospel was
treated as sort of privileged charac-
ter, to 60 and come at will and to be
protected and cared for by everybody.
One fine morning in April, as Vas
Beur and Burns rode along bridle-
path, little way from the east bank
of Pearl River, going in direction
that would intersect the Blackwell
Trail q mile or two farther on, they
fell in with q short, well.built, black
eyed young man, who informed them
that he was a Methodist preacher on
his way to New Orleans.
This comely youth was indeed a
typical fedgling minister in appear
ance and was rather showily dressed
in clerical garb.
He was pleasing conversationalist,
soft-voiced, versatile in expression.
of ready humor and apparently we'll
acquainted with the country. His age
could not have been much beyond
twenty one years, though something
lurking in the lines of his mobile fea-
lures suggested deep and perhaps i'm
pressive experiences.
The horse that he was riding was
poor, apparently old and certainly
quite lame: buthls saddle was a costly
one, silver-mounted and beautifully
finished; his bride was likewise very
fine. A pair of heavy, silver-mounted
holster pistols hung at his saddle
bow.
"They were given to me along with
the saddle" he explained, "and'
though I have not the slightest use
for them, I could not we'll refuse
them"
81 suppose" he added interroga-
lively, after a moments reflection,
"there would be no harm in selling
the weapons and using the money
when 1 arrive in New Orleans?"
Mr.. Burns and Vasseur both said
that they could see no improperly.
The three thsn discussed the pecu-
liar hardships, .exations and ludicrous
adventures in Inc ministerial life of
the frontier. ..>..., .
They rode slowly along, on account
of the lameness Of the young strangers g
horse, their way leading them Mrough
a wild, semi-tropical forest. The
dense foliage of the trees met over
their heads and shut out the sky,
while on either hand the giant trunks
stood SO thick that the eye could pene-
trate but the shortest distance from
the irregular roadway. save where
here and there little glades opened
and let the sunshine in on crowded
and bristling clumps of dwarf pal.
mettc; and but for the soughing of q
brisk breeze through the frondous
boughs on high, the silence would
have been unbroken by any sound OF
the wilderness.
81 presume that one or the other oi
vou brethren will be Glad to SWIM