EPISODES 445 



pensive for them to remove, retaining only a few horses, 

 a servant or two, and such implements of husbandry and 

 other articles as may be necessary on their journey, or 

 useful when they arrive at the spot of their choice. 



I think I see them at this moment harnessing their 

 horses, and attaching them to their wagons, which are 

 already filled with bedding, provisions, and the younger 

 children, while on their outside are fastened spinning- 

 wheels and looms, and a bucket filled with tar and tallow 

 swings between the hind wheels. Several axes are se- 

 cured to the bolster, and the feeding-trough of the horses 

 contains pots, kettles, and pans. The servant, now be- 

 come a driver, rides the near saddled horse, the wife is 

 mounted on another, the worthy husband shoulders his 

 gun, and his sons, clad in plain substantial homespun, 

 drive the cattle ahead, and lead the procession, followed 

 by the hounds and other dogs. Their day's journey is 

 short, and not agreeable; the cattle, stubborn or wild, 

 frequently leave the road for the woods, giving the travel- 

 lers much trouble; the harness of the horses here and 

 there gives way, and needs immediate repair; a basket, 

 which has accidentally dropped, must be gone after, for 

 nothing that they have can be spared ; the roads are bad, 

 and now and then all hands are called to push on the 

 wagon, or prevent it from upsetting. Yet by sunset they 

 have proceeded perhaps twenty miles. Rather fatigued, 

 all assemble round the fire, which has been lighted, sup- 

 per is prepared, and a camp being erected, there they 

 pass the night. 



Days and weeks, nay months, of unremitting toil, pass 

 before they gain the end of their journey. They have 

 crossed both the Carol inas, Georgia, and Alabama. They 

 have been travelling from the beginning of May to that 

 of September, and with heavy hearts they traverse the 

 State of Mississippi. But now, arrived on the banks of 

 the broad stream, they gaze in amazement on the dark 



