196 WILD SPORTS IN THE FAR WEST. 



found in the swamps. Wherever you go, you are sure 

 to see one at the least, and I think "Mr. "Weller" 

 would have felt very uncomfortable in this part of the 

 world. Doubtless the climate is better suited to women 

 than to men, as the latter almost always die first. 



"We were merrily chatting by the cheerful fire when 

 suddenly the doorway was darkened. I turned to look 

 at the new comer, and who should it be but the 

 Methodist preacher. One night later, and I should 

 have been out of his reach. 



As the sun rose I started, quite refreshed, and 

 before sunset arrived at Strong's post-office, on the St. 

 Francis. Communication by letter would be impos- 

 sible in the thinly settled "Western States, did not one 

 of the farmers undertake the office of post-master. 

 One is appointed for each county, but their duties are 

 not severe. A postman, or mail rider as he is called, 

 traverses the county on horseback, sleeping at certain 

 fixed stations. The mail rider from Memphis, in 

 Tennessee, with a pack-horse in addition, carries the mail 

 for Little Rock and Batesville to Strong's post-office, 

 about forty miles, taking back the return bags ; from 

 Strong's, one rider goes to Batesville, and another to 

 Little Hock. I found a letter from Vogcl, requesting 

 me to return to Cincinnati, and telling me that three 

 letters had arrived for me from Germany. 



The following morning found me on the other side 

 of the St. Francis, traversing the swamp which Uhl 

 and I had had such trouble to cross nine months ago. 

 Although still soft and muddy, it was not quite so bad 

 as on the previous occasion. I gained the banks of 

 the lake about dusk, and hailed the ferryman. He 



