PARTNERSHIP WITH KUTKIN. 211 



Memphis ; nor did it entirely disappear till we had passed 

 Natchez. 



The nights were very dark, and the boat landed me 

 seven or eight miles above the right place, so I had to 

 walk to Rutkin's, leaving my baggage at a plantation, 

 and calling for it next day. 



Kutkin gave me a cordial reception. He was on the 

 point of selling his hotel at Pointe Coupee, and remov- 

 ing, with all his family, to Arkansas, as the climate of 

 Louisiana did not agree with them. Two friends, Hal- 

 ler and Kean, were to join him, the former with a 

 family. 



Early in January we went up the stream in the 

 steamer " Amazon " to the mouth of the Arkansas, and 

 started from thence by one of the smaller boats that 

 run from its mouth, through the dark forests, to the 

 western forts. Our first point was Little Rock, from 

 whence we intended to go to Fort Smith, on the west 

 frontier, leaving the women and children till a house 

 was prepared for them. 



Rutkin had a capital of about 4,000 dollars, and the 

 others 0,000 amongst them. It was arranged that we 

 sliould all settle on our tract of land, and cultivate it 

 together, R. taking a stock of goods for trading, which 

 was also to be carried on in common, he receiving lour 

 per cent, for his outlay. As the money was at his dis- 

 posal, he was to a certain degree our chief, but we were 

 all on good terms with each other. 



We heard Fourche le Fave very highly spoken of, 

 and particularly the land in its neighborhood. "We. 

 went to look at the place, and wen; well received by a 

 settler there, Mr. Kelf'er. lie rode over the country 



