372 WILD SPORTS IN THE FAR WEST. 



least noise, and was eagerly drinking the brackish water, 

 about twenty paces from the canoe. I raised the rifle 

 slowly, took a careful aim and fired ; loud sounded the 

 report over the water's surface, returning in repeated 

 echoes from the hills, and then all was as quiet and 

 silent as the grave. Taking a brand from the fire, I 

 found a yearling buck lying dead at a short distance 

 from the spot where he had been drinking. After 

 breaking him up, I cut off no small portion to roast, 

 my hunger being truly painful ; when this was satisfied 

 I threw him into the canoe, cast off from the bank, 

 rolled myself in my blanket, and, floating softly down 

 the stream in the stillness of night, I arrived at Little 

 Rock in good condition on the following morning. 



I found a letter from German}'*, and another from 

 Kean in Louisiana, from whom I had not heard for a 

 long time ; he requested me to come to him, telling me 

 I might easily find employment with a good salary. 

 The steamer " Arkansas " arrived the next day from 

 Fort Smith, and notice was given that on the morning 

 of the 5th July she would start for New Orleans. My 

 arrangements were soon made, and not having much 

 packing to plague me, I passed the intervening days 

 very happily in the society of my friends. 



The -1th of July was to be celebrated as usual in 

 Little Hock by a grand barbecue, or banquet, at the 

 public expense. I went to the appointed place out of 

 curiosity, and found a dozen black cooks, busily pre- 

 paring for the grand affair. Two trendies, about two 

 vards Ion" and four wide, wore dn<_r in a pardon near 



*/ O 



the town, the bottom of each was filled with red-hot 

 charcoal, the supply being kept up from a large lire 



