PUNTA RASSA TO CALOOSAHATCHIE. 295 



desirable place for the pioneer. I admit that the region 

 is wild and unfrequented, but the time is near when the 

 river will be navigated by steamers, and residences, 

 school houses, and churches will arise as if by magic. 



Night overtook us, and as we were anxious to reach 

 Dr. McCall tun s residence we furled our sail and resorted 

 to an ashen breeze. We had rowed but a short distance 

 when we heard the welcome bark of a dog, and soon 

 after, the pleasant sound of human voices. We hailed, 

 and were met at the landing by five human beings. The 

 welcome we received in this wild spot will long be remem 

 bered. We found one gentleman from New York, who 

 had settled on a section next to that of Dr. McCallam s, 

 and four from Rahway, New Jersey, two miles above, at 

 Camellia Point. We announced the fact that we carried 

 the mail, and the joyous shouts that arose on that 

 river when the settlers received letters and newspapers 

 f rotn home, beggars all description. Aware of the fact that 

 Dr. McCallam and his companion in this wilderness had 

 but a limited supply of the necessaries of life, we posi 

 tively declined a pressing invitation to stop and partake 

 of the hospitalities of his backwoods home. As soon as 

 we announced our intention of proceeding to the Jersey 

 settlement, the Jerseymen pocketed letters and papers 

 and followed us to the river bank. They took our boat in 

 tow, and while rowing and paddling they yelled and 

 laughed as joyous men never laughed and yelled before. 

 After proceeding two miles we reached their camp, and 

 landed. We found them comfortably settled in a pal 

 metto hut, and apparently more than pleased Avith their 

 new home. We started early the next morning, and 

 were escorted for several miles by our new friends. It 

 is a gratification to the wanderer to meet with a wel- 



