136 WILD SPORTS IN THE SOUTH. 



" Goin' on to three years." 



" Where did they come from ?" 



" Oh, Jackson had a big plantation on the upper coast 

 somewhere nor'east ; but I've heern say he lost his crops 

 and got in debt, and fit a duel, and then cum heyar, 

 and built this house, and called it ' Far Away.' " 



" I thought you had known his family longer, you 

 seem such a friend of Miss Lou." 



" I have known them only three years ; and some 

 folks you know soon, and Lou Jackson is one of them 

 kind." 



" She is a pleasant girl." 



" Yes, I can say that! Thar's nobody in Floridy that 

 can say so much, and be so sparin' of words. She's 

 always the same ; she makes it light all about the Ouith- 

 lacouchee when it's black dark everywhere else, she's so 

 happy like. Even the Injins, when they come there, 

 draw in their claws and act genteel, and that's oncom- 

 min for an Lijin." 



" They are very much exposed, living here so far from 

 protection, and bands of these Indians roviifg about, and 

 sometimes Jackson himself away." 



" No ; he don't leave often unless she goes with him ; 

 but many a night I've kept round that house when 

 nobody knowed it, jist to know that she was sleepin', 

 when these cusses has been about." 



" What did she say to you when she heard of your 

 watchfulness ?" 



" How would she know ? Do vou think I would tell 



