■' Live Oakersy 



219 



our controversy on the subject became a little warm, I 

 proposed that our men should row us to the place, where 

 we might examine the leaves and timber, and so decide 

 the point. We soon landed, but after inspecting the 

 woods, not a single tree of the species did we find, al- 

 though there were thousands of large ' swamp oaks.' My 

 companion acknowledged his mistake, and I continued to 

 search for birds. 



" One dark evening, as I was seated on the banks of 

 the same river, considering what arrangements I should 

 make for the night, — as it began to rain in torrents, — a 

 man, who happened to see me, came up and invited me 

 to go to his cabin, which he said was not far off. I ac- 

 cepted this kind offer, and followed him to his humble 

 dwelling. There I found his wife, several children, and 

 a number of men, who, as my host told me, were, like 

 himself, * live oakers.' Supper was placed on a large ta- 

 ble, and on being desired to join the party, I willingly 

 assented, doing my best to diminish the contents of the 

 tin pans and dishes set before the company by the active 

 and agreeable housewife. We then talked of the country, 

 its climate and productions, until a late hour, when we 

 laid ourselves down on bear-skins, and reposed till day- 

 break. 



" I longed to accompany these hardy woodcutters to the 

 hummock, where they were engaged in preparing live oak 

 timber for a man-of-war. Provided with axes and guns, 

 we left the house to the care of the wife and children, and 

 proceeded for several miles through a pine barren, such 

 as I have attempted to describe. One fine old turkey 

 was shot, and when we arrived at the shanty, put up near 

 the hummock, we found another party of woodcutters 

 waiting our arrival before eating their breakfast, already 

 prepared by a negro man, to whom the turkey was con- 

 signed, to be roasted for a part of that day's dinner. 



