SUMMER RETREAT IN ARKANSAS. 31 
The exact place of his birth he cannot tell, as he says 
that his parents “ travelled’”’ as long as he can remember 
them. He “squatted” on the Mississippi at its nearest 
point to the Retreat, and there erecting a rude camp, 
commenced hunting for a living, having no prospect 
ahead but selling out his “ pre-emption right ” and im- 
provements, and again squatting somewhere else. 
Unfortunately, the extent of Arkansas, and the 
swamp that surrounded Bob’s location, kept it out of 
. market until, to use his own language, he ‘“‘ became the 
ancientest inhabitant in the hull of Arkansaw.” And 
having, in spite of himself, gradually formed acquaint- 
ances with the few residents in this vicinity, and grown 
into importance from his knowledge of the country, and 
his hunting exploits, he has established himself for life, 
at what he calls, the “‘ Wasp’s diggins ;” made a potato 
patch, which he has never had time to fence in; talked 
largely of a cornfield; and hung his cabin round with 
rifle-pouches, gourds, red peppers, and flaming advertise- 
ments with rampant horses and pedigrees; these latter 
ornaments, he looks upon as rather sentimental—but 
he excuses himself on the ground that they look “ hoss,” 
and he considers such an expression as considerably 
characteristic of himself. 
We have stated that Bob’s mind would puzzle three 
hundred metaphysicians consecutively, and we as boldly 
assert that an equal number of physiologists would be 
brought to a stand by his personal appearance. The 
