332 HOME LIFE IX FLORIDA. 



selves there were no fences, and the outer boundaries of 

 the two (making an inclosure of about fifteen acres) Avere 

 fenced with the then all-prevalent rail fence ; the latter 

 Avas not all new, and, as events proved, needed repairs. 



AVell, the very first morning that dawned on us in our 

 new home was made lively by the squealing of pigs, the 

 barking of a dog, and the shouts of men, as the whole 

 party of pursued and pursuers dashed over our premises, 

 here, there, every where ; for full half an hour the chase 

 was hot and heavy, a panel of fence being torn down first 

 in one place, then in another, as hope grew brighter on the 

 flight of the fugitives toward the one j^oint or the other ; 

 but at last they were cornered and driven out into the 

 woods. They had done damage not a little, but the law 

 made them sacred from the reward of evil-doers. 



And then the forlorn and wearied victors, flushed, pant- 

 ing, covered from head to foot with sand-spurs, a luxuriant 

 product of cultivated fields when neglected — sat down to 

 pluck up their courage and to pick ofi' the sharp spurs as 

 best they might. 



And the next thing was to make a tour of the w^hole in- 

 closure, critically examine the fence and institute necessary 

 repairs. 



But the next day, and the next, and the next, tl>e same 

 impromptu performance w^as repeated. If a rotten rail 

 could not be found at the bottom of the fence, the razor- 

 backs would root a hole beneath and creep through ; night 

 after night they feasted upon our chufas, sweet potatoes, 

 corn, and vegetables. 



In the day-time they came just the same, nothing daunt- 

 ed by the daily chase ; but then they could be seen and 

 driven out before much more mischief was done. 



On our neighbors' land, within ear-shot of our dwelling, 

 w^as a small building, one room occupied by a woman and 



