ADVENTURES IN LOUISIANA. 213 



of water, for that their comrades had deserted them. 

 We got them up into the blockhouse, and had their 

 wounds dressed, and after a time they were cured and 

 left us." 



"And were you never after attacked again?" said 

 I. " I wonder at your courage in remaining here 

 after becoming aware of the dangers you were ex- 

 posed to." 



" We reckoned we had more right than ever to the 

 land after all the blood it had cost us, and then the 

 news of the fight had got carried into the settlements, 

 and up as far as Salt River ; and some of our friends 

 and kinsfolk came down to join us, and there were 

 soon enough of us not to care for twice as many 

 Spaniards as we had beaten off before." 



While he was speaking the old squatter descended 

 the ladder, and led us out of the forest, and over the 

 ridge of a low hill, on the side of which stood a 

 dozen loghouses, which cast their black shadows on 

 the moonlit slope. We found a rough but kind 

 welcome few words, but plenty of good cheer and 

 we made acquaintance with the heroes and heroines of 

 the blockhouse siege, and with their sons and daugh- 

 ters, buxom strapping damsels and fine manly lads, 

 Yankees thoiigh they were. I have often enjoyed 

 a softer bed, but never a sounder sleep than that 

 night. 



The next day our horses were brought round from 

 the swamp, and we took our departure ; but as hard- 



