200 WILD SPORTS IN THE FAR WEST. 



elder, a kindly, venerable matron, seemed to be on a 

 visit; they were simply but tastefully dressed, as is the 

 case with all American women, even of the lowest 

 classes ; every thing in the room seemed neat and 

 orderly. I passed a few very agreeable hours there ; 

 they were very much pleased with the instrument, 

 having seen nothing like it before ; and as they 

 listened with marked pleasure to the sweet German 

 and Scottish airs, it seemed as if they could never 

 have enough of it, and it was past eleven before I got 

 to bed. There was a piano in the room, but it had 

 not been played upon sufficiently to perfect its tone. 



It was long since I had enjoyed the pleasure of 

 accomphshed society, and I shall never forget my 

 friendly reception by this family. 



From hence, to Memphis was thirteen miles, with a 

 good road, and by two in the afternoon I was again on 

 the waves of the Mississippi. The ferry carried me 

 over to Tennessee, Arkansas lay behind me, and once 

 more I returned to civihzed society from the wild hfe 

 of the backwoods ; but who can decide whether to a 

 happier one. My funds had fallen so low that I was 

 obhged to look out for work. The banks of the Mis- 

 sissippi are so high and steep at Memphis, at the 

 mouth of the Wolf river, that the town cannot be seen 

 from the stream. The steamers deliver their passengers 

 and cargoes on board wharf-boats, formed of used-up 

 steamboats moored to the banks. 



The times were hard : I could obtain no other work 

 than to cut wood, which, with my weak health and 

 unpractised hand, was certainly no trifle ; but necessity 

 is a good teacher. I gained half a dollar and food by 



