CHAPTER XL 



A FATAL BRAWL RETURN TO LITTLE ROCK SUM- 

 MARY JUSTICE DOWN SOUTH. 



Drunken brawl at a whiskey-shop, and its lamentable consequences 

 — Little Kock and its vicinity — Shooting at the " salt licks " — 

 Justice in the backwoods — Summary proceedings against hoi'se- 

 stealers — Curing skins — The dreams of dogs — Departure for 

 New Orleans — The 4th of July. 



The two hmiters had finished their game, and were 

 sitting with me over the whiskey, conversing about old 

 times, when six more arrived, dressed hke ourselves 

 with leggings and moccasins, armed with rifles and 

 knives ; they brought several empty bottles, which 

 they caused to be replenished, and they all seemed to 

 be in a fair way of getting drunk. As they were 

 rolling about, one of them tumbled over the feet of 

 the sleeper, who just mumbled some indistinct words, 

 and fell off again. This seemed to afford them much 

 amusement, and they began to tickle him under the 

 nose with blades of grass, laughing immoderately at 

 the faces he made. The two other young Americans 

 told them very civilly to leave off, alleging that the 

 sleeper was their friend, that liis sleepiness was a dis- 

 ease which he could not help, and begging them to 

 leave him in peace. A scornful burst of loud laughter 

 was the answer. They said they could and would do 

 as they chose, and one of them had the goodness to 

 (350) 



