376 TRAVEL, ADVENTURE, AND SPORT. 



protruded through the jalousies, we did not think 

 it advisable to neglect it. The reception was cheer- 

 less enough ; but we came from ^ew Orleans, and 

 could expect no better one. Caesar, however, daunt- 

 less as his celebrated namesake, jumped over a paling 

 and plucked an armful of Indian corn ears, which 

 he gave to the horses ; an earthen pan served to 

 fetch them water from the Mississippi, and after a 

 short pause we resumed our journey. Five times, 

 I remember, we halted, and were received in the 

 same humane and hospitable manner, until at last 

 we reached the plantation of my friend Bankes. We 

 had come fifty miles under a burning sun, and had 

 passed more than fifty plantations, each with its 

 commodious and elegant villa built upon it ; but 

 we had not yet seen a human face. Here, how- 

 ever, I hoped to find shelter and refreshment ; but 

 in that hope I was doomed to be disappointed. 



" From Xew Orleans 1 " inquired the voice of 

 my friend through the jalousies of his verandah. 



"To be sure," answered I. 



"Then begone, friend, and be d d to you!" was 



the affectionate reply of the worthy Mr Bankes, who 

 was nevertheless kind enough to cause a huge ham 

 and accessories, together with half-a-dozen well-filled 

 bottles, to be placed outside the door a sort of 

 mute intimation that he was happy to see us, so 

 long as we did not cross his threshold. I had a 

 hearty laugh at this half-and-half hospitality, ate 



