EPISODES 



285 



boys. I camped here for most of the time when clearing 

 and planting; and when about to marry the young woman 

 you sec at the wheel, father helped me in raising this 

 hut. My wife, as luck would have it, had a negro also, 

 and we have begun the world as well off as most folks, 

 and, the Lord willing, may— But, gentlemen, you don't 

 eat; do help yourselves. Eliza, maybe the strangers 

 would like some milk." The wife stopped her work, and 

 kindly asked if we preferred sweet or sour milk ; for you 

 must know, reader, that sour milk is by some of our 

 farmers considered a treat. Both sorts were produced, 

 but, for my part, I chose to stick to the cider. 



Supper over, we all neared the fire, and engaged in 

 conversation. At length our kind host addressed his wife 

 as follows : " Eliza, the gentlemen would like to lie down, 

 I guess. What sort of bed can you fix for them? " Eliza 

 looked up with a smile, and said : " Why, Willy, we will 

 divide the bedding, and arrange half on the floor, on 

 which we can sleep very well, and the gentlemen will have 

 the best we can spare them." To this arrangement I im- 

 mediately objected, and proposed lying on a blanket by 

 the fire; but neither Willy nor Eliza would listen. So 

 they arranged a part of their bedding on the floor, on 

 which, after some debate, we at length settled. The 

 negroes were sent to their own cabin, the young couple 

 went to bed, and Mr. Flint lulled us all asleep with a long 

 story intended to show us how passing strange it was that 

 he should have lost his way. 



" Tired nature's sweet restorer, balmy sleep," and so 

 forth. But Aurora soon turned her off. Mr. Speed, our 

 host, rose, went to the door, and returning assured us that 

 the weather was too bad for us to attempt proceeding. 

 I really believe he was heartily glad of it; but anxious to 

 continue our journey, I desired Mr. Flint to see about his 

 horses. Eliza by this time was up too, and I observed her 

 whispering to her husband, when he immediately said 



