EPISODES 



335 



timber was of a different nature, and consisted of red and 

 live-oaks, magnolias, and several kinds of pine. Thou- 

 sands of "Mole-hills," or the habitations of an animal 

 he" called "the Salamander," and "Gopher's burrows" 

 presented themselves to the eye, and greatly annoyed 

 our horses, which now and then sank to the depth of a 

 foot, and stumbled at the risk of breaking their legs, and 

 what we considered fully as valuable, our necks. We 

 now saw beautiful lakes of the purest water, and passed 

 along a green space, having a series of them on each side 

 of us. These sheets of water became larger and more 

 numerous the farther we advanced — some of them extend- 

 ing to a length of several miles, and having a depth of 

 from two to twenty feet of clear water ; but their shores 

 being destitute of vegetation, we observed no birds near 

 them. Many tortoises, however, were seen basking in 

 the sun, and all, as we approached, plunged into the 

 water. Not a trace of man did we observe during our 

 journey, scarcely a bird, and not a single quadruped, not 

 even a Rat ; nor can one imagine a poorer and more deso- 

 late country than that which lies between the Halifax 

 River, which we had left in the morning, and the undu- 

 lating grounds at which we had now arrived. 



But at length we perceived the tracks of living beings, 

 and soon after saw the huts of Colonel Rees's negroes. 

 Scarcely could ever African traveller have approached the 

 city of Timbuctoo with more excited curiosity than we 

 felt in approaching this plantation. Our Indian horses 

 seemed to participate in our joy, and trotted at a smart 

 rate towards the principal building, at the door of which 

 we leaped from our saddles, just as the sun was withdraw- 

 ing his ruddy light. Colonel Rees was at home, and 

 received us with great kindness. Refreshments were 

 immediately placed before us, and we spent the evening 

 in agreeable conversation. 



The next day I walked over the plantation, and exam- 



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