T^he Opossu?n. 85 



toes, and pumpkins. Their stock of cattle, too, has 

 augmented : the steamer which now stops there, as if by 

 preference, buys a calf or pig, together with their wood. 

 Their store of provisions is renewed, and brighter rays 

 of hope enliven their spirits. 



" The sons discover a swamp covered with excellent 

 timber, and as they have seen many great rafts of saw- 

 logs, bound for the saw-mills of New Orleans, floating 

 past their dwelling, they resolve to try the success of a 

 little enterprise. A few cross-saws are purchased, and 

 ^ome broad-wheeled ' carry-logs ' are made by them- 

 selves. Log after log is hauled to the bank of the river, 

 and in a short time their first raft is made on the shore, 

 and loaded with cordwood. When the next freshet sets 

 it afloat it is secured by long grape vines or cables, until, 

 the proper time being arrived, the husband and sons 

 embark on it and float down the mighty stream. After 

 encountering many difficulties, they arrive in safety at 

 New Orleans, where they disi30se of their stock, the 

 money obtained for which may be said to be all profit ; 

 supply themselves with such articles as may add to their 

 convenience or comfort, and with light hearts procure a 

 passage on the upper deck of a steamer at a very cheap 

 rate, on account of the benefit of their labors in taking in 

 wood or otherwise. Every successive year has increased 

 their savings. They now possess a large stock of horses, 

 cows, and hogs, with abundance of provisions, and domes- 

 tic comforts of every kind. The daughters have been 

 married to the sons of neighboring squatters, and have 

 gained sisters to themselves by the marriage of their 

 brothers." 



He introduces, among other episodes of natural 

 history, an account of the habits of the opossum — " the 

 dissimulator." The walk of this animal he describes as 

 an amble like that of a young foal or a Newfoundland 



