FUNNY INCIDENT. 77 
with the command, an instance of power of endurance in 
the one so badly wounded, seldom to be met with, his loss of 
blood, and the intense heat of the weather considered. Before 
leaving, a laughable incident occurred. 
A man (who had shone conspicuous in the revel and fight) 
came up to the Doctor, with both his eyes bunged shut. 
“Doctor,” says he, in a rich brogue, “am I fornint ye, for 
divil a bit can I see ounly daylight. Won't ye plaze and cut 
me eyes open, for how do yees expict a blind man till travil an 
this a strange counthry. Cut thim open, Doctor dear; sure 
I'll niver flinch, and if I hed thim opin I could see as will as 
ony man in the Company ;” a fact which the Doctor did not 
dispute, but declined the operation, so tied_on a pony, and it 
led by the guard, poor Pat had to put up with “ounly day- 
light” for that day at least. 
Noon found us ‘crossing the Big Mineral, a limestone 
stream running through a rich bottom, thickly grown up with 
large cotton wood, honey locust, overcup, and other heavy 
timber, besides plenty of the bois d’are. The ‘overcup is a 
species of dak, beating an acorn as large as a hen’s egg. The 
tree is very tall and straight, making excellent timber for 
building purposes. F 
After leaving Preston, we entered upon the vast plains, 
whieh stretching to the Cross Timbers, gave us a foretaste of 
our home, and the seat of our labors for many weeks. 
From this point, there is but a house here and there, and _ 
al 
