THE LOST PORTFOLIO. 667 



length we reached the Levee, and found ourselves once more at New 

 Orleans. In a short time my companions dispersed, and I commenced a 

 search for something that might tend to compensate me for the loss of my 

 drawings. 



On the 16th of March following, I had the gratification of receiving a 

 letter from Mr A. P. Bodley, of Natchez, informing me that my port- 

 folio had been found and deposited at the office of " the Mississippi Re- 

 publican," whence an order from me would liberate it. Through the 

 kindness of Mr Garnier, I received it on the 5th of April. So very ge- 

 nerous had been the finder of it, that when I carefully examined the 

 drawings in succession, I found them all present and uninjured, save one, 

 which had probably been kept by way of commission. 



