CHAP. XXL] MAN SHOT IN A BRAWL. 27 



that the forest has been continuous from the time 

 of the decomposition and* softening of the upper 

 portion of these rocks. But I may reply, that 

 similar effects are observable, even on a grander 

 scale, in recently excavated ravines seventy or eighty 

 feet deep, in some newly cleared parts of the tertiary 

 regions of Alabama, as in Clarke county for ex 

 ample, and also in some of the cretaceous strata of 

 loose gravel, sand, and clay, in the same State at 

 Tuscaloosa. These are at a much greater height 

 above the sea, and must, from the first, have been as 

 destructible as they are now. 



We returned to Macon by our former route, 

 through the pine woods, and when we stopped to 

 change horses, a lady, who was left for a time alone 

 in the coach with my wife, informed her, that a 

 young man who had been sitting opposite to them, 

 had, the day before, shot an Irishman in a tavern, 

 and was flying from justice. A few days later we 

 learnt that the wounded man had not died, but as it 

 was a Penitentiary offence, it was prudent for the 

 culprit to keep out of the way for a time. On hear 

 ing this, I asked one of my companions, how it was 

 possible, when such affairs were occurring, and the 

 police was so feeble, we could travel night and day, 

 and feel secure from personal violence. &quot; There is 

 no danger here,&quot; he said, &quot; of robbery, as in Europe, 

 for we have none who are poor, or rendered vicious 

 and desperate by want. No murders are committed 

 here except in personal quarrels, and are almost 

 always the act of restless and unquiet spirits, who 



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