190 LITERARY CLERK. [CHAP. XXXI. 



lighted a signal fire, and I heard the puffing of a 

 steamer in the distance ascending the stream. She 

 soon neared us, and, on being hailed, answered, &quot; La 

 Belle Creole, bound for Bayou Sara.&quot; This port was 

 far short of my destination, and when we shouted 

 &quot; Natchez,&quot; the captain first asked if we had any wood 

 to sell, and on learning there was none, sailed away. 

 I returned to the house, and took another nap of 

 several hours, when I received a second summons from 

 my faithful sentinel. The scene was entirely changed ; 

 it was nearly day-break, and the fogs rising from the 

 marshes had begun to cover the river. I was in 

 despair, fearing that our signal fire would not be dis 

 cerned through the mist. Soon, however, we heard 

 the loud gasping of the two steam-pipes sounding 

 nearer and nearer, and a large steamer coming sud 

 denly close to the landing, was announced as &quot;the 

 Talma of Cincinnati.&quot; In a few minutes I was cross 

 ing the narrow plank which led from the steep bank to 

 the vessel, which was actually in motion as I walked 

 over it, so that I was glad to find myself safe on 

 deck. They told me I must register my name at the 

 office. The clerk asked me if I was the author of a 

 work on geology, and being answered in the affirma 

 tive, wished to know if I was acquainted with 

 Mr. Macaulay. On my saying yes, he took out a 

 late number of the Edinburgh Review, and begged 

 me to tell him whether the article on Addison was 

 written by my friend, for he had been discussing this 

 matter with a passenger that evening. When I had 

 confirmed this opinion he thanked me, expressing 

 much regret that he should not see me again, since I 



