LUMBERING IN THE PAE WEST. 69 



chill, and the unaccHmatised family in a few days are attacked 

 with ague. The lingering disease almost prostrates their whole 

 faculties. Fortunately the unhealthy season soon passes over, 

 and the hoar frosts make their appearance. Gradually each 

 individual recovers strength. The largest ash trees are felled, 

 their trunks are cut, split, and corded in front of the building ; 

 a large fire is lighted at night on the edge of the water, and 

 soon a steamer calls to purchase the wood, and thus add to their 

 comforts during the vnnter. This first fruit of their industry 

 imparts new courage to them ; their exertions multiply, and 

 when spring returns the place has a cheerful look. Venison, 

 bear's flesh, and turkeys, ducks and geese, with now and then 

 some fish, have served to keep up their strength, and now their 

 enlarged field is planted with corn, potatoes, and pumpkins. 

 Their stock of cattle too has augmented : the steamer which 

 now stops there, as if by preference, buys a calf or a 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, fioating past their dwelling, they 

 resolve to try the success of a little enterprise. A few cross 

 saws are purchased, and some broad- wheeled " carry logs " are 

 made by themselves. 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 

 dispose 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 labours 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 domestic comforts 

 of every kind. The daughters have been married to the sons 



