LETTERS FROM ALABAMA. 
35 
steamer is moored Ibeneath the slide, the bale is 
rolled to the top, and down it shoots with an im- 
petus that would send it across the deck far into 
the river, were not its impulse deadened by bales 
already on the deck ; and even thus, when a row 
of bales receives the communicated force, I have 
seen the outmost one shot into the water, on the 
same principle that a billiard-ball in motion will 
impinge upon one at rest, and send it spinning 
along while itself ceases to move. Here, then, w^as 
I landed an hour before dawn ; my trunks placed 
on the lowest step ; and away went the vessel to 
her destination further up the river. 
I was quite alone, knowing neither the place nor 
the inhabitants ; but I was told that I should find a 
path on the top of the cliff, which would lead me to 
the manager’s house, and that the estate of a gentle- 
man with whom I had some acquaintance lay 
about ten miles distant. I have said that I vras 
alone^ and it was quite dark ; but I groped my way 
for about a quarter of a mile through the lofty 
forest, and came upon a clearing like a farm-yard, 
in which were several houses close together. I 
made my way to the door of one (while a rascally 
cur kept up a most pertinacious barking), and 
knocked and shouted loudly to no purpose. I 
shouted again^ the echoes died away, and again all 
was still. I then tried another house, and w^as at 
length answered by the cracked voice of a negro 
woman within. I told my business, that I had 
landed from the steamer, and was on my way to 
Pleasant-hill, and requested her to get up. I had 
been informed that lodging and refreshments were 
to be obtained here. A few minutes passed, and 
no sign of getting up, when again I shouted, and 
D 2 
