Page:Early western travels, 1748-1846 (1907 Volume 4).djvu/352

 darkened by the woods through which they lead, that the adventurous traveller must inevitably lose himself.

On Thursday, 8th September, I proceeded with my two companions before the family were stirring, and we arrived at Mr. Duwal's on the Great Prairie, time enough to sit down with the family to breakfast. We afterwards stopped to bait at Mr. Carters, and then went on cross Thompson's creek to Mr. Perry's, where we found Messrs. Duncan and Gamble, lawyers from New Orleans, at dinner. Chairs were placed for us of course, and after partaking of Mr. Perry's hospitable {315} meal, I went on to doctor Flowers's—separating from my companions, who had each different friends to visit in that part of the country.

Next day, the 9th September, I went to Capt. Percy's to dinner, and spent the remainder of that day and night there, and on the 10th, after dining at Mr. O'Connor's I retraced my journey across the line into the Mississippi Territory, and passing through Pinckneyville, I entered Capt. Semple's plantation, and rode nearly two miles through it before I came to the house of the proprietor—passing in the way two different negro quarters, and the whole road resembling several I have known through the demesnes of the nobility in Europe, in its variety—through woods, lawns, pastures and cultivated fields, on the whole the most beautiful plantation to ride through of any I had hitherto seen in this western country.

I had to regret the absence of my hospitable host and hostess, who were on a visit at Mrs. Trumbull's, Mrs. Semple's mother. I was however well taken care of—and proceeding next morning, I deviated a little from the road to visit the camp. As I approached it I met several negroes returning home from a market which is kept there every Sunday morning. On my arrival I was much surprised with a village, differing from any I had ever before seen.