Page:Early western travels, 1748-1846 V13.djvu/313

 the base of the lofty hill, on which stands a block house of the late garrison.[231] A tavern, a store, and two or three other houses are here established for the convenience of the interior.

7th.] To-day we arrived at the settlement of bayou Sarah, a mile up which stream is situated the town of St. Francisville,[232] and passed a line of opulent plantations on the Louisiana bank of the river called Point Coupée.[233] From hence we begin to perceive the orange, though not very thriving. Sugar is also planted thus far, and appears to succeed. Mons. Poydras,[234] a bachelor 80 years of age, owns and employs in this settlement betwixt 4 and 500 negroes, which, together with property in New Orleans, amounts to an estate of several millions of dollars. His plantations at Point Coupée are principally