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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/20186-h.zip b/20186-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..4ee8222 --- /dev/null +++ b/20186-h.zip diff --git a/20186-h/20186-h.htm b/20186-h/20186-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..33ffd56 --- /dev/null +++ b/20186-h/20186-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,3202 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Dismal Swamp and Lake Drummond. Early recollections. Vivid Portrayal of Amusing Scenes, by Robert Arnold. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p { margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + hr { width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: .8em; + text-align: right; + } /* page numbers */ + + .blockquot{margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 10%;} + + .center {text-align: center;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Dismal Swamp and Lake Drummond, Early +recollections, by Robert Arnold + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Dismal Swamp and Lake Drummond, Early recollections + Vivid portrayal of Amusing Scenes + +Author: Robert Arnold + +Release Date: December 26, 2006 [EBook #20186] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DISMAL SWAMP *** + + + + +Produced by Bryan Ness, Diane Monico, and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net. (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by the Library of Congress.) + + + + + + +</pre> + + + + + + +<h3>THE</h3> + +<h1>DISMAL SWAMP</h1> + +<h3>AND</h3> + +<h1>LAKE DRUMMOND.</h1> + +<hr style="width: 25%;" /> +<h2>EARLY RECOLLECTIONS.</h2> +<hr style="width: 25%;" /> + +<h2>VIVID PORTRAYAL OF AMUSING SCENES.<br /><br /></h2> + +<h3>BY</h3> + +<h2>ROBT. ARNOLD.<br /><br /></h2> + +<h4>SUFFOLK, VA.<br /><br /><br /></h4> + +<p class="center">NORFOLK, VA.<br /> +GREEN, BURKE & GREGORY, PRINTERS.<br /> +1888.</p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + + +<p class="center">Entered according to act of Congress in the year 1888, +by R. Arnold, in the office of the Librarian of Congress at +Washington. +</p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + +<h2>INTRODUCTION</h2> + + +<p>This little volume is launched upon the sea of public +favor. If it should stem the tide of criticism and reach a +haven, my object in the writing of it will be accomplished. +Being partially blind and physically unable to labor, I +have adopted this as a means by which I might gain an +honest assistance, a double object presented itself:</p> + +<p>1st. That I might give to its readers some idea of the +Dismal Swamp and Lake Drummond as they were and as +they now are.</p> + +<p>2d. That I may from the sale of my book receive an +amount that will place me beyond penury. The work will +contain some interesting incidents, and in many instances +will give the real names of persons now living who will +be acquainted with the subject of which I write. Having +said this much introductory of my book, I will now proceed +with my task.</p> + +<p>When I determined to indite the lines which compose +this volume, I had, as has been stated, a double purpose +in view. I thought I could not employ a portion of my +leisure hours more profitably, certainly not more pleasantly, +than by recounting some of the scenes, incidents +and associations which carries my mind back to the days +of "Auld Lang Syne." What more natural, then, than +that my thoughts should revert to the friend of my early +manhood—one who, by the uprightness of his character, +geniality of his disposition, the chivalric impulses of his +nature, deserves, as it is my greatest pleasure to accord, +the dedication of this little volume; and I have said all +when I mention the name of my esteemed friend Robert +Riddick, Esq., of Suffolk, Va.</p> + +<p class="center"> +Suffolk, Va., January 1, 1888. <span class="smcap">The Author</span>.<br /> +</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="TABLE_OF_CONTENTS" id="TABLE_OF_CONTENTS"></a>TABLE OF CONTENTS</h2> + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="toc"> +<tr><td align='left'>CHAPTER</td><td></td><td align='right'>PAGE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>I.</td><td align='left'>DESCRIPTION AND SITUATION OF THE SWAMP—WASHINGTON THE OWNER.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_5">5</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>II.</td><td align='left'>TO GROW UP AGAIN IN A JUNGLE.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_8">8</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>III.</td><td align='left'>HEALTHFULNESS AT THE SWAMP.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_10">10</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>IV.</td><td align='left'>ORIGIN OF THE LAKE DISCUSSED.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_16">16</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>V.</td><td align='left'>THE VISIT OF TOM. MOORE, AS RELATED BY TONY.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_20">20</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>VI.</td><td align='left'>PORTE CRAYON'S VISIT, INCIDENTS, ETC.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_22">22</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>VII.</td><td align='left'>MANY CHANGES HAVE TAKEN PLACE.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_30">30</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>VIII.</td><td align='left'> THE FUTURE FOR THE DISMAL SWAMP.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_35">35</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>IX.</td><td align='left'>SUFFOLK AND EARLY DAYS.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_45">45</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>X.</td><td align='left'>ENTERPRISE AND PROSPERITY.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_50">50</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>XI.</td><td align='left'>THE OLD BRICK CHURCH AT BENN'S—SUFFOLK'S FIRST RAILROAD, ETC.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_52">52</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>XII.</td><td align='left'>BEAR HUNTING IN THE DISMAL SWAMP—COLONEL GODFREY'S VISIT TO SOUTHAMPTON.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_56">56</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>XIII.</td><td align='left'> THE ADVENTURES OF SMITH, JONES AND BROWN—JONES, HEARING THAT A SNAKE IS IN THE BOAT, JUMPS INTO THE CANAL.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_76">76</a></td></tr> +</table></div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER I.</h2> + +<h3>DESCRIPTION AND SITUATION OF THE SWAMP—WASHINGTON THE OWNER.</h3> + + +<p>The Dismal Swamp, of which but little is known, +is a large body of dense woods, being situated and +laying in Nansemond county, Virginia, and the +county of Gates, in North Carolina. It contains, +by survey, about 100,000 acres. I have been told +by H. E. Smith, Esq., our county treasurer, that +45,000 acres were listed in the county of Nansemond. +It is thickly set with juniper, cypress and +other timber, which makes it very valuable. It +came into the possession of General George Washington, +and after the Revolutionary War a company +known as the Dismal Swamp Land Company was +formed, and arrangements made to manufacture +the timber; hands were put in the Swamp and it +was regularly opened. A large quantity of timber +was manufactured, and Washington found it necessary +to find some outlet for it, which could only be +done by a canal or ditch. A suitable place was +soon found, and Washington commenced in person +to survey the route known as the Washington +Ditch. He commenced at the northwest of the +Lake, on lands known as "Soldiers' Hope," belonging +to the estate of Col. Josiah Riddick, deceased, +and running west to what is called the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span> +"Reese Farm," on the Edenton road, about seven +miles from Suffolk. A large quantity of juniper +timber was brought through this ditch, which was +hauled to the Nansemond river for shipment. We +were told by one of the agents of the company, W. +S. Riddick, Esq., that at one time all the business of +the company was transacted at the "Reese Farm," +that being the point at which the Ditch ended. +This mode of getting the lumber to market was +found too slow and tedious, and a more direct way +sought. How long the Washington Ditch was used +for bringing out the timber, we have never heard. +That will make no difference, for after the Jericho +Canal was cut the Ditch was abandoned, and a direct +communication opened to Nansemond river by +the way of Shingle creek. Millions of feet of timber +was shipped annually. The shareholders at +that time were few in number, and their profits were +very large. The company consisted of a president, +agent and inspector, he living at or near Suffolk, +and had charge of the work in the Swamp. He +employed the hands, furnished all the supplies, +sold the lumber, received all monies, and paid all +bills. He was, in fact, the principal officer of the +company. At a stated period, annually, a meeting +would be held for a general settlement of the year's +accounts. The president would preside, and as +there were no banks at that time in which to deposit +money, the agent would have a very large +amount to turn over to the stockholders. That +place is no longer of much value to its owners, as it +is a source of but little revenue. The shares have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span> +been divided and sub-divided, until some of its +holders get barely enough to pay the postage on a +letter. Ex-Senator Wm. Mahone is probably the +largest shareholder. The Swamp has been leased +to Jno. L. Roper, Esq., of Norfolk, for several years, +during which he has had employed a large number +of hands, consequently most of the valuable timber +has been cut off. When this Swamp was first +opened, it became a harbor and safe refuge for runaway +slaves, and when one reached that dense place, +unless he was betrayed, it would be a matter of impossibility +to catch him. Long before the war you +could not take up a newspaper published in this +part of the State but what you would see several +cuts of a negro absconding with a stick on his +shoulder and a pack on one end of it, with the following +advertisement:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Notice! $500 Reward! Ran away from the +subscriber, on the night of June 18th, my negro +man, Simon. He had on, when last seen, a pair of +light pants, with a black patch on the seat of the +same. He is slue-footed, knock-kneed, and bends +over a little when walking. He may be making his +way to the Dismal Swamp. I will pay the above +reward for his apprehension, or his lodgment in +some jail, so that I can get him again.</p></div> + +<p class="center"> +"<span class="smcap">Joe Jones</span>."<br /> +</p> + +<p>I knew of an instance just before the late war +where a gentleman by the name of Augustus Holly, +Bertie county, N. C., had a slave to run away, who +was known to be a desperate character. He knew +that he had gone to the Dismal Swamp, and to get +him, his master offered a reward of $1,000 for his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span> +apprehension, dead or alive. The person who +caught him is still living. I saw the negro when +he was brought to Suffolk and lodged in jail. He +had been shot at several times, but was little hurt. +He had on a coat that was impervious to shot, it +being thickly wadded with turkey feathers. Small +shot were the only kind used to shoot runaway +slaves, and it was very seldom the case that any +ever penetrated far enough to injure. I know three +persons now living who were runaway slave catchers, +but the late war stripped them of their occupation. +They were courageous and men of nerve.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.</h2> + +<h3>TO GROW UP AGAIN IN A JUNGLE.</h3> + + +<p>But little work is now done in the Dismal Swamp, +and it will again soon become a howling wilderness, +a hiding place for the bears, wild-cats, snakes and +everything hideous. The bamboo and rattan will +rule supreme, and, like the banyan tree, will form +an impenetrable jungle. But a few years will be +required for its accomplishment, and without an axe +you could not move a foot.</p> + +<p>G. P. R. James, the British Consul, who was +stationed at Norfolk when he wrote his novel entitled +"The Old Dominion," and which was a history +of "Nat Turner's War," (as it is called) in +Southampton county, states that a young mother,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span> +with her infant, fled to the Dismal Swamp for +safety. Mr. James must have drawn heavily on his +imagination for a figure, to make the situation more +horrible. I do not think any mother with an infant +would flee to such a wild and desolate place as the +Dismal Swamp, but, on the contrary, would keep +far away.</p> + +<p>I could relate many interesting stories that I have +heard about the Swamp, but as I am writing from +my own observation, will discard all such from my +task. It is true that some very mysterious things +have been seen at various times. I will, digressing +a little from my story, relate one circumstance that +was told me by a gentlemen who lived in Suffolk +and was stopping at Lake Drummond Hotel, situated +near the lake shore, and which was visited at +that time by many persons from New York and +other places. This gentleman remarked to me that +he was standing near the Lake one morning, and +happening to look across the Lake, to his great +astonishment, saw come out of the woods, at a +point so thick with reeds, bamboo and rattan, that +you could not get three feet from the shore, a beautiful, +finely-dressed lady; she walked out on a log +about twenty feet into the Lake, with a fishing pole +in her hand. I saw her bait her hook and throw it +out into the Lake. He said he could also tell the +color of the ribbon on her bonnet. He watched +the same place every day for several days, and at +the same hour each day the lady appeared as +before. I told my friend that he must have been +laboring under an optical delusion at the time, as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span> +the Lake was five miles wide at that place, and that +it was impossible for one to distinguish objects at so +great a distance with the naked eye. He replied +that every part of the story was true.</p> + +<p>On another occasion, a gentleman, now living in +Suffolk, told me that he was out hunting in the +Swamp, and chancing to look to the front saw +snakes coming from every direction, and quite near +him he saw a lump of them that looked to be as +large as a barrel. He supposed that there must +have been as many as five hundred, all so interwoven +that they looked like a ball of snakes. He +said he was too close on them to shoot, so stepping +back, he fired both barrels of his gun at the bunch. +An untangling at once commenced, and he said, +"consarned if he ever saw so many snakes before." +Upon going to the place where he had shot, he +found 150 snakes dead, and as many more wounded. +He carried some of the largest of the dead out, +procured a ten-foot rod, and on measuring found +one that measured twenty-three feet. I have related +this snake story several times, but was always +very particular to know that the gentleman who +told me was at some other place.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.</h2> + +<h3>HEALTHFULNESS AT THE SWAMP.</h3> + + +<p>Although the Dismal Swamp is so uninviting, it +is one of the healthiest places in the United States.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> +Death from disease has never been known in that +place, and it is impossible to tell what age one would +attain if they would take up their abode in it. I +have been told that instances were known where +persons were found who were so old that they had +moss growing on their backs, and who could give +no idea of their age. I once knew a family by the +name of Draper, who lived in the Swamp near the +edge of the Lake. What became of them I do not +know; the spot where the house stood now forms a +part of the Lake. The constant washing of the +western shore causes rapid encroachments, and it is +only a question of time when it will reach the high +lands. It is in the Dismal Swamp that Lake Drummond +was discovered, by whom I do not know, but +is said to have been found by a man named Drummond, +whose name it bears; that will make no difference +with me, the question is, how came it there? +Was it a freak of nature, or was it caused by warring +of the elements, is a question for the consideration +of those who visit it? That it was the effect of +fire caused by lightning setting fire to the turf, or +some dead tree, there can be no doubt. At what +time in the Christian era this eventful period was, it +is not, nor never will be, known. Suffice it to say, +that it was found and is the wonder and admiration +of all that have ever visited it. It is a broad sheet +of water, covering an area of five by seven miles, +and is surrounded by a dense growth of woods, so +thick that you cannot see the Lake until you are +within a few feet of it. Many visitors have visited +it, all of whom were struck with astonishment at the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> +sight. It is ten miles southeast of Suffolk. I will +now relate some of the adventures of my first trip. +It was on a bright morning, early in the month of +May, 1832, that my father and I started for "Lake +Drummond," or the Lake of the "Dismal Swamp," +as some call it; and as all preparations had been +made the night before, there was nothing to prevent +us from making an early start. The idea of +my going to the Lake had driven sleep from my +eyes, and I was ready to start at any time; but it +was not until the grey dawn of day that my father +began to stir. He was soon ready, and providing +himself with fishing poles, bait, lunch, and such +other articles as were necessary for a two or three +days' fishing excursion, then taking our leave of my +mother and the other members of the family, we +were off. The Portsmouth and Roanoke railroad +(now the Seaboard and Roanoke railroad) was at +that time graded as far as Suffolk. We followed +the line of it as far as a place known as Peter Jones, +where we left it and passed through "Bull Field," +to the company's mill, which is but a short distance +from the basin of the Canal, at which place we were +to take a skiff for the Lake. On arriving at the +basin we found Mr. James Woodward, grandfather +of Hersey Woodward, Esq., of Suffolk, Va. +He was inspector of lumber for the "Dismal Swamp +Land Company," and was on his way to the Lake. +The drivers of the skiff, Tony Nelson and Jim +Brown, were ready, and it being now about sunrise, +Mr. Woodward and my father soon got their traps +aboard, then lifting me in, all was ready. The drivers<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> +adjusted their poles and away we went, all being +a novelty to me, who had never before been in a +boat on water. Everything appeared very strange, +being but a very small boy as I was. Nothing +happened to impede our progress, and in about five +hours from the time of starting we arrived at the +Lake. Then it was that our young soul began to +thrill with joy, for we were at the Lake and would +soon launch on its broad bosom. The gates of the +Lock were opened and the skiff shoved in, then +the first gate being closed behind us another gate +opened. The water rushed in and soon our boat +was on a level with the Lake. The drivers then +took up the oars and were ready to cross to Jack's +Landing, which was on the opposite side of the Lake. +It being very rough at the time, some fears were +expressed, but Mr. Woodward, who was well acquainted +with the situation, said that he did not +apprehend any danger, and the skiff was put in +motion. As I said before, it was very rough, and +when we had gotten about half-way across, it became +more so: the waves began to break over the +skiff and all thought that it would fill. Fortunately, +two large wooden shovels or scoops were found in +the skiff, and with them Mr. Woodward and my +father kept her free, "Tony" and "Jim," in the +meantime, plying their oars manfully. We soon +arrived at "Jack's Landing," and disembarking +proceeded to Jack's camp, which was but a short +distance away, and known to every person who +had ever visited the Lake. On our arrival the +pious Mr. Woodward offered up to the Great Ruler<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> +of wind and water a prayer for our safe deliverance +from a watery grave. As we had not partaken of +any nourishment since early morning, it was proposed +that we should eat something, which was +readily agreed to, and in a short time we had gotten +through that part of our work, whereupon my +father said he would try his luck fishing. So taking +a small boat, which he found at "Jack's Landing," +placing me in it and then getting in himself, he +started for some good place to commence. He +fished awhile at the "Forked Gum" without any +success; moved to the "Stooping Pine" with a like +result. He began to think that it was the wrong +moon, and leaving that place he paddled for the +"Three Cypresses," where he caught some very fine +fish. It was now getting late in the afternoon, and +as he expected to make an early start the next +morning, he thought it best to return to the camp, +heading his boat in that direction he soon reached +the landing: having but a short distance to walk, +we were not long in reaching it. Mr. Woodward +had gone out to inspect some lumber and it was +getting time for his return. We did not have long +to wait. He soon came in, and looking at my +father's "Fish Gourd," remarked: "Neddie, you +have had fine sport; where did you catch so many +such large Frenchmen?" "Friend Jimmy," my +father replied, "when I started my first experiment +was at the 'Forked Gum,' and I did not get a +nibble. I left it and stopped at the 'Stooping Pine' +with the same success. I began to think that I was +fishing on the wrong moon." "Oh! Neddie," <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span>rejoined +Mr. Woodward, "there is nothing in the +phases of the moon. You are not a good fisherman. +I can take you to the 'Forked Gum' and +'Stooping Pine' and astonish you." "After leaving +the 'Stooping Pine,'" continued my father, "I made +for the 'Three Cypresses,' and it was there that I +caught these fine perch." "Neddie," said Mr. +Woodward, "you are not such a bad fisherman +after all. Your success would do credit to the best." +My father proposed to Mr. W. that we should have +some of the fish cleaned and cooked for supper. +The necessary order being given, in a short time a +sufficient number were ready for the pan. A hot +fire was made of juniper logs, and frying of fish +commenced. In a short time we were told to get +our shingles ready, that being the only kind of plate +used in the "Dismal Swamp." And it is a well +known fact that fish eat sweeter off a shingle than +any plate on which it can be placed. The fish were +very fine and greatly enjoyed by all.</p> + +<p>Supper being disposed of, a general conversation +was indulged in about the Lake and Swamp, but +no one present could tell anything satisfactory about +the origin of the Lake. One idea was announced +and then another, throwing but little light upon the +subject. "Tony" and "Jim," the drivers of the +skiff, were sitting near the embers nodding, when +Mr. Woodward, to have a little fun, said: "Tony, +what is your opinion of the origin of the Lake?"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + +<h3>ORIGIN OF THE LAKE DISCUSSED.</h3> + + +<p>Old Uncle "Tony" made a rake in the embers +with his pipe and said: "Yas, sar; my 'pinion 'bout +dat place, boss, am dat it was dug out." Here Uncle +Jim broke in. "What de matter wid you, Tony? +How many niggers do you 'spose 'twould take tu +dig a hole big nuff tu hole all dat water?" "Dats +a fac, Jim," cried Uncle Tony, "I forgot 'bout de +water."</p> + +<p>"Well, Jim," queried Mr. Woodward, "how do +you account for it?" "Marse James," Uncle Jim +sagely replied, "it 'pears to me dat somebody got +under de groun' and dig de dirt out and de water +mashed it down."</p> + +<p>"Jim," exclaimed Tony, "you am de biggist fool +dat I ebber seed. How's anybody gwine tu git +under de groun' to dig. Whar's dey gwine tu put de +dirt, and whar is de water to cum fum to mash it +down?" Yah, yah, yah. "Go 'way nigger, I 'spec +you bin mole huntin'." "Dat am fac', Tony, I +didn't tink 'bout dat," said Uncle Jim, with an apologetic +and crestfallen air. Here Tony gave his +pipe another rake in the embers, took a few puffs, +and fell off his log fast asleep.</p> + +<p>It was now getting late, and preparations were +being made to put me to bed, which was done by +placing some hay on the floor of the camp and +spreading some bed clothing which we had brought<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> +along. The bed was soon ready, and I was snugly +placed upon it, although I could not go to sleep, +knowing that we were to go out early in the morning +to see the sun rise on the Lake. I was called +at the first dawn of day and told to get up: we soon +had eaten our breakfast and everything made ready +to leave for the Lake. We soon reached the landing, +finding our boat ready. My father placed me +in and getting in himself took up his paddle and +shoved off for a position in the Lake where we +might see the great Orb of Day bathe his face in +the cloudy water of "Lake Drummond." We did +not have to wait long. By the glow of light that +began to show just under the eastern horizon, we +were satisfied that our anticipations would soon be +realized.</p> + +<p>The morning was misty, just enough so as to hide +the dense woods which stood on the eastern shore +of the Lake, and at the same time served as a back +ground to the grand display of nature, and make it +appear as if the sun actually came up out of the +water as it were. The mist in front was dispelled, +and the rays of sun playing on the rippling water +would cause you to think that it was one vast cluster +of diamonds. The sight was grand beyond my +power to describe it, and I never expect to behold +such a scene again. Everything was lovely on that +May morning—the balmy breeze, the air filled +with perfume of the wild flowers, which grew around +the Lake: birds carrolled forth sweet music as they +flitted from limb to limb; squirrels could be seen +and heard chattering among the trees. The shore<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> +of the Lake was spread with a velvety green, and +you would think that nature had done her best to +make that morning lovely. Meditating on the +beauty and grandeur that surrounded us on the +broad bosom of the Lake, suddenly we were awakened +from our reverie by the hoarse growl and lapping +of the bears, and horrid cries of the wild cats, +which would cause the blood to curdle in the veins. +Thus with the sweet some sour always will be +found. Occasionally, at the Lake, a noble stag +will emerge from the trees, showing a stately head of +horns, approach to the water and survey the prospect, +then plunge in the Lake to swim to the other +shore. He settles very low, and if you did not +know you would take it for a floating bush. They +are frequently caught when attempting to cross the +Lake. Having reached a good place for fishing, +my father stopped at the place known as the "Apple +Trees," where he caught some very pretty fish. +His bait getting scarce, he moved around the Lake +to "Draper's Landing." Running the bow of the +canoe upon the wharf log, which was nearly on a +level with the water, left her, without tying, to look +for some angle worms. It being rough on the Lake +at the time, the rolling of the waves caused the boat +to work off, and before he could return she had +drifted well out on the broad waters of the Lake. +We were too small to realize our situation. Not +knowing how to paddle, we were left to the mercy +of the waves. On the return of my father, seeing +the great peril I was in, required but a single +thought for him to know what to do. Being a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> +good swimmer he boldly plunged into the water, +reached the boat and swimming towed it to the shore. +Had he not returned in time, our fate could not have +been told. We would have been capsized in the +Lake and drowned, or have drifted ashore to be devoured +by bears and other wild animals, or stung +to death by the venomous reptiles that hung in +clusters on trees around the shores of the Lake. +This accident put an end to fishing for that day. +My father was wet, and not having a change of +clothing with him, proceeded to the camp, so that +he could dry. We soon arrived at Jack's Landing, +and on reaching the camp found Mr. Woodward, +who remarked: "What is the matter, Neddie? +Did a big fish pull you overboard?" He saw that +my father was wet, and ordered a fire to be made, +so that he could dry his clothes. A hot fire was +soon made of juniper logs, and he was not long in +drying.</p> + +<p>Feeling no inconvenience from his ablution, and +drinking a cup of hot coffee, he related the circumstances +as detailed above. "Well, Neddie;" said +Mr. W., "you should at once return thanks to the +Giver of all Good for this miraculous escape." The +pious Mr. Woodward joined with him. It was now +nearly dark, and preparations were made to have +supper. When at the Lake it is expected that you +will catch fish enough upon which to subsist, and +my father being a good hand at angling, always had +a good supply, and no one on the trip wanted for +fish. The supper, which consisted of fish, bread and +hot coffee, was soon ready. About this time Tony<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span> +and Jim, who had been loading their skiff at the +landing, returned to the camp, and taking their seats +at the ends of some juniper logs, were soon fast +asleep. We ate our supper and were then ready +for any kind of story that was told.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.</h2> + +<h3>THE VISIT OF TOM. MOORE, AS RELATED BY TONY.</h3> + + +<p>As Uncle Tony was, perhaps, the oldest person, +and knew more about the Lake than any person +then engaged at it, he was awakened, and Mr. Woodward +said: "Uncle Tony, I want you to tell us about +the man whom you said you brought to the Lake +in 1821." "Who tole you 'bout dat boss?" inquired +Uncle Tony, with an air of conscious pride. "It will +make no difference, go on and tell us," returned +Mr. Woodward. Tony scratched his head, then +putting some tobacco in his pipe, took out his flint +and steel (matches not being known in the swamp +at that day,) and soon had fire enough to light his +pipe. Drawing on it enough to get his "nigger +head" tobacco to burn, and fixing himself on the +end of his log, he commenced: "Boss, I shall nebber +forgit dat time. One mornin' as I war gittin' +my skiff ready to go to de Lake, a mity nice lookin' +man cum up to me an' said: 'Buck, ar' you de man +dat will carry me to de Lake ob de Dismal Swamp, +for which I will pay you one pound?' De gemman +talked so putty, dat I tole him to git in my skiff, an'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> +I wud carry him to de Lake. I notice' dat he kep' +writin' all de way. When I got to de horse camps +I stopped to get somfin to eat. He cum outen de +skiff an' ax me what I stop for. I tole him I stop +to eat some meat an' bread. He ax me if I wud +hav' a drink. I tuk off my hat an' tole him dat I +wud be much obleged to him for it. He foched a +silber jug, wid a silber cup for a stopper, and said: +'My man, dis is Irish whiskey. I brung it all de +way from home.' He tole me dat his name was +Thomas Moore, an' dat he cum fom 'way ober yonder—I +dun forgot de name of de place—an' was +gwine to de Lake to write 'bout a spirit dat is seed +dar paddlin' a kunnue. De har 'gin tu rise on my +hed an' I ax him ef dat was a fac'. He sed dat he +was told so in Norfolk. It was gin out dar dat a +mity putty gal had loss her sweethart, an' had dun +gone crazy, an' had gone to de Lake ob de Dismal +Swamp an' drown herself, an' dat she ken be seen +ebery night by de lite ob some sort ob fli." "I tell +you, boss," continued the old man, "when he tole +me 'bout dat gal paddlin' dat bote on de Lake at +nite, I diden' want to go any furder wid him, but he +tole me dar wud be no danger. I cud not see +hur, so I carrid him on to de Lake. He rit like de +gal had run away an' had been drowned rite here. +I shal nebber forget dat gentman. I fotch him +back an' he gin me de poun', which war five dollars, +an' he lef' for Norfolk, bein' mitey glad dat I had +carrid him to de Lake."</p> + +<p>"Tony, did he tell you anything about his trip?" +inquired Mr. Woodward.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span></p><p>"Yas, sar," replied the old man. "He tole me +dat he had trabbled an' seen sites, but dat he nebber +was so 'stonish befo'; he did not spec' to see +at de end ob de kunel such a putty place; an' dat I +wud hear som time what he was gwine tu say 'bout +it." "That was Tom Moore, the Irish poet," said +Mr. W. "De who?" interrupted Tony. "He came +to this country," continued Mr. W. "to visit the +Lake, as being one of the wonders of nature, and +you were fortunate in having to wait on such a distinguished +person."</p> + +<p>Tom Moore, after he had arrived in this country, +no doubt heard of the Lake of the Dismal Swamp, +and when he reached Norfolk, Va., and the story of +the fair maiden and her lover being fresh, might +have induced him to visit it, and it was on that occasion +that he penned the following lines:</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">"They made her a grave that was too cold and damp,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">For a soul so warm and true."</span><br /> +</p> + +<p>His poem on the "Lake of the Dismal Swamp," +no doubt, is familiar with every person of ordinary +information, and can be found in every library, and +should be read by every person who has never done +so.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2> + +<h3>PORTE CRAYON'S VISIT, INCIDENTS, ETC.</h3> + + +<p>At a much later date the Lake was visited by +Porte Crayon, who was at that time writing for Harper's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> +Monthly. The account given of his trip, with +his illustrations, are very life-like and interesting, +and in the February or March number of that +valuable book, for the year 1857, you will be +greatly amused at the description there given. Two +darkies, Eli Chalk and Jim Pearce, were the drivers +of the pleasure boat furnished by W. S. Riddick, +Esq., the then agent of the Dismal Swamp +Land Company, in which he was carried to the +Lake. He was there some two or three days, and +his writings should be read to be appreciated. It +was at the Lake that we saw Uncle "Alek," of +whom a fac-simile likeness is given in the book +above referred to. Uncle "Alek" was a superanuated +old colored man, belonging to the Reverend +Jacob Keeling, Rector of the Episcopal Churches in +Nansemond county, Virginia. He was quite old, +and retained his memory to a remarkable degree. +He was called the "Bee Hunter" of the Dismal +Swamp, and, if I am not mistaken, had a bag of bees +in his hand when Porte first met him. He would +follow bees for a long distance, cutting his way +through the reeds for miles in a straight line, until +he came to the tree in which was the hollow. +Then he would take out the bees, put them into a +bag and bring them out. In going to the Lake you +could see numberless paths cut by Uncle Alek for +that purpose. The opening through the reeds +would look to be about two feet wide and ten feet +high, which was almost the length of the reeds. +Uncle Alek worked in the swamp nearly all his +life, was a faithful hand, and in his old age the company<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> +gave him a house and a piece of land, as a +home during his natural life. A mule was also given +to him by the company, which mule I had the honor +of riding at a tournament at Suffolk, Va., in 1860. +How old he was no one could tell at that time. +No account is given of any mules being in the Ark +at the time that she settled on dry land, and where +that mule came from will never be known. It is +very certain that he appeared on this mundane +sphere at some period after the flood. If he is +dead I have heard nothing of it. He may be wandering +about the Dismal Swamp. Old Uncle Alek +and his mule were great curiosities, and whenever +he came to town on his mule they attracted a great +deal of attention. He was an exhorter in the Methodist +Churches for colored people, and always had +in his pocket a Testament or hymn book. He was +perfectly conversant with the Bible, and could refer +readily to any passage of Scripture that you might +mention. He was born in 1783, and died a few +years ago, having attained the age of one hundred +years, his mind being as vivid and active as at any +time. We shall never forget Uncle Alek and his +mule. They were things of our earliest recollection, +and, like many of the landmarks at the "Lake of +the Dismal Swamp," have been washed away. I +have been to it frequently since my first visit, and +would notice the changes made by the rude hand +of time.</p> + +<p>I have examined several writers that have written +about "Uncle Alek's Mule," and am satisfied that +it was the same one that "Nat Turner" rode when<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span> +on his raid of murder in Southampton county, Va., +in 1831. Looking over the diary of Colonel Godfrey +for thirty years, we notice that he said "Nat +Turner," when he appeared in the avenue of Dr. +Blount, on that fatal night, he rode at the head of +the column, mounted on a sorrel mule, with flax +mane and tail. But the question arises, how that +mule got into the Dismal Swamp, and how he came +in possession of the Dismal Swamp Land Company. +Col. Godfrey states that there were several +guns in the house of Dr. Blount, and several visitors +there at the time; that the young Blount +loaded the guns, and that a strong fire was kept up +on the advancing column. Nat Turner was thrown +from his mule, then they became panic-stricken, and +were dispersed. For the bravery displayed by +young Blount on that occasion, he received a midshipman's +warrant in the United States Navy. I +will now quote from G. P. R. James' book, called +the "Old Dominion," in which he states that a +"young mother with her infant fled to the Dismal +Swamp for safety." It was several miles away, +and it may be that she drove that same mule, and +the probability is that she left the mule in the +Swamp, and that he wandered about until he found +Jack's Camp, where he was secured and became +the property of the Dismal Swamp Land Company. +How long the company worked him before +he became the property of Uncle Alek, I do not +know, but am satisfied that it was several years, +and that his wind was injured by overloading. I +have the testimony of a gentleman well-known in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> +Suffolk, now living, who stated that he saw a cymling +vine at jack's Camp which was of spontaneous +growth, and which covered more juniper trees than +he could count, and from that vine there was +gathered two hundred and fifty cart loads of cymlings. +It may be that the hauling away of these +cymlings so injured the mule that he was no longer +of service to the company. There is no doubt he +was turned over to Uncle Alek, which must have +been during the year 1832. I was in the Swamp +during that year and saw the cymling vine above +alluded to, and no one could tell how it came to +grow there. It will be impossible for me to tell how +old Uncle Alek's mule was or what became of him. +I have never heard that he died or was killed. He +was no doubt the most remarkable mule that ever +lived. The last that I heard from him was related +by Uncle Alek himself, and which was no doubt +true. I will relate as near as I can what the old +man told me. He came to Suffolk one day and I +noticed that he was very much excited. I said to +him: "Uncle Alek, what has happened to you?" +He answered: "Marse Robert I neber was in sich +a fix befo' in all my life. I hav' fit bars, rattlesnakes, +wild cats and bees, but I tell you sumfin' has happened +to me to-day dat neber bin known to befall +any one." "What was that Uncle Alek?" I inquired. +"I'm terribly upsot, and I dunno what to +do. I shall hab to mov' 'way frum my place; a +whirlwind struc' my well dis mornin' an' has twisted +it so dat I can't git de bucket down in de well, an' +I can't git no water, an' what is wuss den all, my<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> +mule has bin translated. He wus a good mule, and +his loss ruins me." I saw Uncle Alek some time +after that, when he told me that he was out in the +Swamp hunting bees, when lo and behold! he +heard his mule bray. He cast his eyes up and saw +him lodged in the forks of a large tree. There was +no way by which he could get him down, and left +him as he thought to die. But his surprise can be +imagined when he heard nuzzling at the door one +morning, when, upon opening, what should he see +but his mule. How he came down he could not +tell, but said he should always believe that his mule +could climb a tree. I said it must have been a +Providential interference, and that the same Power +which landed him in the tree was able to lift him +out. "Dat is so," said the old man, "an' I will +nebber agin' complain at de ways ob an Over-Rulin' +Providence." I often think of Col. Godfrey +and his remark, when he said that what best conduces +to the happiness of mankind is right. Uncle Alek, +knowing that his mule was at home with his head +well in the crib, and he in the Swamp fighting bears +and bees, was perfectly happy. Uncle Alek and +his mule are both now dead, and I shall always have +a lively recollection of them. I often think of them, +and that I rode Uncle Alek's mule as Knight of the +Dismal Swamp at a tournament, won the first honor, +and was ruled out on account of my mule not making +time, much to the mortification of Uncle Alek. As +Uncle Alek and his mule will appear again, I will +leave them for the present and relate an interesting +conversation with Mr. Richard Hosier, who now<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> +lives in Suffolk, and who is as well acquainted with +the Dismal Swamp as any one now living. He is +perfectly familiar with every part of it, and is, no +doubt, correct in many of his statements. He informed +me that long before the Lake was discovered +by Drummond, two gentlemen from Elizabeth City, +N. C., left for the Dismal Swamp on a hunting expedition, +and having lost their way, wandered about +until they came to what they discovered to be a +large body of water. From it they traveled a due +west course and came out at a farm on the Desert +road, known as Mossy Swamp, and one of the men +was taken sick and died; the other one returned to +Elizabeth City. Mr. Hosier did not state when this +was, but said it was long before Drummond made +known that he had discovered a lake in the Dismal +Swamp. It will be remembered that Mr. Hosier +was arrested in Norfolk in 1863 by order of the +Federal general then commanding that department, +and was being carried toward the Indian Pole +Bridge to be put to work on the defences of Norfolk. +He was not disposed to do work in that way, +and when well out from Norfolk he eluded the guard +that had him, and directed his steps toward the +Southern Branch of the Elizabeth river. On his +arrival, seeing boats passing up and down, he secreted +himself until the darkness of night had fallen, +then making a bundle of his clothes and placing it +on his head, he entered the river and swam to the +other shore. He then pursued his way to the Deep +Creek Canal, which he forded. Arriving at the +"Feeder," he was not far from the Lake, and was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> +at a place with which he was well acquainted, and +out of the reach of all danger of being recaptured. +Resting himself a while, he then started for the +Lake, and it was at that place he performed his +great feat. He could not procure a boat, and the +prospect before him was gloomy indeed. If he remained +there he would, in all probability, have been +devoured by bears and other wild animals in the +Swamp, or perhaps, starve. Not being in the least +daunted, he prepared himself to reach the western +shore, which could only be done by swimming. It +was seven miles across, but he nerved himself to the +accomplishment of his object. He prepared himself +as before by making a bundle of his clothes, +which he placed on the top of his head, and was +then ready to swim across or perish in the attempt. +When he was about half-way across he was attacked +by a large serpent, and had it not been for a +school of gars that was following him, he would no +doubt have been devoured. He reached the shore +only to meet a more formidable enemy. It was a +large black bear. In his scuffle with the serpent he +had lost his bundle of clothes and had nothing but +a large knife, which was buckled around his waist. +Drawing his knife, he rushed forward and was met +by the bear, when a regular hand-to-hand fight was +commenced. He did not wrestle long before he +found an opportunity to use his knife, and plunging +it up to the hilt, he soon had the bear lying prostrate +at his feet. Having lost all his clothes, it became +necessary that he should do something in his +nude state. The bear's skin was the only thing that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> +he could get, so with his knife he skinned him, and +getting inside the skin, he started to find some settlement. +But his condition was as bad as before. +The idea of his being able to get near enough to +any person to tell of his condition was absurd. The +very sight of him would scare every man, woman +and child off the plantation. He could not get a +living soul to come to him, and it was not until he +had reached his own home, some few miles from +Suffolk, that he could present himself as Mr. Hosier. +I could write many very interesting incidents connected +with the life of Mr. Hosier, which, in many +instances, are thrilling. But as we are writing our +own recollections, I shall only notice in a few cases +what I have been told by others.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2> + +<h3>MANY CHANGES HAVE TAKEN PLACE.</h3> + + +<p>It is pleasant to me that I can take a retrospective +view of the past and note the many changes +that have taken place within my recollection. Many +sad changes have taken place within the past fifty +years. Dynasties have arisen, lived and have had +their day; they have fallen, and are known as +things that were. But four of the companions of +my school-boy days are living, and it is only now +and then that we meet with one. The Rev. R. H. +Jones, of Norfolk, is the only one that we have seen<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> +or known away from Suffolk. The honored landmarks +of the town are few, and soon must be less. +Benjamin Riddick, the present mayor of the town, +is perhaps the oldest citizen in it. Judge P. B. +Prentice, the polished gentleman—his manly form +can be seen on our streets, as he, with intrepid steps, +passes along; he is the oldest native citizen and +possesses a mind as active and vigorous as when +young. John Hoffman, Esq., is another of the landmarks +of the town. He has lived nearly his four-score +years. Whitmill Jones, Esq., is another of +our old friends. His steps are feeble and trembling. +The last of the old pioneers of Suffolk whom +we shall notice is James B. Norfleet, Esq. He is +perhaps more generally known than any man who +has ever lived in the place. He conducted for many +years a very extensive mercantile and lumber business, +but fell a victim to his generous impulses. +The cypress that was known as the "apple tree," +which stood in the Lake a short distance to the left +of the "Lock," has been blown down or washed up +with its roots, and in a short time nothing will be +seen of it. The house which stood not very far +from the western shore of the Lake and occupied +by a family known as Draper, has been washed +away and nothing left to show that a human habitation +ever had any existence there. Before the +late war a pleasure boat was kept by the company +for the accommodation of parties that wished to +visit the Lake, and it was customary for several +parties to go in early Spring, commencing about +the first of May, that being the most pleasant time<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> +and nature about to put on her coat of green. But +few parties now venture in, owing to the inconvenience +that attend, and when they do go they have +to get in the best way they can. The pleasure boat +and other boats in the canal were cut up by order +of General Peck, commanding the United States +forces at Suffolk, Va., and carried to the Black +water river to be used as pontoons across that +stream. But I doubt if they were ever used for +that purpose. After the surrender so great was the +demand for boats by strangers that wished to visit +the Lake of the Dismal Swamp that Capt. Busby, an +energetic citizen of Nansemond county, Virginia, +had erected near the Lake a hotel known as the +Lake Drummond Hotel, and to invite visitors he had +built a beautiful gondola, which was run daily to +the Lake during the season. That old trojan, Capt. +Jack Robinson, being in charge of the hotel, caused +it to be well filled. It was very frequently the case +that parties would come from Norfolk to go on from +Suffolk, they having heard that the gondola left her +wharf every day for the Lake. I recollect a party +of three young gentlemen that came from Norfolk +who wished to visit Lake Drummond. They +stopped at the Exchange Hotel and made known +the fact. The polite manager, Eddie S. Riddick, +Esq., soon saw Capt. Busby, and his gondola was +chartered to carry the party to the Lake. Mr. Riddick +made every preparation necessary for them, +but one of the parties heard that an alligator was +on exhibition near the hotel, and thinking that it +was brought from the Lake, at once provided himself<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> +with a rifle and a large quantity of fixed ammunition. +All were then ready and they left for +the canal, where they would take the gondola. She +was then at her wharf, and everything being placed +in, Capt. Busby took his stand at the wheel and +gave orders to the first mate to have the gondola +cast loose, which was at once obeyed, and, like a +swan, she was gliding on in the canal at the fearful +rate of about two miles an hour. To prevent any +confusion if attacked, one of the most daring young +men of the party, being one of the three from Norfolk, +Va., placed himself in the bow of the gondola +with rifle in hand and a box of ammunition conveniently +nigh, awaiting an attack from any quarter. +When passing what is known as "Paradise Old +Field," one of the party cried alligator! The young +man at the bow at once opened fire, and it was not +until he had shot away a whole box of ammunition +that he discovered the supposed alligator to be +nothing more dangerous than a floating log. Quiet +having been restored the captain struck two bells, +and the gondola was on her way again, but unfortunately +had not proceeded many miles when a +snake fell in off an overhanging limb of a tree, and +so near one of the young men that it caused him to +jump over into the canal. The mate ordered one +of the deck hands to throw the snake out, whilst +others were fishing out the young man who had +jumped overboard. Captain Busby, fearing that +some other accident might happen before reaching +the hotel, thought it best that passengers should +occupy their state-rooms until a landing was made<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> +at the hotel. He said with so much confusion it +would be impossible for him to land his gondola +safely. Captain Jack, of the hotel, was watching +the movements of Captain Busby, and complimented +him for his dexterity. He walked down from the +hotel and escorted the guests up who had just arrived. +The hotel is of the Irish style of architecture, +with parlor, kitchen, dining and bedroom all +in the same room, the whole being heated by a hot +air furnace. I have not been to the Lake for some +time, but hear that great improvements have been +made, and it is the object of the proprietor of the +hotel to turn the attention of Northern visitors to +Florida every Winter in that direction, believing +that it is the healthiest place in the United States. +It is very accessible—the Norfolk and Western railroad +passing through its northern boundary, and +the Suffolk and Carolina Short Line or Grand +Trunk railroad on its western, which by running a +railroad from Skinnerville, on the Grand Trunk, +would bring the Lake Hotel within a few minutes' +ride from Suffolk, and with little or no inconvenience +to invalids coming from the rigid climate +of the North. I am told that all snakes remain in a +torpid state during the winter, and no danger +might be expected from them, and as the floors of +the hotel would be kept tight no vermin could +crawl through. There can be no doubt that the +Lake of the Dismal Swamp must become the great +centre of health-seekers, and that at an early day. +Its location and advantages, the known healthliness +of the place, to say nothing of its beauty and former<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> +renown, is sufficient to attract the attention of persons +that seek the Sunny South from the cold and +rigorous climate of the extreme Northern States of +the Union. It is true that some writers pronounce +the warm and genial climate of the Sunny South to +be a fraud, practiced to allure the unsuspecting. +That cannot be so. It is universally known that +the Dismal Swamp is the healthiest place in the +known world. Where can you find a location in +which a death has not occurred in a hundred years? +It cannot be named.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> + +<h3>THE FUTURE FOR THE DISMAL SWAMP.</h3> + + +<p>The Dismal Swamp in Virginia is the only place +where a death from disease has never occurred. +Railroads, like hog paths, are being run in every +direction, and the time is not far distant when a +railroad will be run direct to the beautiful Lake of +the Dismal Swamp, and Northern invalids will flock +to its beautiful shores, there to bathe in its juniper +water and be healed from all diseases. True, at +this time it is in a rude and wild condition, but with +the Suffolk and Carolina Grand Trunk Railroad +stretching across its western front, civilization must +tend toward it, and when a communication direct is +opened a city, Cincinnatus like, will spring along its +shores, and its inhabitants can, by the light of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> +glow worm of fire fly, watch the paddling of the +white canoe, so beautifully described by Moore in +his poem. Another very interesting place near the +Swamp is a farm which at one time belonged to +General Washington. It is at the extreme south, +and is now owned by Mrs. John Trotman, and she +has in her possession the original title deeds of +every person who has owned the place at various +times, from Washington down to the last purchaser, +who was Burrell Brothers, Esq., of Gates county, N. +C., and an uncle of the above-named lady. At his +death it fell to his widow, who gave it to Mrs. John +Trotman, its present owner. I have visited the +place several times, and the cellars can now be seen +where stood the first house. It is very certain that +it was settled many years ago, from the fact that I +saw a tombstone of a doctor from Waterbury, Connecticut, +who died there in 1800. This stone has +been seen by many persons. There is another +place of some note that adjoins the Washington +farm, it is known as Hamburgs. At this place a +ditch or canal was dug, running east to the northwest +Lock of the Dismal Swamp Canal, through +which a vast quantity of grain and other produce +raised by the farmers of Gates county, was shipped +to Norfolk. An extensive mercantile business was +carried on at Hamburg by Col. T. W. Smith, so +well known, who afterwards removed to and now +resides in Suffolk, Va. It was at Hamburg that so +many refugees ran the blockade during the late war +from Norfolk and other places, and a number of incidents +could be related of persons that sought that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> +place to get in and out of the Confederate lines. +Hamburg is a beautiful place and is owned by Mrs. +S. C. Voight, who resides upon the premises. It +was at this place that Beast Butler, of the Federal +Army, carried on a very extensive barter trade with +the Rebs. It adjoins the Washington farm, as I +said before, and may have been at one time a part +of it. I knew nothing of the first settlement of the +place. It has the appearance of being very ancient—no +doubt dates back many years before the Revolution, +or it may have been the headquarters of a +roving tribe of Indians, as many arrow points and +tomahawks have been ploughed up on the place. +To my friend, T. H. Lassiter, Esq., of Gates county, +North Carolina, I am indebted for much of the information +gained of that locality, and I could relate +a good deal told me by that gentleman which might +be very interesting. Mr. Lassiter lives at a beautiful +farm, on the main Edenton road, near the Silver +Spring, a place of great resort for persons living in +that part of the county.</p> + +<p>I will relate a very interesting conversation which +I had with a very old colored man that I met in the +road near the Orapeake Mill, in Gates county, +North Carolina, when on my way to Suffolk, Va., +and not far from the beautiful village of Jonesville, +lying on both sides of the Suffolk and Carolina +Short Line or Grand Trunk Railroad. I said to +the old man, "Uncle, where do you live?" "Boss, +you ax me a hard question," replied the old man. +"Git off your hoss an sot down, I'm gwine tell you +sumfin. Do you smoke de pipe, boss?" I replied<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> +that I did, and handed him my bag of tobacco. He +took from his pocket what I supposed he called a +pipe. It was the butt end of a corn cob hollowed +out, with something protruding at a right angle, +which he called a stem. What it really was, I could +not tell. He filled it with tobacco. I then handed +him a match, when thanking me very kindly, he +lighted his pipe, drawing it a few times to see that +it was well lighted, said: "Boss, I will now tol you +sumfin dat happen many years ago. Do you see +dat mill pon' yonder?" alluding to the Orapeake. I +replied that I did. "Well, boss, dat pon' was de +cause of my trouble. One dark nite I was in dar +strikin' at fish. I had just hit a large chub, when a +white man, who was in dar strikin', cum up and sed: +'Boy, dat is my fish.' I tole him dat I kilt de fish, +an dat it was mine. 'Bout dat time he was gwine to +take de fish, an den I took up my hatchet dat I had +in de bote, whar I split liteard wid and hit him on +de head. He drapped down in de bote, and I seed +dat I had done sumfin bad. De man was dead, and +I wood be hung if dey cotched me. So I drug de +man ober de side of de bote into the water, and +mashed him down in the mud, an dat man never +cum up any more. I didn't go home any more. +An arter a while de white man was missin', an de +peple gin to talk, an I gin to git skared. Do you +see dat house up dar?" I said I did. "Well, +Marse Luke Sumner libbed dar. De big house +dat he libbed in is done torn down, and de small +one made outen it. He is done ded now, and +when he libbed dar is mor'n a hundred years ago.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> +His gran-son, Marse Joe Riddick, now own de +place and libs at it. He mus be ni eighty year old. +Well, dey fine de white man was done missin, an it +bin dat I was strikin' fish in de mill pon' de same +nite, dey 'gin to look for me, an my daddy tole me +dat I had better go into the desart, which was de +Dismal Swamp. I took his 'vice and lef. De runaway +ketchers cum in dar to look for me, but didn't +get me. I staid dar 'til de war was ober. I cum +out and hab been lookin' 'bout dis place to see if I +node anybody, but dey all gone ded, an nobody +nose me. I tell you, boss, when you git in de +desart ef nobody ses nuffin, de runaway ketchers +can't kotch you. I am berry ole now, and my +home folks are all ded an gone an I no nobody. +De ghost ob de white man dat I kilt hants me all +de time, wharebber I go, an I is a misable man. I +am now on my way to de desart to hide myself an +die." I asked him who he belonged to at the time +he committed the murder. Replying, he said: +"I longed to Capt. Richard Brothers, in de desert." +"Well," I said, "did he ever know what became of +you?" "I nebber heard any more from him arter +I got in the desart. I heard dat he dide in 1817 ob +de cole plague, or black tongue." "You are correct +in what you have said, uncle," I replied. "I do not +wish to interview you any longer on that subject. +He was my grandfather and lived at the place mentioned +by you. I hear the old people speak of the +circumstances. You were his carriage driver at the +time, and your name is 'Long Davy.'" "Yas, sar, +dat is my name, but don't tell anybody 'bout it. I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> +had a brudder libbing in de low parrish of Nansemond +county, but he is ded. His name was +George." I said, "Uncle Davy, you are correct. +On one occasion, being at Driver's Store, in lower +parrish of Nansemond, I saw a tall and very polite +colored man drive up. I was struck with his appearance, +and asking him his name, he said George +W. Coston, sir. Then you are from Sunsbury, +Gates county, North Carolina." "I was from that +place," he replied, "but have been living in the +lower parish since the breaking out of the war." +"Were you a slave or free-born," I inquired. "I +was a slave," he responded. "Who was your first +owner that you recollect." "Capt. Richard Brothers, +on the desart road, Nansemond county, Va., +who died with the cold plague in 1817," he readily +answered. He appeared to be very much pleased +when I told him that his first master was my grandfather. +He looked at me very straight and asked +me my mother's name, and upon my answering +Margaret, he said he thought he could see a family +likeness, and said my mother was the first mistress +he ever had, she "drawing" him in the division of +my grandfather's property. I left him at Driver's +Store and never saw him again. I have since heard +that he was dead. I often thought of the circumstances +of the meeting. Such frequently occurs +and brings up recollections that are buried in oblivion. +The corroborative testimony of George satisfied +me that "Davy" was true in what he related to +me about what happened at Orapeake Mill Pond, +in Gates county, North Carolina, near the beautiful<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span> +village of Jonesville, on the Grand Trunk Railroad.</p> + +<p>That the Lake of the Dismal Swamp is to become +the great centre of attraction there can be no reasonable +doubt. Recent demonstrations in that direction +go to prove beyond cavil the fact. The visit +of John Boyle O'Reilly, editor of the Boston Herald, +Mr. Mosely, of Washington, and several other distinguished +persons, go to prove the fact. Contiguous +as it is to the celebrated Magnolia Springs, +with its vast hunting grounds, will be a sufficient +inducement to invite sportsmen from all sections. +It is certain that a railroad will be surveyed and constructed, +commencing at or near Magnolia Springs, +which will tap the Lake near the famous apple tree, +and as a grand hotel will be constructed at the Lake +visitors will have the privilege of stopping there or +at the Springs. A sufficient amount of capital can +be had for all purposes necessary, and as the +hotel will be built about one mile from the shore of +the Lake, it will be free from yellow flies, fleas, mosquitos, +snakes, alligators, bears, pole cats and other +annoyances which more or less infest the hotel. +The hotel being built on piles out in the Lake, could +be reached by a bridge starting from the shore, +with a sufficient number of draws, which, if left +open at night, would prevent snakes, bears, alligators, +pole cats, etc., from entering the hotel. A +strict watch will be kept, and if by accident the +draws should be left closed and an alligator, bear +or snake should enter the hotel, or should a snake +be found coiled up in bed with some sleeper, no +alarm should be given, it might cause some <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span>nervous +person to jump overboard and be devoured +by alligators, snakes, etc. By giving notice at the +office of the hotel these annoyances would be removed +with but little or no excitement. The object +of the company is to direct the attention of +Northern invalids to Lake Drummond and Magnolia +Springs, the medicinal qualities of whose +waters have been tested and are pronounced to be +superior to any known in this country. After +drinking of these waters all that you have to do is to +go to Lake Drummond, bathe in its waters and be +healed. You will then be prepared to hunt bears, +quail, deer, etc., at the Springs, and your sport will +then commence. Before entering into the hunt you +will supply yourself with a pole cat arrangement, +which is furnished free by the company and will +probably be of service to you. It is not expected +that you will engage in any bear hunt on your first +arrival, but will wait until you know something +about the mode of hunting them. It frequently +happens on the hunt that you come in contact with +a rattlesnake. He will give you timely notice by +springing his rattles, which you will do well to heed. +It is a well-known fact that Northern invalids are +not afraid of alligators, bears, snakes, pole cats or +any of the poisonous insects that infest the Swamp +and Lake. There are a few timid persons living +near the Lake, on the edge of the Swamp, who are +sometimes driven out of their houses by the appearance +of bears and snakes, but they are few in +number, and seldom or ever visit the Lake. The +great bug bear that deter most of the visitors is the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> +fear of snakes falling in the gondola, as she passes +along, from overhanging limbs of trees. If passengers +would keep in their state-rooms on the gondola, +snakes might fall into it and they would know nothing +about it, as they would be thrown out as soon +as found. Lizzards sometimes run up the pantaloons +leg of some who are not on the lookout for +such things; but that causes a fellow to run out of +his trousers so quick that very few ever get bitten.</p> + +<p>I have visited the Lake at various times and under +different circumstances, but do not recollect that +anything unaccountable happened to me but once, +which I will relate: On one occasion as I was going +down the canal, toward the Lake, the driver of the +skiff exclaimed, "Boss, did you see dat?" "No," +I exclaimed; "What was it?" "It was a ball of +fire." "A what?" I said. "A jack-mer-lantern," +said he. "And what is that?" I asked. "It's a +sperit. I ceed dem ebery nite, an' when I go to +kotch one dey ain't nobody." "Then you believe +in spirits?" "Yes, sar; dat I dus. When I pass +Paradise Old Field I kin always see dem." "Have +you ever been told anything about the ball of fire +and Jack-mer-lantern, as you call them?" "Yes, +sir; dat I hab." "Then let me hear what +you have been told." "Yes, sir; Boss, I'se gwine +tu tell you de God's trufe." "Well, proceed." +"Boss, I'm gwine to tole you dey tole me dat long +time 'go dat a man by de name of Pluter was come +up dar in dat field wid a 'omun, an' dat dey loss +demselves, an' hab neber bin seed since; and dat +ebery nite wen you go by dar you kin see somfin.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> +One nite as I was gwine 'long I thort dat a ball of +fire wus gwine tu hit me in de face. I axed who +wus dat; nobody said nuffin. I hit at it an' it +turned to a Jack-mer-lantern." "And what was +that," I asked. "I 'spec dat it wus dat man Pluter, +an' de ball ob fire wus de 'omun dat wus wid him." +"And they are what you call 'sperits?' Then you +are a natural born fool; if you do not shove this +boat along I will break your head with this pole." +"Boss, I shall always blebe in dem sperits."</p> + +<p>It is very true that some very mysterious and unaccountable +things were seen when passing Paradise +Old Field, by the side of the canal, by persons on +their way to the Lake of the Dismal Swamp, but in +very few instances, and then only by nervous persons +of diseased minds. You might travel up and +down the canal as often as you choose and outside +of snakes and pole cats nothing would ever appear. +Do not let snake stories deter you from visiting this +wonderful and beautiful place, the Lake of the +Dismal Swamp. As the boat was being driven +along, the driver said: "Boss, did I nebber told you +about de big watermillion that Mars. Caleb Busby +foun' near dis place?" "No; let me hear something +about it." "Well, sir, I will tole you. One +day as Mars. Busby was gwine tu de Lake, an' wen +he got rite here he ceed on de side ob de cunnel a +big snake trien tu swallow a raccoon. He tuk up +sumfin' to flro at de snake, an' jes' den he ceed in +de bushes a nale keg, an' wus glad dat he had foun' +a keg ob nales. But wen he got dar it was a watermillion." +"How do you suppose that melon came<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> +to grow there?" I asked. "My 'pinion 'bout dat, +Boss, dat some nigger stole a watermillion frum sum +farmer's patch, an' wen he got here he busted it gin +a tree. Sum ob de seed fell on de ground an' de +watermillion gru dar." "That is very probable. +What did Mr. Busby do with it?" "He karid it +home, planted sum ob de seed and his million +weighed ober fifty pounds. He sole sum ob de +seed, an' frum dem seed farmers rose de biggest +watermillions ob eny in dis kintry." "Dat will do +pretty well for you; drive the boat along." "Dus +yu think dat I tole yu a story, Boss?" "Oh, no; +I only thought that one of your 'Jack-mer-lanterns' +had been after you, or that somebody had been +throwing a 'ball of fire' at your head."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h2> + +<h3>SUFFOLK AND EARLY DAYS.</h3> + + +<p>I will take the above railroad and return to Suffolk, +when I will say something of my early recollections +of that place. It was in the year 1830 that +my father, with his family, moved to it. I was quite +small at that time, but I recollect the time well. +Suffolk was then a small village, situated on the +Nansemond river, with a population of about five +hundred, and increased very slowly in population +until after the surrender, which was in April, 1865. +Since that it has increased very rapidly in population<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span> +and growth. It was in Suffolk that Henry +Herman commenced his business career; moved to +Norfolk in 1832; and became one of her successful +merchants. At his death his remains were brought +to Suffolk, and now quietly rest in Cedar Hill Cemetery. +I could mention many instances of successful +business men of that town were it necessary. I +will now write of things of more recent date—something +within the recollection of many persons yet +living. It will be recollected that a fire broke out +in June, 1837, that destroyed the lower part of the +town. There were no engines in the place and the +flames raged with great fury. The Allen residence, +at Rose Hill, about one half mile distant, was set on +fire several times by the flying debris, and it was +with difficulty that the house was saved. It was at +Rose Hill that a large mercantile business was carried +on, and no doubt a large quantity of juniper +lumber was shipped from that point belonging to +private individuals. A wharf was built at the mouth +of Shingle creek (I imagine long before the Jericho +canal was dug), and large quantities of lumber was +hauled to it by persons living on the edge of the +Dismal Swamp. I knew of several persons who +owned large juniper glades on the edge of Dismal +Swamp one in particular. His name was Thomas +Swepston and lived not far from Suffolk, on +the line of the Seaboard railroad, which divides +his farm. He was agent of the Dismal Swamp +Land Company for several years, and may have +been the first after the Jericho canal was opened. +The last agent, of whom I have any knowledge, was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> +W. S. Riddick, Esq., who died several years ago. +The last inspector of lumber was J. E. Bonnewell, +of whom it is my pleasure to notice particularly. +Perhaps no man was more generally known and +respected in Suffolk than he. He was a true friend, +benevolent and kind, never refusing to bestow +charity when called upon. He succeeded Mr. +Joseph Hill as inspector for the company, which +office he held until his death. It was during his +term of office that it was made so pleasant to visit +the Lake. By giving timely notice he would always +give the parties the best boats and the most +trusty hands as drivers, and would always be present +when the boat left its landing and when it returned, +and was anxious to know if any mishaps had occurred +to any of the party. And if it should be reported +that some lady had fallen into the canal, he +would always very politely ask that she be carried +into his house to be made more comfortable. Capt. +Babel Ions, of Philadelphia, was his bosom friend. +When the Captain was in Suffolk, they could always +be found together. They both have passed away, +and a generous people will do justice to their memory. +Captain Connewell died leaving a rich heritage +behind—a name that will live as long as it is called. +But few have lived and died who was so much beloved +and respected as he. He was proud but not +haughty, and flexible to kind impulses. He was +the soul of honor, and no one can say that he even +failed to accord to every one their just dues. I +knew him from my boyhood up and never knew a +better man. He left an interesting family—Mrs. H.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span> +R. Culley being his eldest daughter. I could write +many noble traits in the character of that good man, +but it is not necessary. There are but few of his +compeers now living, and soon they will all have +passed away. Such is the march of time.</p> + +<p>Nothing very important transpired in Suffolk +from 1837 until after the close of the late war, when +she awoke from her slumbering condition; her +watchword being progress. She brushed the dust +from her eyes, and her advancement in every +branch of industry can be seen in her rapid growth. +She stands second to no town in a commercial point +of view. Her manufacturing interests are considerable, +and being a railroad centre she must prosper +and grow. The disastrous fire which occurred +June 7th, 1885, impeded business for a few months, +but our men of capital at once commenced to repair +the breach, and she is again on the road to +fame and wealth. And it is to the Suffolk and +Carolina or Short Line railroad that Suffolk is +mostly indebted for her present prosperous condition. +Penetrating as it does a country that is rich +and fertile, she has already felt its influence and it +should be fostered as one of the main arteries to her +prosperity.</p> + +<p>The Gay Manufacturing Company, before noticed, +is perhaps the most gigantic enterprise ever projected +at Suffolk. It has extended its operations as +far South as Chowan county, N. C., and the amount +of capital invested is no doubt the largest investment +of its kind in Virginia, if not in the entire South. +It has made large purchases of land in and around<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span> +Suffolk and has bought all the timbered lands on +the Suffolk and Carolina Short Line or Grand +Trunk railroad, giving employment to hundreds of +hands, at fair wages, that would otherwise eke out +a miserable existence. It also enables the landowners, +from the sale of their timber, to free themselves +from debt and otherwise improve their condition. +Under the direction of President W. N. +Camp, it has had erected near Suffolk, on the line +of the S. & C. R. R., one of the most extensive saw +mills in Eastern Virginia, and with the aid of the +Atlantic and Danville railroad penetrating the primeval +forests of Southampton, Greensville and other +counties of Virginia. Millions of logs will be brought +on that road and manufactured for shipment to +Northern markets. The company consists principally +of Baltimoreans, who will reap a harvest commensurate +with the capital invested. And in many +instances it is owing to the mature judgment of +President Camp that the efforts to establish this +great enterprise has been crowned with such signal +success. The advantages this company possesses, +by its intimate connections with the S. & C. R. R., +and A. & D. R. R., cannot be estimated, but it can +be truly said that their intimate and close relations +with each other, while each is a separate and +distinct corporation, forms one of the grandest and +far-reaching enterprises of its kind in the South.</p> + +<p>The Gay Manufacturing Company consists of +William N. Camp, president; Charles F. Pitt, Jr., +Chauncy Brooks, S. P. Ryland, John M. Denison +and William N. Camp, directors; George L. Barton,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> +treasurer; Charles F. Pitt, Jr., secretary.</p> + +<p>The A. & D. R. R. has made great internal improvement +under the management of Major Charles +B. Peck, of New York, and has progressed more +rapidly than any road of which we have any knowledge. +Its starting point is at West Norfolk, on the +Elizabeth river, at the mouth of its western branch, +the great trucking region of the State of Virginia +which will supply it with thousands of dollars worth +of freight annually. It runs diagonally across the +Norfolk and Western and Seaboard and Roanok, +railroads, both of which have already felt its effects, +and when it shall have reached Danville the Richmond +and Danville will then feel its withering influence, +for this being the shortest and most speedy +route to deep water, in one of the finest harbors in +the world, it is natural that all produce will seek +such a route and such a favorable shipping point.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X.</h2> + +<h3>ENTERPRISE AND PROSPERITY.</h3> + + +<p>This railroad was projected by the energetic and +far-seeing W. H. Gay, Esq., of Suffolk, as a lumber +road, who pushed it rapidly as far south as Sunsbury, +in Gates county, N. C. He soon saw that it +was a grand enterprise, and associated with him +several gentlemen of the city of Baltimore in its construction, +who afterwards bought out Mr. Gay's <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span>interest, +and have constructed a road that will soon +become one of the leading lines, connecting as it +does, by a line of steamboats, the waters of Albermarle +Sound and the Atlantic ocean, and bringing +eastern North Carolina in direct communication +with the city of Baltimore. Under the able management +of Mr. H. B. Hubbell, the efficient vice-president +of the company, and R. H. Thompson, Esq., +as general manager, with the assistance of Colonel +Harry McCleary, the road has been brought to its +present flourishing condition, and the Gay Manufacturing +Company, under President Camp, is one +of its chief adjuncts. This road now connects with +the Norfolk and Western and the Atlantic and Danville +railways, and soon large quantities of freight +will be transferred from it to the above-named roads.</p> + +<p>Suffolk is more particularly noted for her schools, +colleges and other institutions of learning, all of +which are in a very prosperous condition. The +Suffolk Military Academy, under the direction of +Joseph King, principal, with its professorship, is no +doubt the best school for young men in Tidewater, +Virginia. The character and standing of it, with its +location for health, is a recommendation that must +tend greatly to its success.</p> + +<p>Another school of high grade is the Suffolk Collegiate +Institute, under the professorship of P. J. Kernodle. +It is an institution that has been established +for several years, and has received a liberal support +from its friends. The course at this institution +is thorough. Young ladies are taught the higher +branches and are instructed in music, drawing, &c.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span></p><p>The West End Female Seminary under the direct +supervision of Col. W. H. Darden, formerly of Isle +of Wight county, Va., with Miss Novella Darden as +principal, with the assistance of Miss Lizzie J. King, +gives to the school a reputation that must add +greatly to its success. Young ladies at this school +are instructed in all the higher branches, music, +painting and drawing. It is eligibly located on +College Avenue.</p> + +<p>The Suffolk Female Institute, under the direction +of the Misses Finney, is too well known to require +a notice. It is the oldest established school in Suffolk, +and enjoys a reputation that is enviable. It +has probably received more favor than any other +school which I have noticed.</p> + +<p>The Nansemond Seminary, of which Mrs. Quimby +is principal, is a school that recommends itself. It +is limited in the number of its pupils. This should +not be so. Throw open your doors wide and let +your motto be "the greatest good to the greatest +number." It has gained quite a reputation.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI.</h2> + +<h3>THE OLD BRICK CHURCH AT BENN'S—SUFFOLK'S FIRST RAILROAD, ETC.</h3> + + +<p>It is interesting to read of relics of the olden times +and bring up associations connected therewith. I +will now notice an antiquated old building in Isle +of Wight county, Va., on the main road leading from<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span> +Suffolk to Smithfield, and about five miles from the +latter place. It is called Old Benn's Church. At +what time it was built I have never heard, but it +must have been soon after the settlement of this +country. The rude hand of time has reduced it to +bare walls, and nothing is left of its interior to show +that it was ever a place of worship. That it was +built when this country was a colony there can be +no question. There is a burying ground at the +place, on which can be seen tomb stones of very +ancient date, and if I mistake not, the first rector of +the church or some of his family was buried in it. +A tablet, noting the fact, could be seen set in the building. +Bishop Meade, in his history of the Episcopal +Churches in Virginia, mentions Benn's Church as +being one of, if not the oldest, church in the State. +It has been snatched from further decay by some +benevolent ladies and will soon again become a +place of worship. Let the names of these ladies +form the future history of that sacred old church, +and let future generations know that it was at one +time from decay reduced to bare walls, and that by +the humane efforts of some ladies it has been reclaimed +and once more presents the appearance of +a house of worship, standing as a monument to its +former renown and greatness. There are several +Episcopal churches in this county that should not +be allowed to go to decay. They stand as landmarks +in Virginia; built long before the recollection +of any one now living. I know of several places in +this county that I have been told were Glebe property, +and at one time were, and had erected on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> +them, Episcopal churches. In many places these +churches have gone down, the land escheated and +are now occupied by churches of other denominations. +And it may have been so, as they are just +such places as old Episcopal churches now stand, +on elevated sites near running streams. I could +state some very interesting facts connected with many +places in this county which might appear very meritorious, +nevertheless they are true, and form a part +of the history of the county.</p> + +<p>I will now mention Mount Pleasant, the home of +the Meades, of Virginia. This was at one time a +very beautiful estate, on the west bank of what is +now known as Smith's Creek, and is the southern +branch of the Nansemond river. Long before the +revolution this place was settled, and at the time +very large vessels could navigate the creek as far as +Mount Pleasant, it then being a wide and deep +river, and I have been told that a direct foreign +trade was carried on with that place. A grave yard +can be seen at Mount Pleasant which is very singular, +and has some curiously inscribed tomb stones +in it of persons who died there many years ago. +By the ruthless hand of time many of the tombs +were mutilated, and it may be that little is left of +them. I had the inscriptions of some of them, but +gave them to a gentleman from Westmoreland +county, Virginia. He wanted them on account of +their singularity, and he being an antiquarian he +said they would be quite an acquisition to his cabinet +of curiosities. It is highly probable that Mount +Pleasant was settled long before the Dismal Swamp<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> +was known or heard of, and I doubt if any one +thought that there could be found such a place as +really was existing, and having hid in its dark +foliage such a beautiful place as Lake Drummond.</p> + +<p>The first great enterprise that was commenced in +Suffolk after the surrender, was the building of the +railroad of the Suffolk Lumber Company, which +runs from Suffolk to Asher, in Gates county, North +Carolina, where is the home of the Hon. C. A. +Whaley. As soon as the road was completed as +far as Whaleyville, in Nansemond county, Va., a +town soon sprung up, and a mercantile business was +commenced, which for time paralyzed business in +Suffolk. It stopped the channel through which +flowed the life-blood of the town from where it +started. This road is owned by Governor Eliew +Jackson, Co. & Brothers, of Maryland, and has +from its commencement done a heavy business. It +has been ably managed by W. M. Whaley, Esq., and +Mr. D. B. Cannon. Whether it has been of any great +good to Suffolk is a question that we are not prepared +to answer, though the land holders through +which it has passed have been benefitted. It +brought their pine timber into market, which otherwise +would have remained a primeval forest and a +dead expense to its owners. The sale of it to Jackson +& Co. has cleared many of debt, and to that +extent the road has been a benefit. The company +has bought large landed possessions in Alabama +and Georgia, and will soon move their field of operations +to those points. The quantity of wood and +timber that has been transported over the road is<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> +incredible. To say the least of Jackson & Brothers +they started a spirit of enterprise, which, to some +extent, has been a benefit. New ideas have been +infused into the minds of our people, and instead of +keeping their capital locked up they have invested +it in various directions for the improvement and +benefit of trade, thereby causing to spring up factories +and machine shops, to say nothing of the many +other advantages that are derived through patriotic +motives.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII.</h2> + +<h3>BEAR HUNTING IN THE DISMAL SWAMP—COLONEL +GODFREY'S VISIT TO SOUTHAMPTON.</h3> + + +<p>It is customary in the fall season to have what is +called bear hunts in the Dismal Swamp, and parties +are frequently made up to go on such hunts. Before +going it is necessary that some preparation +should be made. Bear hunting is very dangerous, +and is sometimes attended with difficulty. Before +starting you should provide yourself with a cowboy +suit, a good rifle, a pair of revolvers, a bowie knife +(16 inch blade) and sub-marine armor. When thus +equipped you can enter the Swamp. You proceed +cautiously along listening to hear the bears lapping, +when you go in the direction of the sound. Bears +move very cautiously, and you should be sure to +keep a good lookout in your rear, as it sometimes<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> +happens that when you are going forward a drove +of them are following you, and when least expected +they make the attack, and if the parties should be +the least separated, it often happens that all perish. +I was told of a party that were out on a bear hunt +in the Dismal Swamp, who supposed that they +could face anything. The party consisted of eight +good men. They had not proceeded very far in +the Swamp when they heard in the distance the +lapping of bears. Of course it is very exciting, and +if one has any courage he is apt to show it at the +time. A halt was made and the question asked, +what should be done? They were not thinking of +the danger that surrounded them. They did not +think that bears were on their path. But it was too +late. Whilst discussing what to do they were +sprung upon from the rear, and six were badly lacerated, +one rode off on the back of a bear and the +last one retreated to the Lake for safety. Should +you at any time go to the Dismal Swamp to hunt +bears be exceedingly careful to have your rear well +guarded.</p> + +<p>Researches among old papers often bring to +light subjects that long have been forgotten, and +which, if cultivated, tends in many ways to the benefit +of the rising generation. We often hear of events +that have long since transpired, which at the time +we pass unnoticed, but somehow or other an impression +is made, and sooner or later something +transpires that brings to our recollection a circumstance +which refreshes our memory of some important +event of which we have a slight remembrance.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span> +Looking over the fourteenth volume of Col. Godfrey's +work entitled "Important Discoveries," to see if +we could find anything therein written by which we +could identify "Uncle Alek's Mule," and if possible +to define him, that there could be no reasonable +doubt but that it was the same mule rode by Nat +Turner, and that he was driven by the young mother +in her flight with her infant to the Dismal Swamp, +and if what G. P. R. James said in his Old Dominion +be true, we must believe that Uncle Alek and +Nat Turner rode the same mule. No other account +was ever given that ever came to our knowledge, +but it will make no difference as everybody knew +that Uncle Alek had a mule. But as we have stated +before, looking over the fourteenth volume of Col. +Godfrey's work on Important Discoveries, many +years ago we read in it an account of his first visit +to the county of Southampton, Virginia, and the +many important discoveries therein made. His +visit to that county was on very important business, +and being a man of great observation, he was careful +and cautious. He was tracing some titles, and +it was necessary that he should make many inquiries. +The country was wild and sparsely settled +at that time; it was extremely difficult for one +to get accommodation for man and horse. He was +fearful at times that he would not be able to reach a +shelter for the night. He had crossed at the South +Quay Ferry at an early hour, and had been in the +saddle all day and was very much fatigued and exhausted, +besides he had ate nothing. Night was +fast approaching and he in a strange country. He<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> +reined up his horse, which caused him to increase +his gait. He had not ridden many miles further +when he thought he heard a cock crow. He listened +and soon he heard the sound repeated. He +was then satisfied that he was near some human +habitation. What must have been his feelings, +when he knew that he would soon reach a place +where he probably would be able to stay for the +night to rest and refresh himself. He rode on and +in a short time came in sight of a very neat and +comfortable looking house not many rods from the +road. He arrived in front of it and found that +everything about the house had the appearance of +neatness and comfort, and that he would probably +be accommodated for the night. So he dismounted +from his horse and opened the gate and proceeded +to the house. The proprietor must have been very +fond of fox hunting from the number of hounds that +made an attack on him as he rode up the avenue, +and which was so sudden that it brought out the +entire household. It was getting dark, but sufficiently +light to see one approaching on horse back. +The dogs were called off, and he heard a voice exclaim +ride up. A very handsome picket fence surrounded +the house, and upon arriving at the gate +he was met by a fine looking old English gentleman, +who invited him to dismount and have his +horse stabled. Thanking him for his kindness, he +at once dismounted, and taking the extended hand +of the old gentleman, said: "Sir, I am a benighted +traveller, and a stranger in this section, and have +sought your kindness for shelter for the night."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span> +"You are heartily welcome," said the old gentleman. +"Strangers, if gentlemen, are always welcome visitors +to my house. So without any further ceremony walk +in and rest yourself, for I imagine that you have +been in your saddle for several hours and must feel +quite fatigued." "I have been riding since early +morning and was surprised to find the country so +thinly settled. This is the first place that I have +seen at which I could venture to stop." "Very +true," he replied, "but you will, as you advance, +find the country more thickly settled." We walked +into the house and were met in the hall by a very +fine looking and matronly old lady. Giving his +name as Godfrey, the old gentleman grasped his +had and said: "Col. Godfrey, this is indeed a +pleasure. Let me introduce you to my wife, Mrs. +Ridley." "Ridley did you say?" "The same." +"This is indeed most fortunate." "Say no more, Col. +Godfrey; walk into the sitting room. You will +find a cheerful fire, and as the air is a little chilly, a +seat by the fire will cause you to feel more comfortable. +Make yourself perfectly at home. You +will excuse me for a short time while I give some +directions to my head man, when I will rejoin you." +"You are very excusable, Col. Ridley," replied Col. +Godfrey, "I do not wish you to let my appearance +interfere in the least with your business arrangements." +The Colonel was not long away, and on +re-entering the room remarked to Col. Godfrey: +"This unexpected meeting is very mysterious to me, +and the more so because my wife remarked but a +very short time ago that some stranger was coming;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> +that she knew it from the incessant crowing of the +chickens and the fierce howl of the hounds. I shall +always hereafter believe in such signs. But Colonel, +our supper is quite ready. You will be shown to a +room where you may arrange your toilet." Having +performed this duty he was met in the hall by +Col. Ridley, who said: "Colonel, it has been the +custom at my house since my earliest manhood, +just before eating to take a toddy, made of the juice +of the Cider Berry, prepared in this county, and is +the only medicine used in my family. The farmers +of this county have a peculiar way of preparing it, +and everybody that has used it speak of the good +qualities which it possesses. Some say that its use, +when you feel badly, will cause you to feel good, +and to use it when you feel good will make you +feel bad. It always makes me feel good, and I am +remarkably fond of it. The oftener you take this +medicine the better you will like it. There is sugar +and honey; a little of either added will make it +much more palatable, as honey is soothing and acts +well for the lungs. I will try the honey." This +being disposed of they proceed to supper, Colonel +Ridley leading the way to the supper-room, and on +entering found the family all standing, waiting. +They were soon seated, and on the table before +them was placed a good old-fashioned Virginia +supper. Addressing himself to Mrs. Ridley, Col. +Godfrey said: "Madame, I fear that you have, on +this occasion, put yourself to some unnecessary +trouble on my account." "Not in the least," graciously +responded that lady. Then turning to Col.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> +Ridley, Colonel Godfrey said, "You were quite +right, Colonel, when you said that the 'juice' would +make one feel good; it has had that effect on me +already, and I feel that I can do ample justice to +this fine supper." "I am glad you think so," returned +Colonel Ridley; "nothing pleases me more +than to see my visitors eat heartily; help yourself, +it does appear to me that one who has been riding +all day would not require any artificial means of +inducing an appetite." "Colonel," said Mrs. Ridley, +"I suppose this is your first visit to the county?" +"No, madame," replied Col. Godfrey, "I passed +through a portion of it several years ago to locate +some lands on the Nottoway river, and as there appears +to be some dispute about the titles, I am on +my way to look after it." "Yes," she said, "I heard +you were coming and am truly glad you made it +convenient to come this way, and besides you are +on the direct road; do you apprehend any trouble?" +"Not the least; my papers are authenticated, and I +have only to present them." "I hope," she said, +"that you will find it as you have stated." Supper +being over they all repaired to the sitting-room. +Colonel Ridley had a daughter whose husband, a +colonel of infantry, had been killed in the war of the +Revolution and large tracts of land had been made +by the Government to his heirs. "What was the +name of the soldier?" inquired Colonel Godfrey. +"Col. G. Bradley," answered Colonel Ridley. +"Yes, sir; that was his name." "That is a part of +the business which caused my visit in this direction, +and Mrs. Bradley need have no fears as to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> +validity of her title. I have the papers with me +that will place her in full possession of the estate. +Besides, she is entitled to a large amount from the +Government as half-pay for her husband's services +during the Revolution, which she will receive on +application through the proper channel." It was +now getting late, and Col. Godfrey was told that his +room was ready if he wished to retire. Feeling a +little sleepy, after eating a hearty supper, and as he +had to make an early start in the morning, he +thought it best to go to his room, so bidding the +family good night he followed a boy, who carried a +lighted candle to the room to which he had been +assigned for the night, in which a cheerful fire was +burning. The boy entered the room, closing the +door behind him, and said: "Mass boss, mammy +told me to ax you of you war eny kin to de man dat +made the baby medicin?" "Who is your mammy?" +inquired the now thoroughly interested Colonel. +"She's de 'oman dat nusses all de babies on de +plantashun." "Tell your mammy that I will see her +in the morning." "Yas, sir," he said, and left the +room. The Colonel soon retired, as he felt somewhat +jaded. He awoke at an early hour, and having +some moments leisure got up and dressed himself. +About this time he heard a tapping at his +door, and at the same time the voice of the boy exclaiming: +"Ise got a pitcher of fresh water for you." +"Bring it in," said the Colonel. The boy entered, +showing two rows of white ivory. "Boss, will you +hab a fire made?" "No," said the Colonel, "I +will soon be ready to go down; is the Colonel up?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span> +"Yas, sir, an' is waiting for you." "Then I will go +down," said the Colonel, which he did and was met +at the foot of the stairs by Col. Ridley, who bade +him a cheerful good morning, and expressed the +hope that he felt much better after his night's rest. +"Thank you, sir; I am glad to say that I feel very +much refreshed." "If you feel disposed," said Col. +Ridley, "we will take a walk out, the air is bracing +and a little walk will give you an appetite for your +breakfast, which will soon be ready." They started, +and as the old nurse of the plantation wished to see +Colonel Godfrey, he proposed to his host that they +should go to her quarters. They had but a short +distance to go, as her house was very conveniently +situated. When they arrived they found the old +lady with a baby in her lap, evidently for some purpose. +"Good morning, aunty," said Col. Godfrey. +The old woman looked very much excited; she +wore a pair of spectacles, the lenses of which looked +like two saucers. "Mornin', sir," she replied. +"What are you going to do with your baby?" inquired +the Colonel. "I'm gwine to feed it, sir; its +mammy is ded, an' I hab to feed it myself." "What +do you give it to eat?" "I char 'tater, spit it out +on my finger an' wipe 'cross de chile's mouf, arter +dat I make a sugar rag, put some sweet flag in it, +put de rag in de chile's mouf and lay it down; it +goes to sleep, an' wen it wakes up ef it cries I gin it +some more 'tater." "But," queried the Colonel, +"suppose it is sick?" "I kin always tell dat; ef it +draws up its legs and kicks, I kno dat sumthin' is +de matter, an' I den gib sum ciderberry juice wid<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span> +nutmeg grated ober it, an' in no time de baby cries +fer more ob de juice. Sum folks gib dar babies +'Godfrey's Cordial,' but I dus not blebe in doctors' +fisic; nine times out ob ten dey will kill de baby. +I thort dat you war sum kin to Mr. Godfrey dat +made de medicin', and wood ax you 'bout it." "No, +aunty, I am no kin to him."</p> + +<p>Being informed that breakfast was ready, Colonel +Ridley proposed that they should return to the +house, and that a little of the ciderberry juice would +add much to the enjoyment of the meal, and as +everything was convenient proposed that they +should indulge. Col. Godfrey took some of the +juice with honey, as before, and was then ready for +breakfast. Col. Ridley led the way, and on +entering found a hot smoking breakfast. +Mrs. Ridley remarked, "Colonel, you are an +early riser I see; I fear you did not rest well +last night." "I assure you, madame," the Colonel +gallantly replied, "I could not have been more comfortable. +My business being urgent, it was necessary +that I should rise early." "You do not think +of leaving this early?" "Yes, madame; you know +that delays are dangerous. I have spent a very +pleasant time, and hope, not long hence, to make a +more extended visit. I was very much amused this +morning at seeing the nurse of the plantation feeding +a baby. It was quite a novel sight to me. The +old woman does not appear to have much confidence +in doctors." "No, sir," replied the lady, "we +have been living here a long time and no doctor +has ever been called, professionally, to see any one<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> +at the place. The old woman, with her tater, sweet +flag, sugar rags, ciderberry juice and Black Jack, +keeps every one in a healthy condition." "She +must be very valuable to you," said the Colonel. +"Yes, sir", said Mrs. Ridley; "we could not do +without her, and her loss could not be replaced." +"It is getting late and I am admonished I must +leave," said the Colonel, "for I have some distance +yet to ride." He said it would be a great pleasure +for him to remain longer under the hospitable roof +of his kind host and hostess, but that it would not +be possible for him to do so. He said further that +he had some papers which he would hand over to +Col. Ridley which would be of great service to his +daughter, Mrs. Bradley, as they would secure her +right to certain disputed property, and that he must +bid them adieu. Then addressing himself to Col. +Ridley, said: "These papers are valuable; take +them and entrust them only into the hands of Mrs. +Bradley, and that if he would now order his horse +he would proceed on his way." Col. Ridley assured +him that he would like to have him stay longer, but +that of course he best knew his business; that it +had been his custom to welcome all visiting and +speed all departing guests. That should he happen +to come that way again he would be delighted to +have him stop, as he would always find a hearty +welcome. Col. Godfrey thanked his new friend and +said that should it be his fortune again to visit that +neighborhood he promised not to pass him by. +His horse was waiting, so giving the Colonel a +hearty shake of the hand and bidding good-bye to +all, he mounted and rode away.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span></p><p>After Col. Godfrey had left, a general conversation +was commenced about his visit. It was evident +that his business was with Mrs. Bradley, but +he did not know at the time that she was the +daughter of Col. Ridley, or he would have made +known to her the object of his visit. She was absent +at the time. As his papers were all properly +avouched for he could leave them in the hands of +her father, Col. Ridley. The old medicine woman +of the plantation was much interested in the visit of +the Colonel to her quarters, and was anxious to +know if he was related to Mr. Godfrey that made +the cordial. She was told that he was not. The +old woman broke in and said: "Missus, I thort +dat de gemman who axed me what I was doin' wid +de baby in my lap, was a doctor, an' some kin to +de man what made de Godfrey's cordial, but he +tole me dat he was not. He like de way dat I +doctered de chile, an' sed dat he would rite about +it. He sed dat he had tried sum of de juice hisself +an' dat it was good for babies. I tole him dat I +did not blebe in doctors' physic; dey did not no +what to do for babies. I tole him dat nex to de +cider berry juice an' sugar rag, dat de Black Jack +was de bes medcin dat I could use. He sed dat +de Black Jack seldom failed. Missus, when dat +gemman 'peared at my do, I thort dat he was a +specalader, an' dat you was gwine to sell me." "No, +Aunt Barbara," said Mrs. Ridley, "if all the money +of all the negro buyers were added together, it +would not make an amount sufficient to buy you. +Nothing but death can separate us. You are a part<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> +of my very existence. I have left in my bosom a +spark of gratitude yet, which kindles into a flame +when I remember what you have done for the +family. I have not forgotten that it was you that +gave the timely warning of the approach of Nat +Turner and his column. By so doing you probably +saved the lives of the household. On another +occasion you saved the life of my darling babe by a +miracle wrought in your own way. Aunt Barbara, +I would not give you and your nostrums, such as +'Cider Berry Juice,' 'Sweet Flag,' 'Taters' 'Sugar +Rags' and 'Black Jack' for all the doctors in Christendom." +"Missus, I'm glad dat you tink so much +ob me. I has always done de bes dat I could. +You know dat de chillun on de plantashun was +bad, but wid my Black Jack I always made dem have +deyself." "That is very true, Aunt Barbara, and +they all love you for it. You know, Aunt Barbara, +that the Good Book tells us, 'spare the rod and you +spoil your child.'" "Missus, dats what I 'luded to +all de time. I nebber struc' one ob dem little niggers +a lic' amiss in my life, unless I struc' at him +and didn't toch him." The old woman here saw a +little nigger coming at full tilt, and knew that something +was wrong. When he came up, she asked: +"What on earth is de matter?" The boy was quite +out of breath and couldn't speak at the time. The +old woman gave him a rake with her Black Jack +and said: "What is de matter wid you?" "I cum +to tell you dat Judy's baby is mos ded, an' want +you to cum 'mediately." "When I cum to de +house," said the old woman, "I seed dat de chile<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> +was bad off. I took it up an' seed dat it had de +dry gripes. I give it some Cider Berry Juice an' +tole its mudder to fotch me a tater. I give de chile +sum tater an' handed it to its mudder, an' tole her +to put a sugar rag in its mouf with sum Sweet Flag +an' lay it down, an' den I lef to jine de old folks at +de house." "Well, Aunt Barbara, I suppose there +was nothing very serious the matter with the child," +said Mrs. Ridley. "Yas dar was, missus, an' I got +dar jus in time. De chile was taken wid de dry +gripes. I gin it sum Cider Berry Juice an' tole its +mudder to fotch me a tater. I gin it sum of de +tater an' put a sugar rag in its mouf. Dat chile has +done gone sleep." "Barbara," said Col. R., "I +suppose that if you were told that a child was dead +and you were sent for in time you could, with your +Cider Berry Juice, Tater, Sugar Rags, Sweet Flag +and your Black Jack, bring the little sleeper to life. +You talk of dry gripes; who ever heard of such a +thing? What are they, and how is a person taken?" +"Massa," said the old woman, "I tole you 'bout +dem when dey got hold ob you. You ses nuffin to +nobody, but you goes to de side-bode an' git sum +Cider Berry Juice. Dat ma'e you feel good, an' +arter a while you take sum mo' ob de juice. De +baby dus not know dat, so it draws up its legs an' +kicks like wrath. Den I know dat it has de dry +gripes." "Aunt Barbara," said Col. R., "I did not +take it in that light before. Your philosophy is +good, and I shall say nothing about the practice of +your profession again. I admit that I take the +juice quite often, but it is not for the dry gripes."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> +"Yas, sir, dat medcin is good for all diseases, an' I +take sum mysef when dar is nuffin de matter wid +me." Mrs. Ridley, who was sitting listening to the +conversation, happened to look toward the road +gate, and saw some one coming in. All eyes were +now turned toward the approaching stranger, and +all were anxious to know who it could be. One +said that it must be a preacher, another that it was +a book agent. Aunt Barbara put on her specs, +took a survey and said: "I spec dat it is a doctor +cummin' here to sell sum of Godfrey's Cordial for +de baby." "You are all wrong," said Col. Ridley, +"it is our good friend, Col. Godfrey." He was right. +The Colonel had advanced near enough for all to +see. Col. R. advanced to the yard gate as Col. +Godfrey rode up. A boy was in waiting to take his +horse. "Colonel, we are all glad to see you back +again. Dismount and let your animal be stabled." +Having dismounted, Col. R. took him by the hand +and walked in the house. Mrs. R. was standing on +the portico, and as Col. G. walked up she said +"Sir, I assure you that we are all very glad to see +you. We had been talking about you at the time +that you appeared at the road gate. Walk in. We +will talk about that later. Take off your overcoat +and wrappings." "Thank you, madam," he replied.</p> + +<p>"Colonel," said Col, Ridley, "to use a commonplace +expression, which is, 'talk about the devil and +his imp will appear,' we had just been wondering +who the rider could be. One said that he was a +preacher; another that he was a book agent. Old<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> +Aunt Barbara, the plantation nurse, said that he +was a doctor coming to sell some of Godfrey's Cordial +for the children. And I see I first discovered +that it was you. I am rather disposed to think that +you feel bad. I have some of the same Cider Berry +Juice, and as everything is ready you will, without +any further ceremony, walk up and take a little for +the stomach's sake." "Thank you," said Col. G. +"Since travelling over the county of Southampton I +have had frequent occasions to try the juice. It is +prepared and kept by most of the farmers, and the +use of it acts like a charm." "If you would like to +arrange your toilet, the boy will show you to your +room. In the meantime I will see to having your +horse properly cared for." The boy was the same +that waited on Col. G. before, and was the son of +the nurse of the plantation. "Well, Buck, how is +your mammy now? How much Black Jack and +Taters has she given you since I left?" "He, he, +he," giggled the boy. "I tell you what it is, boss, +mammy wars me out mos every day, but she gibs +me plenty taters an' I doan mine it." "Is Mrs. +Bradly here?" "No sir. She did not stay here +long arter marster gib her de papers dat you lef, +an' I spec when she cum back she will hab lots o' +money." "She will, no doubt, as she will only +have to present the papers. I should like very +much to see her. Is she handsome?" "I doan no +what dat is, sar." "I mean is she pretty?" "Yas, +sar, dat she is. It is gin out dat she is de puttiest +'oman in dis settlement, and I git so tired taking +horses ob gemmen dat cum to see her." "Then I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> +expect she is bethrothed." "I doan no 'bout dat, +but she ses dat de rite gemman hab not cum yit." +"I must go down now, the Colonel may be waiting +for me. Here is a dollar for you. Be sure to come +to my room to-night." "Yas, sar, I will be dar +sure." He had finished his toilet and proceeded +down stairs. He was met by Col. R., who said: +"Colonel, you will find a happy household. Your +return has put a new phase on everything. The +old nurse is perfectly happy since she found out +that you are no negro buyer, and that you did not +come to sell Godfrey's Cordial." "The old woman +must be averse to doctors. She no doubt is +right, as nine times out of ten, but very few of them +know what they are doing." "Thinking that you +had not dined, Mrs. R. has prepared something for +you. Try a little more of the Cider Berry Juice +and honey. You will feel better prepared to enjoy +what the madam has set before you." "I assure +you, Col. R., that since travelling in this county I +have become particularly fond of the juice. I have +called at several places where I was told they did +not use the medicine, but always like to see it sitting +convenient." "The juice that you are now +mixing was prepared when our first child was born. +It is very exhilarating in its effects, and you are +fortunate in having the pleasure of testing it at this +time. It is an honor that is extended to but few." +"Col. R., allow me to drink to the very good health +of your first born. Was it a male or female?" "It +was a female, and I am glad to inform you that it +was Mrs. Bradley. She is away at present, but I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> +hope that you may make it convenient to stay until +her return, which may be in a few days." A very +neat and polite negro man made his appearance +from the dining-room, and bowing very politely, +said: "Marster, you can invite the Colonel in; +everything is ready." "Colonel, walk this way. It +is rather late for breakfast, but you will no doubt be +able to make a repast of what is before you." +"Make no excuses, Col. R., about what is before +me, for it would satisfy the appetite of a king. +That is the besetting sin of the Old Virginia matrons. +They will load the table with everything +that is good and palatable and say that they are +sorry that they have nothing you can eat." "Col. +Godfrey," said Mrs. Ridley, "I see that you are disposed +to indulge in a little flattery. It is true that +we extend our hospitality to visiting strangers and +friends, but not to that extent which you ascribe to +us." "It has been my experience, madam, at every +place at which I have had business in this neighborhood, +and I infer that it was a general thing." +"Then, Colonel," said Mrs. R., "you have had a +very pleasant time since you left our house?" "I +cannot say that it has been altogether pleasant, +madam. When on the road I cannot say that it +was pleasant, but anything else I assure you. My +trip has been an exceedingly dangerous one. I +found treachery lurking about, and I at once put +myself on my guard." Having finished eating, the +Colonel was invited into the sitting-room, where +Col. R. was found reading a paper just received<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span> +from Washington, in which was announced the arrival +of his daughter, Mrs. Bradley, of Virginia, +and her son. Mrs. B., it will be recollected, was +the widow of a distinguished revolutionary officer, +and was in Washington on business with the Office +of the Interior. "Take the paper, Colonel," said +Col. Ridley, "you may find something which might +be of interest to you." When scanning over its +pages his eyes rested on the following:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Arrived in this city to-day, by way of stage +from Richmond, Virginia, the beautiful and accomplished +Mrs. Col. Bradley, of Va. She is the +widow of the brave and gallant Col. Bradley, who +so distinguished himself during the revolution, being +twice brevetted on the field for bravery. She +is the daughter of Col. Ridley, of Southampton +county, Va., so well known for his hospitality. +Every attention will be paid to this distinguished +lady. She will remain in the city for several days, +as she has important business with the Secretary of +the Interior. That functionary has already called +on her, and she will have no trouble in that direction."</p></div> + +<p>Col. R., having finished his out-door operations, +returned to the house, and on entering the sitting-room +found Col. Godfrey still looking over the +paper. "Colonel," he remarked, "I imagine that +you have been much interested in reading the +papers." "Yes, sir. I notice that your daughter, +Mrs. Col. Bradley, had arrived in the city of Washington, +and had received much attention." "Yes, +sir, and it was very gratifying to me to know that +such was the case. I only hope that she will meet<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span> +with no very serious difficulty in the prosecution of +her business." "I assure you, sir, that she can +have not the least difficulty; besides, she will have +no trouble. The Secretary of the Interior has been +informed of her visit, and she will be aided by him +in every way." "I hope that it may be as you +have stated." "Rest assured, Colonel, what I tell +you is so." Mrs. Ridley, having finished her domestic +arrangements, entered the room, when the +conversation at once ceased. Addressing herself to +Col. R., she said: "It is rather cold in the room, +had you not better order some wood placed on the +fire." "Excuse me, my dear, I was so much interested +in the conversation of our distinguished guest +that I paid but little attention to the fire. I will +order the wood immediately." The wood was +brought in, and soon the room was made very comfortable. +Mrs. R. said: "Col. Godfrey, at the +table just now you said that your journey after you +left us, was in many instances, not very pleasant. +You have rather raised my curiosity. I would like +to have you give an account of your mishaps as +you journeyed along. It will be very interesting, +no doubt." "It is a great pleasure to me to impart +to others anything that I may know that would +prove of interest to them, and I do most willingly +grant the request made by you."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> + +<h3>THE ADVENTURES OF SMITH, JONES AND BROWN—JONES, HEARING THAT A SNAKE +IS IN THE BOAT, JUMPS INTO THE CANAL.</h3> + + +<p>In getting up a party to visit Lake Drummond, +you will always find more or less of the party who +are afraid of snakes. On this occasion the party +consisted of only three—Smith, Jones and Brown—all +citizens of Suffolk. They prepared themselves +with the necessary outfit and started for the canal. +Their boat being ready they embarked and soon +were on the way. Smith being the most expert +took the wheel, Brown placed himself at the bow, +so that he could ward off approaching danger, and +Jones, who was the timid one of the party, was put +amidship the boat, with his back to Brown. I knew +the parties well; they are all living, and I will narrate +the snake story as I was told by Brown, who +will vouch for its authenticity. They had not +passed the great terror to all who go to the Lake +(Paradise Old Fields), where can be seen everything +that is hideous; a place that is dreaded, and +if it could, would be shunned by every one who +visits the Lake. Things of most unquestionable +shapes have been seen by persons when passing it. +No one has ever given any account of the history +of the Field, which you are compelled to pass going +to Lake Drummond, and which has deterred many<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span> +from venturing to it. Owing to the many snake +stories that has been told by persons who said they +were born to see spirits, there can be no doubt that +there is a legend connected with that Field. Some +have argued that the Field was at one time filled +with grottos, and that the fairies of Lake Drummond +would leave their realm and by a subterranean +passage into it to bask in the beauties which +surrounded it. Profane history informs us that it +was at this place that Pluto and Proserpine left for +the infernal regions. That will make no difference +about the snake story that I will relate. A snake is +a wonderful reptile, and it is not necessary for one +to be seen that one should be frightened. The +very mention, in some instances, is sufficient to +scare those who are the least timid. So it was in +this instance. Jones, as I have said before, was one +of a party that were going to the Lake. He was +afraid of snakes. Smith and Brown knew it and +they determined to have a little sport at his expense. +Jones was highly delighted with the grandeur of the +scenery by the side of the canal, as they rode along, +and was expatiating upon the wonders of nature. +Smith was charmed with the romantic effusions of +Jones, and paid no attention to Brown, who was +sitting at the bow of the boat, here looked toward +him, and seeing that he was intently searching for +something, asked what was the matter. Brown +answered that a snake was in the boat and that he +was trying to find it. Here Jones commenced to +twist and squirm. "Hallo!" said Brown: "here's +another!" No sooner had he said another when<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> +Jones sprang into the canal. He made several +lunges and, Peter like, looked as if he was walking +on the water. Smith added more steam to the boat +and Jones was overhauled and taken into the boat, +very much frightened. They had not gone very +far when Brown said: "I believe that snake is in +the boat yet," and at the same time threw at Jones +a piece of rattan, which is good to scare one with—it's +a veritable snake. He was again taken into the +boat, quite exhausted and cold from his ablutions. +Brown prepared some ciderberry juice for him, +with some pepper and other things that they had +along which, after taking, Jones became more quiet. +Brown says that when he thinks about that snake +story it fills him so with laughter that he has to +buckle a strap around him to support his physical +organization. Jones has not ventured to the Lake +since that time, and Brown is afraid to tell him that +the snake in the boat was only a piece of rattan. If +you want to see snakes come to Suffolk and get +Brown to go with you to the Lake of the Dismal +Swamp, and he will amuse you to your heart's +content.</p> + +<p>To be continued, introducing several thrilling +stories connected with the Dismal Swamp and Lake +Drummond, together with bear hunting and the +fearful consequences attending, and later accounts +of the whereabouts of Uncle Alek's mule.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="SUFFOLK" id="SUFFOLK"></a>SUFFOLK<br /> +MILITARY ACADEMY.</h2> + +<h3>ESTABLISHED 1875.</h3> + + +<p>The following constitute an able and experienced Faculty: +JOSEPH KING, A. M., Principal (with 27 years' experience +as a teacher). <span class="smcap">Rev</span>. ROWLAND DOGGETT, A. M., +(Randolph-Macon) Associate. P. ST. JULIEN WILSON +(Virginia Military Institute). <span class="smcap">Dr.</span> W. W. MURRAY +(Dublin University). <span class="smcap">Dr.</span> A. W. ELEY, <span class="smcap">Dr.</span> E. D. +PHILLIPS, Attending Physicians.</p> + +<p>The testimonals (see catalogue) from distinguished educators +at the University of Virginia, the Virginia Military Institute +and other institutions—from leading members of the +Virginia Conference—from its patrons in different States, and +from the leading citizens of Suffolk, are a sufficient guarantee +of the high character and standing of the school and the practical +ability and fidelity of the teachers.</p> + +<p>Boys and Young Men are here prepared for business or for +college, and are surrounded by the best social and religious +influences.</p> + +<p>The military exercises (which take no time from regular +study hours) are only intended to make boys healthy and +strong, and to give them an erect and graceful bearing.</p> + +<p>The Academy is supplied with Chemical and Philosophical +Apparatus for Scientific Illustration; with Charts, Globes and +Magic Lantern, to illustrate Geography, Physiology, Natural +History and Astronomy; with new instruments for field work +in Land Surveying and Civil Engineering; with two telegraph +instruments and batteries for practice in Telegraphy, and +other educational appliances for different branches of study. +Handsome nickel-plated rifles and accoutrements furnished +by the State.</p> + +<p>All our arrangements are home-like, and conducive to +health, comfort and mental and moral development.</p> + +<p>Total expenses for one year, including neat navy blue uniform, +from $175 to $190.</p> + +<p>For twenty page catalogue, with view of buildings and +grounds, address</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 12em;"><big>JOSEPH KING, A. M.</big>, Principal,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 5em;">Or REV. <big>ROWLAND DOGGETT, A. M.</big>, Associate,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 20em;"><big>SUFFOLK, VA.</big></span><br /> +</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span></p> +<h3><a name="CHARTERED_1872" id="CHARTERED_1872"></a>CHARTERED 1872.</h3> + +<h2> +SUFFOLK<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 4em;">COLLEGIATE</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 6em;">INSTITUTE!</span><br /> +</h2> + +<h3>SUFFOLK,—VA.</h3> + +<h4>PREPARATORY, PRACTICAL OR FINISHING</h4> + +<h4>—IN—</h4> + +<h4>Classics, Mathematics, Sciences and the Fine Arts!</h4> + +<h3>ADEQUATE FACULTY.</h3> + +<p><span class="smcap">Discipline</span>—Self-acting under Parental and Christian +direction. <i>Character</i> is primary. <i>Conduct</i> is resultant.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Domestic Arrangements</span>.—Economical, substantial, +home-like.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Terms</span>.—Reasonable. Both sexes admitted.</p> + +<p>Sessions begin middle of September and end the following +June. For Catalogues and other information address</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 5em;"><b><big>PROF. P. J. KERNODLE, A. M.,</big></b></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 16.5em;">PRINCIPAL.</span><br /> +</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span></p> +<h4><a name="CHARTERED_1881" id="CHARTERED_1881"></a>CHARTERED 1881.</h4> + + +<h3>SUFFOLK</h3> + +<h2><b>Female Institute</b></h2> + +<h4>FOR</h4> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Young Ladies and Little Girls</span>.</h3> + + +<h4>BOARD AND LITERARY TUITION $160 A YEAR</h4> + + +<p>The Charter authorizes the Faculty to confer the regular +Collegiate Degrees.</p> + +<p>The eighteenth annual session opened in September, 1887, +and closes the second Wednesday in June, 1888.</p> + +<p>Students received at any time, but are advised to enter at +the beginning of a term.</p> + +<p>Suffolk is one of the healthiest and most accessible towns in +Virginia.</p> + +<p>The corps of teachers is efficient and experienced. The +home training, moral and attractive. Fine advantages in +Music, Art and Languages, at modern rates.</p> + +<p>For catalogue apply to</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 9em;"><b><big>MISSES FINNEY</big></b>,</span><br /> +Box 146. <span style="margin-left: 10em;"> SUFFOLK, VA.</span><br /> +</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="WEST_END" id="WEST_END"></a>WEST END</h2> + +<h2>SEMINARY</h2> + +<h4>FOR</h4> + +<h2><span class="smcap">Young Ladies and Girls.</span></h2> + +<h3>SUFFOLK, VA.</h3> + + +<p>The first session of this institution commenced its exercises +September 20th, 1887, with flattering prospects, being attended +by young ladies from Surry, Southampton, Isle of +Wight and Nansemond counties.</p> + +<p>The large and commodious brick building, recently erected +on Kilby street, by Dr. Skiles, has been secured for the purpose.</p> + +<p>The course of instruction is such as to prepare young ladies +for the various duties of life.</p> + +<p>Special attention paid to moral and religious training, as +well as social cultivation, thereby rendering this a home-like +school.</p> + +<p>Terms very moderate.</p> + +<p>For any desired information address</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 9em;">COL. <big>WM. H. DARDEN,</big></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 9em;">MISS <big>NOVELLA S. DARDEN,</big></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 18em;">Principals.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 6em;">Or MISS <big>LIZZIE J. KING,</big> Associate.</span><br /> +</p> + + + + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p class="center"><b>Transcriber's Notes:</b></p> + +<p>Table of Contents does not appear in the original book. It has been +added for your convenience.</p> + +<p>Some punctuation and typographical errors have been corrected to +reflect the author's intention.</p> + + + + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Dismal Swamp and Lake Drummond, +Early recollections, by Robert Arnold + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DISMAL SWAMP *** + +***** This file should be named 20186-h.htm or 20186-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/0/1/8/20186/ + +Produced by Bryan Ness, Diane Monico, and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Dismal Swamp and Lake Drummond, Early recollections + Vivid portrayal of Amusing Scenes + +Author: Robert Arnold + +Release Date: December 26, 2006 [EBook #20186] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DISMAL SWAMP *** + + + + +Produced by Bryan Ness, Diane Monico, and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net. (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by the Library of Congress.) + + + + + + + + + + + +THE + +DISMAL SWAMP + +AND + +LAKE DRUMMOND. + +EARLY RECOLLECTIONS. + +VIVID PORTRAYAL OF AMUSING SCENES. + +BY + +ROBT. ARNOLD. + +SUFFOLK, VA. + +NORFOLK, VA. +GREEN, BURKE & GREGORY, PRINTERS. +1888. + + + + +Entered according to act of Congress in the year 1888, by R. Arnold, +in the office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. + + + + +INTRODUCTION + + +This little volume is launched upon the sea of public favor. If it +should stem the tide of criticism and reach a haven, my object in the +writing of it will be accomplished. Being partially blind and +physically unable to labor, I have adopted this as a means by which I +might gain an honest assistance, a double object presented itself: + +1st. That I might give to its readers some idea of the Dismal Swamp +and Lake Drummond as they were and as they now are. + +2d. That I may from the sale of my book receive an amount that will +place me beyond penury. The work will contain some interesting +incidents, and in many instances will give the real names of persons +now living who will be acquainted with the subject of which I write. +Having said this much introductory of my book, I will now proceed with +my task. + +When I determined to indite the lines which compose this volume, I +had, as has been stated, a double purpose in view. I thought I could +not employ a portion of my leisure hours more profitably, certainly +not more pleasantly, than by recounting some of the scenes, incidents +and associations which carries my mind back to the days of "Auld Lang +Syne." What more natural, then, than that my thoughts should revert to +the friend of my early manhood--one who, by the uprightness of his +character, geniality of his disposition, the chivalric impulses of his +nature, deserves, as it is my greatest pleasure to accord, the +dedication of this little volume; and I have said all when I mention +the name of my esteemed friend Robert Riddick, Esq., of Suffolk, Va. + + Suffolk, Va., January 1, 1888. THE AUTHOR. + + + + +TABLE OF CONTENTS + +CHAPTER PAGE + +I. DESCRIPTION AND SITUATION OF THE SWAMP--WASHINGTON + THE OWNER. 5 + +II. TO GROW UP AGAIN IN A JUNGLE. 8 + +III. HEALTHFULNESS AT THE SWAMP. 10 + +IV. ORIGIN OF THE LAKE DISCUSSED. 16 + +V. THE VISIT OF TOM. MOORE, AS RELATED BY TONY. 20 + +VI. PORTE CRAYON'S VISIT, INCIDENTS, ETC. 22 + +VII. MANY CHANGES HAVE TAKEN PLACE. 30 + +VIII. THE FUTURE FOR THE DISMAL SWAMP. 35 + +IX. SUFFOLK AND EARLY DAYS. 45 + +X. ENTERPRISE AND PROSPERITY. 50 + +XI. THE OLD BRICK CHURCH AT BENN'S--SUFFOLK'S FIRST + RAILROAD, ETC. 52 + +XII. BEAR HUNTING IN THE DISMAL SWAMP--COLONEL GODFREY'S + VISIT TO SOUTHAMPTON. 56 + +XIII. THE ADVENTURES OF SMITH, JONES AND BROWN--JONES, HEARING + THAT A SNAKE IS IN THE BOAT, JUMPS INTO THE CANAL. 76 + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +DESCRIPTION AND SITUATION OF THE SWAMP--WASHINGTON THE OWNER. + + +The Dismal Swamp, of which but little is known, is a large body of +dense woods, being situated and laying in Nansemond county, Virginia, +and the county of Gates, in North Carolina. It contains, by survey, +about 100,000 acres. I have been told by H. E. Smith, Esq., our county +treasurer, that 45,000 acres were listed in the county of Nansemond. +It is thickly set with juniper, cypress and other timber, which makes +it very valuable. It came into the possession of General George +Washington, and after the Revolutionary War a company known as the +Dismal Swamp Land Company was formed, and arrangements made to +manufacture the timber; hands were put in the Swamp and it was +regularly opened. A large quantity of timber was manufactured, and +Washington found it necessary to find some outlet for it, which could +only be done by a canal or ditch. A suitable place was soon found, and +Washington commenced in person to survey the route known as the +Washington Ditch. He commenced at the northwest of the Lake, on lands +known as "Soldiers' Hope," belonging to the estate of Col. Josiah +Riddick, deceased, and running west to what is called the "Reese +Farm," on the Edenton road, about seven miles from Suffolk. A large +quantity of juniper timber was brought through this ditch, which was +hauled to the Nansemond river for shipment. We were told by one of the +agents of the company, W. S. Riddick, Esq., that at one time all the +business of the company was transacted at the "Reese Farm," that being +the point at which the Ditch ended. This mode of getting the lumber to +market was found too slow and tedious, and a more direct way sought. +How long the Washington Ditch was used for bringing out the timber, we +have never heard. That will make no difference, for after the Jericho +Canal was cut the Ditch was abandoned, and a direct communication +opened to Nansemond river by the way of Shingle creek. Millions of +feet of timber was shipped annually. The shareholders at that time +were few in number, and their profits were very large. The company +consisted of a president, agent and inspector, he living at or near +Suffolk, and had charge of the work in the Swamp. He employed the +hands, furnished all the supplies, sold the lumber, received all +monies, and paid all bills. He was, in fact, the principal officer of +the company. At a stated period, annually, a meeting would be held for +a general settlement of the year's accounts. The president would +preside, and as there were no banks at that time in which to deposit +money, the agent would have a very large amount to turn over to the +stockholders. That place is no longer of much value to its owners, as +it is a source of but little revenue. The shares have been divided +and sub-divided, until some of its holders get barely enough to pay +the postage on a letter. Ex-Senator Wm. Mahone is probably the largest +shareholder. The Swamp has been leased to Jno. L. Roper, Esq., of +Norfolk, for several years, during which he has had employed a large +number of hands, consequently most of the valuable timber has been cut +off. When this Swamp was first opened, it became a harbor and safe +refuge for runaway slaves, and when one reached that dense place, +unless he was betrayed, it would be a matter of impossibility to catch +him. Long before the war you could not take up a newspaper published +in this part of the State but what you would see several cuts of a +negro absconding with a stick on his shoulder and a pack on one end of +it, with the following advertisement: + + "Notice! $500 Reward! Ran away from the subscriber, on the + night of June 18th, my negro man, Simon. He had on, when + last seen, a pair of light pants, with a black patch on the + seat of the same. He is slue-footed, knock-kneed, and bends + over a little when walking. He may be making his way to the + Dismal Swamp. I will pay the above reward for his + apprehension, or his lodgment in some jail, so that I can + get him again. + + "JOE JONES." + +I knew of an instance just before the late war where a gentleman by +the name of Augustus Holly, Bertie county, N. C., had a slave to run +away, who was known to be a desperate character. He knew that he had +gone to the Dismal Swamp, and to get him, his master offered a reward +of $1,000 for his apprehension, dead or alive. The person who caught +him is still living. I saw the negro when he was brought to Suffolk +and lodged in jail. He had been shot at several times, but was little +hurt. He had on a coat that was impervious to shot, it being thickly +wadded with turkey feathers. Small shot were the only kind used to +shoot runaway slaves, and it was very seldom the case that any ever +penetrated far enough to injure. I know three persons now living who +were runaway slave catchers, but the late war stripped them of their +occupation. They were courageous and men of nerve. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +TO GROW UP AGAIN IN A JUNGLE. + + +But little work is now done in the Dismal Swamp, and it will again +soon become a howling wilderness, a hiding place for the bears, +wild-cats, snakes and everything hideous. The bamboo and rattan will +rule supreme, and, like the banyan tree, will form an impenetrable +jungle. But a few years will be required for its accomplishment, and +without an axe you could not move a foot. + +G. P. R. James, the British Consul, who was stationed at Norfolk when +he wrote his novel entitled "The Old Dominion," and which was a +history of "Nat Turner's War," (as it is called) in Southampton +county, states that a young mother, with her infant, fled to the +Dismal Swamp for safety. Mr. James must have drawn heavily on his +imagination for a figure, to make the situation more horrible. I do +not think any mother with an infant would flee to such a wild and +desolate place as the Dismal Swamp, but, on the contrary, would keep +far away. + +I could relate many interesting stories that I have heard about the +Swamp, but as I am writing from my own observation, will discard all +such from my task. It is true that some very mysterious things have +been seen at various times. I will, digressing a little from my story, +relate one circumstance that was told me by a gentlemen who lived in +Suffolk and was stopping at Lake Drummond Hotel, situated near the +lake shore, and which was visited at that time by many persons from +New York and other places. This gentleman remarked to me that he was +standing near the Lake one morning, and happening to look across the +Lake, to his great astonishment, saw come out of the woods, at a point +so thick with reeds, bamboo and rattan, that you could not get three +feet from the shore, a beautiful, finely-dressed lady; she walked out +on a log about twenty feet into the Lake, with a fishing pole in her +hand. I saw her bait her hook and throw it out into the Lake. He said +he could also tell the color of the ribbon on her bonnet. He watched +the same place every day for several days, and at the same hour each +day the lady appeared as before. I told my friend that he must have +been laboring under an optical delusion at the time, as the Lake was +five miles wide at that place, and that it was impossible for one to +distinguish objects at so great a distance with the naked eye. He +replied that every part of the story was true. + +On another occasion, a gentleman, now living in Suffolk, told me that +he was out hunting in the Swamp, and chancing to look to the front saw +snakes coming from every direction, and quite near him he saw a lump +of them that looked to be as large as a barrel. He supposed that there +must have been as many as five hundred, all so interwoven that they +looked like a ball of snakes. He said he was too close on them to +shoot, so stepping back, he fired both barrels of his gun at the +bunch. An untangling at once commenced, and he said, "consarned if he +ever saw so many snakes before." Upon going to the place where he had +shot, he found 150 snakes dead, and as many more wounded. He carried +some of the largest of the dead out, procured a ten-foot rod, and on +measuring found one that measured twenty-three feet. I have related +this snake story several times, but was always very particular to know +that the gentleman who told me was at some other place. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +HEALTHFULNESS AT THE SWAMP. + + +Although the Dismal Swamp is so uninviting, it is one of the +healthiest places in the United States. Death from disease has never +been known in that place, and it is impossible to tell what age one +would attain if they would take up their abode in it. I have been told +that instances were known where persons were found who were so old +that they had moss growing on their backs, and who could give no idea +of their age. I once knew a family by the name of Draper, who lived in +the Swamp near the edge of the Lake. What became of them I do not +know; the spot where the house stood now forms a part of the Lake. The +constant washing of the western shore causes rapid encroachments, and +it is only a question of time when it will reach the high lands. It is +in the Dismal Swamp that Lake Drummond was discovered, by whom I do +not know, but is said to have been found by a man named Drummond, +whose name it bears; that will make no difference with me, the +question is, how came it there? Was it a freak of nature, or was it +caused by warring of the elements, is a question for the consideration +of those who visit it? That it was the effect of fire caused by +lightning setting fire to the turf, or some dead tree, there can be no +doubt. At what time in the Christian era this eventful period was, it +is not, nor never will be, known. Suffice it to say, that it was found +and is the wonder and admiration of all that have ever visited it. It +is a broad sheet of water, covering an area of five by seven miles, +and is surrounded by a dense growth of woods, so thick that you cannot +see the Lake until you are within a few feet of it. Many visitors have +visited it, all of whom were struck with astonishment at the sight. +It is ten miles southeast of Suffolk. I will now relate some of the +adventures of my first trip. It was on a bright morning, early in the +month of May, 1832, that my father and I started for "Lake Drummond," +or the Lake of the "Dismal Swamp," as some call it; and as all +preparations had been made the night before, there was nothing to +prevent us from making an early start. The idea of my going to the +Lake had driven sleep from my eyes, and I was ready to start at any +time; but it was not until the grey dawn of day that my father began +to stir. He was soon ready, and providing himself with fishing poles, +bait, lunch, and such other articles as were necessary for a two or +three days' fishing excursion, then taking our leave of my mother and +the other members of the family, we were off. The Portsmouth and +Roanoke railroad (now the Seaboard and Roanoke railroad) was at that +time graded as far as Suffolk. We followed the line of it as far as a +place known as Peter Jones, where we left it and passed through "Bull +Field," to the company's mill, which is but a short distance from the +basin of the Canal, at which place we were to take a skiff for the +Lake. On arriving at the basin we found Mr. James Woodward, +grandfather of Hersey Woodward, Esq., of Suffolk, Va. He was inspector +of lumber for the "Dismal Swamp Land Company," and was on his way to +the Lake. The drivers of the skiff, Tony Nelson and Jim Brown, were +ready, and it being now about sunrise, Mr. Woodward and my father soon +got their traps aboard, then lifting me in, all was ready. The +drivers adjusted their poles and away we went, all being a novelty to +me, who had never before been in a boat on water. Everything appeared +very strange, being but a very small boy as I was. Nothing happened to +impede our progress, and in about five hours from the time of starting +we arrived at the Lake. Then it was that our young soul began to +thrill with joy, for we were at the Lake and would soon launch on its +broad bosom. The gates of the Lock were opened and the skiff shoved +in, then the first gate being closed behind us another gate opened. +The water rushed in and soon our boat was on a level with the Lake. +The drivers then took up the oars and were ready to cross to Jack's +Landing, which was on the opposite side of the Lake. It being very +rough at the time, some fears were expressed, but Mr. Woodward, who +was well acquainted with the situation, said that he did not apprehend +any danger, and the skiff was put in motion. As I said before, it was +very rough, and when we had gotten about half-way across, it became +more so: the waves began to break over the skiff and all thought that +it would fill. Fortunately, two large wooden shovels or scoops were +found in the skiff, and with them Mr. Woodward and my father kept her +free, "Tony" and "Jim," in the meantime, plying their oars manfully. +We soon arrived at "Jack's Landing," and disembarking proceeded to +Jack's camp, which was but a short distance away, and known to every +person who had ever visited the Lake. On our arrival the pious Mr. +Woodward offered up to the Great Ruler of wind and water a prayer for +our safe deliverance from a watery grave. As we had not partaken of +any nourishment since early morning, it was proposed that we should +eat something, which was readily agreed to, and in a short time we had +gotten through that part of our work, whereupon my father said he +would try his luck fishing. So taking a small boat, which he found at +"Jack's Landing," placing me in it and then getting in himself, he +started for some good place to commence. He fished awhile at the +"Forked Gum" without any success; moved to the "Stooping Pine" with a +like result. He began to think that it was the wrong moon, and leaving +that place he paddled for the "Three Cypresses," where he caught some +very fine fish. It was now getting late in the afternoon, and as he +expected to make an early start the next morning, he thought it best +to return to the camp, heading his boat in that direction he soon +reached the landing: having but a short distance to walk, we were not +long in reaching it. Mr. Woodward had gone out to inspect some lumber +and it was getting time for his return. We did not have long to wait. +He soon came in, and looking at my father's "Fish Gourd," remarked: +"Neddie, you have had fine sport; where did you catch so many such +large Frenchmen?" "Friend Jimmy," my father replied, "when I started +my first experiment was at the 'Forked Gum,' and I did not get a +nibble. I left it and stopped at the 'Stooping Pine' with the same +success. I began to think that I was fishing on the wrong moon." "Oh! +Neddie," rejoined Mr. Woodward, "there is nothing in the phases of +the moon. You are not a good fisherman. I can take you to the 'Forked +Gum' and 'Stooping Pine' and astonish you." "After leaving the +'Stooping Pine,'" continued my father, "I made for the 'Three +Cypresses,' and it was there that I caught these fine perch." +"Neddie," said Mr. Woodward, "you are not such a bad fisherman after +all. Your success would do credit to the best." My father proposed to +Mr. W. that we should have some of the fish cleaned and cooked for +supper. The necessary order being given, in a short time a sufficient +number were ready for the pan. A hot fire was made of juniper logs, +and frying of fish commenced. In a short time we were told to get our +shingles ready, that being the only kind of plate used in the "Dismal +Swamp." And it is a well known fact that fish eat sweeter off a +shingle than any plate on which it can be placed. The fish were very +fine and greatly enjoyed by all. + +Supper being disposed of, a general conversation was indulged in about +the Lake and Swamp, but no one present could tell anything +satisfactory about the origin of the Lake. One idea was announced and +then another, throwing but little light upon the subject. "Tony" and +"Jim," the drivers of the skiff, were sitting near the embers nodding, +when Mr. Woodward, to have a little fun, said: "Tony, what is your +opinion of the origin of the Lake?" + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +ORIGIN OF THE LAKE DISCUSSED. + + +Old Uncle "Tony" made a rake in the embers with his pipe and said: +"Yas, sar; my 'pinion 'bout dat place, boss, am dat it was dug out." +Here Uncle Jim broke in. "What de matter wid you, Tony? How many +niggers do you 'spose 'twould take tu dig a hole big nuff tu hole all +dat water?" "Dats a fac, Jim," cried Uncle Tony, "I forgot 'bout de +water." + +"Well, Jim," queried Mr. Woodward, "how do you account for it?" "Marse +James," Uncle Jim sagely replied, "it 'pears to me dat somebody got +under de groun' and dig de dirt out and de water mashed it down." + +"Jim," exclaimed Tony, "you am de biggist fool dat I ebber seed. How's +anybody gwine tu git under de groun' to dig. Whar's dey gwine tu put +de dirt, and whar is de water to cum fum to mash it down?" Yah, yah, +yah. "Go 'way nigger, I 'spec you bin mole huntin'." "Dat am fac', +Tony, I didn't tink 'bout dat," said Uncle Jim, with an apologetic and +crestfallen air. Here Tony gave his pipe another rake in the embers, +took a few puffs, and fell off his log fast asleep. + +It was now getting late, and preparations were being made to put me to +bed, which was done by placing some hay on the floor of the camp and +spreading some bed clothing which we had brought along. The bed was +soon ready, and I was snugly placed upon it, although I could not go +to sleep, knowing that we were to go out early in the morning to see +the sun rise on the Lake. I was called at the first dawn of day and +told to get up: we soon had eaten our breakfast and everything made +ready to leave for the Lake. We soon reached the landing, finding our +boat ready. My father placed me in and getting in himself took up his +paddle and shoved off for a position in the Lake where we might see +the great Orb of Day bathe his face in the cloudy water of "Lake +Drummond." We did not have to wait long. By the glow of light that +began to show just under the eastern horizon, we were satisfied that +our anticipations would soon be realized. + +The morning was misty, just enough so as to hide the dense woods which +stood on the eastern shore of the Lake, and at the same time served as +a back ground to the grand display of nature, and make it appear as if +the sun actually came up out of the water as it were. The mist in +front was dispelled, and the rays of sun playing on the rippling water +would cause you to think that it was one vast cluster of diamonds. The +sight was grand beyond my power to describe it, and I never expect to +behold such a scene again. Everything was lovely on that May +morning--the balmy breeze, the air filled with perfume of the wild +flowers, which grew around the Lake: birds carrolled forth sweet music +as they flitted from limb to limb; squirrels could be seen and heard +chattering among the trees. The shore of the Lake was spread with a +velvety green, and you would think that nature had done her best to +make that morning lovely. Meditating on the beauty and grandeur that +surrounded us on the broad bosom of the Lake, suddenly we were +awakened from our reverie by the hoarse growl and lapping of the +bears, and horrid cries of the wild cats, which would cause the blood +to curdle in the veins. Thus with the sweet some sour always will be +found. Occasionally, at the Lake, a noble stag will emerge from the +trees, showing a stately head of horns, approach to the water and +survey the prospect, then plunge in the Lake to swim to the other +shore. He settles very low, and if you did not know you would take it +for a floating bush. They are frequently caught when attempting to +cross the Lake. Having reached a good place for fishing, my father +stopped at the place known as the "Apple Trees," where he caught some +very pretty fish. His bait getting scarce, he moved around the Lake to +"Draper's Landing." Running the bow of the canoe upon the wharf log, +which was nearly on a level with the water, left her, without tying, +to look for some angle worms. It being rough on the Lake at the time, +the rolling of the waves caused the boat to work off, and before he +could return she had drifted well out on the broad waters of the Lake. +We were too small to realize our situation. Not knowing how to paddle, +we were left to the mercy of the waves. On the return of my father, +seeing the great peril I was in, required but a single thought for him +to know what to do. Being a good swimmer he boldly plunged into the +water, reached the boat and swimming towed it to the shore. Had he not +returned in time, our fate could not have been told. We would have +been capsized in the Lake and drowned, or have drifted ashore to be +devoured by bears and other wild animals, or stung to death by the +venomous reptiles that hung in clusters on trees around the shores of +the Lake. This accident put an end to fishing for that day. My father +was wet, and not having a change of clothing with him, proceeded to +the camp, so that he could dry. We soon arrived at Jack's Landing, and +on reaching the camp found Mr. Woodward, who remarked: "What is the +matter, Neddie? Did a big fish pull you overboard?" He saw that my +father was wet, and ordered a fire to be made, so that he could dry +his clothes. A hot fire was soon made of juniper logs, and he was not +long in drying. + +Feeling no inconvenience from his ablution, and drinking a cup of hot +coffee, he related the circumstances as detailed above. "Well, +Neddie;" said Mr. W., "you should at once return thanks to the Giver +of all Good for this miraculous escape." The pious Mr. Woodward joined +with him. It was now nearly dark, and preparations were made to have +supper. When at the Lake it is expected that you will catch fish +enough upon which to subsist, and my father being a good hand at +angling, always had a good supply, and no one on the trip wanted for +fish. The supper, which consisted of fish, bread and hot coffee, was +soon ready. About this time Tony and Jim, who had been loading their +skiff at the landing, returned to the camp, and taking their seats at +the ends of some juniper logs, were soon fast asleep. We ate our +supper and were then ready for any kind of story that was told. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +THE VISIT OF TOM. MOORE, AS RELATED BY TONY. + + +As Uncle Tony was, perhaps, the oldest person, and knew more about the +Lake than any person then engaged at it, he was awakened, and Mr. +Woodward said: "Uncle Tony, I want you to tell us about the man whom +you said you brought to the Lake in 1821." "Who tole you 'bout dat +boss?" inquired Uncle Tony, with an air of conscious pride. "It will +make no difference, go on and tell us," returned Mr. Woodward. Tony +scratched his head, then putting some tobacco in his pipe, took out +his flint and steel (matches not being known in the swamp at that +day,) and soon had fire enough to light his pipe. Drawing on it enough +to get his "nigger head" tobacco to burn, and fixing himself on the +end of his log, he commenced: "Boss, I shall nebber forgit dat time. +One mornin' as I war gittin' my skiff ready to go to de Lake, a mity +nice lookin' man cum up to me an' said: 'Buck, ar' you de man dat will +carry me to de Lake ob de Dismal Swamp, for which I will pay you one +pound?' De gemman talked so putty, dat I tole him to git in my skiff, +an' I wud carry him to de Lake. I notice' dat he kep' writin' all de +way. When I got to de horse camps I stopped to get somfin to eat. He +cum outen de skiff an' ax me what I stop for. I tole him I stop to eat +some meat an' bread. He ax me if I wud hav' a drink. I tuk off my hat +an' tole him dat I wud be much obleged to him for it. He foched a +silber jug, wid a silber cup for a stopper, and said: 'My man, dis is +Irish whiskey. I brung it all de way from home.' He tole me dat his +name was Thomas Moore, an' dat he cum fom 'way ober yonder--I dun +forgot de name of de place--an' was gwine to de Lake to write 'bout a +spirit dat is seed dar paddlin' a kunnue. De har 'gin tu rise on my +hed an' I ax him ef dat was a fac'. He sed dat he was told so in +Norfolk. It was gin out dar dat a mity putty gal had loss her +sweethart, an' had dun gone crazy, an' had gone to de Lake ob de +Dismal Swamp an' drown herself, an' dat she ken be seen ebery night by +de lite ob some sort ob fli." "I tell you, boss," continued the old +man, "when he tole me 'bout dat gal paddlin' dat bote on de Lake at +nite, I diden' want to go any furder wid him, but he tole me dar wud +be no danger. I cud not see hur, so I carrid him on to de Lake. He rit +like de gal had run away an' had been drowned rite here. I shal nebber +forget dat gentman. I fotch him back an' he gin me de poun', which war +five dollars, an' he lef' for Norfolk, bein' mitey glad dat I had +carrid him to de Lake." + +"Tony, did he tell you anything about his trip?" inquired Mr. +Woodward. + +"Yas, sar," replied the old man. "He tole me dat he had trabbled an' +seen sites, but dat he nebber was so 'stonish befo'; he did not spec' +to see at de end ob de kunel such a putty place; an' dat I wud hear +som time what he was gwine tu say 'bout it." "That was Tom Moore, the +Irish poet," said Mr. W. "De who?" interrupted Tony. "He came to this +country," continued Mr. W. "to visit the Lake, as being one of the +wonders of nature, and you were fortunate in having to wait on such a +distinguished person." + +Tom Moore, after he had arrived in this country, no doubt heard of the +Lake of the Dismal Swamp, and when he reached Norfolk, Va., and the +story of the fair maiden and her lover being fresh, might have induced +him to visit it, and it was on that occasion that he penned the +following lines: + + "They made her a grave that was too cold and damp, + For a soul so warm and true." + +His poem on the "Lake of the Dismal Swamp," no doubt, is familiar with +every person of ordinary information, and can be found in every +library, and should be read by every person who has never done so. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +PORTE CRAYON'S VISIT, INCIDENTS, ETC. + + +At a much later date the Lake was visited by Porte Crayon, who was at +that time writing for Harper's Monthly. The account given of his +trip, with his illustrations, are very life-like and interesting, and +in the February or March number of that valuable book, for the year +1857, you will be greatly amused at the description there given. Two +darkies, Eli Chalk and Jim Pearce, were the drivers of the pleasure +boat furnished by W. S. Riddick, Esq., the then agent of the Dismal +Swamp Land Company, in which he was carried to the Lake. He was there +some two or three days, and his writings should be read to be +appreciated. It was at the Lake that we saw Uncle "Alek," of whom a +fac-simile likeness is given in the book above referred to. Uncle +"Alek" was a superanuated old colored man, belonging to the Reverend +Jacob Keeling, Rector of the Episcopal Churches in Nansemond county, +Virginia. He was quite old, and retained his memory to a remarkable +degree. He was called the "Bee Hunter" of the Dismal Swamp, and, if I +am not mistaken, had a bag of bees in his hand when Porte first met +him. He would follow bees for a long distance, cutting his way through +the reeds for miles in a straight line, until he came to the tree in +which was the hollow. Then he would take out the bees, put them into a +bag and bring them out. In going to the Lake you could see numberless +paths cut by Uncle Alek for that purpose. The opening through the +reeds would look to be about two feet wide and ten feet high, which +was almost the length of the reeds. Uncle Alek worked in the swamp +nearly all his life, was a faithful hand, and in his old age the +company gave him a house and a piece of land, as a home during his +natural life. A mule was also given to him by the company, which mule +I had the honor of riding at a tournament at Suffolk, Va., in 1860. +How old he was no one could tell at that time. No account is given of +any mules being in the Ark at the time that she settled on dry land, +and where that mule came from will never be known. It is very certain +that he appeared on this mundane sphere at some period after the +flood. If he is dead I have heard nothing of it. He may be wandering +about the Dismal Swamp. Old Uncle Alek and his mule were great +curiosities, and whenever he came to town on his mule they attracted a +great deal of attention. He was an exhorter in the Methodist Churches +for colored people, and always had in his pocket a Testament or hymn +book. He was perfectly conversant with the Bible, and could refer +readily to any passage of Scripture that you might mention. He was +born in 1783, and died a few years ago, having attained the age of one +hundred years, his mind being as vivid and active as at any time. We +shall never forget Uncle Alek and his mule. They were things of our +earliest recollection, and, like many of the landmarks at the "Lake of +the Dismal Swamp," have been washed away. I have been to it frequently +since my first visit, and would notice the changes made by the rude +hand of time. + +I have examined several writers that have written about "Uncle Alek's +Mule," and am satisfied that it was the same one that "Nat Turner" +rode when on his raid of murder in Southampton county, Va., in 1831. +Looking over the diary of Colonel Godfrey for thirty years, we notice +that he said "Nat Turner," when he appeared in the avenue of Dr. +Blount, on that fatal night, he rode at the head of the column, +mounted on a sorrel mule, with flax mane and tail. But the question +arises, how that mule got into the Dismal Swamp, and how he came in +possession of the Dismal Swamp Land Company. Col. Godfrey states that +there were several guns in the house of Dr. Blount, and several +visitors there at the time; that the young Blount loaded the guns, and +that a strong fire was kept up on the advancing column. Nat Turner was +thrown from his mule, then they became panic-stricken, and were +dispersed. For the bravery displayed by young Blount on that occasion, +he received a midshipman's warrant in the United States Navy. I will +now quote from G. P. R. James' book, called the "Old Dominion," in +which he states that a "young mother with her infant fled to the +Dismal Swamp for safety." It was several miles away, and it may be +that she drove that same mule, and the probability is that she left +the mule in the Swamp, and that he wandered about until he found +Jack's Camp, where he was secured and became the property of the +Dismal Swamp Land Company. How long the company worked him before he +became the property of Uncle Alek, I do not know, but am satisfied +that it was several years, and that his wind was injured by +overloading. I have the testimony of a gentleman well-known in +Suffolk, now living, who stated that he saw a cymling vine at jack's +Camp which was of spontaneous growth, and which covered more juniper +trees than he could count, and from that vine there was gathered two +hundred and fifty cart loads of cymlings. It may be that the hauling +away of these cymlings so injured the mule that he was no longer of +service to the company. There is no doubt he was turned over to Uncle +Alek, which must have been during the year 1832. I was in the Swamp +during that year and saw the cymling vine above alluded to, and no one +could tell how it came to grow there. It will be impossible for me to +tell how old Uncle Alek's mule was or what became of him. I have never +heard that he died or was killed. He was no doubt the most remarkable +mule that ever lived. The last that I heard from him was related by +Uncle Alek himself, and which was no doubt true. I will relate as near +as I can what the old man told me. He came to Suffolk one day and I +noticed that he was very much excited. I said to him: "Uncle Alek, +what has happened to you?" He answered: "Marse Robert I neber was in +sich a fix befo' in all my life. I hav' fit bars, rattlesnakes, wild +cats and bees, but I tell you sumfin' has happened to me to-day dat +neber bin known to befall any one." "What was that Uncle Alek?" I +inquired. "I'm terribly upsot, and I dunno what to do. I shall hab to +mov' 'way frum my place; a whirlwind struc' my well dis mornin' an' +has twisted it so dat I can't git de bucket down in de well, an' I +can't git no water, an' what is wuss den all, my mule has bin +translated. He wus a good mule, and his loss ruins me." I saw Uncle +Alek some time after that, when he told me that he was out in the +Swamp hunting bees, when lo and behold! he heard his mule bray. He +cast his eyes up and saw him lodged in the forks of a large tree. +There was no way by which he could get him down, and left him as he +thought to die. But his surprise can be imagined when he heard +nuzzling at the door one morning, when, upon opening, what should he +see but his mule. How he came down he could not tell, but said he +should always believe that his mule could climb a tree. I said it must +have been a Providential interference, and that the same Power which +landed him in the tree was able to lift him out. "Dat is so," said the +old man, "an' I will nebber agin' complain at de ways ob an +Over-Rulin' Providence." I often think of Col. Godfrey and his remark, +when he said that what best conduces to the happiness of mankind is +right. Uncle Alek, knowing that his mule was at home with his head +well in the crib, and he in the Swamp fighting bears and bees, was +perfectly happy. Uncle Alek and his mule are both now dead, and I +shall always have a lively recollection of them. I often think of +them, and that I rode Uncle Alek's mule as Knight of the Dismal Swamp +at a tournament, won the first honor, and was ruled out on account of +my mule not making time, much to the mortification of Uncle Alek. As +Uncle Alek and his mule will appear again, I will leave them for the +present and relate an interesting conversation with Mr. Richard +Hosier, who now lives in Suffolk, and who is as well acquainted with +the Dismal Swamp as any one now living. He is perfectly familiar with +every part of it, and is, no doubt, correct in many of his statements. +He informed me that long before the Lake was discovered by Drummond, +two gentlemen from Elizabeth City, N. C., left for the Dismal Swamp on +a hunting expedition, and having lost their way, wandered about until +they came to what they discovered to be a large body of water. From it +they traveled a due west course and came out at a farm on the Desert +road, known as Mossy Swamp, and one of the men was taken sick and +died; the other one returned to Elizabeth City. Mr. Hosier did not +state when this was, but said it was long before Drummond made known +that he had discovered a lake in the Dismal Swamp. It will be +remembered that Mr. Hosier was arrested in Norfolk in 1863 by order of +the Federal general then commanding that department, and was being +carried toward the Indian Pole Bridge to be put to work on the +defences of Norfolk. He was not disposed to do work in that way, and +when well out from Norfolk he eluded the guard that had him, and +directed his steps toward the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth river. +On his arrival, seeing boats passing up and down, he secreted himself +until the darkness of night had fallen, then making a bundle of his +clothes and placing it on his head, he entered the river and swam to +the other shore. He then pursued his way to the Deep Creek Canal, +which he forded. Arriving at the "Feeder," he was not far from the +Lake, and was at a place with which he was well acquainted, and out +of the reach of all danger of being recaptured. Resting himself a +while, he then started for the Lake, and it was at that place he +performed his great feat. He could not procure a boat, and the +prospect before him was gloomy indeed. If he remained there he would, +in all probability, have been devoured by bears and other wild animals +in the Swamp, or perhaps, starve. Not being in the least daunted, he +prepared himself to reach the western shore, which could only be done +by swimming. It was seven miles across, but he nerved himself to the +accomplishment of his object. He prepared himself as before by making +a bundle of his clothes, which he placed on the top of his head, and +was then ready to swim across or perish in the attempt. When he was +about half-way across he was attacked by a large serpent, and had it +not been for a school of gars that was following him, he would no +doubt have been devoured. He reached the shore only to meet a more +formidable enemy. It was a large black bear. In his scuffle with the +serpent he had lost his bundle of clothes and had nothing but a large +knife, which was buckled around his waist. Drawing his knife, he +rushed forward and was met by the bear, when a regular hand-to-hand +fight was commenced. He did not wrestle long before he found an +opportunity to use his knife, and plunging it up to the hilt, he soon +had the bear lying prostrate at his feet. Having lost all his clothes, +it became necessary that he should do something in his nude state. The +bear's skin was the only thing that he could get, so with his knife +he skinned him, and getting inside the skin, he started to find some +settlement. But his condition was as bad as before. The idea of his +being able to get near enough to any person to tell of his condition +was absurd. The very sight of him would scare every man, woman and +child off the plantation. He could not get a living soul to come to +him, and it was not until he had reached his own home, some few miles +from Suffolk, that he could present himself as Mr. Hosier. I could +write many very interesting incidents connected with the life of Mr. +Hosier, which, in many instances, are thrilling. But as we are writing +our own recollections, I shall only notice in a few cases what I have +been told by others. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +MANY CHANGES HAVE TAKEN PLACE. + + +It is pleasant to me that I can take a retrospective view of the past +and note the many changes that have taken place within my +recollection. Many sad changes have taken place within the past fifty +years. Dynasties have arisen, lived and have had their day; they have +fallen, and are known as things that were. But four of the companions +of my school-boy days are living, and it is only now and then that we +meet with one. The Rev. R. H. Jones, of Norfolk, is the only one that +we have seen or known away from Suffolk. The honored landmarks of the +town are few, and soon must be less. Benjamin Riddick, the present +mayor of the town, is perhaps the oldest citizen in it. Judge P. B. +Prentice, the polished gentleman--his manly form can be seen on our +streets, as he, with intrepid steps, passes along; he is the oldest +native citizen and possesses a mind as active and vigorous as when +young. John Hoffman, Esq., is another of the landmarks of the town. He +has lived nearly his four-score years. Whitmill Jones, Esq., is +another of our old friends. His steps are feeble and trembling. The +last of the old pioneers of Suffolk whom we shall notice is James B. +Norfleet, Esq. He is perhaps more generally known than any man who has +ever lived in the place. He conducted for many years a very extensive +mercantile and lumber business, but fell a victim to his generous +impulses. The cypress that was known as the "apple tree," which stood +in the Lake a short distance to the left of the "Lock," has been blown +down or washed up with its roots, and in a short time nothing will be +seen of it. The house which stood not very far from the western shore +of the Lake and occupied by a family known as Draper, has been washed +away and nothing left to show that a human habitation ever had any +existence there. Before the late war a pleasure boat was kept by the +company for the accommodation of parties that wished to visit the +Lake, and it was customary for several parties to go in early Spring, +commencing about the first of May, that being the most pleasant time +and nature about to put on her coat of green. But few parties now +venture in, owing to the inconvenience that attend, and when they do +go they have to get in the best way they can. The pleasure boat and +other boats in the canal were cut up by order of General Peck, +commanding the United States forces at Suffolk, Va., and carried to +the Black water river to be used as pontoons across that stream. But I +doubt if they were ever used for that purpose. After the surrender so +great was the demand for boats by strangers that wished to visit the +Lake of the Dismal Swamp that Capt. Busby, an energetic citizen of +Nansemond county, Virginia, had erected near the Lake a hotel known as +the Lake Drummond Hotel, and to invite visitors he had built a +beautiful gondola, which was run daily to the Lake during the season. +That old trojan, Capt. Jack Robinson, being in charge of the hotel, +caused it to be well filled. It was very frequently the case that +parties would come from Norfolk to go on from Suffolk, they having +heard that the gondola left her wharf every day for the Lake. I +recollect a party of three young gentlemen that came from Norfolk who +wished to visit Lake Drummond. They stopped at the Exchange Hotel and +made known the fact. The polite manager, Eddie S. Riddick, Esq., soon +saw Capt. Busby, and his gondola was chartered to carry the party to +the Lake. Mr. Riddick made every preparation necessary for them, but +one of the parties heard that an alligator was on exhibition near the +hotel, and thinking that it was brought from the Lake, at once +provided himself with a rifle and a large quantity of fixed +ammunition. All were then ready and they left for the canal, where +they would take the gondola. She was then at her wharf, and everything +being placed in, Capt. Busby took his stand at the wheel and gave +orders to the first mate to have the gondola cast loose, which was at +once obeyed, and, like a swan, she was gliding on in the canal at the +fearful rate of about two miles an hour. To prevent any confusion if +attacked, one of the most daring young men of the party, being one of +the three from Norfolk, Va., placed himself in the bow of the gondola +with rifle in hand and a box of ammunition conveniently nigh, awaiting +an attack from any quarter. When passing what is known as "Paradise +Old Field," one of the party cried alligator! The young man at the bow +at once opened fire, and it was not until he had shot away a whole box +of ammunition that he discovered the supposed alligator to be nothing +more dangerous than a floating log. Quiet having been restored the +captain struck two bells, and the gondola was on her way again, but +unfortunately had not proceeded many miles when a snake fell in off an +overhanging limb of a tree, and so near one of the young men that it +caused him to jump over into the canal. The mate ordered one of the +deck hands to throw the snake out, whilst others were fishing out the +young man who had jumped overboard. Captain Busby, fearing that some +other accident might happen before reaching the hotel, thought it best +that passengers should occupy their state-rooms until a landing was +made at the hotel. He said with so much confusion it would be +impossible for him to land his gondola safely. Captain Jack, of the +hotel, was watching the movements of Captain Busby, and complimented +him for his dexterity. He walked down from the hotel and escorted the +guests up who had just arrived. The hotel is of the Irish style of +architecture, with parlor, kitchen, dining and bedroom all in the same +room, the whole being heated by a hot air furnace. I have not been to +the Lake for some time, but hear that great improvements have been +made, and it is the object of the proprietor of the hotel to turn the +attention of Northern visitors to Florida every Winter in that +direction, believing that it is the healthiest place in the United +States. It is very accessible--the Norfolk and Western railroad +passing through its northern boundary, and the Suffolk and Carolina +Short Line or Grand Trunk railroad on its western, which by running a +railroad from Skinnerville, on the Grand Trunk, would bring the Lake +Hotel within a few minutes' ride from Suffolk, and with little or no +inconvenience to invalids coming from the rigid climate of the North. +I am told that all snakes remain in a torpid state during the winter, +and no danger might be expected from them, and as the floors of the +hotel would be kept tight no vermin could crawl through. There can be +no doubt that the Lake of the Dismal Swamp must become the great +centre of health-seekers, and that at an early day. Its location and +advantages, the known healthliness of the place, to say nothing of its +beauty and former renown, is sufficient to attract the attention of +persons that seek the Sunny South from the cold and rigorous climate +of the extreme Northern States of the Union. It is true that some +writers pronounce the warm and genial climate of the Sunny South to be +a fraud, practiced to allure the unsuspecting. That cannot be so. It +is universally known that the Dismal Swamp is the healthiest place in +the known world. Where can you find a location in which a death has +not occurred in a hundred years? It cannot be named. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +THE FUTURE FOR THE DISMAL SWAMP. + + +The Dismal Swamp in Virginia is the only place where a death from +disease has never occurred. Railroads, like hog paths, are being run +in every direction, and the time is not far distant when a railroad +will be run direct to the beautiful Lake of the Dismal Swamp, and +Northern invalids will flock to its beautiful shores, there to bathe +in its juniper water and be healed from all diseases. True, at this +time it is in a rude and wild condition, but with the Suffolk and +Carolina Grand Trunk Railroad stretching across its western front, +civilization must tend toward it, and when a communication direct is +opened a city, Cincinnatus like, will spring along its shores, and its +inhabitants can, by the light of the glow worm of fire fly, watch the +paddling of the white canoe, so beautifully described by Moore in his +poem. Another very interesting place near the Swamp is a farm which at +one time belonged to General Washington. It is at the extreme south, +and is now owned by Mrs. John Trotman, and she has in her possession +the original title deeds of every person who has owned the place at +various times, from Washington down to the last purchaser, who was +Burrell Brothers, Esq., of Gates county, N. C., and an uncle of the +above-named lady. At his death it fell to his widow, who gave it to +Mrs. John Trotman, its present owner. I have visited the place several +times, and the cellars can now be seen where stood the first house. It +is very certain that it was settled many years ago, from the fact that +I saw a tombstone of a doctor from Waterbury, Connecticut, who died +there in 1800. This stone has been seen by many persons. There is +another place of some note that adjoins the Washington farm, it is +known as Hamburgs. At this place a ditch or canal was dug, running +east to the northwest Lock of the Dismal Swamp Canal, through which a +vast quantity of grain and other produce raised by the farmers of +Gates county, was shipped to Norfolk. An extensive mercantile business +was carried on at Hamburg by Col. T. W. Smith, so well known, who +afterwards removed to and now resides in Suffolk, Va. It was at +Hamburg that so many refugees ran the blockade during the late war +from Norfolk and other places, and a number of incidents could be +related of persons that sought that place to get in and out of the +Confederate lines. Hamburg is a beautiful place and is owned by Mrs. +S. C. Voight, who resides upon the premises. It was at this place that +Beast Butler, of the Federal Army, carried on a very extensive barter +trade with the Rebs. It adjoins the Washington farm, as I said before, +and may have been at one time a part of it. I knew nothing of the +first settlement of the place. It has the appearance of being very +ancient--no doubt dates back many years before the Revolution, or it +may have been the headquarters of a roving tribe of Indians, as many +arrow points and tomahawks have been ploughed up on the place. To my +friend, T. H. Lassiter, Esq., of Gates county, North Carolina, I am +indebted for much of the information gained of that locality, and I +could relate a good deal told me by that gentleman which might be very +interesting. Mr. Lassiter lives at a beautiful farm, on the main +Edenton road, near the Silver Spring, a place of great resort for +persons living in that part of the county. + +I will relate a very interesting conversation which I had with a very +old colored man that I met in the road near the Orapeake Mill, in +Gates county, North Carolina, when on my way to Suffolk, Va., and not +far from the beautiful village of Jonesville, lying on both sides of +the Suffolk and Carolina Short Line or Grand Trunk Railroad. I said to +the old man, "Uncle, where do you live?" "Boss, you ax me a hard +question," replied the old man. "Git off your hoss an sot down, I'm +gwine tell you sumfin. Do you smoke de pipe, boss?" I replied that I +did, and handed him my bag of tobacco. He took from his pocket what I +supposed he called a pipe. It was the butt end of a corn cob hollowed +out, with something protruding at a right angle, which he called a +stem. What it really was, I could not tell. He filled it with tobacco. +I then handed him a match, when thanking me very kindly, he lighted +his pipe, drawing it a few times to see that it was well lighted, +said: "Boss, I will now tol you sumfin dat happen many years ago. Do +you see dat mill pon' yonder?" alluding to the Orapeake. I replied +that I did. "Well, boss, dat pon' was de cause of my trouble. One dark +nite I was in dar strikin' at fish. I had just hit a large chub, when +a white man, who was in dar strikin', cum up and sed: 'Boy, dat is my +fish.' I tole him dat I kilt de fish, an dat it was mine. 'Bout dat +time he was gwine to take de fish, an den I took up my hatchet dat I +had in de bote, whar I split liteard wid and hit him on de head. He +drapped down in de bote, and I seed dat I had done sumfin bad. De man +was dead, and I wood be hung if dey cotched me. So I drug de man ober +de side of de bote into the water, and mashed him down in the mud, an +dat man never cum up any more. I didn't go home any more. An arter a +while de white man was missin', an de peple gin to talk, an I gin to +git skared. Do you see dat house up dar?" I said I did. "Well, Marse +Luke Sumner libbed dar. De big house dat he libbed in is done torn +down, and de small one made outen it. He is done ded now, and when he +libbed dar is mor'n a hundred years ago. His gran-son, Marse Joe +Riddick, now own de place and libs at it. He mus be ni eighty year +old. Well, dey fine de white man was done missin, an it bin dat I was +strikin' fish in de mill pon' de same nite, dey 'gin to look for me, +an my daddy tole me dat I had better go into the desart, which was de +Dismal Swamp. I took his 'vice and lef. De runaway ketchers cum in dar +to look for me, but didn't get me. I staid dar 'til de war was ober. I +cum out and hab been lookin' 'bout dis place to see if I node anybody, +but dey all gone ded, an nobody nose me. I tell you, boss, when you +git in de desart ef nobody ses nuffin, de runaway ketchers can't kotch +you. I am berry ole now, and my home folks are all ded an gone an I no +nobody. De ghost ob de white man dat I kilt hants me all de time, +wharebber I go, an I is a misable man. I am now on my way to de desart +to hide myself an die." I asked him who he belonged to at the time he +committed the murder. Replying, he said: "I longed to Capt. Richard +Brothers, in de desert." "Well," I said, "did he ever know what became +of you?" "I nebber heard any more from him arter I got in the desart. +I heard dat he dide in 1817 ob de cole plague, or black tongue." "You +are correct in what you have said, uncle," I replied. "I do not wish +to interview you any longer on that subject. He was my grandfather and +lived at the place mentioned by you. I hear the old people speak of +the circumstances. You were his carriage driver at the time, and your +name is 'Long Davy.'" "Yas, sar, dat is my name, but don't tell +anybody 'bout it. I had a brudder libbing in de low parrish of +Nansemond county, but he is ded. His name was George." I said, "Uncle +Davy, you are correct. On one occasion, being at Driver's Store, in +lower parrish of Nansemond, I saw a tall and very polite colored man +drive up. I was struck with his appearance, and asking him his name, +he said George W. Coston, sir. Then you are from Sunsbury, Gates +county, North Carolina." "I was from that place," he replied, "but +have been living in the lower parish since the breaking out of the +war." "Were you a slave or free-born," I inquired. "I was a slave," he +responded. "Who was your first owner that you recollect." "Capt. +Richard Brothers, on the desart road, Nansemond county, Va., who died +with the cold plague in 1817," he readily answered. He appeared to be +very much pleased when I told him that his first master was my +grandfather. He looked at me very straight and asked me my mother's +name, and upon my answering Margaret, he said he thought he could see +a family likeness, and said my mother was the first mistress he ever +had, she "drawing" him in the division of my grandfather's property. I +left him at Driver's Store and never saw him again. I have since heard +that he was dead. I often thought of the circumstances of the meeting. +Such frequently occurs and brings up recollections that are buried in +oblivion. The corroborative testimony of George satisfied me that +"Davy" was true in what he related to me about what happened at +Orapeake Mill Pond, in Gates county, North Carolina, near the +beautiful village of Jonesville, on the Grand Trunk Railroad. + +That the Lake of the Dismal Swamp is to become the great centre of +attraction there can be no reasonable doubt. Recent demonstrations in +that direction go to prove beyond cavil the fact. The visit of John +Boyle O'Reilly, editor of the Boston Herald, Mr. Mosely, of +Washington, and several other distinguished persons, go to prove the +fact. Contiguous as it is to the celebrated Magnolia Springs, with its +vast hunting grounds, will be a sufficient inducement to invite +sportsmen from all sections. It is certain that a railroad will be +surveyed and constructed, commencing at or near Magnolia Springs, +which will tap the Lake near the famous apple tree, and as a grand +hotel will be constructed at the Lake visitors will have the privilege +of stopping there or at the Springs. A sufficient amount of capital +can be had for all purposes necessary, and as the hotel will be built +about one mile from the shore of the Lake, it will be free from yellow +flies, fleas, mosquitos, snakes, alligators, bears, pole cats and +other annoyances which more or less infest the hotel. The hotel being +built on piles out in the Lake, could be reached by a bridge starting +from the shore, with a sufficient number of draws, which, if left open +at night, would prevent snakes, bears, alligators, pole cats, etc., +from entering the hotel. A strict watch will be kept, and if by +accident the draws should be left closed and an alligator, bear or +snake should enter the hotel, or should a snake be found coiled up in +bed with some sleeper, no alarm should be given, it might cause some +nervous person to jump overboard and be devoured by alligators, +snakes, etc. By giving notice at the office of the hotel these +annoyances would be removed with but little or no excitement. The +object of the company is to direct the attention of Northern invalids +to Lake Drummond and Magnolia Springs, the medicinal qualities of +whose waters have been tested and are pronounced to be superior to any +known in this country. After drinking of these waters all that you +have to do is to go to Lake Drummond, bathe in its waters and be +healed. You will then be prepared to hunt bears, quail, deer, etc., at +the Springs, and your sport will then commence. Before entering into +the hunt you will supply yourself with a pole cat arrangement, which +is furnished free by the company and will probably be of service to +you. It is not expected that you will engage in any bear hunt on your +first arrival, but will wait until you know something about the mode +of hunting them. It frequently happens on the hunt that you come in +contact with a rattlesnake. He will give you timely notice by +springing his rattles, which you will do well to heed. It is a +well-known fact that Northern invalids are not afraid of alligators, +bears, snakes, pole cats or any of the poisonous insects that infest +the Swamp and Lake. There are a few timid persons living near the +Lake, on the edge of the Swamp, who are sometimes driven out of their +houses by the appearance of bears and snakes, but they are few in +number, and seldom or ever visit the Lake. The great bug bear that +deter most of the visitors is the fear of snakes falling in the +gondola, as she passes along, from overhanging limbs of trees. If +passengers would keep in their state-rooms on the gondola, snakes +might fall into it and they would know nothing about it, as they would +be thrown out as soon as found. Lizzards sometimes run up the +pantaloons leg of some who are not on the lookout for such things; but +that causes a fellow to run out of his trousers so quick that very few +ever get bitten. + +I have visited the Lake at various times and under different +circumstances, but do not recollect that anything unaccountable +happened to me but once, which I will relate: On one occasion as I was +going down the canal, toward the Lake, the driver of the skiff +exclaimed, "Boss, did you see dat?" "No," I exclaimed; "What was it?" +"It was a ball of fire." "A what?" I said. "A jack-mer-lantern," said +he. "And what is that?" I asked. "It's a sperit. I ceed dem ebery +nite, an' when I go to kotch one dey ain't nobody." "Then you believe +in spirits?" "Yes, sar; dat I dus. When I pass Paradise Old Field I +kin always see dem." "Have you ever been told anything about the ball +of fire and Jack-mer-lantern, as you call them?" "Yes, sir; dat I +hab." "Then let me hear what you have been told." "Yes, sir; Boss, +I'se gwine tu tell you de God's trufe." "Well, proceed." "Boss, I'm +gwine to tole you dey tole me dat long time 'go dat a man by de name +of Pluter was come up dar in dat field wid a 'omun, an' dat dey loss +demselves, an' hab neber bin seed since; and dat ebery nite wen you go +by dar you kin see somfin. One nite as I was gwine 'long I thort dat +a ball of fire wus gwine tu hit me in de face. I axed who wus dat; +nobody said nuffin. I hit at it an' it turned to a Jack-mer-lantern." +"And what was that," I asked. "I 'spec dat it wus dat man Pluter, an' +de ball ob fire wus de 'omun dat wus wid him." "And they are what you +call 'sperits?' Then you are a natural born fool; if you do not shove +this boat along I will break your head with this pole." "Boss, I shall +always blebe in dem sperits." + +It is very true that some very mysterious and unaccountable things +were seen when passing Paradise Old Field, by the side of the canal, +by persons on their way to the Lake of the Dismal Swamp, but in very +few instances, and then only by nervous persons of diseased minds. You +might travel up and down the canal as often as you choose and outside +of snakes and pole cats nothing would ever appear. Do not let snake +stories deter you from visiting this wonderful and beautiful place, +the Lake of the Dismal Swamp. As the boat was being driven along, the +driver said: "Boss, did I nebber told you about de big watermillion +that Mars. Caleb Busby foun' near dis place?" "No; let me hear +something about it." "Well, sir, I will tole you. One day as Mars. +Busby was gwine tu de Lake, an' wen he got rite here he ceed on de +side ob de cunnel a big snake trien tu swallow a raccoon. He tuk up +sumfin' to flro at de snake, an' jes' den he ceed in de bushes a nale +keg, an' wus glad dat he had foun' a keg ob nales. But wen he got dar +it was a watermillion." "How do you suppose that melon came to grow +there?" I asked. "My 'pinion 'bout dat, Boss, dat some nigger stole a +watermillion frum sum farmer's patch, an' wen he got here he busted it +gin a tree. Sum ob de seed fell on de ground an' de watermillion gru +dar." "That is very probable. What did Mr. Busby do with it?" "He +karid it home, planted sum ob de seed and his million weighed ober +fifty pounds. He sole sum ob de seed, an' frum dem seed farmers rose +de biggest watermillions ob eny in dis kintry." "Dat will do pretty +well for you; drive the boat along." "Dus yu think dat I tole yu a +story, Boss?" "Oh, no; I only thought that one of your +'Jack-mer-lanterns' had been after you, or that somebody had been +throwing a 'ball of fire' at your head." + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +SUFFOLK AND EARLY DAYS. + + +I will take the above railroad and return to Suffolk, when I will say +something of my early recollections of that place. It was in the year +1830 that my father, with his family, moved to it. I was quite small +at that time, but I recollect the time well. Suffolk was then a small +village, situated on the Nansemond river, with a population of about +five hundred, and increased very slowly in population until after the +surrender, which was in April, 1865. Since that it has increased very +rapidly in population and growth. It was in Suffolk that Henry Herman +commenced his business career; moved to Norfolk in 1832; and became +one of her successful merchants. At his death his remains were brought +to Suffolk, and now quietly rest in Cedar Hill Cemetery. I could +mention many instances of successful business men of that town were it +necessary. I will now write of things of more recent date--something +within the recollection of many persons yet living. It will be +recollected that a fire broke out in June, 1837, that destroyed the +lower part of the town. There were no engines in the place and the +flames raged with great fury. The Allen residence, at Rose Hill, about +one half mile distant, was set on fire several times by the flying +debris, and it was with difficulty that the house was saved. It was at +Rose Hill that a large mercantile business was carried on, and no +doubt a large quantity of juniper lumber was shipped from that point +belonging to private individuals. A wharf was built at the mouth of +Shingle creek (I imagine long before the Jericho canal was dug), and +large quantities of lumber was hauled to it by persons living on the +edge of the Dismal Swamp. I knew of several persons who owned large +juniper glades on the edge of Dismal Swamp one in particular. His name +was Thomas Swepston and lived not far from Suffolk, on the line of the +Seaboard railroad, which divides his farm. He was agent of the Dismal +Swamp Land Company for several years, and may have been the first +after the Jericho canal was opened. The last agent, of whom I have any +knowledge, was W. S. Riddick, Esq., who died several years ago. The +last inspector of lumber was J. E. Bonnewell, of whom it is my +pleasure to notice particularly. Perhaps no man was more generally +known and respected in Suffolk than he. He was a true friend, +benevolent and kind, never refusing to bestow charity when called +upon. He succeeded Mr. Joseph Hill as inspector for the company, which +office he held until his death. It was during his term of office that +it was made so pleasant to visit the Lake. By giving timely notice he +would always give the parties the best boats and the most trusty hands +as drivers, and would always be present when the boat left its landing +and when it returned, and was anxious to know if any mishaps had +occurred to any of the party. And if it should be reported that some +lady had fallen into the canal, he would always very politely ask that +she be carried into his house to be made more comfortable. Capt. Babel +Ions, of Philadelphia, was his bosom friend. When the Captain was in +Suffolk, they could always be found together. They both have passed +away, and a generous people will do justice to their memory. Captain +Connewell died leaving a rich heritage behind--a name that will live +as long as it is called. But few have lived and died who was so much +beloved and respected as he. He was proud but not haughty, and +flexible to kind impulses. He was the soul of honor, and no one can +say that he even failed to accord to every one their just dues. I knew +him from my boyhood up and never knew a better man. He left an +interesting family--Mrs. H. R. Culley being his eldest daughter. I +could write many noble traits in the character of that good man, but +it is not necessary. There are but few of his compeers now living, and +soon they will all have passed away. Such is the march of time. + +Nothing very important transpired in Suffolk from 1837 until after the +close of the late war, when she awoke from her slumbering condition; +her watchword being progress. She brushed the dust from her eyes, and +her advancement in every branch of industry can be seen in her rapid +growth. She stands second to no town in a commercial point of view. +Her manufacturing interests are considerable, and being a railroad +centre she must prosper and grow. The disastrous fire which occurred +June 7th, 1885, impeded business for a few months, but our men of +capital at once commenced to repair the breach, and she is again on +the road to fame and wealth. And it is to the Suffolk and Carolina or +Short Line railroad that Suffolk is mostly indebted for her present +prosperous condition. Penetrating as it does a country that is rich +and fertile, she has already felt its influence and it should be +fostered as one of the main arteries to her prosperity. + +The Gay Manufacturing Company, before noticed, is perhaps the most +gigantic enterprise ever projected at Suffolk. It has extended its +operations as far South as Chowan county, N. C., and the amount of +capital invested is no doubt the largest investment of its kind in +Virginia, if not in the entire South. It has made large purchases of +land in and around Suffolk and has bought all the timbered lands on +the Suffolk and Carolina Short Line or Grand Trunk railroad, giving +employment to hundreds of hands, at fair wages, that would otherwise +eke out a miserable existence. It also enables the landowners, from +the sale of their timber, to free themselves from debt and otherwise +improve their condition. Under the direction of President W. N. Camp, +it has had erected near Suffolk, on the line of the S. & C. R. R., one +of the most extensive saw mills in Eastern Virginia, and with the aid +of the Atlantic and Danville railroad penetrating the primeval forests +of Southampton, Greensville and other counties of Virginia. Millions +of logs will be brought on that road and manufactured for shipment to +Northern markets. The company consists principally of Baltimoreans, +who will reap a harvest commensurate with the capital invested. And in +many instances it is owing to the mature judgment of President Camp +that the efforts to establish this great enterprise has been crowned +with such signal success. The advantages this company possesses, by +its intimate connections with the S. & C. R. R., and A. & D. R. R., +cannot be estimated, but it can be truly said that their intimate and +close relations with each other, while each is a separate and distinct +corporation, forms one of the grandest and far-reaching enterprises of +its kind in the South. + +The Gay Manufacturing Company consists of William N. Camp, president; +Charles F. Pitt, Jr., Chauncy Brooks, S. P. Ryland, John M. Denison +and William N. Camp, directors; George L. Barton, treasurer; Charles +F. Pitt, Jr., secretary. + +The A. & D. R. R. has made great internal improvement under the +management of Major Charles B. Peck, of New York, and has progressed +more rapidly than any road of which we have any knowledge. Its +starting point is at West Norfolk, on the Elizabeth river, at the +mouth of its western branch, the great trucking region of the State of +Virginia which will supply it with thousands of dollars worth of +freight annually. It runs diagonally across the Norfolk and Western +and Seaboard and Roanok, railroads, both of which have already felt +its effects, and when it shall have reached Danville the Richmond and +Danville will then feel its withering influence, for this being the +shortest and most speedy route to deep water, in one of the finest +harbors in the world, it is natural that all produce will seek such a +route and such a favorable shipping point. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +ENTERPRISE AND PROSPERITY. + + +This railroad was projected by the energetic and far-seeing W. H. Gay, +Esq., of Suffolk, as a lumber road, who pushed it rapidly as far south +as Sunsbury, in Gates county, N. C. He soon saw that it was a grand +enterprise, and associated with him several gentlemen of the city of +Baltimore in its construction, who afterwards bought out Mr. Gay's +interest, and have constructed a road that will soon become one of +the leading lines, connecting as it does, by a line of steamboats, the +waters of Albermarle Sound and the Atlantic ocean, and bringing +eastern North Carolina in direct communication with the city of +Baltimore. Under the able management of Mr. H. B. Hubbell, the +efficient vice-president of the company, and R. H. Thompson, Esq., as +general manager, with the assistance of Colonel Harry McCleary, the +road has been brought to its present flourishing condition, and the +Gay Manufacturing Company, under President Camp, is one of its chief +adjuncts. This road now connects with the Norfolk and Western and the +Atlantic and Danville railways, and soon large quantities of freight +will be transferred from it to the above-named roads. + +Suffolk is more particularly noted for her schools, colleges and other +institutions of learning, all of which are in a very prosperous +condition. The Suffolk Military Academy, under the direction of Joseph +King, principal, with its professorship, is no doubt the best school +for young men in Tidewater, Virginia. The character and standing of +it, with its location for health, is a recommendation that must tend +greatly to its success. + +Another school of high grade is the Suffolk Collegiate Institute, +under the professorship of P. J. Kernodle. It is an institution that +has been established for several years, and has received a liberal +support from its friends. The course at this institution is thorough. +Young ladies are taught the higher branches and are instructed in +music, drawing, &c. + +The West End Female Seminary under the direct supervision of Col. W. +H. Darden, formerly of Isle of Wight county, Va., with Miss Novella +Darden as principal, with the assistance of Miss Lizzie J. King, gives +to the school a reputation that must add greatly to its success. Young +ladies at this school are instructed in all the higher branches, +music, painting and drawing. It is eligibly located on College Avenue. + +The Suffolk Female Institute, under the direction of the Misses +Finney, is too well known to require a notice. It is the oldest +established school in Suffolk, and enjoys a reputation that is +enviable. It has probably received more favor than any other school +which I have noticed. + +The Nansemond Seminary, of which Mrs. Quimby is principal, is a school +that recommends itself. It is limited in the number of its pupils. +This should not be so. Throw open your doors wide and let your motto +be "the greatest good to the greatest number." It has gained quite a +reputation. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +THE OLD BRICK CHURCH AT BENN'S--SUFFOLK'S FIRST RAILROAD, ETC. + + +It is interesting to read of relics of the olden times and bring up +associations connected therewith. I will now notice an antiquated old +building in Isle of Wight county, Va., on the main road leading from +Suffolk to Smithfield, and about five miles from the latter place. It +is called Old Benn's Church. At what time it was built I have never +heard, but it must have been soon after the settlement of this +country. The rude hand of time has reduced it to bare walls, and +nothing is left of its interior to show that it was ever a place of +worship. That it was built when this country was a colony there can be +no question. There is a burying ground at the place, on which can be +seen tomb stones of very ancient date, and if I mistake not, the first +rector of the church or some of his family was buried in it. A tablet, +noting the fact, could be seen set in the building. Bishop Meade, in +his history of the Episcopal Churches in Virginia, mentions Benn's +Church as being one of, if not the oldest, church in the State. It has +been snatched from further decay by some benevolent ladies and will +soon again become a place of worship. Let the names of these ladies +form the future history of that sacred old church, and let future +generations know that it was at one time from decay reduced to bare +walls, and that by the humane efforts of some ladies it has been +reclaimed and once more presents the appearance of a house of worship, +standing as a monument to its former renown and greatness. There are +several Episcopal churches in this county that should not be allowed +to go to decay. They stand as landmarks in Virginia; built long before +the recollection of any one now living. I know of several places in +this county that I have been told were Glebe property, and at one time +were, and had erected on them, Episcopal churches. In many places +these churches have gone down, the land escheated and are now occupied +by churches of other denominations. And it may have been so, as they +are just such places as old Episcopal churches now stand, on elevated +sites near running streams. I could state some very interesting facts +connected with many places in this county which might appear very +meritorious, nevertheless they are true, and form a part of the +history of the county. + +I will now mention Mount Pleasant, the home of the Meades, of +Virginia. This was at one time a very beautiful estate, on the west +bank of what is now known as Smith's Creek, and is the southern branch +of the Nansemond river. Long before the revolution this place was +settled, and at the time very large vessels could navigate the creek +as far as Mount Pleasant, it then being a wide and deep river, and I +have been told that a direct foreign trade was carried on with that +place. A grave yard can be seen at Mount Pleasant which is very +singular, and has some curiously inscribed tomb stones in it of +persons who died there many years ago. By the ruthless hand of time +many of the tombs were mutilated, and it may be that little is left of +them. I had the inscriptions of some of them, but gave them to a +gentleman from Westmoreland county, Virginia. He wanted them on +account of their singularity, and he being an antiquarian he said they +would be quite an acquisition to his cabinet of curiosities. It is +highly probable that Mount Pleasant was settled long before the Dismal +Swamp was known or heard of, and I doubt if any one thought that +there could be found such a place as really was existing, and having +hid in its dark foliage such a beautiful place as Lake Drummond. + +The first great enterprise that was commenced in Suffolk after the +surrender, was the building of the railroad of the Suffolk Lumber +Company, which runs from Suffolk to Asher, in Gates county, North +Carolina, where is the home of the Hon. C. A. Whaley. As soon as the +road was completed as far as Whaleyville, in Nansemond county, Va., a +town soon sprung up, and a mercantile business was commenced, which +for time paralyzed business in Suffolk. It stopped the channel through +which flowed the life-blood of the town from where it started. This +road is owned by Governor Eliew Jackson, Co. & Brothers, of Maryland, +and has from its commencement done a heavy business. It has been ably +managed by W. M. Whaley, Esq., and Mr. D. B. Cannon. Whether it has +been of any great good to Suffolk is a question that we are not +prepared to answer, though the land holders through which it has +passed have been benefitted. It brought their pine timber into market, +which otherwise would have remained a primeval forest and a dead +expense to its owners. The sale of it to Jackson & Co. has cleared +many of debt, and to that extent the road has been a benefit. The +company has bought large landed possessions in Alabama and Georgia, +and will soon move their field of operations to those points. The +quantity of wood and timber that has been transported over the road +is incredible. To say the least of Jackson & Brothers they started a +spirit of enterprise, which, to some extent, has been a benefit. New +ideas have been infused into the minds of our people, and instead of +keeping their capital locked up they have invested it in various +directions for the improvement and benefit of trade, thereby causing +to spring up factories and machine shops, to say nothing of the many +other advantages that are derived through patriotic motives. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +BEAR HUNTING IN THE DISMAL SWAMP--COLONEL GODFREY'S VISIT TO +SOUTHAMPTON. + + +It is customary in the fall season to have what is called bear hunts +in the Dismal Swamp, and parties are frequently made up to go on such +hunts. Before going it is necessary that some preparation should be +made. Bear hunting is very dangerous, and is sometimes attended with +difficulty. Before starting you should provide yourself with a cowboy +suit, a good rifle, a pair of revolvers, a bowie knife (16 inch blade) +and sub-marine armor. When thus equipped you can enter the Swamp. You +proceed cautiously along listening to hear the bears lapping, when you +go in the direction of the sound. Bears move very cautiously, and you +should be sure to keep a good lookout in your rear, as it sometimes +happens that when you are going forward a drove of them are following +you, and when least expected they make the attack, and if the parties +should be the least separated, it often happens that all perish. I was +told of a party that were out on a bear hunt in the Dismal Swamp, who +supposed that they could face anything. The party consisted of eight +good men. They had not proceeded very far in the Swamp when they heard +in the distance the lapping of bears. Of course it is very exciting, +and if one has any courage he is apt to show it at the time. A halt +was made and the question asked, what should be done? They were not +thinking of the danger that surrounded them. They did not think that +bears were on their path. But it was too late. Whilst discussing what +to do they were sprung upon from the rear, and six were badly +lacerated, one rode off on the back of a bear and the last one +retreated to the Lake for safety. Should you at any time go to the +Dismal Swamp to hunt bears be exceedingly careful to have your rear +well guarded. + +Researches among old papers often bring to light subjects that long +have been forgotten, and which, if cultivated, tends in many ways to +the benefit of the rising generation. We often hear of events that +have long since transpired, which at the time we pass unnoticed, but +somehow or other an impression is made, and sooner or later something +transpires that brings to our recollection a circumstance which +refreshes our memory of some important event of which we have a slight +remembrance. Looking over the fourteenth volume of Col. Godfrey's +work entitled "Important Discoveries," to see if we could find +anything therein written by which we could identify "Uncle Alek's +Mule," and if possible to define him, that there could be no +reasonable doubt but that it was the same mule rode by Nat Turner, and +that he was driven by the young mother in her flight with her infant +to the Dismal Swamp, and if what G. P. R. James said in his Old +Dominion be true, we must believe that Uncle Alek and Nat Turner rode +the same mule. No other account was ever given that ever came to our +knowledge, but it will make no difference as everybody knew that Uncle +Alek had a mule. But as we have stated before, looking over the +fourteenth volume of Col. Godfrey's work on Important Discoveries, +many years ago we read in it an account of his first visit to the +county of Southampton, Virginia, and the many important discoveries +therein made. His visit to that county was on very important business, +and being a man of great observation, he was careful and cautious. He +was tracing some titles, and it was necessary that he should make many +inquiries. The country was wild and sparsely settled at that time; it +was extremely difficult for one to get accommodation for man and +horse. He was fearful at times that he would not be able to reach a +shelter for the night. He had crossed at the South Quay Ferry at an +early hour, and had been in the saddle all day and was very much +fatigued and exhausted, besides he had ate nothing. Night was fast +approaching and he in a strange country. He reined up his horse, +which caused him to increase his gait. He had not ridden many miles +further when he thought he heard a cock crow. He listened and soon he +heard the sound repeated. He was then satisfied that he was near some +human habitation. What must have been his feelings, when he knew that +he would soon reach a place where he probably would be able to stay +for the night to rest and refresh himself. He rode on and in a short +time came in sight of a very neat and comfortable looking house not +many rods from the road. He arrived in front of it and found that +everything about the house had the appearance of neatness and comfort, +and that he would probably be accommodated for the night. So he +dismounted from his horse and opened the gate and proceeded to the +house. The proprietor must have been very fond of fox hunting from the +number of hounds that made an attack on him as he rode up the avenue, +and which was so sudden that it brought out the entire household. It +was getting dark, but sufficiently light to see one approaching on +horse back. The dogs were called off, and he heard a voice exclaim +ride up. A very handsome picket fence surrounded the house, and upon +arriving at the gate he was met by a fine looking old English +gentleman, who invited him to dismount and have his horse stabled. +Thanking him for his kindness, he at once dismounted, and taking the +extended hand of the old gentleman, said: "Sir, I am a benighted +traveller, and a stranger in this section, and have sought your +kindness for shelter for the night." "You are heartily welcome," said +the old gentleman. "Strangers, if gentlemen, are always welcome +visitors to my house. So without any further ceremony walk in and rest +yourself, for I imagine that you have been in your saddle for several +hours and must feel quite fatigued." "I have been riding since early +morning and was surprised to find the country so thinly settled. This +is the first place that I have seen at which I could venture to stop." +"Very true," he replied, "but you will, as you advance, find the +country more thickly settled." We walked into the house and were met +in the hall by a very fine looking and matronly old lady. Giving his +name as Godfrey, the old gentleman grasped his had and said: "Col. +Godfrey, this is indeed a pleasure. Let me introduce you to my wife, +Mrs. Ridley." "Ridley did you say?" "The same." "This is indeed most +fortunate." "Say no more, Col. Godfrey; walk into the sitting room. +You will find a cheerful fire, and as the air is a little chilly, a +seat by the fire will cause you to feel more comfortable. Make +yourself perfectly at home. You will excuse me for a short time while +I give some directions to my head man, when I will rejoin you." "You +are very excusable, Col. Ridley," replied Col. Godfrey, "I do not wish +you to let my appearance interfere in the least with your business +arrangements." The Colonel was not long away, and on re-entering the +room remarked to Col. Godfrey: "This unexpected meeting is very +mysterious to me, and the more so because my wife remarked but a very +short time ago that some stranger was coming; that she knew it from +the incessant crowing of the chickens and the fierce howl of the +hounds. I shall always hereafter believe in such signs. But Colonel, +our supper is quite ready. You will be shown to a room where you may +arrange your toilet." Having performed this duty he was met in the +hall by Col. Ridley, who said: "Colonel, it has been the custom at my +house since my earliest manhood, just before eating to take a toddy, +made of the juice of the Cider Berry, prepared in this county, and is +the only medicine used in my family. The farmers of this county have a +peculiar way of preparing it, and everybody that has used it speak of +the good qualities which it possesses. Some say that its use, when you +feel badly, will cause you to feel good, and to use it when you feel +good will make you feel bad. It always makes me feel good, and I am +remarkably fond of it. The oftener you take this medicine the better +you will like it. There is sugar and honey; a little of either added +will make it much more palatable, as honey is soothing and acts well +for the lungs. I will try the honey." This being disposed of they +proceed to supper, Colonel Ridley leading the way to the supper-room, +and on entering found the family all standing, waiting. They were soon +seated, and on the table before them was placed a good old-fashioned +Virginia supper. Addressing himself to Mrs. Ridley, Col. Godfrey said: +"Madame, I fear that you have, on this occasion, put yourself to some +unnecessary trouble on my account." "Not in the least," graciously +responded that lady. Then turning to Col. Ridley, Colonel Godfrey +said, "You were quite right, Colonel, when you said that the 'juice' +would make one feel good; it has had that effect on me already, and I +feel that I can do ample justice to this fine supper." "I am glad you +think so," returned Colonel Ridley; "nothing pleases me more than to +see my visitors eat heartily; help yourself, it does appear to me that +one who has been riding all day would not require any artificial means +of inducing an appetite." "Colonel," said Mrs. Ridley, "I suppose this +is your first visit to the county?" "No, madame," replied Col. +Godfrey, "I passed through a portion of it several years ago to locate +some lands on the Nottoway river, and as there appears to be some +dispute about the titles, I am on my way to look after it." "Yes," she +said, "I heard you were coming and am truly glad you made it +convenient to come this way, and besides you are on the direct road; +do you apprehend any trouble?" "Not the least; my papers are +authenticated, and I have only to present them." "I hope," she said, +"that you will find it as you have stated." Supper being over they all +repaired to the sitting-room. Colonel Ridley had a daughter whose +husband, a colonel of infantry, had been killed in the war of the +Revolution and large tracts of land had been made by the Government to +his heirs. "What was the name of the soldier?" inquired Colonel +Godfrey. "Col. G. Bradley," answered Colonel Ridley. "Yes, sir; that +was his name." "That is a part of the business which caused my visit +in this direction, and Mrs. Bradley need have no fears as to the +validity of her title. I have the papers with me that will place her +in full possession of the estate. Besides, she is entitled to a large +amount from the Government as half-pay for her husband's services +during the Revolution, which she will receive on application through +the proper channel." It was now getting late, and Col. Godfrey was +told that his room was ready if he wished to retire. Feeling a little +sleepy, after eating a hearty supper, and as he had to make an early +start in the morning, he thought it best to go to his room, so bidding +the family good night he followed a boy, who carried a lighted candle +to the room to which he had been assigned for the night, in which a +cheerful fire was burning. The boy entered the room, closing the door +behind him, and said: "Mass boss, mammy told me to ax you of you war +eny kin to de man dat made the baby medicin?" "Who is your mammy?" +inquired the now thoroughly interested Colonel. "She's de 'oman dat +nusses all de babies on de plantashun." "Tell your mammy that I will +see her in the morning." "Yas, sir," he said, and left the room. The +Colonel soon retired, as he felt somewhat jaded. He awoke at an early +hour, and having some moments leisure got up and dressed himself. +About this time he heard a tapping at his door, and at the same time +the voice of the boy exclaiming: "Ise got a pitcher of fresh water for +you." "Bring it in," said the Colonel. The boy entered, showing two +rows of white ivory. "Boss, will you hab a fire made?" "No," said the +Colonel, "I will soon be ready to go down; is the Colonel up?" "Yas, +sir, an' is waiting for you." "Then I will go down," said the Colonel, +which he did and was met at the foot of the stairs by Col. Ridley, who +bade him a cheerful good morning, and expressed the hope that he felt +much better after his night's rest. "Thank you, sir; I am glad to say +that I feel very much refreshed." "If you feel disposed," said Col. +Ridley, "we will take a walk out, the air is bracing and a little walk +will give you an appetite for your breakfast, which will soon be +ready." They started, and as the old nurse of the plantation wished to +see Colonel Godfrey, he proposed to his host that they should go to +her quarters. They had but a short distance to go, as her house was +very conveniently situated. When they arrived they found the old lady +with a baby in her lap, evidently for some purpose. "Good morning, +aunty," said Col. Godfrey. The old woman looked very much excited; she +wore a pair of spectacles, the lenses of which looked like two +saucers. "Mornin', sir," she replied. "What are you going to do with +your baby?" inquired the Colonel. "I'm gwine to feed it, sir; its +mammy is ded, an' I hab to feed it myself." "What do you give it to +eat?" "I char 'tater, spit it out on my finger an' wipe 'cross de +chile's mouf, arter dat I make a sugar rag, put some sweet flag in it, +put de rag in de chile's mouf and lay it down; it goes to sleep, an' +wen it wakes up ef it cries I gin it some more 'tater." "But," queried +the Colonel, "suppose it is sick?" "I kin always tell dat; ef it draws +up its legs and kicks, I kno dat sumthin' is de matter, an' I den gib +sum ciderberry juice wid nutmeg grated ober it, an' in no time de +baby cries fer more ob de juice. Sum folks gib dar babies 'Godfrey's +Cordial,' but I dus not blebe in doctors' fisic; nine times out ob ten +dey will kill de baby. I thort dat you war sum kin to Mr. Godfrey dat +made de medicin', and wood ax you 'bout it." "No, aunty, I am no kin +to him." + +Being informed that breakfast was ready, Colonel Ridley proposed that +they should return to the house, and that a little of the ciderberry +juice would add much to the enjoyment of the meal, and as everything +was convenient proposed that they should indulge. Col. Godfrey took +some of the juice with honey, as before, and was then ready for +breakfast. Col. Ridley led the way, and on entering found a hot +smoking breakfast. Mrs. Ridley remarked, "Colonel, you are an early +riser I see; I fear you did not rest well last night." "I assure you, +madame," the Colonel gallantly replied, "I could not have been more +comfortable. My business being urgent, it was necessary that I should +rise early." "You do not think of leaving this early?" "Yes, madame; +you know that delays are dangerous. I have spent a very pleasant time, +and hope, not long hence, to make a more extended visit. I was very +much amused this morning at seeing the nurse of the plantation feeding +a baby. It was quite a novel sight to me. The old woman does not +appear to have much confidence in doctors." "No, sir," replied the +lady, "we have been living here a long time and no doctor has ever +been called, professionally, to see any one at the place. The old +woman, with her tater, sweet flag, sugar rags, ciderberry juice and +Black Jack, keeps every one in a healthy condition." "She must be very +valuable to you," said the Colonel. "Yes, sir", said Mrs. Ridley; "we +could not do without her, and her loss could not be replaced." "It is +getting late and I am admonished I must leave," said the Colonel, "for +I have some distance yet to ride." He said it would be a great +pleasure for him to remain longer under the hospitable roof of his +kind host and hostess, but that it would not be possible for him to do +so. He said further that he had some papers which he would hand over +to Col. Ridley which would be of great service to his daughter, Mrs. +Bradley, as they would secure her right to certain disputed property, +and that he must bid them adieu. Then addressing himself to Col. +Ridley, said: "These papers are valuable; take them and entrust them +only into the hands of Mrs. Bradley, and that if he would now order +his horse he would proceed on his way." Col. Ridley assured him that +he would like to have him stay longer, but that of course he best knew +his business; that it had been his custom to welcome all visiting and +speed all departing guests. That should he happen to come that way +again he would be delighted to have him stop, as he would always find +a hearty welcome. Col. Godfrey thanked his new friend and said that +should it be his fortune again to visit that neighborhood he promised +not to pass him by. His horse was waiting, so giving the Colonel a +hearty shake of the hand and bidding good-bye to all, he mounted and +rode away. + +After Col. Godfrey had left, a general conversation was commenced +about his visit. It was evident that his business was with Mrs. +Bradley, but he did not know at the time that she was the daughter of +Col. Ridley, or he would have made known to her the object of his +visit. She was absent at the time. As his papers were all properly +avouched for he could leave them in the hands of her father, Col. +Ridley. The old medicine woman of the plantation was much interested +in the visit of the Colonel to her quarters, and was anxious to know +if he was related to Mr. Godfrey that made the cordial. She was told +that he was not. The old woman broke in and said: "Missus, I thort dat +de gemman who axed me what I was doin' wid de baby in my lap, was a +doctor, an' some kin to de man what made de Godfrey's cordial, but he +tole me dat he was not. He like de way dat I doctered de chile, an' +sed dat he would rite about it. He sed dat he had tried sum of de +juice hisself an' dat it was good for babies. I tole him dat I did not +blebe in doctors' physic; dey did not no what to do for babies. I tole +him dat nex to de cider berry juice an' sugar rag, dat de Black Jack +was de bes medcin dat I could use. He sed dat de Black Jack seldom +failed. Missus, when dat gemman 'peared at my do, I thort dat he was a +specalader, an' dat you was gwine to sell me." "No, Aunt Barbara," +said Mrs. Ridley, "if all the money of all the negro buyers were added +together, it would not make an amount sufficient to buy you. Nothing +but death can separate us. You are a part of my very existence. I +have left in my bosom a spark of gratitude yet, which kindles into a +flame when I remember what you have done for the family. I have not +forgotten that it was you that gave the timely warning of the approach +of Nat Turner and his column. By so doing you probably saved the lives +of the household. On another occasion you saved the life of my darling +babe by a miracle wrought in your own way. Aunt Barbara, I would not +give you and your nostrums, such as 'Cider Berry Juice,' 'Sweet Flag,' +'Taters' 'Sugar Rags' and 'Black Jack' for all the doctors in +Christendom." "Missus, I'm glad dat you tink so much ob me. I has +always done de bes dat I could. You know dat de chillun on de +plantashun was bad, but wid my Black Jack I always made dem have +deyself." "That is very true, Aunt Barbara, and they all love you for +it. You know, Aunt Barbara, that the Good Book tells us, 'spare the +rod and you spoil your child.'" "Missus, dats what I 'luded to all de +time. I nebber struc' one ob dem little niggers a lic' amiss in my +life, unless I struc' at him and didn't toch him." The old woman here +saw a little nigger coming at full tilt, and knew that something was +wrong. When he came up, she asked: "What on earth is de matter?" The +boy was quite out of breath and couldn't speak at the time. The old +woman gave him a rake with her Black Jack and said: "What is de matter +wid you?" "I cum to tell you dat Judy's baby is mos ded, an' want you +to cum 'mediately." "When I cum to de house," said the old woman, "I +seed dat de chile was bad off. I took it up an' seed dat it had de +dry gripes. I give it some Cider Berry Juice an' tole its mudder to +fotch me a tater. I give de chile sum tater an' handed it to its +mudder, an' tole her to put a sugar rag in its mouf with sum Sweet +Flag an' lay it down, an' den I lef to jine de old folks at de house." +"Well, Aunt Barbara, I suppose there was nothing very serious the +matter with the child," said Mrs. Ridley. "Yas dar was, missus, an' I +got dar jus in time. De chile was taken wid de dry gripes. I gin it +sum Cider Berry Juice an' tole its mudder to fotch me a tater. I gin +it sum of de tater an' put a sugar rag in its mouf. Dat chile has done +gone sleep." "Barbara," said Col. R., "I suppose that if you were told +that a child was dead and you were sent for in time you could, with +your Cider Berry Juice, Tater, Sugar Rags, Sweet Flag and your Black +Jack, bring the little sleeper to life. You talk of dry gripes; who +ever heard of such a thing? What are they, and how is a person taken?" +"Massa," said the old woman, "I tole you 'bout dem when dey got hold +ob you. You ses nuffin to nobody, but you goes to de side-bode an' git +sum Cider Berry Juice. Dat ma'e you feel good, an' arter a while you +take sum mo' ob de juice. De baby dus not know dat, so it draws up its +legs an' kicks like wrath. Den I know dat it has de dry gripes." "Aunt +Barbara," said Col. R., "I did not take it in that light before. Your +philosophy is good, and I shall say nothing about the practice of your +profession again. I admit that I take the juice quite often, but it is +not for the dry gripes." "Yas, sir, dat medcin is good for all +diseases, an' I take sum mysef when dar is nuffin de matter wid me." +Mrs. Ridley, who was sitting listening to the conversation, happened +to look toward the road gate, and saw some one coming in. All eyes +were now turned toward the approaching stranger, and all were anxious +to know who it could be. One said that it must be a preacher, another +that it was a book agent. Aunt Barbara put on her specs, took a survey +and said: "I spec dat it is a doctor cummin' here to sell sum of +Godfrey's Cordial for de baby." "You are all wrong," said Col. Ridley, +"it is our good friend, Col. Godfrey." He was right. The Colonel had +advanced near enough for all to see. Col. R. advanced to the yard gate +as Col. Godfrey rode up. A boy was in waiting to take his horse. +"Colonel, we are all glad to see you back again. Dismount and let your +animal be stabled." Having dismounted, Col. R. took him by the hand +and walked in the house. Mrs. R. was standing on the portico, and as +Col. G. walked up she said "Sir, I assure you that we are all very +glad to see you. We had been talking about you at the time that you +appeared at the road gate. Walk in. We will talk about that later. +Take off your overcoat and wrappings." "Thank you, madam," he replied. + +"Colonel," said Col, Ridley, "to use a commonplace expression, which +is, 'talk about the devil and his imp will appear,' we had just been +wondering who the rider could be. One said that he was a preacher; +another that he was a book agent. Old Aunt Barbara, the plantation +nurse, said that he was a doctor coming to sell some of Godfrey's +Cordial for the children. And I see I first discovered that it was +you. I am rather disposed to think that you feel bad. I have some of +the same Cider Berry Juice, and as everything is ready you will, +without any further ceremony, walk up and take a little for the +stomach's sake." "Thank you," said Col. G. "Since travelling over the +county of Southampton I have had frequent occasions to try the juice. +It is prepared and kept by most of the farmers, and the use of it acts +like a charm." "If you would like to arrange your toilet, the boy will +show you to your room. In the meantime I will see to having your horse +properly cared for." The boy was the same that waited on Col. G. +before, and was the son of the nurse of the plantation. "Well, Buck, +how is your mammy now? How much Black Jack and Taters has she given +you since I left?" "He, he, he," giggled the boy. "I tell you what it +is, boss, mammy wars me out mos every day, but she gibs me plenty +taters an' I doan mine it." "Is Mrs. Bradly here?" "No sir. She did +not stay here long arter marster gib her de papers dat you lef, an' I +spec when she cum back she will hab lots o' money." "She will, no +doubt, as she will only have to present the papers. I should like very +much to see her. Is she handsome?" "I doan no what dat is, sar." "I +mean is she pretty?" "Yas, sar, dat she is. It is gin out dat she is +de puttiest 'oman in dis settlement, and I git so tired taking horses +ob gemmen dat cum to see her." "Then I expect she is bethrothed." "I +doan no 'bout dat, but she ses dat de rite gemman hab not cum yit." "I +must go down now, the Colonel may be waiting for me. Here is a dollar +for you. Be sure to come to my room to-night." "Yas, sar, I will be +dar sure." He had finished his toilet and proceeded down stairs. He +was met by Col. R., who said: "Colonel, you will find a happy +household. Your return has put a new phase on everything. The old +nurse is perfectly happy since she found out that you are no negro +buyer, and that you did not come to sell Godfrey's Cordial." "The old +woman must be averse to doctors. She no doubt is right, as nine times +out of ten, but very few of them know what they are doing." "Thinking +that you had not dined, Mrs. R. has prepared something for you. Try a +little more of the Cider Berry Juice and honey. You will feel better +prepared to enjoy what the madam has set before you." "I assure you, +Col. R., that since travelling in this county I have become +particularly fond of the juice. I have called at several places where +I was told they did not use the medicine, but always like to see it +sitting convenient." "The juice that you are now mixing was prepared +when our first child was born. It is very exhilarating in its effects, +and you are fortunate in having the pleasure of testing it at this +time. It is an honor that is extended to but few." "Col. R., allow me +to drink to the very good health of your first born. Was it a male or +female?" "It was a female, and I am glad to inform you that it was +Mrs. Bradley. She is away at present, but I hope that you may make it +convenient to stay until her return, which may be in a few days." A +very neat and polite negro man made his appearance from the +dining-room, and bowing very politely, said: "Marster, you can invite +the Colonel in; everything is ready." "Colonel, walk this way. It is +rather late for breakfast, but you will no doubt be able to make a +repast of what is before you." "Make no excuses, Col. R., about what +is before me, for it would satisfy the appetite of a king. That is the +besetting sin of the Old Virginia matrons. They will load the table +with everything that is good and palatable and say that they are sorry +that they have nothing you can eat." "Col. Godfrey," said Mrs. Ridley, +"I see that you are disposed to indulge in a little flattery. It is +true that we extend our hospitality to visiting strangers and friends, +but not to that extent which you ascribe to us." "It has been my +experience, madam, at every place at which I have had business in this +neighborhood, and I infer that it was a general thing." "Then, +Colonel," said Mrs. R., "you have had a very pleasant time since you +left our house?" "I cannot say that it has been altogether pleasant, +madam. When on the road I cannot say that it was pleasant, but +anything else I assure you. My trip has been an exceedingly dangerous +one. I found treachery lurking about, and I at once put myself on my +guard." Having finished eating, the Colonel was invited into the +sitting-room, where Col. R. was found reading a paper just received +from Washington, in which was announced the arrival of his daughter, +Mrs. Bradley, of Virginia, and her son. Mrs. B., it will be +recollected, was the widow of a distinguished revolutionary officer, +and was in Washington on business with the Office of the Interior. +"Take the paper, Colonel," said Col. Ridley, "you may find something +which might be of interest to you." When scanning over its pages his +eyes rested on the following: + + "Arrived in this city to-day, by way of stage from Richmond, + Virginia, the beautiful and accomplished Mrs. Col. Bradley, + of Va. She is the widow of the brave and gallant Col. + Bradley, who so distinguished himself during the revolution, + being twice brevetted on the field for bravery. She is the + daughter of Col. Ridley, of Southampton county, Va., so well + known for his hospitality. Every attention will be paid to + this distinguished lady. She will remain in the city for + several days, as she has important business with the + Secretary of the Interior. That functionary has already + called on her, and she will have no trouble in that + direction." + +Col. R., having finished his out-door operations, returned to the +house, and on entering the sitting-room found Col. Godfrey still +looking over the paper. "Colonel," he remarked, "I imagine that you +have been much interested in reading the papers." "Yes, sir. I notice +that your daughter, Mrs. Col. Bradley, had arrived in the city of +Washington, and had received much attention." "Yes, sir, and it was +very gratifying to me to know that such was the case. I only hope that +she will meet with no very serious difficulty in the prosecution of +her business." "I assure you, sir, that she can have not the least +difficulty; besides, she will have no trouble. The Secretary of the +Interior has been informed of her visit, and she will be aided by him +in every way." "I hope that it may be as you have stated." "Rest +assured, Colonel, what I tell you is so." Mrs. Ridley, having finished +her domestic arrangements, entered the room, when the conversation at +once ceased. Addressing herself to Col. R., she said: "It is rather +cold in the room, had you not better order some wood placed on the +fire." "Excuse me, my dear, I was so much interested in the +conversation of our distinguished guest that I paid but little +attention to the fire. I will order the wood immediately." The wood +was brought in, and soon the room was made very comfortable. Mrs. R. +said: "Col. Godfrey, at the table just now you said that your journey +after you left us, was in many instances, not very pleasant. You have +rather raised my curiosity. I would like to have you give an account +of your mishaps as you journeyed along. It will be very interesting, +no doubt." "It is a great pleasure to me to impart to others anything +that I may know that would prove of interest to them, and I do most +willingly grant the request made by you." + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +THE ADVENTURES OF SMITH, JONES AND BROWN--JONES, HEARING THAT A SNAKE +IS IN THE BOAT, JUMPS INTO THE CANAL. + + +In getting up a party to visit Lake Drummond, you will always find +more or less of the party who are afraid of snakes. On this occasion +the party consisted of only three--Smith, Jones and Brown--all +citizens of Suffolk. They prepared themselves with the necessary +outfit and started for the canal. Their boat being ready they embarked +and soon were on the way. Smith being the most expert took the wheel, +Brown placed himself at the bow, so that he could ward off approaching +danger, and Jones, who was the timid one of the party, was put +amidship the boat, with his back to Brown. I knew the parties well; +they are all living, and I will narrate the snake story as I was told +by Brown, who will vouch for its authenticity. They had not passed the +great terror to all who go to the Lake (Paradise Old Fields), where +can be seen everything that is hideous; a place that is dreaded, and +if it could, would be shunned by every one who visits the Lake. Things +of most unquestionable shapes have been seen by persons when passing +it. No one has ever given any account of the history of the Field, +which you are compelled to pass going to Lake Drummond, and which has +deterred many from venturing to it. Owing to the many snake stories +that has been told by persons who said they were born to see spirits, +there can be no doubt that there is a legend connected with that +Field. Some have argued that the Field was at one time filled with +grottos, and that the fairies of Lake Drummond would leave their realm +and by a subterranean passage into it to bask in the beauties which +surrounded it. Profane history informs us that it was at this place +that Pluto and Proserpine left for the infernal regions. That will +make no difference about the snake story that I will relate. A snake +is a wonderful reptile, and it is not necessary for one to be seen +that one should be frightened. The very mention, in some instances, is +sufficient to scare those who are the least timid. So it was in this +instance. Jones, as I have said before, was one of a party that were +going to the Lake. He was afraid of snakes. Smith and Brown knew it +and they determined to have a little sport at his expense. Jones was +highly delighted with the grandeur of the scenery by the side of the +canal, as they rode along, and was expatiating upon the wonders of +nature. Smith was charmed with the romantic effusions of Jones, and +paid no attention to Brown, who was sitting at the bow of the boat, +here looked toward him, and seeing that he was intently searching for +something, asked what was the matter. Brown answered that a snake was +in the boat and that he was trying to find it. Here Jones commenced to +twist and squirm. "Hallo!" said Brown: "here's another!" No sooner had +he said another when Jones sprang into the canal. He made several +lunges and, Peter like, looked as if he was walking on the water. +Smith added more steam to the boat and Jones was overhauled and taken +into the boat, very much frightened. They had not gone very far when +Brown said: "I believe that snake is in the boat yet," and at the same +time threw at Jones a piece of rattan, which is good to scare one +with--it's a veritable snake. He was again taken into the boat, quite +exhausted and cold from his ablutions. Brown prepared some ciderberry +juice for him, with some pepper and other things that they had along +which, after taking, Jones became more quiet. Brown says that when he +thinks about that snake story it fills him so with laughter that he +has to buckle a strap around him to support his physical organization. +Jones has not ventured to the Lake since that time, and Brown is +afraid to tell him that the snake in the boat was only a piece of +rattan. If you want to see snakes come to Suffolk and get Brown to go +with you to the Lake of the Dismal Swamp, and he will amuse you to +your heart's content. + +To be continued, introducing several thrilling stories connected with +the Dismal Swamp and Lake Drummond, together with bear hunting and the +fearful consequences attending, and later accounts of the whereabouts +of Uncle Alek's mule. + + + + + * * * * * + +SUFFOLK MILITARY ACADEMY. + +ESTABLISHED 1875. + + +The following constitute an able and experienced Faculty: JOSEPH KING, +A. M., Principal (with 27 years' experience as a teacher). REV. +ROWLAND DOGGETT, A. M., (Randolph-Macon) Associate. P. ST. JULIEN +WILSON (Virginia Military Institute). DR. W. W. MURRAY (Dublin +University). DR. A. W. ELEY, DR. E. D. PHILLIPS, Attending Physicians. + +The testimonals (see catalogue) from distinguished educators at the +University of Virginia, the Virginia Military Institute and other +institutions--from leading members of the Virginia Conference--from +its patrons in different States, and from the leading citizens of +Suffolk, are a sufficient guarantee of the high character and standing +of the school and the practical ability and fidelity of the teachers. + +Boys and Young Men are here prepared for business or for college, and +are surrounded by the best social and religious influences. + +The military exercises (which take no time from regular study hours) +are only intended to make boys healthy and strong, and to give them an +erect and graceful bearing. + +The Academy is supplied with Chemical and Philosophical Apparatus for +Scientific Illustration; with Charts, Globes and Magic Lantern, to +illustrate Geography, Physiology, Natural History and Astronomy; with +new instruments for field work in Land Surveying and Civil +Engineering; with two telegraph instruments and batteries for practice +in Telegraphy, and other educational appliances for different branches +of study. Handsome nickel-plated rifles and accoutrements furnished by +the State. + +All our arrangements are home-like, and conducive to health, comfort +and mental and moral development. + +Total expenses for one year, including neat navy blue uniform, from +$175 to $190. + +For twenty page catalogue, with view of buildings and grounds, address + + JOSEPH KING, A. M., Principal, + Or REV. ROWLAND DOGGETT, A. M., Associate, + SUFFOLK, VA. + + + + +CHARTERED 1872. + +SUFFOLK + COLLEGIATE + INSTITUTE! + +SUFFOLK,--VA. + +=PREPARATORY, PRACTICAL OR FINISHING= + +--IN-- + +=Classics, Mathematics, Sciences and the Fine Arts!= + +ADEQUATE FACULTY. + +DISCIPLINE--Self-acting under Parental and Christian direction. +_Character_ is primary. _Conduct_ is resultant. + +DOMESTIC ARRANGEMENTS.--Economical, substantial, home-like. + +TERMS.--Reasonable. Both sexes admitted. + +Sessions begin middle of September and end the following June. For +Catalogues and other information address + + =PROF. P. J. KERNODLE, A. M.,= + PRINCIPAL. + + + + +CHARTERED 1881. + + +SUFFOLK + +=Female Institute= + +FOR + +YOUNG LADIES AND LITTLE GIRLS. + + +=BOARD AND LITERARY TUITION $160 A YEAR= + + +The Charter authorizes the Faculty to confer the regular Collegiate +Degrees. + +The eighteenth annual session opened in September, 1887, and closes +the second Wednesday in June, 1888. + +Students received at any time, but are advised to enter at the +beginning of a term. + +Suffolk is one of the healthiest and most accessible towns in +Virginia. + +The corps of teachers is efficient and experienced. The home training, +moral and attractive. Fine advantages in Music, Art and Languages, at +modern rates. + +For catalogue apply to + + =MISSES FINNEY,= +Box 146. SUFFOLK, VA. + + + + +WEST END + +SEMINARY + +FOR + +YOUNG LADIES AND GIRLS. + +SUFFOLK, VA. + + +The first session of this institution commenced its exercises +September 20th, 1887, with flattering prospects, being attended by +young ladies from Surry, Southampton, Isle of Wight and Nansemond +counties. + +The large and commodious brick building, recently erected on Kilby +street, by Dr. Skiles, has been secured for the purpose. + +The course of instruction is such as to prepare young ladies for the +various duties of life. + +Special attention paid to moral and religious training, as well as +social cultivation, thereby rendering this a home-like school. + +Terms very moderate. + +For any desired information address + + COL. WM. H. DARDEN, + MISS NOVELLA S. DARDEN, + Principals. + Or MISS LIZZIE J. KING, Associate. + + + + + * * * * * + +Transcriber's Notes: + +Table of Contents does not appear in the original book. It has been +added for readers' convenience. + +Some punctuation and typographical errors have been corrected to +reflect the author's intention. + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Dismal Swamp and Lake Drummond, +Early recollections, by Robert Arnold + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DISMAL SWAMP *** + +***** This file should be named 20186.txt or 20186.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/0/1/8/20186/ + +Produced by Bryan Ness, Diane Monico, and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net. 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