ON THE ROAD.



grown nautilus and a half-grown tub), which a few
weeks later was enrolled as the first man-of-war of the
Confederate navy, then performed the carrying trade
between the two principal cities of South Carolina.
On her, together with sundry boxes and bales, and
certain human merchandise, I embarked at Charleston,
and on a delicious morning, late in December, landed
at Georgetown.
  As the embryo war-steamer rounded up to the long,
low, rickety dock, lumbered breast-high with cotton,
turpentine, and rosin, not a white face was to be seen.
A few half-clad, shiftless-looking negroes, lounging idly
about, were the only portion of the population in wait-
ing to witness our landing.
  "Are all the people dead" I inquired of one of
them, thinking it strange that an event so important
as the arrival of the Charleston packet should excite
no greater interest in so quiet a town. "Not dead,
massa," replied the black, with a knowing chuckle,
"but dcy'm gettin' ready for a fun'ral." "What fu-
neral " I asked. " Why, dey'm gwine to shoot all de
boblition darkies at de Norf, and hab a brack burying;
he! he !" and the sable gentleman expanded the open-
ing in his countenance to an enormous extent, doubt-
less at the brilliancy of his wit.
  I asked him to take my portmanteau, and conduct
me to the best hotel. He readily assented, " Yas, yas,
tuassa, I show you whar de big-buys stop ;" but at
once turning to another darky standing near, he ac-



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