xt7d7w673z3w https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7d7w673z3w/data/mets.xml Howard, H. R. 1836  books b92f396m961836a2009 English Harper & Brothers : New York Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. Stewart, Virgil A. (Virgil Adam), b. 1809. Murrell, John A. Crime --Southwest, Old. Criminals --Southwest, Old. The history of Virgil A. Stewart : and his adventure in capturing and exposing the great text The history of Virgil A. Stewart : and his adventure in capturing and exposing the great 1836 2009 true xt7d7w673z3w section xt7d7w673z3w 
  
  
  
  
  
  
THE

HISTORY

VIRGIL

A.
AND

4 STEWART,
HIS

A
IN CAPTURING

D

V

E

N

T

U

R

E
" WESTERN LAND

A N D EXPOSING AND WITH HIS

T H E GREAT GANG, IN

PIRATE"

CONNEXION

T H EEVIDENCE ;

ALSO

OF

THE

TRIALS,

CONFESSIONS, A N D EXECUTION

A

NUMBER

OF

MURRELL S DURING

ASSOCIATES

IN

T H E STATE AND T H E

OF

MISSISSIPPI

T H ESUMMER

O F 1835,

EXECUTION BY

OF FIVE

PROFESSIONAL OF

GAMBLERS

T H E CITIZENS ON

VICKSBURG, 1835.

T H EO T HJULY,

" I a m nol w illing to admit to the world that I believe h i m . "     A bitter enemy. " I care nothing for his jealous a nimosity. H e m ay vent his poisonous spleen. I a m sustained before the world by evidence that s hall chain his envenomed t ungue."   Stewart,

COMPILED

BY

H.

R.

HOWARD.

NEW-YORK:
HARPER & BROTHERS, CLIFF-ST.

1 8 3 6.

  
  
PREFACE.

THE

p u b l i c have l o n g been e x p e c t i n g the

final

history of V i r g i l A . S t e w a r t ' s perilous and r o m a n tic adventure in c a p t u r i n g " J o h n A . M u r r e l l , " the great " W e s t e r n L a n d giving a full Pirate." W e now propose of that strange susWe in and perfect account

p e r f o r m a n c e , i n c o n n e x i o n w i t h t he e v i d e n c e t a i n i n g e a c h i m p o r t a n t f a c t as make no pretensions to it is r e l a t e d . a u t h o r - c r a f t , or

skill

w o r k i n g u p m a t e r i a l s so as to h e i g h t e n i n t e r e s t ; n o r is it n e c e s s a r y . T h e d e e p i n t e r e s t that e v e r y S o u t h e r n e r and e v e r y honest m a n m u s t feel i n the s u b j e c t m a t t e r of t h i s h i s t o r y , i s s u f f i c i e n t to i n v e s t a p l a i n and s i m p l e statement of facts w i t h attraction. O u r only care has been to a d h e r e s t r i c t l y t o t h e t r u t h , a n d to e x h i b i t the d e t a i l s i n a c l e a r and intelligible narrative. We have commenced w i t h a brief account of We M r . S t e w a r t ' s e a r l y l i f e to the t i m e w h e n he u n d e r t o o k t he c a p t u r e o f M u r r e l l a n d h i s p a r t y . then continue with h i s adventure on that among 1* expedi-

tion, and c o n c l u d e w i t h a f u l l history of the i n s u r rectionary movements the negroes i n the In southern c o u n t r y d u r i n g the s u m m e r of 1 8 3 5 .

  
VI

PREFACE.

the p e r u s a l of depravity.

this narrative the reader w i l l

be and

m a d e acquainted w i t h m a n y scenes of horror

W h e n the " W e s t e r n L a n d P i r a t e " was i n course of p u b l i c a t i o n , M r . S t e w a r t ' s health w a s s u c h that h e c o u l d p a y b u t l i t t l e a t t e n t i o n to the t a s k o f r e s p e c t s , a n d e s p e c i a l l y i n the o m i s s i o n of sup e r v i s i o n , w h i c h r e n d e r e d it v e r y i m p e r f e c t i n m a n y some Murthat important portions of his conversation w i t h r e l l , a n d of h i s r e a s o n s for m a n y p r o c e e d i n g s

s h o u l d h a v e b e e n e x p l a i n e d to the r e a d e r :     b u t as t he o n l y o b j e c t o f t h a t n a r r a t i v e w a s to a r o u s e t h e p e o p l e o f that r e g i o n to a s e n s e o f t h e i r d a n g e r , p a s t a n d p r e s e n t , he d e e m e d i t u n n e c e s s a r y to d e l a y t h e publication. A s a n a p o l o g y f o r the d e t e n t i o n o f t h i s w o r k , w e w o u l d r e m i n d the p u b l i c t h a t M r . S t e w a r t h a s b e e n compelled ing to t r a v e l o v e r a v a s t c o u n t r y i n c o l l e c t In concluh i s e v i d e n c e for the c o m p i l a t i o n .

sion, w e w o u l d congratulate those of M r . S t e w a r t ' s friends w h o have n o b l y stood by h i m i n the h o u r of d a n g e r and p e r s e c u t i o n , a m i d a l e g i o n o f ated enemies. his cause, and proved In exasperH e has a b l y s u s t a i n e d h i m s e l f a n d h i m s e l f w o r t h y of the c o n this w o r k the m o s t of

fidence reposed i n h i m b y his f e l l o w - c i t i z e n s . the c o m p i l a t i o n of M u r r e i T s p r o f a n i t y has b e e n t a i n i n g h i s m a n n e r of c o n v e r s a t i o n has been suppressed; but r e other of his

expression preserved.

in every

particular, a n d i n a l l cases the substance

  
LIFE

AND

ADVENTURES
OF

VIRGIL

A.

STEWART.

A

BRIEF

h i s t o r y of the e a r l y l i f e of M r . V i r g i l A .

S t e w a r t , w h o s e a dventures w i l l f o r m the s ubject o f the f o l l o w i n g p ages, m a y not h e r e be out of p l a c e , not o n l y a s a g r a t i f i c a t i o n of p u b l i c c u r i o s i t y , but as an i m p o r tant c o m m e n t a r y u p o n the facts to be d i s c l o s e d i n the s u c c e e d i n g n a r r a t i v e ; s i n c e , i n s u b s t a n t i a t i n g the c h a r acter of M r . S t e w a r t as a w o r t h y a n d reputable c i t i z e n , t he reader w i l l b e the better e n a b l e d to r eject t he u nfounded a n d m a l i c i o u s i m p u t a t i o n s attempted to be c ast u p o n h i m b y s ome o f the m ore d a r i n g e m i s s a r i e s o f the M u r r e l l g a n g . M r . S t e w a r t was b o r n i n J a c k s o n c o u n t y , i n the State o f G e o r g i a , of h i g h l y respectable parentage. in Mississippi, while V i r g i l was H i s father, M r . S a m u e l S t e w a r t , m i g r a t e d to A m i t e c o u n t y , yet an infant, and His widow, d i e d t here a f e w months after h i s a r r i v a l .

b e c o m i n g dissatisfied w i t h t hat part of the c o u n t r y , r e t u r n e d t o the State of G e o r g i a , w h e r e h e r s o n V i r g i l g r e w up to m a n h o o d . w a s fourteen y e a r s o f H e w a s sent to s c h o o l u n t i l h e age ; but l ittle a ttention w a s

p a i d t o h i s p e c u n i a r y i n t e r e s t s , a n d a l a r g e p o r t i o n of his slender patrimony was squandered. H i s e a r l y desire w a s to r e c e i v e a l i b e r a l e d u c a t i o n ; b ut the i n c o m e of h i s father's estate w o u l d not a l l o w of the e x p e n s e s a ttendant u p o n a c l a s s i c a l course.

  
8

STEWART'S

LIFE

S o o n after l i e left s c h o o l he e ngaged i n the p r i n t i n g b usiness, as an e m p l o y m e n t b est s uited to i m p r o v e h i s mind. R e l i n q u i s h i n g t his, h e afterward entered into h i s time a c opartnership w i t h a m anufacturer of cotton-gins, i n h i s n ative p l a c e , w i t h w h o m he e m p l o y e d a n d a s m a l l c a p i t a l to great advantage. B y t he time he h a d r e a c h e d h i s t w e n t i e t h y e a r , he h a d e stablished a character for i n d u s t r y , d e c i s i o n o f c haracter, and m u c h m o r a l w o r t h , a m o n g h i s citizens. pired by its o w n l i m i t a t i o n , a n d he fellowto A b o u t this time h i s t e r m of p a r t n e r s h i p e x determined

t r a v e l , a nd s eek a p lace to settle u p o n a m i d the n e w e r r e g i o n s of the w e s t e r n country. H e c o n c l u d e d upon m i g r a t i n g to M a d i s o n c o u n t y , i n T e n n e s s e e , w h i t h e r he r e m o v e d w i t h h i s property i n the f all o f 1830, and settled upon a f a r m , w i t h h i s n e g r o e s , s i x m i l e s west of J a c k s o n . H e r e he r e m a i n e d u ntil t he latter part of the y e a r 1832, c l o s e l y attending to M s f a r m and business, w h e n he c o n c l u d e d to s e l l o ff M s p roperty, r emove to the C h o c t a w P u r c h a s e , a n d i n vest h i s w h o l e property i n l a n d i n that c o u n t r y ! M r . S t e w a r t had n o w , by i n d u s t r y a n d e c o n o m y , i n creased the l ittle e state left M m b y M s father to a r e spectable c o m p e t e n c y f or a y o u n g m a n j u s t s t a r t i n g i n l i f e ; w i t h t his he made h i s arrangements for v i s i t i n g t he C h o c t a w P u r c h a s e , and f u r n i s h e d h i m s e l f with s u c h articles of m e r c h a n d i s e as he e x p e c t e d t o s e l l w i t h p rofit to the Indians a n d e a r l y settlers of that region. O n t he first d a y of J u n e , 1 8 3 3 , M r . S t e w a r t left J a c k s o n i n h i g h s pirits, o n board a b oat b ound for T u s cahoma, i n the C h o c t a w P u r c h a s e , a n d a r r i v e d at

  
AND

ADVENTURES.

9

O d o m ' s l a n d i n g , on the Y a l l a b u s h a r i v e r , t w e l v e m i l e s b e l o w T u s c a h o i n a , on the t h i r d d a y of J u l y , w h e r e the b oat w a s forced to l a n d for w a n t of w a t e r . H e h a d a house p r e p a r e d for the r e c e p t i o n of h i s g oods a bout one m i l e a bove t he t o w n of Tuscahoma; b ut, s oon a fter h i s a r r i v a l , s o l d off h i s stock o n credit, a n d b egan e x a m i n i n g the c o u n t r y so as to be p r e p a r e d t o enter l a n d as s o o n a s o p p o r t u n i t y s h o u l d offer, i n w h i c h l abours he w a s e n g a g e d l a n d - s a l e s i n the same f a l l . T h e p e r i o d of M r . S t e w a r t ' s l i f e at w h i c h w e have n o w a r r i v e d is a point w h e r e i t b e c o m e s n e c e s s a r y to e x a m i n e w i t h t he strictest s c r u t i n y e v e r y act, no m a t ter h o w t r i v i a l     a n d n ot o n l y i s it n e c e s s a r y to n o t i c e h i s a cts, but to s c a n w i t h s e v e r i t y h i s motives for a c t ing. N o matter h o w t rifling t he c i r c u m s t a n c e s here r e c o r d e d , t h e y w i l l b e found important i n the progress o f the n a r r a t i v e . W h i l e h e w a s a t t e n d i n g the l a n d - s a l e s at C h o c c h u m a , a n d a w a i t i n g the settlement of h i s late affairs, a M r . C l a n t o n , w h o h a d e s t a b l i s h e d a l ittle c o u n t r y store i n t he n e i g h b o u r h o o d , a n d w i t h w h o m he h a d f o r m e r l y b een s l i g h t l y a c q u a i n t e d i n T e n n e s s e e , r e q u e s t e d h i m t o take the a g e n c y of h i s b u s i n e s s u n t i l h e c o u l d go to Tennessee reason g oods on for h i s f a m i l y a n d r e t u r n , a l l e g i n g , as a " that h e h a d b e e n his selling the credit, a n d that m a n y of customers for h i s request, u n t i l t he C h o c c h u m a

w o u l d take advantage of h i s absence, a n d l e a v e

c o u n t r y w i t h o u t p a y i n g t h e i r arrearages, as the greater p art o f t h e m w e r e strangers of doubtful c h a r a c t e r . " A t t his time M r . S t e w a r t w a s v e r y m u c h A3 occupied w i t h h i s o w n a f f a i r s ; but, ever r e a d y to a ccommodate a

  
10

STEWART'S

LIFE

f r i e n d , e ven at h i s i n d i v i d u a l i n c o n v e n i e n c e , h e ness d u r i n g h i s absence.

con-

sented to take charge of M r . C l a n t o n ' s b ooks a nd b u s i M r . C l a n t o n then urged h i m to sleep at h i s storehouse at n i g h t , w h i c h w o u l d not interfere w i t h h i s b usiness, as he c o u l d r i d e to the land-office at C h o c c h u m a and back v e r y e a s i l y i n the d a y ; to this M r . S t e w a r t c onsented, p r o v i d e d i t w o u l d not h i n d e r too m u c h h i s o w n affairs. T h e s m a l l quantity of g oods a nd liquors left by M r . C l a n t o n i n possession of M r . S t e w a r t , amounted to a bout two h u n d r e d and fifty or three h u n d r e d d o l l a r s . T h e s e articles he requested M r . S t e w a r t to dispose of i n a n y w a y that m i g h t offer, as he expected to be m u c h i n w a n t of money on h i s r e t u r n . D u r i n g t he six w e e k s that M r . S t e w a r t h a d charge of M r . C l a n t o n ' s a ffairs, h e disposed of more than one h u n d r e d dollars w o r t h o f this p r o p e r t y     a n d as he r e c e i v e d the pay for a p int of w h i s k e y or a h a n d k e r c h i e f , he deposited the m o n e y i n the d r a w e r of M r . C l a n t o n ' s store. I n t his s m a l l w a y he t ook i n about n i n e t y d o l l a r s , w h i l e at the store mornings and e v e n i n g s , w h i c h w a s n e v e r entered upon any b ook, a s there was no book u sed i n the establishment. s o l d for c r e d i t were charged upon a day-book cashas d e W h a t f e w g oods h e

l i v e r e d , a nd upon this b ook h e opened but one n e w a c count, w h i c h was against h i m s e l f for g oods d e l i v e r e d t o M r . E l i j a h S m i t h , a g entleman w h o l i v e d near the s torehouse, and from w h o m M r . S t e w a r t h a d p u r c h a s e d c o r n for h i s horse w h i l e at the store, w h i c h w a s e r a l l y e very night. genT h e t w o accounts stood open ; as

S t e w a r t r e q u i r e d c o r n , he got it from S m i t h ; a nd as

  
AND

ADVENTURES.

u

S m i t h w a n t e d a n y t h i n g that he c o u l d r ind a m o n g C l a n ton's r e m n a n t s , he p r o c u r e d it from S t e w a r t , the latter a c c o u n t i n g for it b y a charge against h i m s e l f on M r . C l a n t o n ' s b ooks. H e also t ook s ome t hings for h i s o w n use, a m o u n t i n g to five or s i x d o l l a r s , w h i c h h e p a i d f or and deposited the m o n e y i n the d r a w e r , w i t h t he p r o c e e d s o f the other c a s h s a l e s . I n t he m o n t h of J a n u a r y , 1 8 3 4 , M r . C l a n t o n r e t u r n ed from T e n n e s s e e w i t h h i s f a m i l y . expressed U p o n again rec e i v i n g h i s affairs from the hands of M r . S t e w a r t , he the h i g h e s t satisfaction at the m a n n e r i n w h i c h t he latter h a d taken charge of h i s b u s i n e s s , a n d a s a t o k e n of h i s gratitude p r e s e n t e d h i m w i t h a l ot o f l a n d i n a l ittle t own-site that he h a d l a i d o ff for a v i l l a g e w h e r e h i s storehouse stood. H e w a s e x t r e m e l y a n x i o u s to f o r m a c o p a r t n e r s h i p w i t h M r . S t e w a r t ; but the latter, w i s h i n g to i n v e s t a l l h i s c a p i t a l i n l a n d , d e c l i n e d the p r o p o s i t i o n , but cepted the lot, aud p r o m i s e d acto b u i l d u pon i t as s o o n

a s he s h o u l d r e t u r n f r o m a v isit t o T e n n e s s e e , so as to i n d u c e others to settle upon the same site ; and he i n t urn, w h i l e absent, left h i s property i n charge of M r . Clanton. P r e v i o u s to h i s departure, C l a n t o n requested that he w o u l d have h i s g oods r e m o v e d to the h ouse o f M r . W i l l i a m V e s s , as he h a d not the r o o m to spare i n h i s o w n , o b s e r v i n g , at the same time, that V e s s w a s a v e r y c l e v e r f e l l o w , but that he ( C l a n t o n ) w o u l d see to h i s p roperty h i m s e l f . p roperty r e m o v e d ; A c c o r d i n g l y , M r . Stewart had his a n d l e a v i n g a l l h i s affairs i n the O n the 21st of thy

c harge of M r . C l a n t o n , he set out upon h i s j o u r n e y o n the 18th of J a n u a r y , 1834.

  
12

STEWART'S

LIFE

s a m e m o n t h he r e a c h e d M a d i s o n county, i n T e n n e s see, w h e r e l i v e d h i s o l d friend and neighbour the R e v erend J o h n H e n n i n g . S o o n after h i s a r r i v a l h e c a l l e d o n M r . H . , w h o i n f o r m e d h i m that he a n d h i s s o n R i c h a r d h a d lost, on the night of the 18th of J a n u a r y , t w o negro m e n ; a n d r e m a r k e d , that r e c e n t developments h a d attached s u s p i c i o n u p o n one J o h n A . M u r r e l l , a m a n of doubtful and suspicious c h a r a c t e r , w h o r e s i d e d i n the neighbourhood. H e stated, also, that h e neighbours h a d l e a r n e d from one of M u r r e l l ' s n ear

( w h o m he h a d d e s i r e d to w a t c h h i s movements), that h e w o i d d l e a v e M a d i s o n county on the 2 5 t h for R a n d o l p h , a t o w n o n the M i s s i s s i p p i r i v e r ; and suggested t hat, i f he h a d stolen the negroes, h i s o bject p r o b a b l y w as to p r o c e e d to the p l a c e of their c o n c e a l m e n t . M r . H . s o l i c i t e d M r . S t e w a r t , w h o , as the reader h as a l r e a d y b e e n t o l d , w a s on terms of f r i e n d s h i p a n d i n t i m a c y w i t h h i m a n d h i s f a m i l y , to a c c o m p a n y h i s s on R i c h a r d i n pursuit of M u r r e l l , h o p i n g t h e r e b y to o btain s ome i n t e l l i g e n c e of the negroes, as it w a s p r o b able that so s oon a s the excitement o c c a s i o n e d b y their a bduction, and the s u s p i c i o n r e s t i n g u p o n M u r r e l l , h a d i n a m easure s u b s i d e d , he w o u l d take s ome m easures t o remove t h e m from the country. M r . Stewart consented, and p r o m i s e d to m a k e e v e r y e x e r t i o n i n h i s p o w e r to ferret out the t h i e f and r e c l a i m their p r o p erty. Although M r . Stewart had lived within five miles acwas o f M u r r e l l ' s h ouse a part of the time w h i l e he w a s r esident i n T e n n e s s e e , he h a d never made h i s quaintance, nor h a d he seen h i m but o nce : h e

t h e n p o i n t e d out to h i m , but at a distance too remote

  
AND

ADVENTURES.

13

t o enable h i m to obtain a n y definite k n o w l e d g e of h i s f eatures. B e s i d e s , considerable t i m e h a d s i n c e e l a p sed, so as to leave h i m no h o p e o f b e i n g able to r e c o g n i s e h i m s h o u l d he be so fortunate as to overtake h i m . H e w as therefore o b l i g e d to r e l y o n the description g i v e n of h i m by M r . H e n n i n g . M r . H e n n i n g p r o p o s e d t o remunerate h i m for h i s s e r v i c e s and loss of time ; but, fired w i t h i n d i g n a t i o n a gainst the perpetrator of such villany, Stewart refused a n y r e c o m p e n s e , a nd professed to desire n o t h i n g b e y o n d the gratification of b e i n g i n s t r u m e n t a l i n o v e r t a k i n g a nd b r i n g i n g the o ffender a nd v alued f r i e n d , he t ook l eave of to j u s t i c e . With f eelings s u c h as these, and a desire to serve an o l d M r . H . , and proc e e d e d to the h ouse o f a D r . E v a n s , w i t h the p r o m i s e t o m eet M r . H . ' s son at D e n m a r k (a s m a l l c o u n t r y v i l lage about four m i l e s distant) at as e a r l y an hour o n t he f o l l o w i n g p ermit. A s m u c h that is set forth i n the " W e s t e r n L a n d P i r a t e " h as b e e n q uestioned, w e d e e m i t due, both to M r . S . a n d the p u b l i c , to a c c o m p a n y s tatement w i t h a certificate each material authority. of undoubted m o r n i n g as their c o n v e n i e n c e might

A s s u c h , w e o ffer t he f o l l o w i n g certificate :     " State of Tennessee, Madison County. " I d o hereby c e r t i f y , to a l l w h o m it m a y c o n c e r n , t hat a l l V i r g i l A . S t e w a r t has said i n t h e ' W e s t e r n L a n d P i r a t e , ' s o far as i t relates to me and m y request, is strictly correct. " M r . S t e w a r t pursued J o h n A . M u r r e l l b y m y r e q u e s t ; a nd I f urther c e r t i f y that said S t e w a r t l i v e d i n m y i m mediate neighbourhood t w o y e a r s ; and that there w a s 2

  
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n o y o u n g m a n w h o conducted h i m s e l f more h o n o u r a b l y , o r w h o deserves the confidence of the public m o r e than M r . Stewart. " G i v e n under m y hand and seal, this 10th d a y of O c t ober, 1 8 3 5 . [ Sealed.] "JOHN HENNING."

O n t he m o r n i n g of J a n u a r y 2 6 t h , 1834, M r . S . w a s at D e n m a r k , a c c o r d i n g to a p p o i n t m e n t ; but young H e n n i n g f a i l e d to m a k e h i s appearance. H e remain-

ed s e v e r a l hours a w a i t i n g the y o u n g man's a r r i v a l , t i l l a t l e n g t h , b e c o m i n g impatient, he c o n c l u d e d to p r o s e cute h i s j o u r n e y alone, supposing that h i s i n t e n d e d c o m p a n i o n h a d been t a k e n i l l , a s he h a d left h i m s o m e w h a t i n d i s p o s e d w h e n t h e y p a r t e d o n the p r e c e d i n g evening. H e accordingly left D e n m a r k about ten o'clock, A . M . , and p r o c e e d e d o n h i s w a y to the t u r n p i k e at E s t a n a u l a , o ver the H a t c h e e r i v e r , about s e v e n m i l e s d istant ( this b e i n g the o n l y c r o s s i n g - p l a c e i n the w i n ter s eason), w h e r e he e x p e c t e d to obtain i n t e l l i g e n c e of M u r r e l l . T h e w e a t h e r w a s u n u s u a l l y c o l d , a n d the h a r d - f r o z e n r o a d , m u c h cut up b y recent t r a v e l l i n g a n d c o v e r ed with s leet, considerably retarded his progress. When he reached the toll-house at E s t a n a u l a , h e

i n q u i r e d o f the k e e p e r i f M u r r e l l h a d g one b y , a n d w h e t h e r h i s gates m i g h t be passed d u r i n g the n i g h t without his knowledge ? W h i l e he w a s y e t convers i n g w i t h h i m , the k e e p e r turned h i m s e l f about, a n d obs e r v e d , " Y o n d e r c omes M u r r e l l , n o w !" Upon looki n g i n the d i r e c t i o n i n d i c a t e d , M r . S t e w a r t s a w h i m ; b ut h e was too near to admit of farther c o n v e r s a t i o n

  
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   with t he k e e p e r .

M u r r e l l r ode q u i c k l y u p , p a i d h i s

t o l l , a nd p r o c e e d e d o n h i s w a y ; w h e n S t e w a r t r e n e w ed h i s c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h t he k e e p e r , and a s k e d i f he w a s satisfied that the i n d i v i d u a l w h o h a d passed w a s Murrell. T h e k e e p e r assured h i m that he w a s , a n d U p o n this M r . S t e w H e followed a dded that he k n e w h i m w e l l .

art p a i d h i s t oll a nd p r o c e e d e d a fter h i m .

c lose u pon h i m for a short t i m e , w i t h a v i e w to l e a r n , i f p ossible, to w h a t p l a c e he w a s t r a v e l l i n g , w i t h o u t g i v i n g M u r r e l l a n y o c c a s i o n to suspect h i s i n t e n t i o n s . A t l e n g t h i t o c c u r r e d to h i m , that, b y f a l l i n g i nto h i s c o m p a n y , he m i g h t obtain a better i d e a of h i s plans a n d b usiness. H e a c c o r d i n g l y r ode u p , a n d accosted h i m v e r y r e s p e c t f u l l y , w h i c h w a s r e t u r n e d w i t h e qual c i v i l i t y a nd address, but w i t h a l ook of i n q u i r y and s c r u t i n y t hat savoured s o m e w h a t of embarrassment. T h e f o l l o w i n g dialogue ensued :     Stewart. " W e have disagreeable t r a v e l l i n g , s i r . " Murrell. very well." M. t his V S. " H o r s e - h u n t i n g , s i r . " M. from?" S. " F r o m Y a l l a b u s h a r i v e r , i n the C h o c t a w chase." M. " W h e r e i s he a i m i n g for V S. " I d o not k n o w ; I a m t o l d that he w a s o w n e d b y Pur" Y e s , y e s , disagreeable i n d e e d : y o u r c o m p a r W h e r e d i d y o u r horse stray i s o n i s not a b a d one. " P r a y , s i r , w h a t c a n be your business that y o u s h o u l d compare i t to t r a v e l l i n g o n s u c h a r o a d as " E x t r e m e l y so, s i r . " business correspond S. " T h e travelling and m y

  
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a m a n i n this c o u n t r y s o m e w h e r e ; b ut it i s a n u n c e r t a i n b u s i n e s s     a cross-and-pile c h a n c e . " ( M r . S . h a d b e e n r equested b y a friend i n the P u r c h a s e , w h e n h e w a s l e a v i n g that c o u n t r y for T e n n e s see, to i n q u i r e for a horse that h a d s t r a y e d , and made t he description then g i v e n h i m serve h i s present p u r pose.) M. a nd " H o w far d o w n w i l l y o u go ?" T h e roads are so v e r y b a d , becoming will t he w e a t h e r so e x t r e m e l y c o l d , I a m S. " I d o not k n o w .

v e r y t ired o f so u n c e r t a i n a b u s i n e s s ; and I a m quite lonesome travelling by myself. y o u go on this r o a d ?" M. " A b o u t eighteen m i l e s , to the h ouse o f a f r i e n d . Perhaps your I a m anxious to get there to-night, but it w i l l b e v e r y l ate t r a v e l l i n g i n s u c h c o l d w e a t h e r . h orse is s t o l e n . " 5 . " N o , I g uess n o t ; though I h a d m u c h r a t h e r s ome c lever f e l l o w h a d stolen h i m than that h e s h o u l d be s t r a y i n g . " ( M r . S t e w a r t here o b s e r v e d a v e r y p e r last ceptible c hange i n the countenance of h i s c o m p a n i o n , w h i c h s h o w e d h i m e v i d e n t l y p l e a s e d w i t h t he remark.) M. try V S. " I a m a stranger, s i r . " M. " W h e r e are y o u from ?"