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Then only a "darkey" with an ox-cart loaded with wood; but, despairing of information from such a source, I declined detaining him. The only intelligence I was able to draw from the negro was that; "da `city' o' Swampville, massr, he lay 'bout ten mile furrer down da crik."
His name I could make out to be Steevens, or Steebins, or something of the sort not very intelligible by the Indian's mode of pronouncing it and, furthermore, that he had been a schoolmaster in Swampville. During the progress of the dialogue, I had my eye fixed on the young hunter.
This second purchase and payment rendered necessary a communication with my Nashville friend. Fortunately, Swampville had a mail; and, to avail myself of it, I rode direct for the settlement. On my return, I found the river-town, figuratively speaking, on fire. Short as bad been the period of my absence, it had been marked by an incident of no ordinary character.
No doubt the contrast of common faces such as those I observed in Swampville did something towards heightening my admiration. There was another contrast that had at this time an influence on my heart's inclinings.
Communicating this hope to my companion, we rode back to Swampville: with the design of laying siege to the post-office, until it should surrender up to us the promised epistle. Under any circumstances, a return to Swampville would have been necessary: certain pecuniary requirements called me back to that interesting village.
Swampville was in reality a riverine town. To it the east was a back country; and its front face was to the west. In that direction lay its world, and the ways that opened to it. Log-shanties began to line the road standing thicker as I advanced; while at intervals, appeared a "frame-house" of more pretentious architecture.
Judging from his personal appearance, I concluded that I saw in the individual before me the Methodist minister of Swampville. If so, it would account for the obsequiousness of his host, though not satisfactorily.
The only additional information the agent could afford me was: that my new purchase was all "heavily timbered," with the exception before referred to; that the township in which it was situated was called Swampville; and that the section itself was known as "Holt's Clearing" from the name, it was supposed, of the squatter who had made the "improvement."
"If you mean Hick Holt's Clearin', it's a leetle better'n six miles from here. He squats on Mud Crik." "There's a squatter upon it, then?" "On Holt's Clearin'? Wal, I shed rayther say there air a squatter on't, an' no mistake." "His name is Holt is it not?" "That same individooal." "Do you think I could procure a guide in Swampville some one who could show me the way to Holt's Clearing?"
It is the town of Swampville a name perhaps more appropriate than euphonious. Upon this path, where it debouches from the forest, the eye of Frank Wingrove becomes fixed not in the direction of Swampville, but towards the clearing of the squatter. From this, it would appear probable that he expects some one; and that the person expected should come from that side.
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