and inclinations very much. The land east of the Mississippi is nearly all entered, and is very dear."

The reader will perceive that Mr. Stewart's main object in shaping his conversation as he did, was to acquaint himself, if possible, with the disposition and character of Murrell; and to learn his destination and plans. He pretended a scarcity of funds, to anticipate an attempt at robbing him, as he had a considerable amount of money with him, and had no sufficient assurance that Murrell was not setting a trap for him. He calculated also to obtain, indirectly, some clew to Mr. Henning's negroes; for he foresaw, if the negroes were at Murrell's old friend's, his journey would probably end at that place, and he might prepare himself for the event. If not, he expected to be apprized of it, by Murrell's intention to continue his journey. Hence the great caution that marked his inquiries-his seeming as though he cared not to observe. The occasion was a critical one, and required skilful management; in this Mr. S. appears not to have been wanting.

Murrell. "I would be very glad if you would go over into Arkansas with me. I am going over, and I will let you have money if you get out; and I will show you the country as long as you wish to stay. I have thousands of friends over there-it will not cost us a cent, if we stay six months; and I will carry you where you can bring away a better horse than the one you are hunting. I will learn you a few tricks if you will go with me. A man with as keen an eye as yours should never spend his time hunting for a horse." Stewart. "Sir, I am much obliged to you for

your

compliment, and much more obliged to you for the kind proposition you have made--I will determine to-morrow whether I will go or not; but I think I will go. I have no doubt I should learn many things under so able a teacher as I expect you are; and I should be happy to accompany you."

M. "Here is my old friend's-I am glad to see his cabin once more. Come, alight, every thing is still— we will go into the house."

The midnight visiters knocked for admittance; the old man of the house had not retired, but, like the hour, was silent as death. A moment, and the door was opened; they walked in, and were received with much attention and respect. Mr. Stewart's eyes glanced hastily round the apartment. He might, perchance, catch a glimpse of the old parson's negroes. They were not there. He felt much jaded, and in want of rest; and, after sitting a short time before the fire, he called for lodgings, and left Murrell and his friend engaged in conversation. Mr. Stewart went to bed, but not to sleep-reflections on what had passed-his present unenviable situation--and the possible detection of his hitherto successful simulation by meeting the negroes in the morning, hung like an incubus over his wakeful and bewildered imagination. It was near morning before his wearied nature, overcome with exhaustion, sank to repose.

Thus ends the story of Mr. Stewart's first day's pilgrimage with the great "Western I and Pirate."

CHAPTER II.

MR. STEWART rose at a very early hour the morning of the 27th, and took advantage of the first dawn of light to stroll over the premises in search of Mr. Henning's negroes; intending, in the event of finding them, to apprize them of his purpose, and instruct them not to recognise him in presence of Murrell. Upon satisfying himself that they were not there, he returned to the house, where he found Murrell prepared to ride, and giving directions for their horses; and by the time Aurora had emerged from her " chamber of light” in the east-while lingering twilight yet mantled the prospect, they were on their horses and away. Mr. Stewart had been careful to make particular inquiry, meanwhile, for his stray horse in Murrell's presence— deeming such a course important to preserve consistency. They proceeded on their journey in the direction of Wesley, a small village in the county of Hay. wood, and State of Tennessee, distant about six miles from their late landlord's. Conversation was renewed with their journey. They had not ridden far when Murrell inquired, for the first time, the name of his companion, in the following language :—

Murrell. "Well, my young friend, I believe I have not yet been so inquisitive as to ask your name, we have been so engaged in other conversation."

Stewart. "No, sir, we have been quite engaged since our short acquaintance; I seldom ever have a name, though you can call me Adam Hues at present."

Mr. Stewart's reason for concealing his real name will appear obvious to the reader, when it is remembered he and Murrell both resided in the same county while Mr. Stewart lived in Tennessee, and, though never personally acquainted with him, Murrell had, probably, often heard of him.

Murrell. "Well, Mr. Hues, what say you of the trip to Arkansas this morning?"

Hues. "I have not yet fairly determined on that matter; though I think I will go."

M. "Go, yes, you must go, and I will make a man of you."

H. "That is what I want, sir."

M. “There are some of the handsomest girls over there you ever saw. I am in town when I am there."

H. "Nothing to object to, sir; I am quite partial to handsome ladies."

M. "Oh! well, go with me to Arkansas, and I will put you right in town; and they are as plump as ever came over, sir."

H. "I think I will go, sir; I will determine down about Wesley, which your old friend says is five or six miles from this."

M. "We can strike a breeze worth telling over there."

H. "I do not doubt it, sir."

M. "I will tell you a story about another feat of this elder brother. His young brother was living in Tipton county, below here, and he was down to see him--and while he was in the neighbourhood he decoyed off a negro boy from his master, and appointed a place where to meet him; but, instead of going himself, he

sent a friend. His friend conveyed him to the Mississippi river, where there was a skiff to receive them his friend conducted the boy to Natchez in the skiff, and lodged him in the care of a second friend.

"The elder brother took a passage on a steamboat for Natchez, after he had lurked behind until he could learn all their movements; after he reached Natchez, he took his negro and went on another steamboat, dressed like a lord, and had as much the appearance of a gentleman as any man aboard the boat. He had taken a passage to New-Orleans; but misfortunes will happen every now and then. There was a fellow aboard the boat who knew him well; and this rascal went to the captain, and told him that the negro which this fellow had was stolen; and that the fellow was a notorious negro thief-and that he had better take the black boy into custody, and carry him back, and that he would be very apt to find his owner's advertisements as he went back up the country. The captain, an old villain, in hopes of getting a reward, and the services of the negro for some time, concluded to do So. The negro was not suffered to see his master, but he had been drilled to his business before. So the fellow waited until the boat reached New-Orleans; and, while the boat was landing, he made his escape on to the guards of another boat. He went in search of his friends in that part of the country, who were plenty, and made all his arrangements; and sent a friend to learn when the captain would leave the port; so he goes to the mayor of the city, and gets a process against the body of the captain, for unlawfully detaining his property from his possession. The guard took