sippi river glean the southern and western banks, destroy their cities, and slaughter our enemies? Have we no Antony to scatter the firebrands of rebellion; no Lepidus to open his coffers of gold; or no Augustus to lead us to battle? Such a conclusion would be an impeachment of the abilities of our gallant chieftain."

We give but a small portion of Mr. Hues's speech in the council-house, which was very long, and embraced many topics not here introduced. He dwelt much upon the moral irresponsibility of mankind—the superiority of the animal over the intellectual propensities, as proved from the strength of the passions contrasted with the weakness of the judgment of men, &c. But we shall not longer trespass on the reader's patience.

To return to the scene at the council-house: when Hues had finished his speech, and all unsettled business was disposed of, the assembly rose and dispersed, each to his own residence: for many of them owned huts, which they had erected about on points of high land contiguous to the morass, under pretence of keeping wood-yards to accommodate Mississippi boatmen, though really on account of their privacy, and convenience to the operations of the clan.

Murrell having business with members of the fraternity who had not made their appearance at the council-house, proposed to visit such of them as lived on the river, and set forward, in company with Hues, for the house of Jehu Barney. They found their skiff necessary during most of the way. They passed on their right a small hut, near which were four negroes, cutting wood. Their hut stood upon the bank of the large bayou down which they were paddling

Murrell remarked to Hues that those negroes had been stolen and sold several times, and were still in reserve for a future market; and would be again sold so soon as the excitement in regard to them should subside. They made no halt at the hut, but continued in the direction of the river. They passed in the bayou a flat-boat of considerable size, that appeared to be undergoing repair, which Murrell called his; and said that he intended it to convey negroes to some point on the river below New-Orleans, where they could be shipped to Texas at the shortest notice, on board of a packet; remarking that he had already made arrangements for some forty or fifty with that view.

They at length arrived at the house, or rather the cabin, of Jehu Barney. It was near sunset, and there was no prospect of reaching more agreeable quarters. They were consequently compelled to remain, though Hues had resolved not to trust himself to sleep, through the night; for he felt but little fondness for such chamber-companions. During the evening conversation turned on various topics, chiefly, however, on such as were more immediately connected with the operations of the morass. Among other things, Hues learned the arrangement which Murrell made for retaking the negroes he had promised to deliver to Mr. Erwin; which were, in the first place, to deliver the negroes and secure his money, leaving with them directions to appear at a certain point on the river the following night, where Barney was instructed to meet and convey them to some other market.

Hues spent the night, not in sleep, but in preparing an excuse to part with Murrell in the morning.

For

morass.

he had determined not to spend another day in the He had seen enough to relieve his doubts as to the representations of Murrell, and being satisfied of the removal of Mr. Henning's negroes, he saw no longer any prospect of serving him there. Besides, he had so far come off victorious, and had no sufficient assurance that he would be so fortunate upon a second trial; and hence saw no good reason for longer exposing his life, and the hope of serving his fellowcountrymen, to the uncertainties and dangers with which, in that gloomy place, he saw himself surrounded. Moreover, having learned the extent of the clan, that many of its members lived in those parts of the different states where he was known, and some of them occupying respectable standings before the community, he did not know but he might meet some acquaintance; or, if not, some one who had seen him, and who might betray his disguise; for he had been told by Murrell that the meeting at the council-house on the morrow would be much larger than the one he had witnessed. Hence this resolution.

CHAPTER VII.

EARLY on the morning of February 2d, Hues made known to Murrell his intention of leaving him. Murrell appeared much disappointed (for he had never once imagined that Hues contemplated returning so soon), and objected that he had not, as yet, been en

abled to redeem his promise to show him the Arkansas ladies; and continued, that there were several subjects of importance to be brought before the council, on which he had promised himself the pleasure of hearing his views. To which Hues replied, that, as to the Arkansas ladies, for the pleasure of seeing the fair widow at Mr. Erwin's, he could afford to dispense with them for the present: and as regarded his opinions before the council, they could be of but little importance; as he was not prepared, for reasons already given, to advance any thing new: assuring Murrell at the same time that he had the utmost confidence in his opinions on any subject that might be agitated before the house, and should be proud to adopt them as his own. This appeal to Murrell's vanity had a most happy effect in putting an end to his importunities. He offered no farther objection, but accompanied Hues on board a skiff that lay at the shore, and saw him safely landed on the opposite bank of the river. Hues set out for Mr. Erwin's, where he promised to remain till Murrell should rejoin him; and Murrell returned to his clan. On his arrival Hues found Mr. Erwin at home, and communicated to him all that had transpired. Upon which they determined to have a guard in readiness to arrest Murrell when he should bring the negroes which Mr. Erwin had contracted to purchase; and accordingly made arrangements to that effect. Hues preferred such an arrangement, as it would go very far to anticipate the incredulity of the world: for although he was himself satisfied, the world was yet to be convinced, which he foresaw would be attended with much difficulty, unless he could overtake him

(Murrell) in some act of villany. Besides, should he, by arresting him sooner, risk his statements to the public upon his own bare assertion, unsupported by the proof of any overt act, there were many of the clan who stood as yet unimpeached before the community, ready to certify to Murrell's good character, and thus discredit his testimony, perhaps bring his motives in question, and, it might be, defeat the very purpose which had led him to encounter so many and great dangers. Nay, more; it would have been their policy to assassinate him, and prevent his evidence from ever coming before the public.

On the following afternoon of February 3d, Murrell returned to the house of Mr. Erwin, where he found Hues, according to promise, awaiting his arrival. It was not long before he took occasion to renew with Mr. E. the subject of the negroes, and designated the time at which they were to be delivered. At length (for he seldom remained long in the same place) he proposed to Hues to set out for Mr. Champion's, with whom they had left their horses six days before, to which Hues assented; and early in the evening of the same day they reached Mr. Champion's house. While there Hues had no opportunity of conversing privately with Mr. C., and hence gave him no account of his adventure.

Early on the morrow Murrell and his companion once more mounted their horses and directed their course for Madison county.

The following are the certificates of Messrs. Erwin, Champion, and Shelby :