states, and is so full of pitch that a splinter of it will burn like a candle-rather a smoky one it is true. A more appropriate name would be torch-wood, as it is the best article for that purpose that ever grew. It is equally valuable, and is considered, in regions where it abounds, as indispensable for kindling wood; to set a negro to build a fire when the light-wood "am done gone," is an act of oppression almost equal to those old-time taskmasters that ordered the bricks made without straw. You have, perhaps, seen the reason given by the "Cracker" why he located upon a certain spot, but it will bear repetition, and is an apt illustration of the love of lightwood. A traveller came one day upon a most desolate-looking location in the sandy pine woods of Georgia, the prominent features of which were, a small field of excessively small corn, over which a thousand trunks of deadened pine trees stood sentry-a very black log cabin, with about half a chimney, doorless, floorless, windowless-the very picture of discomfort. Thrusting their long noses through a surrounding rail fence, stood half a dozen miserable long-nosed, land-pike breed of pigs, looking anxiously upon an equal number of half-starved, half-hound curs, that were looking enviously at an equal number of white-headed, white-faced children, who were disputing over a half supply of half-roasted sweet potatoes; while "Lord of all I survey" sat the owner upon the fence, loking the very picture of happy content ment. Journeying in the pursuit of knowledge, the traveller thought here was a favourable opportunity to obtain that at least which would enable him to discover what could induce a human being to locate himself in such a region of desolation. He therefore accosted him politely with"Stranger, I'll thank you for a gourd of water." "Got none-spring's dry. Hogs been in the brook." "Why, I don't know how you live without water." "All in use. Roast taters better'n bil'd one-have one, stranger?" "No, I thank you. You have poor land here. Your corn is very small." "Yes. Not worth planting." "Is it good for potatoes?" "No! nor nothing else." "Poor for hogs, too, I should think?" "Yes, till pine mast falls." "Is your range good for stock?" "How's game?—that's good, I reckon." "No 'taint. Them infernal camp hunters with their long-legged dogs, and horns, and shot guns, have drove all the deer out of these parts." "Well, then, I hope you have plenty of fish in this stream I crossed just back ?” "What, in that stinking black swamp ? No, sir, none but mud fish and alligators, and a man must be sort o' short of provisions 'fore he eats such meat." "Well, now, my friend, I see your land is miserably poor; you can raise nothing; you have no water to drink, and I don't see any sign of cows to give you milk; you have no range for cattle or hogs; you have neither game nor fish; and this stinking swamp, as you call it, must make the location unhealthy; now, will you tell me what in the world there is about to induce you to locate here, or to remain in such a place ?" The gentleman's dignity was offended to think any one should be so stupid as to ask such a question. He lifted his long legs from the fence, looked over his field, so as to take in the whole view of dead pines; and waving his majestic right hand in the same direction, so as to attract the traveller's attention, replied, in the most unanswerable manner"Sir! don't you see that light-wood is tolerably handy?" VIII. THE PRAIRIE DOGS. THE most amusing and interesting sights of all we saw on the route, were the towns of the prairie-dog, which are to be found at different intervals along the whole course of the sandy Platte, and through several of which we passed. The first one we came to so astonished and interested us, that Huntly, Teddy, and myself, dismounted to take a closer view, while the trappers, being of course familiar with such things, steadily pursued their way. The prairie-dog is above the size of a large grey squirrel, somewhat longer than a Guinea pig, of a brownish or sandy hue, with a heap somewhat resembling a bull-dog. Being of a social disposition, they collect together in large bodies, and build their towns on a gravelly plain, some of them being miles in |