Here I ventured to inquire of him as to whom he was addressing his conversation?
"Why, my frens," replied he. "Isn't that Ned Shoemaker?" pointing to a barrel, upon the top of which was my hat; "and are not those my companions," pointing to a pile of cheese-boxes, herring-kegs, etc., that were strewn around.
He was much astonished when I assured him his friends had _departed_ an hour since, at least.
Going out with a party of scouts, one day, in Virginia, we espied, away up a little ravine, a log-house, completely isolated. Anticipating a good, substantial meal, we rode up to the domicile, where an old woman, with a face with all the intelligence of a pig beaming from it, came to the door, looking the very picture of consternation. We dismounted, and asked for something to eat.
"What! wittles?" exclaimed the horrible-looking creature. "Whar did you come from? And what be sogers doin' on here?"
"Well, I came from Indianapolis," said Captain Bracken, "and am after something to eat. Are there any Secesh in these parts?"
Just at this moment there came a gaunt-eyed, slim-livered, carnivorous, yellow-skinned, mountain Virginian--no doubt belonging to one of the first families, as his name was Rhett.
"Look-a-hear," continued the old woman; "this ere soger wants to know if you be for Union?"
The old man looked, if any thing, more astonished than the old woman at the soldier. In the course of conversation we asked the man, "What he thought of the war?"
"What war?" exclaimed the old fellow; "the Revolution?"
"Ah! we gin the Britishers fits, didn't we?"
It was evident the man knew nothing of the rebellion going on.
When asked if he heard the fight, the other day, only six miles from his house, he opened his eyes widely, and said he "heard it '_thunderin'_' mighty loud, but couldn't see no clouds, and didn't know what to make _on it_."
The fact was, these people live up in this place; raise what little will keep them from year to year; never read a paper, ('cause why, they can't); and they scarcely ever visit anybody.
There are many cases of this kind within a few miles of this place, where as much _pent-up_ ignorance is displayed. If North Carolina is any worse, in Heaven's name send no more money to _distant heathen_, but attend to those at home.