Plantation Sketches | Page 6

the river, working upon the embankments.
The back waters from the swamp had already spread over everything.
This gentle and slow submersion did no great damage, when there was
no growing crop to be injured; the thing to be guarded against was the
breaking of the river dam and the consequent rushing in of such a flood
as would wash the land into enormous holes, or "breakovers," of
several acres in extent in some places, or make great sand ledges in
others, to say nothing of the destruction of fences, the drowning of
stock, etc. On the night that I speak of, the moon was at its full and
glittered upon the water, rippling all around where dry land should have
been. I sat listening anxiously and occasionally shuddering at a sharp
cracking noise, like a pistol shot, and, following upon it, the rushing of
water into some plantation up the river. Once in the night I heard a
noise and, upon my calling to know who it was, a man replied that they

had come up in a canoe to get some water. I could not help laughing; it
struck me that water was rather too plentiful just then. They worked
upon the dam until there was no more material to work with, water
being level with the top on both sides and only a foot of standing-room
at the top, so, having done all that they could, all hands took to canoes
and went to their homes. That "March freshet" did incalculable damage
to the whole region, but still fine crops were made that season. Your
grandfather was indefatigable while anything could be done, but,
having done all that human energy could, he would resign himself
cheerfully to the inevitable, and his family never were saddened by
depression on his part. This wonderful elasticity was most noticeable at
the fearful period of the surrender and, indeed, through all the
succeeding years, when this power of his, despite all of our losses and
anxieties, made our life one of great happiness.
When, during the winter months, a moderate freshet meant nothing
more serious than the flooding of the low grounds, it was considered
rather a benefit, owing to the rich deposit left upon the land, besides the
advantages gained in floating out lumber from the swamps. This March
freshet caused great pecuniary loss; new dams had to be constructed at
a heavy expense, and many miles of repairing had to be done to those
left standing. The few days before the water had reached its height were
most trying to the nerves (that is, my nerves). I believe my fears
culminated upon the night that I saw the water rippling over our own
doorstep and realized that there was not a foot of dry land visible for
miles; by morning, though, the river was "at a stand," and by evening
little spots of green were showing themselves in the yard and garden.
The word garden recalls to my memory our pretty garden, a most
beautiful continuation of the smooth green yard, its many alleys
bordered with flowers and flowering shrubs. It was, I own, laid out in a
stiff, old-fashioned manner, very different from the present and far
more picturesque style; still, it was charming,--the profusion of flowers,
fed by that wonderful river loam, exceeded anything that I have ever
seen elsewhere. In the springtime, what with the flowers, the beautiful
butterflies, and the humming-birds, the sunny air would actually seem
to quiver with color and life.

Every plantation had a set of buildings which included generally the
overseer's house, ginhouse, screw, barn, stable, porkhouse, smokehouse,
storehouse, carpenter's shop, blacksmith shop, and loomhouse, where
the material for clothing for each plantation was woven,--white cloth
for the underclothes, and very pretty striped or checked for outer
garments. At Runiroi, the weaver, Scip, was a first-class workman, and
very proud of his work. I often had sets of very pretty towels woven in
a damask pattern of mixed flax and cotton. The winter clothing was of
wool, taken from our own sheep.
The carpenters at Runiroi were Jim, the head carpenter, Austin, and Bill,
who were all good workmen. Frank, "Boat Frank," as he was called,
from having formerly served as captain of the old flat-bottomed scow
which carried the sale crop to Plymouth, was also in the shop and did
beautiful work. I was fond of visiting Jim's shop and ordering all sorts
of wooden ware, pails, piggins, trays, etc.; these last, dug out of
bowl-gum, were so white that they looked like ivory. Boat Frank was
very proud of the smoothness and polish of his trays. Our children, with
their mammy, were fond of visiting "Uncle Jim's" shop and playing
with such tools as he considered safe for them to handle,