He was on the point of leaving the estate for a few days, he said, on a visit to a friend near the mountains.

In the mean time Mr.Murray, the gentleman by whom he was supported, was to look after the plantation and attend to my comforts.

This spectral-looking object then, with difficulty, mounted his mule, and accompanied by an able-bodied negro on foot, slowly rode away from the estate.
Mr.Murray received me with cordiality, and tendered me the hospitalities of the mansion.

He was a man of pleasing address and more than ordinary intelligence.

I afterwards learned that he was the secretary of Mr.Church, the attorney for the Pearl estates.