In point of fact it _is_ a French village; for it was one of the earliest settlements of that people, who, with the Spaniards, were the first colonists of Western America.

Hence we find, to this day, French and Spanish people, with French and Spanish names and customs, all through the Mississippi valley and the regions that lie west of it.
We have not much to do with these things at present, and very little to say of Point Coupee, more than we have already said.

Our subject is an odd-looking house that, many years ago, stood upon the western bank of the river, about a mile below the village.

I say it stood there many years ago; but it is very likely that it is still standing, as it was a firm, well-built house, of hewn logs, carefully chinked, and plastered between the chinks with run-lime.

It was roofed with cedar shingles that projected at the eaves, so as to cast off the rain, and keep the walls dry.