It was what in that country is called a "double house,"-- that is, a large passage ran across the middle of it, through which you might have driven a wagon loaded with hay.

This passage was roofed and ceiled, like the rest of the house, and floored with strong planks.

The flooring, elevated a foot above the surface of the ground, projected several feet in front of the passage, where carved uprights of cedar-wood supported a light roof, forming a porch or verandah.

Around these uprights, and upon the railing that shut in the verandah, clung vines, rose-bushes, and convolvulus plants, that at certain seasons of the year were clustered over with beautiful flowers.
The house faced the river, standing, as I have said, on its western bank--on the same side with Point Coupee.

In front was a lawn, some two hundred yards in length, that stretched toward the river, and ended on the low bluff forming its bank.