Thus the raft was borne swiftly along at such
an elevation that its crew could look over the top of the eastern levee
and down over a vast area of plantation lands. These were dotted with
dark clumps of live-oaks or magnolias, and at wide intervals with
little settlements of whitewashed negro quarters, grouped behind the
broad-verandaed dwellings of the planters. Near each was the mill in
which the cane from the broad fields was crushed and its sweet juices
converted into sugar. These mills were surmounted by tall iron
smoke-stacks, and near each stood the square, tower-like bagasse
(refuse) burner, built of stone, and looking like the keep of some
ancient castle.
All along the levee they saw gangs of men at work strengthening the
embankments and raising them still higher. They were often hailed and
asked to lend assistance, but they felt that their own friends might be
in need of them, and so passed on without answer. So changed was the
aspect of the country since Solon had last seen it, and so excited did
the old man become as he neared the scenes of former years, that it was
evident he could not be depended upon to recognize Moss Bank when they
should reach it.
The day was nearly spent before they arrived at what they felt sure
must be its immediate vicinity. They had decided to tie up at the
first good place, and there wait for morning, when Winn called out:
"What is that just ahead? I thought it was a log; but it seems to be
moving towards us, and I believe it is some sort of a small boat with a
man in it.
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