d the old gentleman, who was no less a personage than Esq. Camford,
formerly the wealthiest merchant in New Orleans, but now a poor Texan
emigrant in his log-cabin on the Cibolo. Well, he was a better man now
than when rolling in the luxury of ill-gotten wealth, for adversity
never fails to teach useful lessons; and it had taught this
world-hardened, conscience-seared man, that "honesty is the best
policy."

A tremulous voice from within attracted the attention of the group on
the gallery. "Mercy, mercy, Thisbe, take that viper away, and let me out
of this bed! it is full of frightful serpents."

"Why, no 'taint neither, Missus," said poor Thisbe, struggling to lift
her mistress from the pillows; "there beant a snake nowheres about, only
a little striped 'izard, and I driv' him away."

The husband now entered.

"O, Adolphus!" exclaimed the nerve-stricken wife, "that you should have
brought me to a death like this! to be shot by Indians, devoured by
bears, and bitten by rattlesnakes!"

"Thunder and Mars! nobody's dead yet, and this is a fine, healthy,
growing country," said the squire, in a loud, good-humored voice.

"Alas! what am I to eat?" continued the nervous lady, "I can have no
claws and crackers in these wilds."

"Let Thisbe catch you a young alligator from the river; that will be
something new for a relish."

"O, Adolphus! how can you mock at the horrors that surround us? My
nerves, my nerves! you will never learn to regard them."

"No, probably not," returned the husband; "but let me tell you, Nabby, I
don't believe nerves are of any available use out here in Texas. They'll
do for effect in the fashionable saloons of a city; but what think a
wild Camanche would say if he chanced some broiling-hot morning to catch
you in dishabille, and you begged him to retreat and spare your nerves?
Why, it would be all gibberish to him."

"O, Adolphus! how can you horrify me thus? And these lovely jewels to be
devoured by hyenas and swallowed by crocodiles! O, my nerves! Thisbe, my
nerve-reviver this moment!"

"There ain't a bit on't left, Missus; 'twas all in the trunk dat tumbled
out o' the cart when we swum through dat ar river," said the poor
servant, in a tone of anxious dismay.

"Heaven save me now!" exclaimed the panic-stricken lady. "Adolphus, you
must go to New Orleans to-morrow and bring me some."

"Thunder and Mars! You forget we are eight hundred miles from there, and
what do you suppose would beco