e here he ceed on de
side ob de cunnel a big snake trien tu swallow a raccoon. He tuk up
sumfin' to flro at de snake, an' jes' den he ceed in de bushes a nale
keg, an' wus glad dat he had foun' a keg ob nales. But wen he got dar
it was a watermillion." "How do you suppose that melon came to grow
there?" I asked. "My 'pinion 'bout dat, Boss, dat some nigger stole a
watermillion frum sum farmer's patch, an' wen he got here he busted it
gin a tree. Sum ob de seed fell on de ground an' de watermillion gru
dar." "That is very probable. What did Mr. Busby do with it?" "He
karid it home, planted sum ob de seed and his million weighed ober
fifty pounds. He sole sum ob de seed, an' frum dem seed farmers rose
de biggest watermillions ob eny in dis kintry." "Dat will do pretty
well for you; drive the boat along." "Dus yu think dat I tole yu a
story, Boss?" "Oh, no; I only thought that one of your
'Jack-mer-lanterns' had been after you, or that somebody had been
throwing a 'ball of fire' at your head."

CHAPTER IX.

SUFFOLK AND EARLY DAYS.

I will take the above railroad and return to Suffolk, when I will say
something of my early recollections of that place. It was in the year
1830 that my father, with his family, moved to it. I was quite small
at that time, but I recollect the time well. Suffolk was then a small
village, situated on the Nansemond river, with a population of about
five hundred, and increased very slowly in population until after the
surrender, which was in April, 1865. Since that it has increased very
rapidly in population and growth. It was in Suffolk that Henry Herman
commenced his business career; moved to Norfolk in 1832; and became
one of her successful merchants. At his death his remains were brought
to Suffolk, and now quietly rest in Cedar Hill Cemetery. I could
mention many instances of successful business men of that town were it
necessary. I will now write of things of more recent date--something
within the recollection of many persons yet living. It will be
recollected that a fire broke out in June, 1837, that destroyed the
lower part of the town. There were no engines in the place and the
flames raged with great fury. The Allen residence, at Rose Hill, about
one half mile distant, was set on fire several times by the flying
debris, and it was with difficulty that the house was saved. It was at
Rose Hill that a large mercantile business was carried on, and no
doubt a large quantity of junip