that would be quite impossible. Eternal
Vigilance is our motto. No, you could not escape us. Good
evening, sir, and the 'Landmark's' welcome to you."

Six hours later, as I entered the restaurant of the hotel with my eyes
half open, a newsboy bawled out in the darkness: "'Ere's the 'Landmark.'
Full account of the Paper Canoe," &c. And before the sun was up I had
read a column and a half of "The Arrival of the Solitary Voyager in
Norfolk." So much for the zeal of Mr. Perkins of the "Landmark," a
worthy example of American newspaper enterprise. Dreading further
attentions, I now prepared to beat a hasty retreat from the city.

[Illustration: DELAWARE WHIPPING-POST AND PILLORY.]

CHAPTER IX.

FROM NORFOLK TO CAPE HATTERAS.

THE ELIZABETH RIVER.--THE CANAL.--NORTH LANDING RIVER.--CURRITUCK
SOUND.--ROANOKE ISLAND.--VISIT TO BODY ISLAND LIGHT-HOUSE.--A ROMANCE OF
HISTORY.--PAMPLICO SOUND.--THE PAPER CANOE ARRIVES AT CAPE HATTERAS.

[Illustration: From Norfolk, Virginia, to Bogue Inlet, North Carolina.

Route of Paper Canoe MARIA THERESA From Norfolk, Va. to
Bogue Inlet, N.C. Followed by N. H. Bishop in 1874
_Copyright, 1878 by Lee & Shepard_]

On Saturday morning, December 5, I left the pier of the Old Dominion
Steamship Company, at Norfolk, Virginia, and, rowing across the water
towards Portsmouth, commenced ascending Elizabeth River, which is here
wide and affected by tidal change. The old navy yard, with its
dismantled hulks lying at anchor in the stream, occupies both banks of
the river. About six miles from Norfolk the entrance to the Dismal Swamp
Canal is reached, on the left bank of the river. This old canal runs
through the Great Dismal Swamp, and affords passage for steamers and
light-draught vessels to Elizabeth City, on the Pasquotank River, which
empties into Albemarle Sound to the southward. The great cypress and
juniper timber is penetrated by this canal, and schooners are towed into
the swamp to landings where their cargoes are delivered.

In the interior of the Dismal Swamp is Drummond's Lake, named after its
discoverer. It is seven miles long by five miles wide, and is the feeder
of the canal. A branch canal connects it with the main canal; and small
vessels may traverse the lake in search of timber and shingles. Voyagers
tell me that during heavy gales of wind a terrible sea is set in motion
upon this shoal sheet of water, making it dangerous to navigate. Bears
are found in the fas