without patient application for years.  Louisiana had just been ceded to the United States, Mississippi was filling with population:  both these Territories would soon be States.  Already they were inviting fields for enterprise and talent, and soon to be more so.  Pondering these facts in his ardent mind, and riding alone on one occasion to a justice’s court in the country to attend to some trifling matter, he chanced to overtake General Jackson.  He had been frequently importuned by Jackson to remove to Louisiana.  Jackson was, to some extent, familiar with the country, had frequently visited it, and at that time was interested in a retail store at Bruensburg, a place situated at the mouth of the Bayou Pierre, immediately on the bank of the Mississippi River.  Mentioning his wish to emigrate to some point or place where he might expect more speedy success in his profession, Jackson, with his accustomed ardor and emphasis, advised him to go to one of these new Territories, and in such colors did he paint their advantages and the certain and immediate success of any young man of abilities and industry, that Porter’s imagination was fired, and he immediately determined to go at once to one of these El Dorados—­there to fix his home and commence the strife with fortune, to coax or command her approving smiles.  Returning to Nashville, he communicated his intentions to his uncle; they met his approval, and in a short time he was ready to leave in search of a new home.

He was about to leave every friend, to find his home in the midst of strangers, without even an acquaintance to welcome and encourage him.  But he was young, vigorous, and hopeful; alive, too, to all he had to encounter, and determined to conquer it.  Still, to one of his natural warmth of feeling, the parting from all he had ever known, and all on earth he loved, wrung his heart, and he lingered, dreading the parting that was to come.  His kind and devoted uncle, his brothers he loved so tenderly, his sisters, and the friends he had made, all were to be left—­and perhaps forever.  There were then no steamers to navigate the waters of the West.  He might float away, and rapidly, to his new home; but to return through the wilderness, filled with savages and beset with dangers, was a long and hazardous journey, and would require, not only time, but means, neither of which were at his command.

He met General Jackson again.  “What!” said he, “Alick, not gone yet?  This won’t do.  When you determine, act quickly; somebody may get in before you.  And remember, Alick, you are going to a new country—­and a country, too, where men fight.  You will find a different people from those you have grown among, and you must study their natures, and accommodate yourself to them.  If you go to Louisiana, you will find nearly all the people French; they are high-minded, and fight at the drop of a hat; and now let me tell you, it is always best to avoid a fight; but sometimes it can’t