At this point I saw a very comfortable-looking white-haired gentleman seated at the front of his house, a little distance from the road.

I let my staff and escort ride ahead while I halted and, for an excuse, asked for a glass of water.

I was invited at once to dismount and come in.

I found my host very genial and communicative, and staid longer than I had intended, until the lady of the house announced dinner and asked me to join them.

The host, however, was not pressing, so that I declined the invitation and, mounting my horse, rode on.
About a mile west from where I had been stopping a road comes up from the southeast, joining that from La Grange to Memphis.