120 TRAVELS IN THE CONFEDERATION 



into Albemarle Sound is 5-6 miles wide ; thence it is 

 navigable for shalops to Hallifax, a small town but of 

 an active trade. Eight miles above that town, the falls 

 of the Roanoke prevent the farther passage of vessels ; 

 about the falls the river is wider than at Hallifax itself, 

 and at one place plunges 15 ft. perpendicular. At one 

 time the river shot over there with such force that one 

 could pass dry beneath the water-arch made ; but some 

 time since a rock was loosened, and this natural curi- 

 osity spoiled. On the whole, the falls of the Roanoke 

 are not of the splendor of those of James River, 100 

 miles away to the north. Not long ago a man came 

 down in his canoe too near to the falls, was dashed 

 over by the current and seen no more. + However, fish 

 attempt the leap, but if they fall short are flung against 

 the rocks and fall dead below. In the spring towards 

 the end of April or the beginning of May so vast a 

 number of fish crowd together below the falls that in 

 their confusion they do themselves injury and may 

 be killed with sticks. Rock-bass especially come up 

 the river in millions to spawn, and being checked at 

 the falls spring and tumble so that the water foams 

 with them. This commonly lasts for several days and 

 is called the ' Rock-fight.' Fishermen take good ad- 

 vantage of the opportunity. 



Above the falls, the bed of the stream widens, the 

 river flows softly, and there is no obstacle to inland 

 navigation until the mountains are reached, where the 

 Little Yadkin and the Holston divide the waters of the 

 stream. But little use is made of this navigation. 

 Planters from the back parts prefer to haul their prod- 

 uce to James River where they find better markets. 



Along the upper course of the Roanoke and its 



