LIFE OF WILSON. Ixxxix 



fixed my eyes steadily on bis, and observed to bim, tbat be could not be igno- 

 rant of tbe reports circulated about tbe country relative to tbis cave. ' I 

 suppose,' said I, ' you know wbat I mean ?' ' Yes, I understand you,' re- 

 turned be, witbout appearing tbe least embarrassed, ' tbat I killed somebody 

 and tbrew tbem into tbis cave — I can tell you tbe wbole beginning of tbat 

 damned lie,' said be; and, witbout moving from tbe spot, be detailed to me a 

 long story, wbicb would fill half my letter, to little purpose, and wbicb, with 

 otber particulars, I sball reserve for your amusement wben we meet. I asked 

 bim wby be did not get tbe cave examined by three or four reputable neigh- 

 bors, whose report might rescue bis character from the suspicion of having 

 committed so horrid a crime. He acknowledged it would be well enough to 

 do so ; but did not seem to think it worth the trouble ; and we returned as 



we advanced, walking before with the lights. Whether tbis man 



be guilty or not of tbe transaction laid to bis charge I know not; but bis 

 manners and aspect are such as by no means to allay suspicion. 



" After crossing Eed river, which is here scarce twenty yards broad, I found 

 no more barrens. Tbe timber was large, and tbe woods fast thickening with 

 green leaves. As I entered tbe state of Tennessee, tbe face of the country 

 became billy, and even mountainous. After descending an immense declivity, 

 and coursing along tbe rich valley of Manskers creek, where I again met with 

 large flocks of paroquets, I stopped at a small tavern, to examine, for three or 

 four days, tbis part of tbe country. Here I made some interesting additions 

 to my stock of new subjects for tbe Ornithology. On the fourth day I crossed 

 tbe Cumberland, where it is about two hundred and fifty yards wide, and of 

 gTeat depth, bounded as usual with high precipitous banks, and reached tbe 

 town of Nashville, wbicb towers like a fortress above tbe river. Here I have 

 been busily employed these eight days ; and send you the enclosed parcel of 

 dj-awings, tbe result of every moment of leisure and convenience I could 

 obtain. Many of tbe birds are altogether new ; and you will find along with 

 tbem every explanation necessary for your purpose. 



" You may rest assured of bearing from me by tbe first opportunity after 

 my arrival at Natchez. In tbe mean time I receive with much pleasure tbe 

 accounts you give me of the kind inquiries of my friends. To me nothing 

 could be more welcome; for whether journeying in tbis world, or journeying 

 to that which is to come, there is something of desolation and despair in tbe 

 idea of being for ever forgotten in our absence, by those whom we sincerely 

 esteem and regard." 



To Mr. Alexander Lawson. 



Natchez, Mississippi Territory, May 18th, 1810. 

 " Dear Sir. 



" About three weeks ago I wrote to you from Nashville, enclosing three 

 sheets of drawings, which I hope you have received.* I was at that time on 

 tbe point of setting out for St Louis ; but being detained a week by constant 

 and heavy rains, and considering tbat it would add four hundred miles to my jour- 



* These drawings never came to hand. 



