I08 ALEXANDER WILSON : POET-NATURAUST 



the horrors, I would relate an adventure I had in 

 one of the most frightful of these caves with the 

 fellow to whom it belongs, and who is strongly 

 suspected of being a murderer, even by his neigh- 

 bours. The town I am now in is the capital of the 

 State of Tennessee, and is built on the top of a 

 rocky mountain above the Cumberland river, 

 which is about as large as the Schuylkill, but much 

 deeper. The people are now planting in their 

 cotton fields, and it is curious to see the seeds 

 lying like rags of tattered cotton along in the 

 trenches. Apropos of rags, I have been obliged 

 to throw a good many of mine overboard since I 

 purchased a horse. My handkerchiefs are re- 

 duced to three, and other articles in proportion. 

 By the time I reach New Orleans, I expect to 

 carry all the remainder on my back. My para- 

 keet is my faithful companion yet, and I shall try 

 hard to bring him home with me. He creeps into 

 my pocket when I ride, and when I alight he 

 comes out to amuse the people where I stop. 



"Please present my respectful compliments to 

 your mother and father, and don't be offended at 

 anything I have said. If I hear or see any ghosts 

 or hobgoblins between this and Natchez, or any- 

 thing worth telling, you may depend on hearing 

 from me. 



Compliments to sister Jones &c., &c., and be- 

 lieve me to be, yours affectionately, 



"Alex Wilson " 



wildest of countries to Natchez, passing on his 

 From Nashville Wilson traveled through the 



