30 THE OHIO. 



ment, like so many silvery arrows, produced a shower of light, while the 

 pursuer with open jaws seized the stragglers, and, with a splash of his tail, 

 disappeared from our view. Other fishes we heard uttering beneath our 

 bark a rumbling noise, the strange sounds of which we discovered to 

 proceed from the white perch, for on casting our net from the bow we 

 caught several of that species, when the noise ceased for a time. 



Nature, in her varied arrangements, seems to have felt a partiality 

 towards this portion of our country. As the traveller ascends or de- 

 scends the Ohio, he cannot help remarking that alternately, nearly the 

 whole length of the river, the margin, on one side, is bounded by lofty 

 hills and a rolling surface, while on the other, extensive plains of the 

 richest alluvial land are seen as far as the eye can command the view. 

 Islands of varied size and form rise here' and there from the bosom of 

 the water, and the winding course of the stream frequently brings you to 

 places where the idea of being on a river of great length changes to that 

 of floating on a lake of moderate extent. Some of these islands are of 

 considerable size and value ; while others, small and insignificant, seem as 

 if intended for contrast, and as serving to enhance the general interest of 

 the scenery. These little islands are frequently overflowed during great 

 Jreshets or floods, and receive at their heads prodigious heaps of drifted 

 timber. We foresaw with great concern the alterations that cultivation 

 would soon produce along those delightful banks. 



As night came, sinking in darkness the broader portions of the river, 

 our minds became affected by strong emotions, and wandered far beyond 

 the present moments. The tinkling of bells told us that the cattle which 

 bore them were gently roving from valley to valley in search of food, or 

 returning to their distant homes. The hooting of the Great Owl, or the 

 muffled noise of its wings as it sailed smoothly over the stream, were 

 matters of interest to us ; so was the sound of the boatman's horn, as it 

 came winding more and more softly from afar. When daylight return- 

 ed, many songsters burst forth with eclioing notes, more and more mel- 

 low to the listening ear. Here and there the lonely cabin of a squatter 

 struck the eye, giving note of commencing civilization. The crossing of 

 tha sti'eam by a deer foretold how soon the hills would be covered with 

 snow. 



Many sluggish flat-boats we overtook and passed : some laden with 

 produce from the different head-waters of the small rivers that pour their 

 tributary streams into the Ohio ; others, of less dimensions, crowded with 



