LIFE OF WILSON. Ixxxix 



fixed my eyes steadily on his, and observed to him, that he could not be igno- 

 rant of the reports circulated about the country relative to this cave. ' I 

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

 turned he, without appearing the least embarrassed, 'that I killed somebody 

 and threw them into this cave — I can tell you the whole beginning of that 

 damned lie,' said he ; and, without moving from the spot, he detaile'd to me a 

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

 other particulars, I shall reserve for your amusement when we meet. I asked 

 him why he did not get the cave examined by three or four i-eputable neigh- 

 bors, whose report might rescue his 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 this man 



be guilty or not of the transaction laid to his charge I know not; but his 

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



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

 no more barrens. The timber was large, and the woods fast thickening with . 

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

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

 and coursing along the 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, this part of the country. Here I made some interesting additions 

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

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

 great depth, bounded as usual with high precipitous banks, and reached the 

 town of Nashville, which towers like a fortress above the river. Here I have 

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

 drawings, the result of every moment of leisure and convenience I could 

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

 them every explanation necessary for your purpose. 



" You may rest assured of hearing from me by the first opportunity after 

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

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

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

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

 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 



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



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



* These drawings never came to hand. 



