ALEXANDER WILSON. XC1X 



the road, for fresh, eggs, and, for nearly a week, made them almost 

 my sole food, till I completed my cure. The water in these cane 

 swamps is little better than poison ; and, under the heat of a burn- 

 ing sun, and the fatigues of travelling, it is difficult to repress the 

 urgent calls of thirst. On the Wednesday following, I was assailed 

 by a tremendous storm of rain, wind, and lightning, until I and 

 my horse were both blinded by the deluge, and unable to go on. 

 I sought the first most open place, and, dismounting, stood for half 

 an hour under the most profuse heavenly shower-bath I ever enjoyed. 

 The roaring of the storm was terrible ; several trees around were 

 broken off, and torn up by the roots, and those that stood were bent 

 almost to the ground ; limbs of trees, of several hundred-weight, 

 flew past, within a few yards of me, and I was astonished how I 

 escaped. I would rather take my chance in a field of battle, than 

 in such a tornado again. 



" On the fourteenth day of my journey, at noon, I arrived at this 

 place [Natchez, Mississippi territory], having overcome every ob- 

 stacle, alone, and without being acquainted with the country ; and, 

 what surprised the boatmen more, without whisky. On an average, 

 I met from forty to sixty boatmen every day, returning from this 

 place and New Orleans. The Chickasaws are a friendly, inoffensive 

 people ; aud the Chactaws, though more reserved, are equally harm- 

 less. Both of them treated me with civility, though I several times 

 had occasion to pass through their camps, where many of them were 

 drunk. The paroquet which I carried with me was a continual 

 fund of amusement to all ages of these people ; and, as they crowded 

 around to look at it, gave me an opportunity of studying their 

 physiognomies without breach of good manners. 



" In thus hastily running over the particulars of this journey, I 

 am obliged to omit much that would amuse and interest you ; but 

 my present situation, — a noisy tavern, crowded in every corner, 

 even in the room where I write, with the sons of riot and dissipa- 

 tion, — prevents me from enlarging on particulars. I could also have 

 wished to give you some account of this place, and of the celebrated 

 Mississippi, of which you have heard so much. On these subjects, 

 however, I can at present only offer you the following slight sketch, 

 taken the morning after my arrival here : — 



" The best view of this place and surrounding scenery, is from 



