June.] CURIOUS EXCAVATIONS. 
85 
side of a low hill on the banks of the Maklareen, 
which Seretz recommended as a good situation 
for a Missionary station. He and some other 
captains at Patannee have said they would re- 
move thither, if a Missionary were to settle there. 
He longs for the introduction of arts and im- 
provements among his people, as much as ever 
Peter the Great did in Russia. He observed 
every thing which we did that was at all new to 
him with the eye of a hawk. The chief spring 
of water here was copious, and said to con- 
tinue so all the year. Seretz sows Indian corn 
and tobacco near the spring, though both be in 
direct opposition to the customs of his country- 
men, to which, however, he pays no attention, if 
they are contrary to what appears to him good 
and useful. 
On crossing the Maklareen we had immediately 
to ascend a rocky hill. About half way from the 
top we examined a curious excavation in a con- 
glomerate or pudding-stone rock, which appeared 
to have been formed by the water. It might be 
fifty or sixty feet in circumference, having several 
smaller cells. In one of these was a bee-hive, 
which all were eager to rob ; but from the narrow- 
ness of the cell, and the multitude of the bees 
ready to djefend it, the attempt could not be 
made. On coming to the head of the hill we 
entered the small town of Letakka, leaving the 
