LIFE OF WILSON. 
and extent. After examining this horrible vault for forty or fifty 
yards, he declined going any farther, complaining of a rheumatism; 
and I now first perceived that the other person had staid behind, 
and that we two were alone together. Confident in my means of 
self defence, whatever mischief the devil might suggest to him, I 
fixed my eye steadily on his, and observed to him, that he could 
not be ignorant of the reports circulated about the country relative 
to this cave. "'I suppose,” said I, “you know what I mean?” 
“ Yes, I understand you,” returned 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 detailed 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 reputable neighbours, 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 ti’ouble ; and we returned as we advan- 
ced, 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 sus- 
picion. 
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 moun- 
tainous. After descending an immense declivity, and coursing 
along the rich valley of Manskers creek, where I again met with 
large flocks of paroquets, I stopt 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 Ornitho- 
logy. On the fourth day I crossed the Cumberland where it is 
■B. M BYWRhARTf 
West Chm.e7 Pa., 
... — 
