clvi 
LIFE OF WILSON. 
where a narrow strip of cleared land exposes the high gigantic 
trunks of some deadened timber that bound the woods. The whole 
country beyond the Mississippi, from south round to west, and 
north, presents to the eye one universal level ocean of forest, boun- 
ded only by the horizon. So perfect is this vast level that not a 
leaf seems to rise above the plain, as if shorn by the hands of hea- 
ven. At this moment, while I write, a terrific thunder storm, with 
all its towering assemblage of black alpine clouds, discharging 
lightning in every direction, overhangs this vast level, and gives a 
magnificence and sublime effect to the whole. 
The foregoing letters present us with an interesting account 
of our author’s journey until his arrival at Natchez, on the seven- 
teenth of May. In his diary he says — “ This journey, four hun- 
dred and seventy-eight miles from Nashville, I have performed 
alone, through difficulties, which those who have never passed the 
road could not have a conception of.” We may readily suppose 
that he had not only difficulties to encounter, encumbered as he 
necessarily was with his shooting apparatus, and bulky baggage, 
but also dangers, in journeying through a frightful wilderness, 
where almost impenetrable cane-swamps and morasses present ob- 
stacles to the progress of the traveller, which require all his reso- 
lution and activity to overcome. Superadded to which, as we are 
informed, he had a severe attack of the dysentery, when remote 
from any situation which could be productive of either comfort or 
I'elief ; and he was under the painful necessity of trudging on, de- 
bilitated and dispirited with a disease which threatened to put a 
period to his existence. An Indian, having been made acquainted 
with his situation, recommended the eating of strawberries, which 
were then fully ripe, and in great abundance. On this delightful 
fruit, and newly laid eggs, taken raw, he wholly lived tor several 
days ; and he attributed his restoration to health to these simple 
remedies. 
