cxlii 
LIFE OF WILSON. 
complaint increased so much that I could scarcely sit on horse- 
back, and all night my mouth and throat were parched with a 
burning thirst and fever. On Sunday I bought some raw eggs 
which I ate. I repeated the dose at mid-day, and towards 
evening, and found great benefit from this simple remedy. I 
inquired all along 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 burning 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 me 
were broken off, and torn up by the roots, and those that stood 
were bent almost to the ground: limbs of trees of several hun- 
dred weight flew past within a few yards of me, and I was as- 
tonished 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, having overcome every obstacle, alone, and with- 
out 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, and the Choctaws, though more reserved, are equally 
harmless. Both of them treated me with civility, though 1 
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 jour- 
