ALEXANDER WILSON. 
XC1 
followed, with my hand on my pistol, reconnoitring on every side, 
and listening to his description of its length 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. 
4 1 suppose,’ said I, 4 you know what I mean ?’ 4 Yes, I understand 
you,’ returned he, without appearing the least embarrassed, — 
4 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 parti- 
culars, 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, w r hose 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 trouble ; and we returned as we advanced, 
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 suspicion. 
44 After crossing Red River, which is here scarcely twenty yards 
broad, I found no more barrens. The timber was large, and the 
woods fast thicking with green leaves. As I entered the state 
of Tennessee, the face of the country became hilly, and even 
mountainous. After descending an immense declivity, and coursing 
along the rich valley of Manshas 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 
Ornithology. On the fourth day, I crossed the Cumberland, where 
it is about two hundred and fifty yards wide, and of great depth, 
bounded, as usual, by high and precipitous banks, and reached the 
town of Nashville, which towers like a fortress above the river. 
Here I have been busily employed these eight days; and send you 
