lxvi 
MEMOIR OF 
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 com- 
mitted 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, walk- 
ing 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.” 
“ About three weeks ago, I wrote to you from Nash- 
ville, enclosing three sheets of drawings, which I hope 
you have received. I was, at that time, on the point of 
setting out for St Louis ; but, being detained a week by 
constant and heavy rains, and considering that it would 
add four hundred miles to my journey, and detain me at 
least a month, and the season being already far advanced, 
and no subscribers to be expected there, I abandoned the 
idea, and prepared for a journey through the wilderness. 
I w r as advised by many not to attempt it alone — that the 
Indians were dangerous, the swamps and rivers almost 
impassable without assistance ; and a thousand other 
hobgoblins were conjured up to dissuade me from going 
alone. But I weighed all these matters in my own mind ; 
and, attributing a great deal of this to vulgar fears and 
exaggerated reports, I equipt myself for the attempt. I 
rode an excellent horse, on which I could depend. I had 
a loaded pistol in each pocket, a loaded fowling piece 
belted across my shoulder, a pound of gunpowder in my 
flask, and five pounds of shot in my belt. I bought some 
biscuit and dried beef, and, on Friday morning, May 4, 
I left Nashville. About half a mile from town I observed 
a poor negro with two wooden legs, building himself a 
cabin in the woods. Supposing that this journey might 
