Ixxii 
MEMOIR OF 
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 hundred- weight, flew past, within a 
few yards of me, and I was astonished 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, [Natchez, Mississippi territory,] 
having overcome every obstacle, alone, and without 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 Chactaws, though more re- 
served, are equally harmless. Both of them treated me 
with civility, though I 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 oppor- 
tunity of studying their physiognomies without breach of 
good manners.” 
Writing to his brother, David, in the same year, he 
thus expresses his views, feelings, and hopes : — “ By the 
first opportunity, I will transmit a trifle to our old father, 
