possible direction. Here we did not know how soon we
should be dashed to pieces and all our troubles ended at once...
Our boats frequently dragged on the bottom and appeared
constantly in danger of striking. They warped as much as in a
rough sea. But by the hand of Providence we are now preserved
from this danger also. I know not the length of this wonderful
shoal; it had been represented to me to be twenty-five or thirty
miles. If so, we must have descended very rapidly, as indeed we
did, for we passed it in about three hours."
On the twentieth the little fleet arrived at the mouth of the
Tennessee and the voyagers landed on the bank of the Ohio.
"Our situation here is truly disagreeable. The river is very high
and the current rapid, our boats not constructed for the purpose
of stemming a rapid stream, our provisions exhausted, the crews
almost worn down with hunger and fatigue, and know not what
distance we have to go or what time it will take us to our place
of destination. The scene is rendered still more melancholy as
several boats will not attempt to ascend the rapid current. Some
intend to descend the Mississippi to Natchez; others are bound
for the Illinois--among the rest my son-in-law and daughter. We
now part, perhaps to meet no more, for I am determined to pursue
my course, happen what will.
Pages:
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192