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.
  "s 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 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
opportunity of studying their physiognomies, without breach
of good manners.
  " In thus hastily running over the particulars of this jour-



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