land... we can find none--from which we conclude that it would not
be prudent to make the attempt and are determined, knowing ourselves in
such imminent danger, to pursue our journey down the river.... When
we approached them [the Shoals] they had a dreadful appearance.... The
water being high made a terrible roaring, which could be heard at some
distance, among the driftwood heaped frightfully upon the points of the
islands, the current running in every 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.

"Tuesday 21st. Set out and on this day labored very hard and got but
little way.... Passed the two following days as the former, suffering
much from hunger and fatigue.

"Friday 24th. About three o'clock came to the mouth of a river which I
thought was the Cumberland. Some of the company declared it could not
be--it was so much smaller than was expected.... We determined however
to make the trial, pushed up some distance and encamped for the night.

"Saturday 25th. Today we are much encouraged; the river grows
wider;... we are now convinced it is the Cumberland....

"Sunday 26th... procured some buffalo meat; though poor it was palatable.

"Friday 31st... m