At Shawneetown, where we lay a short time, I went out hunting about the mouth of the Wabash with one Hanlon, a native of Kentucky, who was so expert in the use of the rifle that he brought down single pigeons and squirrels, aiming only at their heads or necks.

After passing below the Wabash, the Ohio assumed a truly majestic flow.  Its ample volume, great expanse, and noble shores, could not fail to be admired.  As we neared the picturesque Cavein-Rock shore, I took the small boat, and, with some others, landed to view this traveler’s wonder.  It recalled to me the dark robber era of the Ohio River, and the tales of blood and strife which I had read of.

The cave itself is a striking object for its large and yawning mouth, but, to the geologist, presents nothing novel.  Its ample area appears to have been frequently encamped in by the buccaneers of the Mississippi.  We were told of narrow and secret passages leading above into the rock, but did not find anything of much interest.  The mouth of the cave was formerly concealed by trees, which favored the boat robbers; but these had been mostly felled.  As the scene of a tale of imaginative robber-life, it appeared to me to possess great attractions.

Our conductor steered for Smithfield, I think it was called, at the mouth of the Cumberland River, Tennessee, which was thought a favorable place for transferring the cargo from an ark to a keel-boat, to prepare it for the ascent of the Mississippi River; for we were now drawing closely towards the mouth of the Ohio.  Here ensued a delay of many days.  During this time, I made several excursions in this part of Tennessee, and always with the rifle in hand, in the use of which I had now become expert enough to kill small game without destroying it.  While here, some of General Jackson’s volunteers from his wars against the Creeks and Seminoles returned, and related some of the incidents of their perilous campaign.  At length a keel-boat, or barge, arrived, under the command of Captain Ensminger, of Saline, which discharged its cargo at this point, and took on board the freight of Kemp and Keen, bound to St. Louis, in Missouri.

We pursued our way, under the force of oars, which soon brought us to the mouth of the Ohio, where the captain paused to prepare for stemming the Mississippi.  It was now the first day of July, warm and balmy during the mornings and evenings, but of a torrid heat at noon.  We were now one thousand miles below Pittsburgh—­a distance which it is impossible for any man to realize from the mere reading of books.  This splendid valley is one of the prominent creations of the universe.  Its fertility and beauty are unequaled; and its capacities of sustaining a dense population cannot be overrated.  Seven States border on its waters, and they are seven States which are destined to contribute no little part to the commerce, wealth, and power of the Union.  It is idle to talk of the well-cultivated and garden-like