Not far from this period, Dr. Walker, an intelligent and enterprising Virginian, collected a small party, and actually crossed the mountains at the Cumberland Gap, after traversing Powell’s valley.  One of his leading inducements to this tour, was the hope of making botanical discoveries.  The party crossed Cumberland river, and pursued a north-east course over the highlands, which give rise to the sources of the lesser tributaries of the important streams that water the Ohio valley.  They reached Big Sandy, after enduring the privations and fatigue incident to such an undertaking.  From this point they commenced their return home.  On reaching it, they showed no inclination to resume their attempt, although the information thus gained respecting the country, presented it in a very favorable light.  These first adventurers wanted the hardihood, unconquerable fortitude, and unwavering purpose, which nothing but death could arrest, that marked the pioneers, who followed in their footsteps.  Some time elapsed before a second exploring expedition was set on foot.  The relations of what these men had seen on the other side of the mountains had assumed the form of romance, rather than reality.  Hunters, alone or in pairs, now ventured to extend their range into the skirts of the wilderness, thus gradually enlarging the sphere of definite conceptions, respecting the country beyond it.

In 1767, a backwoodsman of the name of Finley, of North Carolina, in company with a few kindred spirits resembling him in character, advanced still farther into the interior of the land of promise.  It is probable, they chose the season of flowers for their enterprise; as on the return of this little band, a description of the soil they had trodden, and the sights they had seen, went abroad, that charmed all ears, excited all imaginations, and dwelt upon every tongue.  Well might they so describe.  Their course lay through a portion of Tennessee.  There is nothing grand or imposing in scenery—­nothing striking or picturesque in cascades and precipitous declivities of mountains covered with woods—­nothing romantic and delightful in deep and sheltered valleys, through which wind clear streams, which is not found in this first region they traversed.  The mountains here stretch along in continuous ridges—­and there shoot up into elevated peaks.  On the summits of some, spread plateaus, which afford the most commanding prospects, and offer all advantages for cultivation, overhung by the purest atmosphere.  No words can picture the secluded beauty of some of the vales bordering the creeks and small streams, which dash transparent as air over rocks, moss-covered and time-worn—­walled in by the precipitous sides of mountains, down which pour numberless waterfalls.