eat would have been intolerable. On the 6th the thermometer stood at 98° at ten o'clock in the morning. There was not the smallest breeze stirring, which is something uncommon, and what I considered as a forerunner of convulsive winds and rain. I never before felt heat so intolerable. The p tch ran in every direction on my little boat. It continued so till three o'clock, when the heavens were clouded with darkness until it was relieved by heavy rain and hail, accompanied with such tremendous shocks of thunder that in a little time the stores of nature seemed exhausted, and a cooling breeze succeeded. This was the first trial I had of my oil-cloths, which kept me perfectly dry, as well as my apparatus.

My negro seemed to be delighted with having an opportunity of displaying his enterprizing disposition, and in the thickest of the storm would use every exertion; and when the rain descended, not in drops or streams, but in entire sheets, he would with seeming pleasure cry out, Ah, massa, dis be notten what we see yet. After the storm had subsided I set him to bailing out the boat: I then informed him of the dangers to which we should in all probability be exposed from the elements, as well as from the wilds of the country, and that the length of our tour was uncertain. I likewise told him of the object of my pursuit, adding if he would be faithful to me he should reap a share of any profit that might accrue from the undertaking. He consented to every proposal, and I now had an African born negro for my companion. He was six feet two inches high, and would weigh 260 pounds.

On the 7th, at night, we reached the mouth of Red river.We came too after entering, and encamped for the night, having made a small fire and smoke, in order to sleep more securely from musquetoes. After we had taken a little supper, I sat down meditating on my plans. My distracted brain filled me with such impatience that I thought every moment an hour.The fatigue of the day had wearied us both; but I observed Edom busied in some reflection, and with a very thoughtful air. A kind of melancholy ensued as he turned his eyes towards the dying colours of the west. I watched him for sometime, and at length asked him if he wished he was at Natches. He firmly replied, No: but, says he, I was just thinking of my tired life, and the trouble I had seen. I then requested him to relate the account. He took his seat near me, and began as follows:

"I was brought to this country about twenty years ago, by the Portuguese, who sold me to a very ugly man on the island of Jamaica. By that master I was shamefully abused for two years, for being, as he called me, dumb; I could not understand what he said, and could not for some time handle the tools belonging to the plantation: I was whipped almost every day.

him down; I repeated my blows, and had the pleasure of seeing his brains. During this time he had cried for help, and now came down two or three others, one of which I knocked down; the others seized me, and bound me with iron bands. I was now in hopes of immediate death; but I had other scenes to encounter. Thinking it would be losing too much money to kill me, they shipped me on board a vessel. The captain seemed to use me with more mercy; he helped to release me from my fetters. We had a good passage to New-Orleans, where I was sold to a sugar-planter. The cruelties here, exceeded all I had ever before experienced, and if I should explain every particular, it would cause a hatred to all people of your colour, though I have since found amongst them the exercise of the true principles of virtue and charity. I shall only say, that I could not endure it; I therefore set out, I knew not whither, but made shift to travel by night till I got to Natches. A worthy gentleman there took compassion on my distressed situation. Knowing from my account I had ran away, he advertised me in the papers, and my master soon appeared. I could see determined fury in his countenance. I fell on my knees before my new master, begging him to relieve me from my impending ruin, and to my great joy I found they were making a bargain; Isoon saw the demon depart, and was in a world of happiness. I served my good master with care. He kept me to the boating business for several years. He then called me to his house for his favourite servant. Soon after, he was taken ill, to my great mortification, and died. In his will he left me about five hundred dollars, and my freedom. This money was soon swindled from me, and I hired with a gentleman for one year, when I came across you, and I hope you will be a good master, and I will be a good negro. I don't fear any thing if I can please my new master."

Morning appeared, and we again set forth on our journey. This river had a gentle current: the water is of a reddish colour, from which it derived its name; this colour is caused from a red clay on the banks. The mouth of the river is in latitude 29° 50' north. There are a few settlements at the mouth, where they raise cotton and indigo. We had some wind this day, to which we set our little sail, and ran about ten miles. My negro was well acquainted with the boating business, and he worked up the little boat with astonishing alacrity. The weather still continued warm, and we had frequent showers of rain, which watered the thirsty plains and afforded new life to the animal and vegetable creation.

A few days brought us to a nation of Indians, called the Cadoes, who inhabit a fine tract of country lying on the north side of the Red river. A creek emptying into this river I pursued

from his great grandfather. He had an open countenance which bespoke his bravery, and his deportment was complete.

We again began to ascend the Red river. It is here about two or three hundred yards wide, and the water had become clearer, the ba ks more elevated, and we had a strong current to contend with, for several days together. We now passed extensive prairies, and in many places the eye found no relief, until it would meet land at a distance. These plains afford a rich pasture to the deer and buffalo, which may be seen in droves; still they are very wild.

On the 6th Nov. I killed some deer. Having a mind to take a little view of the country, I concluded to leave Edom with my boat; accordingly I took my gun and some ammunition, and set out on one of the prairies. I travelled a considerable distance, without meeting any thing worthy of note. At length coming to a little spot of low ground, I discovered a beaten path to extend quite round it, and lead off in a certain direction; I followed for three or four miles, where it forked; I kept the main path. I soon found the weeds and grass were getting high; still in hopes of discovering my game, I continued this way for some miles, fearing nothing but snakes, which would often dart across my path. The weeds had now become as high as my head, when I found fresh signs of game, and undiscovered I crawled within twenty paces of several deer, feeding like sheep. I singled out one that was nearest, and took deliberate aim, when my gun snapped; they instantly threw up their heads. Í again cocked, and just as they were making off. I brought one down. It now seemed as if Bedlam had broke loose. Herds of deer and buffalo were running in every direction, leaping to the top of the weeds to discover from whence the alarm proceeded, and discovering the smoke of my gun, darted off with such swiftness that they were instantly out of sight. I approached the one I had shot, which lay in the agonies of death, and reared itself for an attack, but was too weak. I cut its throat, and took off its skin, and the best of the flesh that I could conveniently carry, and started for my boat. I reached it about sun-set. We then prepared a fire, and cooked our venison, which was very excellent.

This night I was a little alarmed at a circumstance that occurred: Our fire was extinguished, and we lay very composedly; but were awakened by a low voice. I raised up my head cautiously, and found there were a few Indians in a canoe, coming close alongside of my boat. They did not discover us, as we lay on the shore. I demanded who was there, and was answered in Spanish. I invited them on shore, and they soon complied with my request. They belonged to the tribe we had passed a few days before. After informing them that we had