in duels, to which barbarous custom they are much addicted in the American army.
There are two gun boats moored a little above the fort, which, with the long view up the river, and the flat country on the opposite bank put me in mind of the river Shannon at Tarbet in Ireland; to which however it is far inferiour in breadth as well as in magnificence, and variety of scenery. The unhealthiness of its scite is probably the reason that {302} Wilkinsonburg does not prosper, notwithstanding it is the capital of a county, and is a post town.
I put up at Marsalis's tavern, where my old and esteemed friend, doctor H, lodged. I found him confined by a severe attack of the dysentery, which however did not prevent his giving me a cordial and a joyous welcome. Notwithstanding the poverty of the place, Marsalis gave us a tolerably good supper, according to the custom of the country, of coffee, bread and butter, sliced bacon, and a fine dish of gaspar-goo, the best fish I had yet tasted of the produce of the Mississippi.
Saturday, 27th—My horse being foundered, doctor H accommodated me with another very good one, and after breakfast I proceeded on a good road to the south-eastward, over the most broken and hilly country I had yet seen in the territory, it leading sometimes along the brink of some high and steep precipices, but is kept in good order by the troops encamped in the neighbourhood. At four miles I kept to the left towards Pinckneyville, instead of turning to the right to the camp, at a mile's distance, as I intended to visit it on my return. I passed two small plantations near the forks of the road, they being the only ones between Wilkinsonburg and Mr. Carey's, which was three miles farther, the country becoming gradually less broken.
Mr. Carey, to whom I had a letter from H, received me with cordial hospitality, but there was nothing strange
