(seq. 165)

April
27th
continued

[Sketch of two rectangles in lefthand margin]

The road passes over the natural bridge, which is hollowed into several
arched cavities, some of the considerable dimension. This pretty stream and cheerfull
scene would have engaged me a considerable time but I had no allowance
and just took two slight sketches on cards -

In the Evening we arrived fatigued & wet thro', and encamped near
Chrisman Creek - it pourd rain so hard that we could scarce make a
fire - I went to see the cave from which the Creek (as 'tis improperly
called) issues, it is arched over naturally and the caving is really very
smooth and even, a tall man may stand upright in it and walk
about 70 yards, a breach in the top letting in light sufficient, I
thought it singular enough to take a view of it -

{Sketch of rectangle in lefthand margin]

28.th Our horses straggled to a great distance among the canes, and tho they
were hoppled, and had Bills, we could not collect them before 12 o'Clock -
crossed Powell's Mountain - halted at Scots improvement -

29th. Crossed the north branch of Clinch river, forded slack creek 6 times,
forded Clinch river with great difficulty, some of the men were near being
[Sketch of rectangle in lefthand margin]
drownd, it fell sleet and hail with an exceeding sharp wind - a very small
canoe took over some of us - after making a fire & getting well warmed
we proceeded on our march thro cane brakes, the ways crooked steep &
miry - I felt the gout flying about me and as it would have been
deadfull to have him fix while in such a country, I dismounted & walked
the whole day in Moccassins which dissipated the humor and enabled me to
keep up -

30.th Forded Moccassin and leather creeks several times also the north branch
of Holston river, which being very rapid, I did not chose to trust my horse
and rather than attempt it had a raft made & was ferryed over by two
who could swim the raft being only large enough for one -