Page:Early western travels, 1748-1846 (1907 Volume 3).djvu/364

 reached, a small settlement near Grave Creek, to lodge.[40] We propose spending tomorrow here in viewing the surprizing forts and the "Big Mound," in this vicinity.

{62}, June 8

"Behind me rises huge a reverend pile Sole on this desert heath, a place of tombs, Waste, desolate; where Ruin dreary dwells, Brooding o'er sightless skulls and crumbling bones."

went out this morning to examine the antient monuments about Grave Creek. The town of Tomlinson is partly built upon one of the square forts. Several mounds are to be seen. I think there are nine within a mile. Three of them, which stand adjoining each other, are of superior height and magnitude to those which are most commonly to be met with. In digging away the side of one of these, in order to build a stable, many curious stone implements were found; one resembled a syringe; there were, also, a pestle, some copper beads of an oval shape, and several other articles. One of the mounds in Col. Bygg's garden was excavated in order to make an ice-house.[41] It contained a vast number of human bones, a*