The courier., 1901-08-10

previous letters, I go on with a short
abstract of our adventures. In the
neighborhood of Pittsburg l got ac-
quainted with the man at whose house
/ put up, and showed him the certifi-
cate that Captain Lord handed me
from the Royal Arch chapter. After
he had been to Pittsburg. he told me
that IL I was in distress there was $500
at Pittsburg and quarters for myself
and family at some of the best houses
in town. I answered that l thanked
him and them, but through the good
ness of God was not in distress, and
had spending money enough to carry
me where I was g0ing-that all l
wanted was civil, honest treatment for
my money, and that I felt grateful to
the gentlemen of Pittsburg. This
mans name is John Grove. He went
about Pittsburg, advised me what boat
to buy, helped US in with our horses
and other load, and is very friendly.
Said he formerly had followed the
river business, gave us all the infor-
nation he could, that for eight miles
(that is as far down as Wheeling)
there was some danger of getting
aground, so that we ought to have
pilot so far; then from Wheeling to
Cincinnati the safest navigation in the
world; SO safe that he had many times
gone to sleep in the night and let his
boat drift with the stream without
accident. He looked about for pilot,
but could not find one he knew; ad-
vised us to start as the river was fall
ing fast; to stop nights and inquire
which side Of islands to steer.
We showed on, after taking fare
well of our friend Grove, who would
take nothing for his assistance; he
very soon called to us that stranger
who said he was q seaman wanted to
go to Cincinnati and would do the best
he could for his passage. He being
decent-looking man, l went with my
skiff and took him on board; the bar
gain was made in a minute. He turned
out to be a very civil man of about 40
years-looked 35-born in Cambridge
down by Boston, ship-carpenter and
seaman, had been round the world
and helped take the Jura. put him in
pilot and bade the others mind him.
With great skill and faithfulness and
civility to myself and family was his
behavior till We parted, so that on
about noon, the oath Of this
month, We, through the goodness of
God, safely landed in Cincinnati-a
trip of 500 miles; thence we proceeded
to this place.
have been in situations both by
land and water which one would think
world awaken seriousness in a wretch.
The descent of the Laurel Ridge, four
miles down the hill, fills me with hor-
lor whenever l think of it; the road
bad in common times, but owing to
heavy rains uncommon bad-the loose
rocks worn by wagon-wheels and
hcrses ten or twelve-perhaps fifteen
feet-the path of one horse three feet
lower than the other-at times the
horses growing frantic with rage; but
We got down safely and to a tavern
before night. We were also in danger
Of smallpox, for Peter went into a
tavern where a man had it badly; ii
also was thick at Pittsburg; when we
were there / saw little child green
with it in the street not forty rods
from where we got into the boat.
On the water We were sixteen souls;
not one of US had ever been on the
river before; after leaving the village
cf Wheeling, having head winds in
the cay time-but calm, bright moon
l.Cht-we sailed by night. l had some
serious hours while at the helm, my
little ones locked in sleep-afioat five
DR. six miles an hour down a current I
knew not whittier. But ont of all
langer We have been delivered.
As yet can tell you but little about
Inc state of Ohio. In the southerly
part little but rocky hills is to be seen
rom the river. The twenty-five miles
have travelled from Cincinnati to
Fort Hamilton is like the garden of
Eden. l have seen some farms I should
'ather have than half of Pittsford-
", indeed. the whole and be Obliged
o live in Vermont. Peter is charmed.