Annals of our ancestors; one hundred and fifty years of history in the ...

TALES OF THE TRIBE OF BENJAMIN 311
smith's tools, the great chests and the bedding and took the
wagon apart and stowed it away under the roof, putting the
wheels in the bottom of the boat. We then loaded the stuff
the best way we could. Allen's and Fleming's wagons were
put aboard in like manner and an hour ago all was loaded.
The men then set about making a fireplace and mother and I
went to the village to lay in provisions for the voyage.
Monday Evening, i August, 1800.
We attended meeting yesterday and heard preaching, and
at daylight this morning unmoored and started on our perilous
voyage! None of our crew have ever been down the river
before. We were soon borne out of sight of the settlements and
were on the rushing waters of the lonely river. Owing to the
steep crumbling banks the trees do not reach down to water's
edge but the hills are crowned to the very top with trees,
often crowded with underbrush. I could not help thinking
before we had gone ten miles how easy it would be for Indians
to hide in the bush of the banks and fire on us and kill our
men at the oars, but mother would hear nothing of that kind
and made me ashamed of indulging such thoughts.
Friday, 5 August.
No Indians have appeared. We are crowded in our little
boat and the company is none too good. I have to watch my
little Robert, three years old, and am in mortal fear lest he
tumble into the river and be drowned. We passed the settlements
at the mouth of the Muskingum yesterday. They
were made twelve years ago. Some of the settlers have good
houses and large fields. I never saw corn so rank and high
before. Watermelons were ripe and we stopped to buy. I
was just going out over the plank when Allen jerked it from
under me and I fell into the river. Luckily the water was not
deep. My husband struck Allen and they had a fight and
James had the worst of it for his eyes were blackened. I think
I never saw as mean folks as those Aliens. Whenever we have
passed settlements we have stopped and bought roasting ears
and so have fared very well.
Saturday, 13 August.
We reached the mouth of the Little Miami and stopped.