222 TRAVELS IN THE CONFEDERATION 



valley here extending north, like most of the valleys 

 from this point on, contains limestone. Iron-ore is 

 found here and there, and there are traces of copper. 

 To the left there runs a little chain of hills towards 

 Fort Littleton and Sideling-hill, with other hills en- 

 closing fertile valleys, already thickly settled and 

 known as ' the great and little Cove/ 



The next morning, a mile beyond Harris's house, 

 we came to the so-called tavern which we had been 

 unable to reach the day before ; and had no cause for 

 regret, finding a lamentable cabin, and shop at the same 

 time. For the convenience of the people living 

 scattered about, shops of this sort (under the very 

 engaging name of ' stores ') keep everything that may 

 be needed ; as, sugar, coffee, tea, wine, spirits, linen, 

 woolen stuffs, hats, stockings, paper, books, spices, 

 iron-ware, and the like. The country-people have not 

 always cash money for purchases, but then the store- 

 keepers or merchants take any sort of produce in ex- 

 change. In the mountains and other remote regions 

 hides and skins are the especial money. This or a 

 similar adjustment is the case almost everywhere in 

 America. Other travelling merchants (pedlars) go 

 about the country in little wagons, selling and swap- 

 ping; fetch their freight from and return with it to 

 the larger and smaller towns where, as yet, there is no 

 great variety of handicraftsmen, but at least the most 

 necessary, such as tailors, cobblers, dyers, smiths, lock- 

 smiths, hatters &c, and then, merchants, lawyers, sur- 

 geons, and others, who supply the wants of the far- 

 scattered settlers. 



After seven miles through a stony valley the foot of 

 the Tuscarora is reached, which from its situation ap- 



