RETURN FROM PITTSBURG 299 



We reached the cabin mentioned towards sunset. 

 As before, there was nothing to be had. It was 13 

 miles to the next house, and we concluded to await 

 the rise of the moon which would appear about mid- 

 night. It began to rain and there was much thunder, 

 and lying on hard deal-boards we had to go hungry 

 through the night, man and horse, and hungry keep on 

 over the Dry Ridge which now appeared to us doubly 

 dry and barren. The remark above-made was again 

 confirmed, the nearer we approached the east side of 

 the mountains. That is to say, on this side the Alle- 

 ghany one misses the more general prospect of black 

 and rich soil which distinguishes the regions beyond. 

 We breakfasted with a Bonnet, four miles from Bed- 

 ford ; he was of French origin, made bad coffee, had 

 odorous butter, but read to us from a French gram- 

 maire, and brought out Welleri Opus Mago-Cabal- 

 listicum which he believed to contain much hidden 

 wisdom if it could be understood ; I referred him to 

 Herrman Husband for enlightenment. In the afternoon 

 we came again with pleasure to the little town of 

 Bedford. 



As ore-bearing spots in the neighboring mountains 

 there were mentioned among others the following : 

 Sinking Valley, much lead ore, which is said to con- 

 tain by test one and three quarter ounces silver 

 in the hundredweight. 



Colonel Chiswell's Mine, on the Virginia boundary 

 in Augusta County on Hosset's River ; a lead 

 mine which has been known some 20-30 years. 

 Dennis's Creek, alum schist, which the people use 



for dyeing and tanning. 



On the Conemaugh copperas is found ; and there is 

 said to be a salt-spring nearby. 



