SURVEY WORK IN KENTUCKY 295 



Camp near BEATTYVILLE, Aug. 1, 1878. 



Let us congratulate ourselves that another month of this troubled summer 

 time is among the shadows. We may fairly hope that another six weeks 

 will bring us to our own roof again. We made a good march yesterday, 

 despite a long hill that required four oxen and two horses to each wagon 

 as well as a dozen men to steer the craft. The weather was fine and the woods 

 charming. . . . We now go into a region of mails once a week, so, but for 

 passing chances, we must get few letters out to mail. I believe that it will 

 not be possible to get to Abingdon before the nineteenth of the month with- 

 out wearing out men and horses or slighting work. So far the wild folk here 

 have been very kind and neighborly, as they doubtless will be to the end of 

 our road. . . . 



Camp near JACKSON, Aug. 5, 1878. 



We are creeping on, every now and then getting to a piece of road which 

 seems impossible to wagons, but we still get on. In places it is hard to tell 

 that there has ever been a road at all. All that there ever was here to decay 

 is decaying, at least in the way of man's work, for the river runs pure and 

 the woods are beautiful, the better for the worthlessness of man. The people 

 raise just enough for subsistence and get their share of earthly satisfaction 

 out of their feuds and whiskey ; but for all their shif tlessness they are kindly 

 and hospitable. ... So far, except for ticks, jiggers, fleas, and other 

 plagues of the kind, I have been well. There is, however, a weariness with the 

 life coming over me which it will take all my patience to restrain. I shall 

 reckon on getting to Cambridge on the twentieth. This is a fair-weather 

 reckoning however. 



Camp near PENNINGTON GAP, July 9, 1879. 



. . . Our camp is in very rude shape, a sad falling-off from that at Cum- 

 berland Gap. Our old tent, ragged and forlorn, is up, but it made me sad to 



occupy it. I was up all night with D , who had a severe attack of cholera 



morbus. . . . Our plans are well matured, so I hope for quick and profitable 

 work. " I shall let folks see how spry I be." To-day at noon I count off one 

 third of my exile. . . . 



Camp at PENNINGTON GAP, July 17, 1879. 



. . . We have had a hard journey . . . and there is another sharp pull 

 before us from this afternoon to next Wednesday, in which time we shall 

 have to make a good many miles of travel ; but I shall find them shorter than 

 before, for I am taking great comfort from the reflection that I am in the 

 last ten days of my absence. ... It is possible that McKay may require 

 my services in North Carolina : if so there will be but little time left for any 



