PART III.] JOURNAL. 471 



miles. I asked them how they would be able 

 to secure the thieves, if they overtook them, in 

 these wild woods ; " O" said they, " shoot 

 " them off the horses." This is a summary 

 mode of executing* justice, thought 1, though 

 probably the most effectual, and, indeed, only 

 one in this state of society. A thief very rarely 

 escapes here; not nearly so often as in more 

 populous districts. The fact was, in this case, 

 however, we discovered afterwards, that the 

 horses had strayed away, and had returned 

 home by this time. But, if they had been 

 stolen, the stealers would not have escaped. 

 When the loser is tired, another will take up 

 the pursuit, and the whole country is up in 

 arms till he is found. 



905. June 27th.-~ Still at Princeton. At last 

 we get suited with horses. Mine costs me 

 only 135 dollars with the bridle and saddle, 

 and that I am told is 18 dollars too much. 



906. June 28A. Left Princeton, and set out 

 to see Mr. Birkbeck's settlement, in Illinois, 

 about 35 miles from Princeton. Before we got to 

 the Wabash we had to cross a swamp of half a 

 mile wide; we were obliged to lead our horses, 

 and walk up to the knees in mud and water. 

 Before we got half across we began to think of 

 going back ; but, there is a sound bottom un 

 der it all, and we waded through it as well as 



