Wanderings through Wilds, 95 



the commander. After a pleasant voyage we arrived at 

 the beautiful village of Trinity, but found the water too 

 low for further navigation. I had resolved to push on my 

 journey, if Victor was strong enough to undertake the ex- 

 ertion. Two other passengers desired to accompany us, 

 and after I had left my luggage to the care of the tavern- 

 keeper, our party crossed Cash Creek, at which I had be- 

 fore spent a pleasant time, and pushed across the coun- 

 try. Victor, who was scarcely fourteen, was a lively boy, 

 and had no fear of failing. Cleaving our way, Indian-file 

 fashion, through the cane brakes — through the burnt" 

 forest — through the brushwood-clad banks of the river, 

 and along the pebbly shore, we reached, after twelve 

 miles' walking, the village of America. After refreshing 

 ourselves we covered another seven miles, and reached a 

 cabin, where we were well received by a squatter family. 

 " After a bath in the Ohio, my son and myself joined 

 the rest, and we enjoyed an excellent supper, and a capi- 

 tal sleep in such beds as could be provided. We rose at 

 break of day and left our kind host and hostess, who 

 would receive no pecuniary reward. At seven miles 

 further we found an excellent breakfast at a house owned 

 by a very lazy fellow, whose beautiful wife appeared to be 

 superior to her station, and who conducted the household 

 affairs in a very agreeable manner. We left a dollar 

 with one of the children, and pursued our way along the 

 beach of the Ohio. After proceeding some distance, my 

 son Victor broke down, but after a rest he suddenly re- 

 vived at the sight of a wild turkey, and resumed his jour- 

 ney in good spirits. We reached Belgrade and continued 

 our journey. Towards sunset we reached the shores of 

 the river, opposite the mouth of the Cumberland. On a 

 hill, the property of Major B., we found a house and a 

 solitary v/oman, wretchedly poor, but very kind. She as- 

 sured us that if we could not cross, the river, she would 



