EPISODES 



457 



cut through the woods by their own axcmer, the day be- 

 fore their advance, and when night overtook them, the 

 hunters attached to the party came to the place pitched 

 upon for encamping, loaded with the dainties of which the 

 forest yielded an abundant supply, the blazing light of a 

 huge fire guiding their steps as they approached, and the 

 sounds of merriment that saluted their ears assuring them 

 that all was well. The flesh of the Buffalo, the Bear, and 

 the Deer soon hung, in large and delicious steaks, in front 

 of the embers ; the cakes already prepared were deposited 

 in their proper places, and under the rich drippings of the 

 juicy roasts were quickly baked. The wagons contained 

 the bedding, and whilst the horses which had drawn them 

 were turned loose to feed on the luxuriant undergrowth of 

 the woods — some perhaps hoppled, but the greater num- 

 ber merely with a light bell hung to their neck, to guide 

 their owners in the morning to the spot where they might 

 have rambled — the party were enjoying themselves after 

 the fatigues of the day. 



In anticipation all is pleasure; and these migrating 

 bands feasted in joyous sociality, unapprehensive of any 

 greater difficulties than those to be encountered in forcing 

 their way through the pathless woods to the land of abun- 

 dance; and although it took months to accomplish the 

 journey, and a skirmish now and then took place between 

 them and the Indians, who sometimes crept unperceived 

 into their very camp, still did the Virginians cheerfully 

 proceed towards the western horizon, until the various 

 groups all reached the Ohio, when, struck with the beauty 

 of that magnificent stream, they at once commenced the 

 task of clearing land, for the purpose of establishing a 

 permanent residence. 



Others, perhaps encumbered with too much luggage, 

 preferred descending the stream. They prepared arks 

 pierced with port-holes, and glided on the gentle current, 

 more annoyed, however, than those who marched by land 



