462 JOURNEY IN NEW BRUNSWICK AND MAINE. 



with Indians swiftly glided in every direction, raising before them the 

 timorous waterfowl that had already flocked in from the north. Moun- 

 tains, which you well know are indispensable in a beautiful landscape, 

 reared their majestic crests in the distance. The Canada Jay leaped 

 gaily from branch to twig ; the Kingsfisher, as if vexed at being suddenly 

 surprised, rattled loudly as it swiftly flew ofF; and the Fish Hawk and 

 Eagle spread their broad wings over the waters. All around was beauti- 

 ful, and we gazed on the scene with delight, as seated on a verdant bank, 

 we refreshed our frames from our replenished stores. A few rare birds 

 were procvired here, and the rest of the road being level and firm, we 

 trotted on at a good pace for several hours, the Penobscot keeping com- 

 pany with us. 



Now we came to a deep creek of which the bridge was undergoing 

 repairs, and the people saw our vehicle approach with much surprise. 

 They however assisted us with pleasure, by placing a few logs across, 

 along which our horses one after the other were carefully led, and the 

 cart afterwards carried. These good fellows were so averse to our re- 

 compensing them for their labour, that after some altercation we were oblig- 

 ed absolutely to force what we deemed a suitable reward upon them. 



Next day we continued our journey along the Penobscot, the country 

 changing its aspect at every mile, and wlien we first descried Old Town, 

 that village of saw-mills looked like an island covered with manufactories. 

 The people here are noted for their industry and perseverance, and any 

 one possessing a mill, and attending to his saws and the floating of the 

 timber into liis dams, is sure to obtain a competency in a few years. 

 Speculations in land covered with pine, lying to the north of this place, 

 are carried on to a great extent, and to discover a good tract of such 

 ground many a miller of Old Town undertakes long journeys. Reader, 

 with your leave, I will here introduce one of them. 



Good luck brought us into acquaintance with Mr Gillies, whom we 

 happened to meet in the course of our travels, as he was returning from 

 an exploring tour. About the first of August he formed a party of six- 

 teen persons, each carrying a knapsack and an axe. Their provisions con- 

 sisted of 250 pounds of pilot bread, 150 of salted pork, 4> of tea, 2 large 

 loaves of sugar, and some salt. They embarked in light canoes, twelve 

 miles north of Bangor, and followed the Penobscot as far as Wassata- 

 quoik River, a branch leading to the north-west, until they reached the 

 ebooi s Lakes, the principal of which lie in a line, with short portages 



