The English Period 



supper we returned to Mr. Stedmans again to bed and slept 1787 

 very sound until past 7 oclock next morning (19th), at which 

 time from the orders which had been given to the servants over 

 night, I was in hopes our chair and horses were on the other side 

 of the water; in this I was again disappointed. I next hastened 

 to the Fort with all expedition, where I found both officers and 

 men still in bed, from whence they were soon roused and a boat 

 and party of men got to put the chair and horses over, which 

 we soon sent off with orders to land them on the north side of 

 the Chipaway Creek, whilst we, having procured Mr. Stedman's 

 light boat, remained behind to breakfast. 



Breakfast being finished, we left Mr. Brunton alone at his 

 new Government, about ten in the forenoon, and after having 

 rowed up a mile or more under the East shore, we crossed to a 

 very large island that lies in the middle, which having gained we 

 rowed up under its western bank for a considerable distance 

 before we ventured to cross to the western side of the river. At 

 length we made our crossing good and landed about four miles 

 above the Falls, at a farm of Mr. Stedman's; here Mr. Hamilton 

 left us and striking to the left went to Fort Erie, whilst the rest of 

 us taking the right-hand road after a walk of two miles came to 

 Chipaway Creek where we found our horses at the house of a 

 Mr. Birch, one of the principal people in the settlement. As 

 the squire was not at home, we were glad to wave the ceremony 

 of a visit, so as soon as our cavalry were ready we set out towards 

 the Falls. About another mile brought us to the head of the 

 rapid, and a short way further we came to a mill Mr. Birch has 

 lately built; it appears to me to be a very elegant piece of work- 

 manship, and is to be both a grist and saw mill, but I am very 

 much afraid from the rapids above it he will find it difficult, if not 

 dangerous, to bring down boats and rafts to it, although the man 

 who superintends it says he thinks it may be done with ease when 

 they become better acquainted with the currents. 



About 100 yards below the mill, from a point that projects a 

 little, we had a most delightful view of the whole rapid, which 



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