S54? TRAVELS THROUGH CFPER CANADA t ' 
point to the part of the heavens where it is, at- 
though the sky be obscured by clouds or mists. 
An instance of their dexterity in finding 
their way through an unknown country came 
under my observation when I was at Staunton, 
situated behind the Blue Mountains, Virginia, 
A number of the Creek nation had arrived at 
that town in their way to Philadelphia, whither 
they were going upon some affairs of im¬ 
portance, and had stopped there for the night. 
In the morning some circumstance or another, 
what could riot be learned, induce one half of 
the Indians to set off without their companions, 
who did not follow until some hours after¬ 
wards. -When these last were ready.to pursue 
their journey, several of the town-people 
mounted their horses to escort them part of the 
way. They proceeded along the high road 
for some miles, but alkat once, hastily turn¬ 
ing aside into the woods, though there was no 
path,, the Indians .advanced confidently for¬ 
ward; the. people who accompanied them, 
surprized at this movement, informed them 
that they were quitting the-road to Philadel¬ 
phia, and expressed their-fears lest they should 
miss their companions, who had-gone on be¬ 
fore, They answered, that - they knew bet¬ 
ter; that the way through the woods was the 
shortest to piuBkdelpliia.; and that they knew 
very well that their companions had entered 
