Page:Early western travels, 1748-1846 (1907 Volume 4).djvu/242



Economy of my late fellow traveller—Proceed towards Washington—Fine view of Wheeling and the Ohio—Lose my road—Get right again by descending a precipice—A fine valley with several handsome seats and mills—Stop at Mr. Eoff's—A well regulated family—Little Wheeling creek—An obliging traveller—Roney's point—Beautiful and picturesque country—Alexandria or Hardscramble—M'Crackan's—Good effects of temperance and cleanliness in travelling.

I stopped at Knox's inn, where I asked for some beer, not daring to drink wine or spirits. They had none, so I walked out to a small house where I had observed on a sign Beer and Cakes. On entering {212} I found Musgrave making a hearty meal on a cent roll and a pint of beer. He appeared as glad to see me again as if we had been old acquaintances, and had been long parted, and was easily prevailed on to make a second libation with me to the prosperous termination of our journies, in that humble, but wholesome and refreshing beverage. I then returned to Knox's, where I supped and slept. Next morning at dawn, I took a plunge in the river, and after breakfast, finding my strength invigorated and my spirits renovated by the cold bath, I continued my journey on foot by the most direct road to Washington, instead of awaiting for the stage according to my first intention, as it had to go ten miles out of the direct road to deliver the mail at Charlestown.

I set out at half past nine o'clock, and soon gained the top of the hill immediately over Wheeling, from whence there is a handsome bird's eye view of that town, Zane's island in fine cultivation, the two ferries across the Ohio, and the village of Canton beyond; while on the left the Ohio is seen winding among hills five or six miles below, and the