Page:Early western travels, 1748-1846 (Vol 1 1904).djvu/194

188 gave for answer, "that I did not know what to think of their conduct. It is plain, said I, that the French have a public road to your towns, yet you will not let your own flesh and blood, the Englijh, come near them; which is very hard: and if that be the case, the French must be your masters." I added, that, if I died in the undertaking, it would be as much for the Indians as the Englijh, and that I hoped my journey would be of this advantage, that it would be the means of saving the lives of many hundreds of the Indians: therefore, I was resolved to go forward, taking my life in my hand, as one ready to part with it for their good. Immediately after I had spoken thus, three rose up and offered to go with me the nearest way; and we concluded to go through the inhabitants, under the Blue mountains to fort Augusta, on Susquahanna; where we arrived the 25th.

It gave me great pain to observe many plantations deserted and laid waste; and I could not but reflect on the distress, the poor owners must be drove to, who once lived in plenty; and I prayed the Lord to restore peace and prosperity to the distressed.

At fort Augusta we were entertained very kindly, had our horses shod, and one being lame, we exchanged for] ————