Page:Records of the Life of the Rev. John Murray.djvu/133

Rh. Our captain, therefore, received immediate orders, to change the course of the vessel for Philadelphia; but when we had got near enough to this harbour to take a pilot, the pilot informed us, the reverse of the information we had received was the truth; upon which the merchant determined to go as far as the city, there obtain a certainty, and if so, to proceed to New-York, with all possible dispatch. We were a considerable time passing up the Delaware, and, upon a fine day, while we lay at anchor, the merchant proposed going on shore, for the purpose of obtaining corn and fruit.

It was in the month of September, when we arrived in the Delaware; the country, upon the banks of this fine river, exhibited a most enchanting appearance, especially to those, who had been for many weeks out of sight of land, and had never seen those shores before. As we drew near the land, the woods, seeming to grow out of the water, had to me a very uncommon appearance; but every thing, in this country, was uncommon. We went on shore, and ascended a gentle acclivity, when, entering into a small log-house, I was astonished to see a woman preparing some excellent wild ducks for dinner; live in a log-house, and feed upon ducks! We passed into her garden, where, amid its rich variety, my attention was arrested by a large peach-tree, loaded with the best fruit, bending to the earth! I was beyond expression charmed, and delighted, and my heart bent with grateful affection to the universal Parent, for giving the inhabitants of this new world thus liberally to enjoy. When we reached Philadelphia, I was amazed to behold a city of such magnitude, in a country, which I had considered, as a wilderness. The captain supposed it a disappointment to me, that we had not put into New-York, as that was the place of my destination; I requested him, to make himself easy, as it was a matter of perfect indifference to me upon what part of the country I landed; and, if he could procure me a private lodging, I would go on shore in this city. This he told me he would do, but this he found he could not do, at least in the circle of his connexions. He then proposed my going, by land, to New-York. This also I was willing to do, if he would let me know how. He would send and take me a place in the stage. The stage had been gone some time. He then proposed I should tarry in the vessel, and set out with him the next morning for New-York, to which arrangement I agreed. The other passengers left us in Philadelphia. The water was smooth, and our passage pleasant, until we were, as was supposed, near Sandy-Hook; a dense fog then arose, which was sufficiently thick to prevent our seeing the end of our bowsprit. A sloop