hv_coatesi_account_1798_016

Durkins 18 miles, we got in the evening to a placecalled the Double Cabin, a poor house with earthenfloor, on which we lodged, wrapped in our blankets,this night, but could get nothing for our horses: neither pasture, hay, corn nor oats, nor evenan enclosure of any kind to secure them, sowe tied them to stumps and fed them with someoats we had with us, and tried to get some sleepon our earthen bed, after having partaken of some ofour victuals. 13th. We were stirring betimes this morn-ing, as our bed was not inviting to indulge nature,and in 7 1/2 miles came to a poor cabin. Here we got some oats for our horsesand let them pick a little in the woods. We found a great change [here also fromwhat it was when] we left Redstone, the seasonis backward the leaves just putting out and thereis next to no pasture in the woods, that it looks likely our horses will suffer much when we getamong the Indians. We breakfasted on our ownprovisions, and proceeded 12 miles further, whereafter feeding our horses, we took dinner in likemanner, and got to Fort Franklin before 4oclock.14 1/2 miles, 34 since morning, feeling pretty muchfatigued. From Pittsburgh to this place trav-elling is difficult, part of the roads extremelybad, and accommodations next to intolerable