hv_sansomj_letters_1796_051

determined to avoid, and Joshua Evens rouzed us two or three ti o'clock, and finally started in by half after one, the m bright a little past the full. Leaving Ab here, and taking our Landlord for a Guide. We rode day break, along the banks of the Tioga, through thick woods almost impervious to moonshine, silent and slow, every one keeping his eye upon the next before, and now and then catching a glimpse of Joshua Evens's white coat and horse. Here and there the wood opened enough to show the water glistening with moon beams, and ever and anon the path way crossed the river to avoid the sidelong hills. Stopped to feed about sunrise amidst fog and Gnats and gladly turned our backs upon them to encounter the Mountain which continues risig more or less at intervals for 10 or 15 miles the road stony, rooty, swampy, and winding to the right and left round fallen trees and quagmires. Passed the terrific house before noon, and in an hour or two descended the mountain, which is here so steep that two miles brings you to the bottom, where there is another feeding place, 12 miles from the house we put up at for the night, after crossing a branch of Lyconery two and thirty times. Next morning reach a Friends House in the Settlement of Muncey, where we seemed at home as soon as we sat down, but thought best to proceed for another near the meeting house in the afternoon. The Improvements here had been destroyed