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Joseph Clark's Account of a Journey to the Indian Country, 1797

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inquired more fully respecting the matter, when he readily, seriously, and fully confirmed the same. I never experienced greater kindness than from the Indians. I had not only their horses to ride, but a guide from place to place, The natives would not permit me even to carry my portmanteau, nor scarce- ly to go over a bridge that was dangerous, but offered to carry me over in their arms; though I would not suffer them. When I lodged with the Indians, they would build a large fire at bed-time, in the room that I occupied, and always renewed it at midnight;—the family being remarkably still, whether up or a-bed. 8th. A hard frost. This morning, set out for Bro-thertown, having the Chief's horse to ride, with one of their principal men for a guide. We travelled through a most fertile country, over logs, and thro' bushes, at the rate of about a mile, and sometimes two, in an hour. Arrived at Brothertown in the evening, and were treated with all the kindness we could ask. Having comfortably lodged here one night, the next day we set out for Fort Schuyler, being still accommodated with horses and a guide. The roads were beyond description, bad; but we were favoured to reach Fort Schuyler, in the even- ing,—having previously agreed to meet our family of female Indians at this place. 10th. This morning our Indian girls came, each one accompanied by her parent or guardian. The business of parting was conducted with great serious- ness, for the Indians delivered their children to us with the utmost confidence and quietude: which brought over my mind a considerable weight of con- cern and care, that nothing on my part, might ob- struct this great and important work. The girls ma-