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

SW_JC1797_Page_10

nifested much stillness and composure, at taking leave of their parents, to go a long journey, with perfect strangers, to reside in a distant land. So we went to the Mohawk river, and they stepped into the boat, wrapped their faces in their blankets, and I do not remember that they uttered a word. We now had to pass down this river about one hundred miles, but got on very well the first day's voyage. 11th. Very cold this morning, especially on the Mohawk. We arrived at the Falls about breakfast- time. These wonderful works of Providence are very striking to every rational beholder. The water- fall is fifty-one feet between the tremendous rocks, which form a perfect stone wall for the space of twenty miles along the river. This river receives the fewest creeks of any I know of; consequently it keeps nearly the same height, and is not affected by any tide. Travellers often stop, kindle a fire on its banks, and dress their meal. My companion continues ill, increasingly so, by being much exposed to the cold in an almost open boat, while the hills and fields are covered with snow. About four o'clock in the afternoon we arrived at Schenectady, and procured comfortable lodgings, which could not be obtained at every place. 12th. A rainy morning. I felt well in health, through favour, tho' my companion, H. Simmons, was still affected with the ague. Being first-day, early in the morning, we were taken about fourteen miles in a carriage to Albany, where we tarried at the house of our kind friend, Peter Field, during the remainder of this day, which I spent chiefly in reading the Book of Martyrs. There are but three families of Friends in this place, who are not thought