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Jacob Lindley's Account, 1793

SW_JL1793_Page_068

warm on the lake, and the journey very lonesome. Day after day not a face to be seen, but our own company. The water of the lake is clear and cold; much more so than the rivers which empty into it. Our navigation is along the southern margin of On-tario. The land appears well timbered and habita-ble; but I could perceive no springs, or small rivu-lets emptying into the lake. The shore is composed of high banks for miles together; then low vallies in succession, which form bays and harbors for the boatmen in case of sudden storms of wind, which are very frequent, and make a surprising commotion in the waters. In these storms many adventurers, after enduring amazing difficulties, have perished; and others have marvellously escaped. We did notventure more than one mile from shore. The water is from three to ten feet deep — the bottom, appear-ed as if paved with close jointed flag stones of seven, ten, or twenty feet square — or like a street paved with round smooth stones. 22nd. The wind was high and the water rough. We lay in the harbor till four in the afternoon, when we journeyed forward, rowing about eight miles, and after sundown, made the shore. Where also a boat from Niagara came with several passen-gers on board — a clergyman, Townsend Speakman's brother's six orphan children, and a Delaware In-dian man, who could speak some English; he seem-ed pleased with the prospect of peace; and said, hewas at no time for war. 23rd. Set out a little after daylight. The wind being against us, about eight o'clock we put in to shore a little eastward of the mouth of Genessee river; struck up fires and breakfasted; then passed