(seq. 164)

April
22d
continued

have made use of this liberty, without Guides, provision and shoes
being found them - It rained all night, which did not set our
disciplinarian in a favorable light -

23.d St. Georges - We were very hearty in our wishes for the honor
and success of the Patrons country men, and tho the water was
very good, did not exceed the bounds of moderation in our potations -

The road was exceedingly difficult, lying over very steep hills which
from last nights rain were so slippery, our wretched cattle had much
ado to scramble up and slide down -

24.th forded stinking creek, and some others - at 4 p.m. passed the
great War path of the Shawanese, which at this place crosses a
remarkable Buffaloe salt lick - several of the trees here bear
the marks of the expoits of the Savages, who have certain figures
and Characters by which they can express their numbers, their route,
what prisoners they have made, how many killed &ca - They
commonly raise the bark & with their Tomahawks & knives carve first
and then with vermillion color their design -

25 Forded Cumberland or Shawanck river which is about 200 yards over -

26th. passed Cumberland Mountain, enterd Powel's valley - Provision being
expended we killed a cow from a herd probably left here by some
settlers, who were probably intercepted on their March, & killed by
the Indians -

27.th Came to a very pretty halting place called the Spring cave, otherways
rocky bridge a curious romantic work of Nature - A very copious
stream of fine water breaks out of the Ground in a beautyfull
valley well cloathed with clover, skirted with rising grounds ornamented
with variety of timber trees, ever greens & shrubs - at about 150 yards
from its source it passes under a rocky ledge which serves for a bridge
being about sixty feet wide at top and coverd with trees -