width was about one hundred and fifty feet, it is
said to be a very deep river. An old Indian
and his squaw reside here, and he undertook to
ferry us across in a canoe. Our horses swam
the river, and got over well. The old Indian,
whose name is Stephen

, very unintentionally
swam also. This accident was owing to the mis-
conduct of some of the packers, who, on their
way to Fort Wayne with provisions, gave Stephen
too much whisky. Philip Dennis was in the
canoe with him when he accidentely fell over-
board; we were greatly alarmed for his safety,
knowing that he was intoxicated, but after dis-
appearing for a few seconds, he rose to the sur-
face of the water, and soon convinced us that he
could swim. Philip caught him by his blanket,
and got him again into the boat. The old man
laughed very heartily at the accident, saying to
us in broken English, No fear, me ferry you
in de canoe yet. Our blacksmith having in-
formed Stephen of his expectation of settling in
the Indian country for the benefit of the red
people, and the old man finding also that our
company were all prosecuting their travels for
benevolent purposes, exercised his gratitude by
telling us You pay one quarter dollar de man;
nobody keep canoe here but Stephen; he make
the white people pay dollar, I make dem packers
pay me de rest. In Stephen's hut we observed
several Indians who were asleep. He says they
are Indians who have come a great distance and