bright yellow, and his face full of red spots; and, to give his countenance the greatest possible fierceness, his eyes were of different colours. The others had indulged their taste with the same irregularity; and all were adorned with feathers, horsehair, rings, and bracelets; and to complete their attire, each carried a small looking-glass, which was often consulted, in order to touch up the faded colours, or adjust their ornaments.

In the course of our voyage we were frequently regaled with magnificent landscapes from the shores, of hanging woods, rocks, and mountains; which in the evening received a rich glow from the reflection of the setting sun, that at the same time gilded the curling waters of the lake. The length of Lake Champlain is an hundred and twenty miles, and its breadth from two to eighteen. In the widest part are a great number of islands: the largest of them is called South Hero, and contains five hundred inhabitants. The broad lake reaches fifty miles, and terminates in a large river, named Sorelle, which is lost in the mighty St. Lawrence. Its waters are of great depth, and the shore in many places mountainous and rocky. The splashing of the waters into their chasms, makes an uncommon, hollow, murmuring noise, when the wind rises to a breeze. Some of the rocks shelve under the water, at no great depth beneath it, as we experienced by a sudden shock, which convinced us that our boat had struck on one of them. All was confusion

N 3

confusion in a moment, and every one of us obliged to help to disingage her; in which we succeeded, with no greater misfortune than a thorough drenching-a circumstance that obliged us to get ashore at the first house that would receive us. It was the dwelling of a plain Scotch labourer, who also performed the functions of a judge.

Having passed the boundary that separates the United States from the British dominions, we reached a garrison town, called St. John's, whither the Indian party had arrived before us. With them we perceived a middle-aged European, whose languishing, harassed countenance, had something peculiarly interesting in it; especially, as with the traces of grief, was a mixture of calm resignation painted on his face. Mr. Franklin was so struck with his appearance, that he sat down amongst them, and insinuated himself into their favour. The stranger seemed pleased with his attentions, but did not appear very communicative, till an opportunity occurred of conversing in private; when he related his history, which is so long it must be deferred to a future letter. Adieu. May every happiness attend you.

ARTHUR MIDDLETON.:

LETTER

LETTER XXXII.

Mr. H. Franklin to Edwin Middleton.

MY DEAR EDWIN,

St. John's, on Lake Champlain.

THERE is no occasion to have recourse to novels or feigned tales, in order to amuse and interest, whilst the occurrences of real life are often so full of extraordinary accidents, and contain more instruction than the fictions of the imagina tion*. Arthur mentioned, in his last, a white man that we met with amongst a party of Indians. It proved to be a merchant, who resided at Richmond in Virginia, but, from a train of unfortunate circumstances, had fallen into their hands as a prisoner. A settled distress was marked on his face, till he perceived I gained the confidence of the chief who commanded the expedition, when something like hope began to animate his listless frame. His master did not watch him with such jealousy as to prevent him from telling me his unhappy story, and interesting me in his fate. It happened, some time ago, that he was obliged to go to Kentucky,

*The principal circumstances of this narrative are facts related by the Duke de Rochefoucault Liancourt.

to receive some money that was due to him. He was accompanied by a friend, who was a landholder in Kentucky. They proceeded together to the banks of the Great Kenhaway, where they met with several other persons, who were also going to Kentucky. They joined company, and purchased between them one of those slight, large, flat-bottomed vessels, without any deck, that are used merely to descend the Ohio, but are not sufficiently substantial to remount the stream. Having embarked with their merchandise and stores, they proceeded on the voyage, working the vessel themselves. Their company consisted of six persons: four men, and two young women, who were sisters, and going to settle, under the protection of a relation, at Kentucky. They were all fully aware that the navigation of the Ohio is not free from danger from the Indians; but they also knew that an attack on a vessel in the midst of the stream is very rare, and that such an attempt, with so many on board, had not been heard of for many years. Confiding in their numbers, they proceeded, without anxiety, an hundred and six miles, when, about day break, they were alarmed by the most dreadful shrieks, proceeding from two white men on the shore; who told them, with the most affecting tone of grief, that they had been taken prisoners by the Indians, and had made their escape, but feared again to fall into their hands. They said they had not eaten any thing for the last four days, and entreated, if they

could

could not be taken on board, to be at least supplied with some provision, and saved from perishing by hunger. That humanity, which is implanted in every breast, pleaded in their favour with all on board; till a little further consideration induced those of most experience to apprehend that they should expose themselves to danger, by stopping to assist these unfortunate persons. Their arguments were, however, overruled by the rest; and the women, especially, declared it would be an act of the most barbarous cruelty to refuse assistance to two fellow creatures in such deplorable circumstances. Whilst this contest between prudence and compassion was carrying on, the two men followed the vessel along the shore. Their mournful lamentations, their screams, and expressions of agonizing anguish and despair still increasing, one of the passengers offered to go alone, and carry bread to these miserable sufferers, if his companions would put him on the land; alledging, that he should discern the Indians from afar, if they made their appearance; that in this case, the vessel might easily regain the middle of the stream; and that he should be able to reach Limestone on foot, where they might wait for him. Who could resist this proposal, so noble, so generous, so full of humanity? Those who feared the consequences were obliged to yield. They steered towards the shore, where the two sufferers were dragging themselves along, as if tormented by the