Poor unhappy mortals ! without law, religion or government ; and therefore without restraint.

June 1st. 1753, is witli me a memorable day, and for forty years and more has not passed unnoticed . We got off as silently as we could, with ourselves and eflfects. Some went by water ; and others by land, with the horses. I was with the land party. The Indians, half intoxicated, were outrageous, and pursued both the party by water, in which was Mr. Woodbridge, and the party by land. One came so near us as with his club to strike at us, and he hit one of our horses. We hastened. Neither party met till we arrived at Wauteghe, at which had been an Indian village, where were a few fruit trees and considerable cleared land, but no inhabitants. Here, being unmolested and secure, we all refreshed oui^selves. But Pallas was the worse for his rum ; was so refractory, that Mr. Ashley's hired man, who had been in the canoe with Mm, did not like to proceed with him. I reproved him ; got into a canoe with him, to keep him in order ; was young and unexperienced ; knew not Indians, nor much of mankind ; whereby I endangered my life.

We went with the stream, till we came to slack water, when Pallas, took his gun, to aim at fowl ahead of us. I was apprehensive of his gun ; for I perceived him to be in liquor. I took a paddle, and was tui-ning the canoe, when the ducks rose, and took wing. The Indian was taking in his piece, which at that instant was discharged, and had it not been for the turn of my body, and particularly my head, the charge must have been mortal.