Crossing the Penobscot, one found a visible descent in the scale of humanity.

Not a breath of air stirred over the free and open prairie; the clouds were like light piles of cotton; and where the blue sky was visible, it wore a hazy and languid aspect.

The fortified towns of the Hurons were all on the side exposed to Iroquois incursions.

We were in all four men with eight animals; for besides the spare horses led by Shaw and myself, an additional mule was driven along with us as a reserve in case of accident.

Riding in advance, we passed over one of these great plains; we looked back and saw the line of scattered horsemen stretching for a mile or more; and far in the rear against the horizon, the white wagons creeping slowly along.

We were soon free of the woods and bushes, and fairly upon the broad prairie.