f its location it was an important place and
even at the time of which this is written (1790) was a point much
frequented by traders, trappers and hunters.

It was with a feeling of awe, that Ree and John drove into the town, and
noticed its old fort, its brick and log buildings and general air of
pioneer hospitality. People stared at them, and some called to them in
the familiar way of the border; but everyone was good-natured and helpful
and almost before the boys knew it their horse had been unhitched and fed
and they themselves were eating supper in a long, low brick building
which served as a sort of public house.

From the first it had been the young travelers' intention to sell their
horse and cart at Fort Pitt and secure passage for themselves and goods
on some flat-boat going down the river. They spoke of the settlement
which General Putnam and others had made at a place they called Marietta
(still known by that name) as their destination, and gave a general idea
of their plans to the men who talked with them as they gathered about the
big fire-place in the evening. They found they would probably be able to
secure transportation down the Ohio within a few days, in company with a
party of emigrants who had been building boats for the trip, expecting to
go to Kentucky.

When the young travelers started out next morning to find a purchaser for
old Jerry, however, they discovered that at that time of year, the demand
for such property was far from brisk. As they walked along the main
street or road, they chanced upon Tom Fish, who hailed them in his rough,
but happy way, and they told him just how they were situated.

"Don't sell the nag, then; come right along with me. I'll show you the
way into a country full of Injuns and game enough to suit ye, in short
order; an' ye won't have to pay no passage down river. Why, there's jes
the spot ye're lookin' for west o' here--rivers an' little lakes, an'
fish an' game--no end o' game. Good place for tradin' too; Injun towns
every forty rods or so."

The woodsman then went on to tell the boys that several years earlier, a
fort, known as Fort Laurens, had been erected on the Tuscarawas river, in
the woods beyond Pittsburg. He was planning to go in that direction, for
a purpose he did not state, and would willingly act as guide. He
cautioned the boys, however, that there was little sign of a broken road
for them to travel upon and that Fort Laurens had long been abandoned