eir landlord and his wife occupied
the only bed in the only room.
At Pittsburg the travellers rested for several days. From that place
the princes directed their steps to Buffalo, skirting, for some
distance, the shores of Lake Erie. At Cattaraugus they were the
guests, for one night, of the Seneca Indians. They felt some anxiety
in reference to their baggage, the loss of which, in those distant
regions, would have been a serious calamity. The chief, perceiving
their solicitude, said that he would be personally responsible for
every article which might be committed to his care, but for nothing
else. After a little reflection, the duke placed in his hands
saddles, bridles, blankets, clothes, and money--every thing, except a
beautiful dog, which he did not think of including in the inventory.
All were restored in the morning, excepting that the dog was missing.
"If the dog," said the chief, "had been intrusted to my care, it
would have been waiting your departure." With some difficulty the
favorite animal was reclaimed.
At Buffalo the travellers crossed the head of the Niagara River, and,
passing down the Canadian shore, visited the world-renowned falls. On
their way, they passed a night in the huts of the Chippewa Indians.
The following extracts, written by the Duke of Montpensier to his
sister, throw much light upon the character of these excellent young
men. It was dated August 14, 1797:
"I hope you have received the letters which we wrote to you
from Pittsburg about two months ago. We were then in the
midst of a long journey, which we have terminated only
fifteen days since. It occupied us four months. We
journeyed during all that time a thousand leagues, and
always upon the same horses, except the last hundred
leagues, which we performed partly by water, partly on foot,
partly on hired horses, and partly by stage, or the public
conveyance.
"We have seen many Indians, and we remained even many days
in their country. They are, in general, the best people in
the world, except when they are intoxicated or inflamed by
passion. They received us with great kindness; and our being
Frenchmen contributed not a little to this reception, for
they are very fond of our nation. The most interesting
object we visited, after the Indian villages, was certainly
the Cataract of Niagara, which I wrote you word from
Pittsburg that we were
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