s we would be for miles
wading through swamps; at others the land rose, and then it was clear
and dry, and we could gallop under the oak trees.

We continued till noon before we could arrive at the land in question,
forcing our way through the woods, and guided by the blazing of the
trees. _Blazing_ is cutting off a portion of the bark of the trees on
both sides of the road with an axe, and these marks, which will remain
for many years, serve as a guide. If lost in the woods you have but to
look out for a blaze, and by following it you are certain to arrive at
some inhabited place. We found the land at last, which was high, dry,
and covered with large oak trees. A herd of deer bounded past us as we
approached the river, which ran through it; and we could perceive the
flocks of wild turkeys at a distance, running almost as fast as the
deer. The river was choked by trees which had fallen across its bed,
damming up its stream, and spreading it over the land; but the scene was
very beautiful and wild, and I could not help fancying what a pretty
spot it would one day be, when it should be cleared, and farm-houses
built on the banks of the river.

On our way we called upon a man who had been in the hush but a year or
so; he had a wife and six children. He was young and healthy, and
although he had been used to a life of _literary_ idleness, he had made
up his mind to the change, and taken up the axe--a thing very few people
can do. I never saw a person apparently more cheerful and contented.
He had already cleared away about fifteen acres, and had procured a
summer crop from off a portion of it the year before! having no other
assistance than his two boys, one thirteen and the other fourteen years
old, healthy, but not powerfully built lads. When we called upon him,
he was busied in burning the felled timber, and planting Indian corn.
One of his boys was fencing-in the ground. I went with the man into his
log-hut, which was large and convenient, and found his wife working at
her needle, and three little girls all as busy as bees; the eldest of
these girls was not twelve years old, yet she cooked, baked, washed,
and, with the assistance of her two little sisters, did all that was
required for the household. After a short repose, we went out again
into the clearing, when one of my friends asked him how he got on with
his axe? "Pretty well," replied he, laughing; "I'll show you." He led
us to where a button-wood tre