ke. We sent our batteaus down this creek
and a little before sunset we had the inexpressible satisfaction to meet
a messenger we had sent into Canada to find out the disposition of the
inhabitants and know whether we should be well received. He was the
bearer of good tidings, he assured us that we should be kindly received
and furnished with provisions--He brought some fruit to Colonel Arnold,
sent him by a lady, as a token of friendship and fidelity. Our joy on
this occasion was too great to be suppressed. The whole valley was made
to ring with our exultations. Our worthy Major Meigs was exceedingly
elevated, and expressed such zeal and animation in the glorious cause of
his country as revived the drooping spirits of all the soldiery. We were
now to leave the remainder of our batteaus--what little we had to carry
we put into our knapsacks, the whole of the detachment having now orders
to march and make the best of their way to Chaudiere river. We returned
unto the rising ground and encamped for the night.

October 29th. Very early this morning, we left our encampment on the
rising ground and began descending towards an ocean of swamp that lay
before us. We soon entered it and found it covered with a low shrubbery
of cedar and hackmetack, the roots of which were so excessively
slippery, that we could hardly keep upon our feet. The top of the ground
was covered with a soft moss, filled with water and ice. After walking a
few hours in the swamp we seemed to have lost all sense of feeling in
our feet and ankles. As we were constantly slipping, we walked in great
fear of breaking our bones or dislocating our joints. But to be
disenabled from walking in this situation was sure death. We travelled
all day and not being able to get through this dismal swamp, we
encamped. I thought we were probably the first _human_ beings that ever
took up their residence for a night in this wilderness--not _howling
wilderness_, for I believe no wild animals would inhabit it.

October 30. This morning we started in great haste and soon got through
the swamp. From the time we had been travelling in it, we judged it to
be about 7 miles in width; of its length from east to west I can give no
account.

On leaving the swamp we had to pass a river two rods over and about
three feet in depth. The water was excessively cold. As we had this day
to make our way through thickets, and low sunken marshes, our progress
was but slow.

During the fore par