“We continued not in a state of indolence, but hunted every day, and prepared a little cottage to defend us from the winter storms.  We remained there undisturbed during the winter; and on the first of May, 1770, my brother returned home to the settlement by himself for a new recruit of horses and ammunition, leaving me by myself, without bread, salt, or sugar, without company of my fellow-creatures, or even a horse or dog.  I confess I never before was under greater necessity of exercising philosophy and fortitude.  A few days I passed uncomfortably.  The idea of a beloved wife and family, and their anxiety on account of my absence and exposed situation, made sensible impressions on my heart.  A thousand dreadful apprehensions presented themselves to my view, and had undoubtedly disposed me to melancholy if further indulged.

“One day I undertook a tour through the country, and the diversity and beauties of Nature I met with in this charming season expelled every gloomy and vexatious thought.  Just at the close of day the gentle gales retired, and left the place to the disposal of a profound calm.  Not a breeze shook the most tremulous leaf.  I had gained the summit of a commanding ridge, and, looking round with astonishing delight, beheld the ample plains, the beauteous tracts below.  On the other hand, I surveyed the famous river Ohio, that rolled in silent dignity, marking the western boundary of Kentucky with inconceivable grandeur.  At a vast distance I beheld the mountains lift their venerable brows, and penetrate the clouds.  All things were still.  I kindled a fire near a fountain of sweet water, and feasted on the loin of a buck, which a few hours before I had killed.  The fallen shades of night soon overspread the whole hemisphere, and the earth seemed to gape after the hovering moisture.  My roving excursion this day had fatigued my body, and diverted my imagination.  I laid me down to sleep, and I awoke not until the sun had chased away the night.  I continued this tour, and in a few days explored a considerable part of the country, each day equally pleased as the first.  I returned to my old camp, which was not disturbed in my absence.  I did not confine my lodging to it, but often reposed in thick canebrakes to avoid the savages, who, I believe, often visited my camp, but fortunately for me in my absence.  In this situation I was constantly exposed to danger and death.  How unhappy such a situation for a man tormented with fear, which is vain if no danger comes, and, if it does, only augments the pain.  It was my happiness to be destitute of this afflicting passion, with which I had the greatest reason to be affected.  The prowling wolves diverted my nocturnal hours with perpetual howlings; and the various species of animals in this vast forest in the daytime were continually in my view.

“Thus I was surrounded with plenty in the midst of want.  I was happy in the midst of dangers and inconveniences.  In such a diversity it was impossible I should be disposed to melancholy.  No populous city, with all the varieties of commerce and stately structures, could afford so much pleasure to my mind as the beauties of Nature I found here.