Page:History of Delaware County (1856).djvu/207

DELAWARE COUNTY. 183 between the North River and the sea, they came to a place on the Hudson called Catskill, where a few families had already settled. At this place he entered the woods, with a view of crossing the Susquehanna to a place then known hy the appel- lation of Wattles' Ferry, a distance of nearly one hundred miles. It was, however, considered dangerous to penetrate that distance without a guide, as there was scarce a trace of human industry to mark the way through an almost unbroken wilderness. He was so fortunate as to find a half-breed Indian, who knew the way, and was willing to become his conductor, appearing to be a fleet, shrewd, and intelligent native. The land which he wished to examine in particular, belonged to Colonel Harper, who had, it is well known, taken an active part in the border warfare of Tryon County, and was situated somewhere near what is still call Oquago, an ancient Indian town. To this place the guide was to accom- pany him for a stipulated price. They left Catskill and pursued their way on horseback amid the woods as far as Cairo, where were also a few families scattered along beneath the mountains, who had returned after, or been suffered to remain during the war, as all that region had been traversed by the depredating Indians and tories. From this place they pursued the Pataica trail, which lay through a wilderness of the most hideous description, but which is now thickly settled with enterprising farmers, mechanics, and merchants. The first day after leaving Catskill they advanced to some- where near the present flourishing village of Osbornville, and, as near as can be calculated, a distance of twenty-five miles. Here they encamped for the night, having gathered grass for their horses on the margin of the head- waters of the Schoharie creek. Along this stream, from thence even down to a place called Break-a-bin, extended a gloomy gulf, then the haunt of wolves, bears, and panthers, as well as an abundance of deer ft