Page:Life and journals of Kah-ke-wa-quo-na-by.djvu/238

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Our Indian children read and sang, and Brother Case prayed, and I tried to preach. A good christian brother by the name of Giles, gave an interesting address and closed the meeting. Most of our hearers were very attentive, but some appeared quite indifferent to the things spoken. At 2, p. m., dinner was announced, when all rushed to the table like a herd of hungry swine around a trough of swill. I thought that these gentlemen were more greedy and hoggish than the wild Indians in the woods; for they would not allow their hunger to impel them to use such impetuosity to get to the eatables. Arrived at Utica at 3, p. m., and on landing we went directly to the Methodist Church, where a Quarterly Meeting was being held. There was a large congregation. The Rev. Mr. Porter preached on the duty of attending public worship. Brother Case exhorted, and then the Lord's Supper was administered to many rejoicing souls.

Tuesday 12th. — Arrived at Syracuse about 2 o'clock, a. m. Part of our company tarried here, whilst the others went on to Rochester, to return to us here again. We were kindly entertained by a Mr. Lovejoy, a brother-in-law of Mr. Case. We spent most of the day in viewing the famous salt works in this place. Part of the salt is made by evaporation, and some by boiling. The springs from which the water flows is near the shore of the Onondaga Lake, about a mile from the village of Syracuse. I was informed that the average price of salt here is one shilling, York, per bushel, or seven shillings, York, per barrel. It is from these works that Upper Canada is principally supplied with the necessary article. Saw a few of the Onondaga Indians, who live not many miles from this village. They appeared to be dissipated people, as all Indians are who reside near the white settlements, and have access to the firewater.

Wednesday 13th. — At 8, a. m., we left for Oswego by canal. Our course was northward. Packet boat travelling is pleasant,