It was a beautiful valley running twenty miles or more
along the Susquehanna, and about three miles broad. On either
side rose mountain walls a thousand feet in height, and further
away were peaks with mists and vapors around their crests. The
valley itself blazed in the summer sunshine, and the river
sparkled, now in gold, now in silver, as the light changed and
fell.
More cultivated fields, more houses, generally of stout logs,
appeared, and to all that they saw the five bore the fiery
beacon. Simon Jennings was not the only man who lived to thank
them for the warning. Others were incredulous, and soon paid the
terrible price of unbelief.
The five hastened on, and as they went they looked about them
with wondering eyes-there were so many houses, so many cultivated
fields, and so many signs of a numerous population. They had
emerged almost for the first time from the wilderness, excepting
their memorable visit to New Orleans, although this was a very
different region. Long Jim spoke of it.
"I think I like it better here than at New Or-leeyuns," he said.
"We found some nice Frenchmen an' Spaniards down thar, but the
ground feels firmer under my feet here.
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