"We found, on landing, that we had a journey of some hundred miles before us; part of which could be performed in boats up the rivers, but the greater portion was along `corduroy' roads, through dark forests, and over mountains and plains.  Our brother-in-law, a bold, determined person, had turned backwoodsman, and, uniting himself with a party of hardy fellows of similar tastes, had pushed on in advance of the old settlers, far to the westward, in spite of the difficulties of obtaining stores and provisions, and the dangers they knew they must encounter from hostile Indians whose territories they were invading.  We did not, however, think much of these things, and liked the idea of being ahead, as it seemed to us, of others.  The forest was before us.  We were to win our way through it, and establish a home for ourselves and our families.