We had a worse road than we had on the whole Journey. The Indian guide told us . . . that we would have to pass over a bad road, and if he said the road was bad, it
must certainly be very bad. Thus far we had at least been able to travel on ground,
but now we went through swamps and marshes, where the flies troubled us greatly. For miles we were obliged to walk on trees and branches, as on both sides were
deep marshes . . . [and] we sometimes slipped from the trees . . . and fell into the
swamp, and could scarcely get up again with our heavy bundles . . . Toward evening we reached an old Indian settlement where a city by the name of Onnache is
said to have stood . . . We were caught in a dreadful thunder and rain storm, and
were thoroughly drenched, particularly in going through the tall grass. We went a
little farther and encamped along a creek called Otochshiaco . . . We tried to dry
ourselves at the fire . . . and went to sleep, feeling cold and wet.

1. What is the primary source for this passage?
2. What did you learn about traveling the back roads of early America by reading
this passage?
3. What part of the passage suggests that Native Americans had lived in the area a long time?
4. Why would the diary be considered a reliable source of information?
5. What parts of this source might make it unreliable? Explain your answer.