MDDM: Chs 46-7 "Peach Bottom Ferry"

[jbor]

Sam wrote:

> "finding it impossible to look out into --that--" (452.3)

The pronoun reference goes back to "the Night Sky" I think - its "pitiless
Clarity" (463.27) - but I agree that the word "*That*" is italicised in the
text to load it with greater significance. I think the sky's consistent
absence of signs of "God", and for Mason more particularly, any sign of
Rebekah, is one aspect.
 
> -that- can be a lot of things...  America of the future (possibly) for one.
> 
> It seems a bit odd to me that they want to put off the work of the West
> Line. Winter vacation over and only 12 miles in, and already they are
> wishing for the cloudy nights.  Anyone an opinion on this?  Is it just fear
> of what they will find in the West?

I don't know if it's fear; it's a sort of ennui. The "three Creeks and a
River, and ... one House" (453.11) that've been in their path so far have
made the going more difficult than they expected I guess. And, of course,
when M & D's "latest orders" come they're forced to drop everything and head
back to Delaware for a time (463.29) - another major annoyance.

I get the impression that the Zenith Obs taken with the Sector must be
compared over a period of time for each "Stage" too (461.26-7), and that's
another reason why they pause at the 12 mile mark. So, it's a "pleasant
Fortnight" they have to spend beside the Susquehanna, with "a mile and a
half of Taverns strung near and nearer along the way up to the Peach Bottom
Ferry" (461.21-31)

http://www.co.ha.md.us/EOC/EmerPlan/peachbottom.html

I take it they're still in a largely settled area at present, an "Edenick
Dairy-Land". (465.18) Nathe's second letter back to Murray indicates his
concern that they are about to move out of range for "Galactica" and the
other Milkmaids to visit the men "in safety". (465.21)


March 5, 1767 The Pennsylvania Gazette

TO be exposed to SALE by publick vendue, at the Coffee house, Philadelphia,
on the 23d instant, at 6 in the evening, a PLANTATION, containing 220 acres
of land, pleasantly situated on Octorara Creek, chiefly in Little Britain
township, Lancaster county about 15 acres of plow land cleared, with a young
orchard; about 20 acres of meadow made, chiefly watered, under timothy and
clover grass, and at least 30 more may be made, and readily watered, the
streams never failing, and the ground good; the fences in good repair. There
is on said place a good mill, the mill house built with stone and lime, hath
2 pair of stones, boulting cloths, &c. all in good order and credit for
merchant and country work, well accustomed for both and so situated as not
to be hindered by frost or back water, nor for want of water, and lies well
for trade, being but 25 miles from Christine landing, in a wheat country, as
well as on the road for wheat that comes over Sasquehanna, at several
ferries as Peach Bottom, Fulton, &c. 9 r 10 miles distant; with a dwelling
house, barn, stabling, house for the miller, good smithshop and sickle mill,
a fine conveniency for a fulling mill. A third part of the purchase money to
be paid at the time of sale, one third part in 6 months after, the remainder
a year from the time of sale. JOSEPH HEWES.

http://www.rootsweb.com/~paslchs/lbnewsc.html

best