"As my men could profitably employ themselves on these streams, I moved slowly along, averaging not more than five or six miles per day and sometimes remained two days at the same encampment"
- William Henry Ashley
About this Quote
William Henry Ashley was an American fur trader and explorer in the early 19th century. In this quote, he is explaining his journey along a river. He is travelling gradually, balancing only five or 6 miles each day, and in some cases remaining two days in the very same location. This recommends that he and his males were making the most of the resources available along the river, such as fishing and hunting. This would have been a common practice for fur traders of the time, as they would have needed to supplement their food supply with whatever they could find. Ashley's slow speed likewise suggests that he was taking the time to explore the area and take in the sights. His journey was not practically receiving from one location to another, however likewise about learning more about the land and individuals he encountered.
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