A New Voyage to Carolina
John Lawson, first published 1709
| INTRODUCTION | Part
1 of 5 | Part 2 of 5 | Part
3 of 5 | Part 4 of 5 | Part
5 of 5 |
A New
VOYAGE
to
CAROLINA;
Containing the
Exact Description and Natural History
of that
COUNTRY:
Together with the Present State thereof.
And
A JOURNAL
Of a Thousand Miles, Travel'd thro' several
Nations of INDIANS.
Giving a particular Account of their Customs,
Manners, &c.
By John Lawson, Gent. Surveyor-General of North Carolina.
[Dedication]
To His Excellency
WILLIAM Lord CRAVEN, Palatine;
The most Noble, HENRY Duke of BEAUFORT;
The Right Hon-ble JOHN Lord CARTERET;
The Hon-ble MAURICE ASHLEY, Esq;
Sir JOHN COLLETON, Baronet,
JOHN DANSON, Esq;
And the rest of the True and Absolute
LORDS-PROPRIETORS
of the
Province of Carolina in America.
My Lords,
As Debts of Gratitude ought most punctually to be paid, so, where the Debtor
is uncapable of Payment, Acknowledgments ought, at least, to be made.
I cannot, in the least, pretend to retaliate Your Lordships Favours to me,
but must farther intrude on that Goodness of which I have already had
so good Experience, by laying these Sheets at Your Lordships Feet,
where they beg Protection, as having nothing to recommend them, but Truth;
a Gift which every Author may be Master of, if he will.
I here present Your Lordships with a Description of your own Country,
for the most part, in her Natural Dress, and therefore less vitiated
with Fraud and Luxury. A Country, whose Inhabitants may enjoy
a Life of the greatest Ease and Satisfaction, and pass away their Hours
in solid Contentment.
Those Charms of Liberty and Right, the Darlings of an English Nature,
which Your Lordships grant and maintain, make you appear Noble Patrons
in the Eyes of all Men, and we a happy People in a Foreign Country;
which nothing less than Ingratitude and Baseness can make us disown.
As Heaven has been liberal in its Gifts, so are Your Lordships
favourable Promoters of whatever may make us an easy People;
which, I hope, Your Lordships will continue to us and our Posterity;
and that we and they may always acknowledge such Favours,
by banishing from among us every Principle which renders Men
factious and unjust, which is the hearty Prayer of,
My Lords,
Your Lordships most obliged,
most humble,
and most devoted Servant,
JOHN LAWSON.
PREFACE.
'Tis a great Misfortune, that most of our Travellers, who go to
this vast Continent in America, are Persons of the meaner Sort,
and generally of a very slender Education; who being hir'd by the Merchants,
to trade amongst the Indians, in which Voyages they often spend
several Years, are yet, at their Return, uncapable of giving
any reasonable Account of what they met withal in those remote Parts;
tho' the Country abounds with Curiosities worthy a nice Observation.
In this Point, I think, the French outstrip us.
First, By their Numerous Clergy, their Missionaries being obedient
to their Superiors in the highest Degree, and that Obedience
being one great Article of their Vow, and strictly observ'd
amongst all their Orders.
Secondly, They always send abroad some of their Gentlemen
in Company of the Missionaries, who, upon their Arrival,
are order'd out into the Wilderness, to make Discoveries,
and to acquaint themselves with the Savages of America; and are oblig'd
to keep a strict Journal of all the Passages they meet withal,
in order to present the same not only to their Governors and Fathers,
but likewise to their Friends and Relations in France;
which is industriously spread about that Kingdom, to their Advantage.
For their Monarch being a very good Judge of Mens Deserts,
does not often let Money or Interest make Men of Parts give Place
to others of less Worth. This breeds an Honourable Emulation amongst them,
to outdo one another, even in Fatigues, and Dangers; whereby they gain
a good Correspondence with the Indians, and acquaint themselves
with their Speech and Customs; and so make considerable Discoveries
in a short time. Witness, their Journals from Canada, to the Missisipi,
and its several Branches, where they have effected great Matters,
in a few Years.
Having spent most of my Time, during my eight Years Abode in Carolina,
in travelling; I not only survey'd the Sea-Coast and those Parts
which are already inhabited by the Christians, but likewise view'd a spatious
Tract of Land, lying betwixt the Inhabitants and the Ledges of Mountains,
from whence our noblest Rivers have their Rise, running towards the Ocean,
where they water as pleasant a Country as any in Europe;
the Discovery of which being never yet made publick, I have,
in the following Sheets, given you a faithful Account thereof,
wherein I have laid down every thing with Impartiality, and Truth,
which is indeed, the Duty of every Author, and preferable to a smooth Stile,
accompany'd with Falsities and Hyperboles.
Great Part of this pleasant and healthful Country is inhabited
by none but Savages, who covet a Christian Neighbourhood,
for the Advantage of Trade, and enjoy all the Comforts of Life
free from Care and Want.
But not to amuse my Readers any longer with the Encomium of Carolina,
I refer 'em to my Journal, and other more particular Description
of that Country and its Inhabitants, which they will find
after the Natural History thereof, in which I have been very exact,
and for Method's sake, rang'd each Species under its distinct and proper Head.
INTRODUCTION.
In the Year 1700, when People flock'd from all Parts of the Christian World,
to see the Solemnity of the Grand Jubilee at Rome, my Intention,
at that Time, being to travel, I accidentally met with a Gentleman,
who had been Abroad, and was very well acquainted with the Ways of Living
in both Indies; of whom, having made Enquiry concerning them,
he assur'd me, that Carolina was the best Country I could go to;
and, that there then lay a Ship in the Thames, in which I might have
my Passage. I laid hold on this Opportunity, and was not long on Board,
before we fell down the River, and sail'd to Cowes; where, having taken in
some Passengers, we proceeded on our Voyage 'till we sprung a-leak,
and were forc'd into the Islands of Scilly. Here we spent about 10 Days
in refitting; in which Time we had a great deal of Diversion
in Fishing and Shooting on those rocky Islands. The Inhabitants
were very courteous and civil, especially the Governor,
to whose good Company and Favour, we were very much oblig'd.
There is a Town on one of these Islands, where is good Entertainment
for those that happen to come in, though the Land is but mean,
and Flesh-meat not Plenty. They have good Store of Rabbits, Quails, and Fish;
and you see at the poor Peoples Doors great Heaps of Perriwinkle-shells,
those Fish being a great Part of their Food. On the 1st Day of May,
having a fair Wind at East, we put to Sea, and were on the Ocean
(without speaking to any Vessel, except a Ketch bound from New England
to Barbadoes, laden with Horses, Fish, and Provisions)
'till the latter End of July, when the Winds hung so much Southerly,
that we could not get to our Port, but put into Sandyhook-bay, and went up
to New York, after a pinching Voyage, caus'd by our long Passage.
We found at the Watering-Place, a French Man of War,
who had on Board Men and Necessaries to make a Colony,
and was intended for the Messiasippi River, there to settle.
The Country of New-York is very pleasant in Summer, but in the Winter
very cold, as all the Northern Plantations are. Their chief Commodities
are Provisions, Bread, Beer, Lumber, and Fish in abundance;
all which are very good, and some Skins and Furrs are hence exported.
The City is govern'd by a Mayor, (as in England) is seated on an Island,
and lies very convenient for Trade and Defence, having a regular Fort,
and well mounted with Guns. The Buildings are generally
of a smaller Sort of Flemish Brick, and of the Dutch Fashion,
(excepting some few Houses:) They are all very firm and good Work,
and conveniently plac'd, as is likewise the Town, which gives
a very pleasant Prospect of the neighbouring Islands and Rivers.
A good Part of the Inhabitants are Dutch, in whose Hands
this Colony once was. After a Fortnight's Stay here,
we put out from Sandyhook, and in 14 Days after, arriv'd at Charles-Town,
the Metropolis of South Carolina, which is soituate
in 32, 45 North Latitude, and admits of large Ships to come over their Bar
up to the Town, where is a very commodious Harbour, about 5 Miles distant
from the Inlet, and stands on a Point very convenient for Trade,
being seated between two pleasant and navigable Rivers. The Town has
very regular and fair Streets, in which are good Buildings of Brick and Wood,
and since my coming thence, has had great Additions of beautiful,
large Brick-buildings, besides a strong Fort, and regular Fortifications made
to defend the Town. The Inhabitants, by their wise Management and Industry,
have much improv'd the Country, which is in as thriving Circumstances
at this Time, as any Colony on the Continent of English America,
and is of more Advantage to the Crown of Great Britain, than any of
the other more Northerly Plantations, (Virginia and Maryland excepted.)
This Colony was at first planted by a genteel Sort of People,
that were well acquainted with Trade, and had either Money or Parts,
to make good Use of the Advantages that offer'd, as most of them have done,
by raising themselves to great Estates, and considerable Places of Trust,
and Posts of Honour, in this thriving Settlement. Since the first Planters,
abundance of French and others have gone over, and rais'd themselves
to considerable Fortunes. They are very neat and exact
in Packing and Shipping of their Commodities; which Method has got them
so great a Character Abroad, that they generally come to a good Market
with their Commodities; when oftentimes the Product of other Plantations,
are forc'd to be sold at lower Prizes. They have a considerable Trade
both to Europe, and the West Indies, whereby they become rich,
and are supply'd with all Things necessary for Trade, and genteel Living,
which several other Places fall short of. Their co-habiting in a Town,
has drawn to them ingenious People of most Sciences, whereby they have
Tutors amongst them that educate their Youth a-la-mode.
Their Roads, with great Industry, are made very good and pleasant.
Near the Town is built a fair Parsonage-house, with necessary Offices,
and the Minister has a very considerable Allowance from his Parish.
There is likewise a French Church in Town, of the Reform'd Religion,
and several Meeting-houses for dissenting Congregations, who all enjoy
at this Day an entire Liberty of their Worship; the Constitution
of this Government, allowing all Parties of well-meaning Christians
to enjoy a free Toleration, and possess the same Priviledges,
so long as they appear to behave themselves peaceably and well:
It being the Lords Proprietors Intent, that the Inhabitants of Carolina
should be as free from Oppression, as any in the Universe;
which doubtless they will, if their own Differences amongst themselves
do not occasion the contrary.
They have a well-disciplin'd Militia; their Horse are most Gentlemen,
and well mounted, and the best in America, and may equalize
any in other Parts: Their Officers, both Infantry and Cavalry,
generally appear in scarlet Mountings, and as rich as in most Regiments
belonging to the Crown, which shews the Richness and Grandeur of this Colony.
They are a Fronteer, and prove such troublesome Neighbours to the Spaniards,
that they have once laid their Town of St. Augustine in Ashes,
and drove away their Cattle; besides many Encounters and Engagements,
in which they have defeated them, too tedious to relate here.
What the French got by their Attempt against South Carolina,
will hardly ever be rank'd amongst their Victories; their Admiral Mouville
being glad to leave the Enterprize, and run away, after he had suffer'd
all the Loss and Disgrace he was capable of receiving. They are
absolute Masters over the Indians, and carry so strict a Hand
over such as are within the Circle of their Trade, that none does
the least Injury to any of the English, but he is presently sent for,
and punish'd with Death, or otherwise, according to the Nature of the Fault.
They have an entire Friendship with the neighbouring Indians
of several Nations, which are a very warlike People, ever faithful
to the English, and have prov'd themselves brave and true
on all Occasions; and are a great Help and Strength to this Colony.
The Chief of the savage Nations have heretofore groan'd
under the Spanish Yoke, and having experienc'd their Cruelty,
are become such mortal Enemies to that People, that they never give
a Spaniard Quarter; but generally, when they take any Prisoners,
(if the English be not near to prevent it) sculp them, that is,
to take their Hair and Skin of their Heads, which they often flea away,
whilst the Wretch is alive. Notwithstanding the English have us'd
all their Endeavours, yet they could never bring them to leave
this Barbarity to the Spaniards; who, as they alledge,
use to murder them and their Relations, and make Slaves of them
to build their Forts and Towns.
This Place is more plentiful in Money, than most, or indeed
any of the Plantations on the Continent; besides, they build
a considerable Number of Vessels of Cedar, and other Wood,
with which they trade to Cuirassau, and the West Indies;
from one they bring Money, and from the other the Produce of their Islands,
which yields a necessary Supply of both to the Colony. Their Stocks of Cattle
are incredible, being from one to two thousand Head in one Man's Possession:
These feed in the Savannas, and other Grounds, and need no Fodder
in the Winter. Their Mutton and Veal is good, and their Pork is not inferior
to any in America. As for Pitch and Tar, none of the Plantations
are comparable for affording the vast Quantities of Naval Stores,
as this Place does. There have been heretofore some Discoveries of rich Mines
in the mountanous Part of this Country; but being remote from
the present Settlement, and the Inhabitants not well vers'd
in ordering Minerals, they have been laid aside 'till a more
fit Opportunity happens. There are several noble Rivers,
and spacious Tracts of rich Land in their Lordships Dominions,
lying to the Southward, which are yet uninhabited, besides Port Royal,
a rare Harbour and Inlet, having many Inhabitants thereon,
which their Lordships have now made a Port for Trade. This will be
a most advantageous Settlement, lying so commodiously for Ships
coming from the Gulph, and the Richness of the Land, which is reported
to be there. These more Southerly Parts will afford Oranges, Limons,
Limes, and many other Fruits, which the Northerly Plantations yield not.
The Merchants of Carolina, are fair, frank Traders. The Gentlemen
seated in the Country, are very courteous, live very nobly in their Houses,
and give very genteel Entertainment to all Strangers and others, that come
to visit them. And since the Produce of South and North Carolina
is the same, unless Silk, which this Place produces great Quantities of,
and very good, North Carolina having never made any Tryal thereof as yet,
therefore I shall refer the natural Produce of this Country,
to that Part which treats of North Carolina, whose Productions
are much the same. The Christian Inhabitants of both Colonies pretty equal,
but the Slaves of South Carolina are far more in Number than those
in the North. I shall now proceed to relate my Journey thro' the Country,
from this Settlement to the other, and then treat of the natural History
of Carolina, with other remarkable Circumstances which I have met with,
during my eight Years Abode in that Country.
A
JOURNAL
of
A thousand Miles Travel among the Indians, from South to North Carolina.
{Saturday.}
On December the 28th, 1700, I began my Voyage (for North Carolina)
from Charles-Town, being six English-men in Company,
with three Indian-men, and one Woman, Wife to our Indian-Guide,
having five Miles from the Town to the Breach we went down in a large Canoe,
that we had provided for our Voyage thither, having the Tide of Ebb
along with us; which was so far spent by that Time we got down,
that we had not Water enough for our Craft to go over, although we drew
but two Foot, or thereabouts. This Breach is a Passage through a Marsh
lying to the Northward of Sullivans Island, the Pilot's having
a Look out thereon, lying very commodious for Mariners, (on that Coast)
making a good Land-Mark in so level a Country, this Bar being
difficult to hit, where an Observation hath been wanting for a Day or two;
North East Winds bringing great Fogs, Mists, and Rains;
which, towards the cool Months of October, November,
and until the latter End of March, often appear in these Parts.
There are three Pilots to attend, and conduct Ships over the Bar.
The Harbour where the Vessels generally ride, is against the Town
on Cooper's River, lying within a Point which parts that and Ashley-River,
they being Land lock'd almost on all Sides.
At 4 in the Afternoon, (at half Flood) we pass'd with our Canch Landlord, and went that Night
to the North East Point of the Island: It being dark ere we got there,
our Canoe struck on a Sand near the Breakers, and were in great Danger
of our Lives, but (by God's Blessing) got off safe to the Shore,
where we lay all Night.
{Monday.}
In the Morning we set forwards on our intended Voyage. About two a Clock
we got to Bulls Island, which is about thirty Miles long,
and hath a great Number of both Cattel and Hogs upon it;
the Cattel being very wild, and the Hogs very lean. These two last Islands
belong to one Colonel Cary, an Inhabitant of South Carolina.
Although it were Winter, yet we found such Swarms of Musketoes,
and other troblesome Insects, that we got but little Rest that Night.
{Tuesday.}
The next Day we intended for a small Island on the other Side of Sewee-Bay,
which joining to these Islands, Shipping might come to victual or careen;
but there being such a Burden of those Flies, that few or none
cares to settle there; so the Stock thereon are run wild.
We were gotten about half Way to Racoon-Island, when there sprung up
a tart Gale at N.W. which put us in some Danger of being cast away,
the Bay being rough, and there running great Seas between the two Islands,
which are better than four Leagues asunder, a strong Current of a Tide
setting in and out, which made us turn Tail to it, and got our Canoe
right before the Wind, and came safe into a Creek that is joining to
the North End of Bulls Island. We sent our Indians to hunt,
who brought us two Deers, which were very poor, and their Maws
full of large Grubs.
{Wednesday.}
On the Morrow we went and visited the Eastermost Side of this Island,
it joining to the Ocean, having very fair sandy Beeches,
pav'd with innumerable Sorts of curious pretty Shells, very pleasant
to the Eye. Amongst the rest, we found the Spanish Oyster-Shell,
whence come the Pearls. They are very large, and of a different Form
from other Oysters; their Colour much resembles the Tortoise-Shell,
when it is dress'd. There was left by the Tide several strange Species
of a muciligmous slimy Substance, though living, and very aptly mov'd
at their first Appearance; yet, being left on the dry Sand,
(by the Beams of the Sun) soon exhale and vanish.
At our Return to our Quarters, the Indians had kill'd two more Deer,
two wild Hogs, and three Racoons, all very lean, except the Racoons.
We had great Store of Oysters, Conks, and Clanns, a large Sort of Cockles.
These Parts being very well furnish'd with Shell-Fish,
Turtle of several Sorts, but few or none of the green,
with other Sorts of Salt-water Fish, and in the Season, good Plenty of Fowl,
as Curleus, Gulls, Gannets, and Pellicans, besides Duck and Mallard,
Geese, Swans, Teal, Widgeon, &c.
{Thursday.}
On Thursday Morning we left Bulls Island, and went thro' the Creeks,
which lie between the Bay and the main Land. At Noon we went on Shore,
and got our Dinner near a Plantation, on a Creek having
the full Prospect of Sewee-Bay: We sent up to the House,
but found none at Home, but a Negro, of whom our Messenger purchas'd some
small Quantity of Tobacco and Rice. We came to a deserted Indian Residence,
call'd Avendaugh-bough, where we rested that Night.
{Friday.}
The next Day we enter'd Santee-River's Mouth, where is fresh Water,
occasion'd by the extraordinary Current that comes down continually.
With hard Rowing, we got two Leagues up the River, lying all Night
in a swampy Piece of Ground, the Weather being so cold all that Time,
we were almost frozen ere Morning, leaving the Impressions of our Bodies
on the wet Ground. We set forward very early in the Morning,
to seek some better Quarters.
{Saturday.}
As we row'd up the River, we found the Land towards the Mouth,
and for about sixteen Miles up it, scarce any Thing but Swamp and Percoarson,
{Percoarson, a Sort of low Land.} affording vast Ciprus-Trees,
of which the French make Canoes, that will carry fifty or sixty Barrels.
After the Tree is moulded and dug, they saw them in two Pieces,
and so put a Plank between, and a small Keel, to preserve them
from the Oyster-Banks, which are innumerable in the Creeks and Bays
betwixt the French Settlement and Charles-Town. They carry two Masts,
and Bermudas Sails, which makes them very handy and fit for their Purpose;
for although their River fetches its first Rise from the Mountains,
and continues a Current some hundreds of Miles ere it disgorges it self,
having no sound Bay or Sand-Banks betwixt the Mouth thereof, and the Ocean.
Notwithstanding all this, with the vast Stream it affords at all Seasons,
and the repeated Freshes it so often allarms the Inhabitants with,
by laying under Water great Part of their Country, yet the Mouth is barr'd,
affording not above four or five Foot Water at the Entrance.
As we went up the River, we heard a great Noise, as if two Parties
were engag'd against each other, seeming exactly like small Shot.
{Sewee Indians.} When we approach'd nearer the Place, we found it to be
some Sewee Indians firing the Canes Swamps, which drives out the Game,
then taking their particular Stands, kill great Quantities of both Bear, Deer,
Turkies, and what wild Creatures the Parts afford.
These Sewees have been formerly a large Nation, though now
very much decreas'd, since the English hath seated their Land,
and all other Nations of Indians are observ'd to partake of the same Fate,
where the Europeans come, the Indians being a People
very apt to catch any Distemper they are afflicted withal;
the Small-Pox has destroy'd many thousands of these Natives,
who no sooner than they are attack'd with the violent Fevers,
and the Burning which attends that Distemper, fling themselves over Head
in the Water, in the very Extremity of the Disease; which shutting up
the Pores, hinders a kindly Evacuation of the pestilential Matter,
and drives it back; by which Means Death most commonly ensues;
not but in other Distempers which are epidemical, you may find among 'em
Practitioners that have extraordinary Skill and Success in removing
those morbifick Qualities which afflict 'em, not often going above 100 Yards
from their Abode for their Remedies, some of their chiefest Physicians
commonly carrying their Compliment of Drugs continually about them,
which are Roots, Barks, Berries, Nuts, &c. that are strung upon a Thread.
So like a Pomander, the Physician wears them about his Neck.
An Indian hath been often found to heal an English-man of a Malady,
for the Value of a Match-Coat; which the ablest of our English Pretenders
in America, after repeated Applications, have deserted the Patient
as incurable; God having furnish'd every Country with specifick Remedies
for their peculiar Diseases.
{Rum.}
Rum, a Liquor now so much in Use with them, that they will part with
the dearest Thing they have, to purchase it; and when they have got a little
in their Heads, are the impatients Creatures living, 'till they have enough
to make 'em quite drunk; and the most miserable Spectacles when they are so,
some falling into the Fires, burn their Legs or Arms, contracting the Sinews,
and become Cripples all their Life-time; others from Precipices break
their Bones and Joints, with abundance of Instances, yet none are so great
to deter them from that accurs'd Practice of Drunkenness, though sensible
how many of them (are by it) hurry'd into the other World before their Time,
as themselves oftentimes will confess. The Indians, I was now speaking of,
were not content with the common Enemies that lessen and destroy
their Country-men, but invented an infallible Stratagem to purge their Tribe,
and reduce their Multitude into far less Numbers. Their Contrivance was thus,
as a Trader amongst them inform'd me.
They seeing several Ships coming in, to bring the English Supplies
from Old England, one chief Part of their Cargo being for a Trade
with the Indians, some of the craftiest of them had observ'd,
that the Ships came always in at one Place, which made them very confident
that Way was the exact Road to England; and seeing so many Ships
come thence, they believ'd it could not be far thither,
esteeming the English that were among them, no better than Cheats,
and thought, if they could carry the Skins and Furs they got,
themselves to England, which were inhabited with a better Sort of People
than those sent amongst them, that then they should purchase
twenty times the Value for every Pelt they sold Abroad,
in Consideration of what Rates they sold for at Home. The intended Barter
was exceeding well approv'd of, and after a general Consultation
of the ablest Heads amongst them, it was, `Nemine Contradicente',
agreed upon, immediately to make an Addition of their Fleet,
by building more Canoes, and those to be of the best Sort,
and biggest Size, as fit for their intended Discovery. Some Indians
were employ'd about making the Canoes, others to hunting,
every one to the Post he was most fit for, all Endeavours tending towards
an able Fleet and Cargo for Europe. The Affair was carry'd on
with a great deal of Secrecy and Expedition, so as in a small Time
they had gotten a Navy, Loading, Provisions, and Hands ready
to set Sail, leaving only the Old, Impotent, and Minors at Home,
'till their successful Return. {They never hearing more of their Fleet.}
The Wind presenting, they set up their Mat-Sails, and were scarce
out of Sight, when there rose a Tempest, which it's suppos'd
carry'd one Part of these Indian Merchants, by Way of the other World,
whilst the others were taken up at Sea by an English Ship,
and sold for Slaves to the Islands. The Remainder are better satisfy'd
with their Imbecilities in such an Undertaking, nothing affronting them more,
than to rehearse their Voyage to England.
There being a strong Current in Santee-River, caus'd us to make
small Way with our Oars. With hard Rowing, we got that Night
to Mons. Eugee's House, which stands about fifteen Miles up the River,
being the first Christian dwelling we met withal in that Settlement,
and were very courteously receiv'd by him and his Wife.
Many of the French follow a Trade with the Indians,
living very conveniently for that Interest. There is about seventy Families
seated on this River, who live as decently and happily, as any Planters
in these Southward Parts of America. The French being
a temperate industrious People, some of them bringing very little of Effects,
yet by their Endeavours and mutual Assistance amongst themselves,
(which is highly to be commended) have out-stript our English,
who brought with 'em larger Fortunes, though (as it seems) less endeavour
to manage their Talent to the best Advantage. 'Tis admirable to see
what Time and Industry will (with God's Blessing) effect.
Carolina affording many strange Revolutions in the Age of a Man,
daily Instances presenting themselves to our View, of so many,
from despicable Beginnings, which in a short Time arrive
to very splended Conditions. Here Propriety hath a large Scope,
there being no strict Laws to bind our Privileges. A Quest after Game,
being as freely and peremptorily enjoy'd by the meanest Planter,
as he that is the highest in Dignity, or wealthiest in the Province.
Deer, and other Game that are naturally wild, being not immur'd,
or preserv'd within Boundaries, to satisfy the Appetite of the Rich alone.
A poor Labourer, that is Master of his Gun, &c. hath as good a Claim
to have continu'd Coarses of Delicacies crouded upon his Table,
as he that is Master of a greater Purse.
We lay all that Night at Mons. Eugee's, and the next Morning
set out farther, to go the Remainder of our Voyage by Land:
At ten a Clock we pass'd over a narrow, deep Swamp, having left
the three Indian Men and one Woman, that had pilotted the Canoe
from Ashly-River, having hir'd a Sewee-Indian, a tall, lusty Fellow,
who carry'd a Pack of our Cloaths, of great Weight;
notwithstanding his Burden, we had much a-do to keep pace with him.
At Noon we came up with several French Plantations, meeting with
several Creeks by the Way, the French were very officious
in assisting with their small Dories to pass over these Waters,
(whom we met coming from their Church) being all of them
very clean and decent in their Apparel; their Houses and Plantations
suitable in Neatness and Contrivance. They are all of the same Opinion
with the Church of Geneva, there being no Difference amongst them
concerning the Punctilio's of their Christian Faith; which Union
hath propagated a happy and delightful Concord in all other Matters
throughout the whole Neighbourhood; living amongst themselves as one Trible,
or Kindred, every one making it his Business to be assistant
to the Wants of his Country-man, preserving his Estate and Reputation
with the same Exactness and Concern as he does his own; all seeming
to share in the Misfortunes, and rejoyce at the Advance, and Rise,
of their Brethren.
Towards the Afternoon, we came to Mons. L'Jandro, where we got our Dinner;
there coming some French Ladies whilst we were there,
who were lately come from England, and Mons. L'Grand, a worthy Norman,
who hath been a great Sufferer in his Estate, by the Persecution in France,
against those of the Protestant Religion: This Gentleman very kindly
invited us to make our Stay with him all Night, but we being intended farther
that Day, took our Leaves, returning Acknowledgments of their Favours.
About 4 in the Afternoon, we pass'd over a large Ciprus run
in a small Canoe; the French Doctor sent his Negro to guide us
over the Head of a large Swamp; so we got that Night
to Mons. Galliar's the elder, who lives in a very curious contriv'd House,
built of Brick and Stone, which is gotten near that Place. Near here comes in
the Road from Charles-Town, and the rest of the English Settlement,
it being a very good Way by Land, and not above 36 Miles,
altho' more than 100 by Water; and I think the most difficult Way I ever saw,
occasion'd by Reason of the multitude of Creeks lying along the Main,
keeping their Course thro' the Marshes, turning and winding
like a Labyrinth, having the Tide of Ebb and Flood twenty Times
in less than three Leagues going.
{Monday.}
The next Morning very early, we ferry'd over a Creek that runs near the House;
and, after an Hour's Travel in the Woods, we came to the River-side,
where we stay'd for the Indian, who was our Guide, and was gone round
by Water in a small Canoe, to meet us at that Place we rested at.
He came after a small Time, and ferry'd us in that little Vessel
over Santee River 4 Miles, and 84 Miles in the Woods,
which the over-flowing of the Freshes, which then came down,
had made a perfect Sea of, there running an incredible Current in the River,
which had cast our small Craft, and us, away, had we not had
this Sewee Indian with us; who are excellent Artists in managing
these small Canoes.
Santee River, at this Time, (from the usual Depth of Water)
was risen perpendicular 36 Foot, always making a Breach from her Banks,
about this Season of the Year: The general Opinion of the Cause thereof,
is suppos'd to proceed from the overflowing of fresh Water-Lakes
that lie near the Head of this River, and others, upon the same Continent:
But my Opinion is, that these vast Inundations proceed from
the great and repeated Quantities of Snow that falls upon the Mountains,
which lie at so great a Distance from the Sea, therefore they have
no Help of being dissolv'd by those saline, piercing Particles,
as other adjacent Parts near the Ocean receive; and therefore
lies and increases to a vast Bulk, until some mild Southerly Breezes
coming on a sudden, continue to unlock these frozen Bodies,
congeal'd by the North-West Wind, dissipating them in Liquids;
and coming down with Impetuosity, fills those Branches that feed these Rivers,
and causes this strange Deluge, which oft-times lays under Water
the adjacent Parts on both Sides this Current, for several Miles distant
from her Banks; tho' the French and Indians affir'm'd to me,
they never knew such an extraordinary Flood there before.
We all, by God's Blessing, and the Endeavours of our Indian-Pilot,
pass'd safe over the River, but was lost in the Woods, which seem'd like
some great Lake, except here and there a Knowl of high Land,
which appear'd above Water.
We intended for Mons. Galliar's, jun', but was lost, none of us
knowing the Way at that Time, altho' the Indian was born in that Country,
it having receiv'd so strange a Metamorphosis. We were in several Opinions
concerning the right Way, the Indian and my self, suppos'd the House
to bear one Way, the rest thought to the contrary; we differing,
it was agreed on amongst us, that one half should go with the Indian
to find the House, and the other part to stay upon one of these dry Spots,
until some of them return'd to us, and inform'd us where it lay.
My self and two more were left behind, by Reason the Canoe
would not carry us all; we had but one Gun amongst us, one Load of Ammunition,
and no Provision. Had our Men in the Canoe miscarry'd,
we must (in all Probability) there have perish'd.
In about six Hours Time, from our Mens Departure, the Indian came back to us
in the same Canoe he went in, being half drunk, which assur'd us
they had found some Place of Refreshment. He took us three into the Canoe,
telling us all was well: Padling our Vessel several Miles thro' the Woods,
being often half full of Water; but at length we got safe to the Place
we sought for, which prov'd to lie the same Way the Indian and I
guess'd it did.
When we got to the House, we found our Comrades in the same Trim
the Indian was in, and several of the French Inhabitants with them,
who treated us very courteously, wondering at our undertaking such a Voyage,
thro' a Country inhabited by none but Savages, and them of so different
Nations and Tongues.
After we had refresh'd our selves, we parted from a very kind, loving,
and affable People, who wish'd us a safe and prosperous Voyage.
Hearing of a Camp of Santee Indians not far of, we set out
intending to take up our Quarters with them that Night. There being
a deep Run of Water in the Way, one of our Company being top-heavy,
and there being nothing but a small Pole for a Bridge, over a Creek,
fell into the Water up to the Chin; my self laughing at the Accident,
and not taking good Heed to my Steps, came to the same Misfortune:
All our Bedding was wet. The Wind being at N.W. it froze very hard,
which prepar'd such a Night's Lodging for me, that I never desire
to have the like again; the wet Bedding and freezing Air
had so qualify'd our Bodies, that in the Morning when we awak'd,
we were nigh frozen to Death, until we had recruited our selves
before a large Fire of the Indians.
{Tuesday.}
Tuesday Morning we set towards the Congerees, leaving the Indian Guide
Scipio drunk amongst the Santee-Indians. We went ten Miles
out of our Way, to head a great Swamp, the Freshes having fill'd them all
with such great Quantities of Water, that the usual Paths
were render'd unpassable. We met in our Way with an Indian Hut,
where we were entertain'd with a fat, boil'd Goose, Venison, Racoon,
and ground Nuts. We made but little Stay; about Noon, we pass'd by
several large Savannah's, wherein is curious Ranges for Cattel,
being green all the Year; they were plentifully stor'd with Cranes,
Geese, &c. and the adjacent Woods with great Flocks of Turkies.
This Day we travell'd about 30 Miles, and lay all Night at a House
which was built for the Indian Trade, the Master thereof
we had parted with at the French Town, who gave us Leave
to make use of his Mansion. Such Houses are common in these Parts,
and especially where there is Indian Towns, and Plantations near at hand,
which this Place is well furnish'd withal.
These Santee-Indians are a well-humour'd and affable People;
and living near the English, are become very tractable.
They make themselves Cribs after a very curious Manner,
wherein they secure their Corn from Vermin; which are more frequent
in these warm Climates, than Countries more distant from the Sun.
These pretty Fabricks are commonly supported with eight Feet or Posts,
about seven Foot high from the Ground, well daub'd within and without
upon Laths, with Loom or Clay, which makes them tight, and fit to keep out
the smallest Insect, there being a small Door at the gable End,
which is made of the same Composition, and to be remov'd at Pleasure,
being no bigger, than that a slender Man may creep in at,
cementing the Door up with the same Earth, when they take Corn
out of the Crib, and are going from Home, always finding their Granaries
in the same Posture they left them; Theft to each other being
altogether unpractis'd, never receiving Spoils but from Foreigners.
Hereabouts the Ground is something higher than about Charles-Town,
there being found some Quarries of brown free Stone, which I have seen
made Use of for Building, and hath prov'd very durable and good.
The Earth here is mix'd with white Gravel, which is rare,
there being nothing like a Stone to be found, of the natural Produce,
near to Ashly-River.
{Wednesday.}
The next Day about Noon we came to the Side of a great Swamp,
where we were forc'd to strip our selves to get over it,
which, with much Difficulty, we effected. {Septem. 5. 1700.}
Hereabouts the late Gust of Wind, which happen'd in September last,
had torn the large Ciprus-Trees and Timbers up by the Roots,
they lying confusedly in their Branches, did block up the Way,
making the Passage very difficult.
This Night we got to one Scipio's Hutt, a famous Hunter:
There was no Body at Home; but we having (in our Company)
one that had us'd to trade amongst them, we made our selves welcome
to what his Cabin afforded, (which is a Thing common)
the Indians allowing it practicable to the English Traders,
to take out of their Houses what they need in their Absence,
in Lieu whereof they most commonly leave some small Gratuity of Tobacco,
Paint, Beads, &c. We found great Store of Indian Peas, (a very good Pulse)
Beans, Oyl, Thinkapin Nuts, Corn, barbacu'd Peaches, and Peach-Bread;
which Peaches being made into a Quiddony, and so made up into Loves
like Barley-Cakes, these cut into thin Slices, and dissolv'd in Water,
makes a very grateful Acid, and extraordinary beneficial in Fevers,
as hath often been try'd, and approv'd on by our English Practitioners.
The Wind being at N.W. with cold Weather, made us make a large Fire
in the Indian's Cabin; being very intent upon our Cookery,
we set the Dwelling on Fire, and with much ado, put it out,
tho' with the Loss of Part of the Roof.
{Thursday.}
The next Day we travell'd on our Way, and about Noon came up
with a Settlement of Santee Indians, there being Plantations
lying scattering here and there, for a great many Miles.
They came out to meet us, being acquainted with one of our Company,
and made us very welcome with fat barbacu'd Venison,
which the Woman of the Cabin took and tore in Pieces with her Teeth,
so put it into a Mortar, beating it to Rags, afterwards stews it with Water,
and other Ingredients, which makes a very savoury Dish.
At these Cabins came to visit us the King of the Santee Nation.
He brought with him their chief Doctor or Physician, who was warmly and neatly
clad with a Match-Coat, made of Turkies Feathers, which makes a pretty Shew,
seeming as if it was a Garment of the deepest silk Shag.
This Doctor had the Misfortune to lose his Nose by the Pox,
which Disease the Indians often get by the English Traders
that use amongst them; not but the Natives of America have for many Ages
(by their own Confession) been afflicted with a Distemper
much like the Lues Venerea, which hath all the Symptoms of the Pox,
being different in this only; for I never could learn,
that this Country-Distemper, or Yawes, is begun or continu'd
with a Gonorrhoea; yet is attended with nocturnal Pains in the Limbs,
and commonly makes such a Progress, as to vent Part of the Matter by Botches,
and several Ulcers in the Body, and other Parts; oftentimes Death ensuing.
I have known mercurial Unguents and Remedies work a Cure,
following the same Methods as in the Pox; several white People,
but chiefly the Criolo's, losing their Palates and Noses
by this devouring Vulture.
It is epidemical, visiting these Parts of America, which is often occasion'd
thro' the immoderate drinking of Rum, by those that commonly drink Water
at other Times, cold Nights Lodging, and bad open Houses, and more chiefly
by often wetting the Feet, and eating such Quantities of Pork as they do,
which is a gross Food, and a great Propagator of such Juices
as it often meets withal in human Bodies, once tainted with this Malady;
which may differently (in some Respects) act its Tragedy;
the Change being occasion'd by the Difference of Climates and Bodies,
as in Europe. We being well enough assur'd that the Pox had its first Rise
(known to us) in this new World, it being caught of the Indian Women,
by the Spanish Soldiers that follow'd Columbus in one of his Expeditions
to America; who after their Arrival in Old Spain, were hasten'd
to the Relief of Naples, at that Time besieg'd by the French.
Provisions growing scarce, the useless People were turn'd out of the City,
to lessen the Mouths; amongst these, the Curtesans were one Part,
who had frequently embrac'd the Spaniards, being well fraught with Riches
by their new Discovery. The Leager Ladies had no sooner lost
their Spanish Dons, but found themselves as well entertain'd
by the French, whose Camp they traded in, giving the Mounsieurs
as large a Share of the pocky Spoils within their own Lines,
as the Spaniards had, who took the Pains to bring it in their Breeches
as far as from America; the large Supplies of Swines Flesh,
which that Army was chiefly victuall'd withal, made it rage.
The Siege was rais'd; the French and Spaniards retreating to Flanders,
which was a Parrade of all Nations; by which Means, this filthy Distemper
crowded it self into most Nations of the known World.
Now to return to our Doctor, who in the Time of his Affliction
withdrew himself (with one that labour'd under the same Distemper)
into the Woods. These two perfected their Cures by
proper Vegitables, &c. of which they have Plenty, and are well acquainted
with their specifick Virtue.
I have seen such admirable Cures perform'd by these Savages, which would
puzzle a great many graduate Practitioners to trace their Steps in Healing,
with the same Expedition, Ease, and Success; using no racking Instruments
in their Chirurgery, nor nice Rules of Diet and Physick, to verify the Saying,
`qui Medice vivit, misere vivit'. In Wounds which penetrate deep,
and seem mortal, they order a spare Diet, with drinking Fountain-water;
if they perceive a white Matter, or Pus to arise, they let the Patient
more at large, and presently cure him.
After these two had perform'd their Cures at no easier Rate
than the Expence of both their Noses, coming again amongst
their old Acquaintance so disfigur'd, the Indians admir'd to see them
metamorphos'd after that manner; enquir'd of them where they had been
all that Time, and what were become of their Noses? They made Answer,
That they had been conversing with the white Man above,
(meaning God Almighty) how they were very kindly entertain'd
by that Great Being; he being much pleas'd with their Ways,
and had promis'd to make their Capacities equal with the white People
in making Guns, Ammunition, &c. in Retalliation of which,
they had given him their Noses. The Verity of which, they yet hold,
the Indians being an easy, credulous People, and most notoriously cheated
by their Priests and Conjurers, both Trades meeting ever in one Person,
and most commonly a Spice of Quackship added to the other two Ingredients,
which renders that cunning Knave the Impostor to be more rely'd upon;
thence a fitter Instrument to cheat these ignorant People;
the Priest and Conjurers being never admitted to their Practice,
'till Years and the Experience of repeated Services hath wrought their Esteem
amongst the Nations they belong to.
The Santee King, who was in Company with this No-nos'd Doctor,
is the most absolute Indian Ruler in these Parts, although he is Head
but of a small People, in Respect to some other Nations of Indians,
that I have seen: He can put any of his People to Death that hath committed
any Fault which he judges worthy of so great a Punishment.
This Authority is rarely found amongst these Savages,
for they act not (commonly) by a determinative Voice in their Laws,
towards any one that hath committed Murder, or such other great Crime,
but take this Method; him to whom the Injury was done, or if dead,
the nearest of his Kindred prosecutes by Way of an actual Revenge,
being himself, if Opportunity serves his Intent, both Judge and Executioner,
performing so much Mischief on the Offender, or his nearest Relation,
until such Time that he is fully satisfy'd: Yet this Revenge
is not so infallible, but it may be bought off with Beads, Tobacco,
and such like Commodities that are useful amongst them,
though it were the most sable Villany that could be acted by Mankind.
Some that attended the King, presented me with an odoriferous, balsamick Root,
of a fragrant Smell and Taste, the Name I know not; they chew it in the Mouth,
and by that simple Application, heal desperate Wounds both green and old;
that small Quantity I had, was given inwardly to those troubl'd
with the Belly-ach, which Remedy fail'd not to give present Help,
the Pain leaving the Patient soon after they had taken the Root.
Near to these Cabins are several Tombs made after the manner
of these Indians; the largest and the chiefest of them
was the Sepulchre of the late Indian King of the Santees,
a Man of great Power, not only amongst his own Subjects,
but dreaded by the neighbouring Nations for his great Valour and Conduct,
having as large a Prerogative in his Way of Ruling, as the present King
I now spoke of.
The manner of their Interment, is thus: A Mole or Pyramid of Earth
is rais'd, the Mould thereof being work'd very smooth and even,
sometimes higher or lower, according to the Dignity of the Person
whose Monument it is. On the Top thereof is an Umbrella, made Ridge-ways,
like the Roof of an House; this is supported by nine Stakes, or small Posts,
the Grave being about six or eight Foot in Length, and four Foot in Breadth;
about it is hung Gourds, Feathers, and other such like Trophies,
plac'd there by the dead Man's Relations, in Respect to him in the Grave.
The other Part of the Funeral-Rites are thus, As soon as the Party is dead,
they lay the Corps upon a Piece of Bark in the Sun, seasoning or embalming it
l the while
he tells the dead Man's Relations, and the rest of the Spectators,
who that dead Person was, and of the great Feats perform'd in his Life-time;
all what he speaks, tending to the Praise of the Defunct.
As soon as the Flesh grows mellow, and will cleave from the Bone,
they get it off, and burn it, making all the Bones very clean,
then anoint them with the Ingredients aforesaid, wrapping up the Skull
(very carefully) in a Cloath artificially woven of Possums Hair.
(These Indians make Girdles, Sashes, Garters, &c. after the same Manner.)
The Bones they carefully preserve in a wooden Box, every Year
oiling and cleansing them: By these Means preserve them for many Ages,
that you may see an Indian in Possession of the Bones of his Grand-father,
or some of his Relations of a larger Antiquity. They have other
Sorts of Tombs; as where an Indian is slain, in that very Place
they make a Heap of Stones, (or Sticks, where Stones are not to be found;)
to this Memorial, every Indian that passes by, adds a Stone,
to augment the Heap, in Respect to the deceas'd Hero.
We had a very large Swamp to pass over near the House, and would have hir'd
our Landlord to have been our Guide, but he seem'd unwilling;
so we press'd him no farther about it. He was the tallest Indian
I ever saw, being seven Foot high, and a very strait compleat Person,
esteem'd on by the King for his great Art in Hunting, always carrying with him
an artificial Head to hunt withal: They are made of the Head of a Buck,
the back Part of the Horns being scrapt and hollow, for Lightness of Carriage.
The Skin is left to the setting on of the Shoulders, which is lin'd all round
with small Hoops, and flat Sort of Laths, to hold it open
for the Arm to go in. They have a Way to preserve the Eyes, as if living.
The Hunter puts on a Match-coat made of Deer's Skin, with the Hair on,
and a Piece of the white Part of a Deer's Skin, that grows on the Breast,
which is fasten'd to the Neck-End of this stalking Head, so hangs down.
In these Habiliments an Indian will go as near a Deer as he pleases,
the exact Motions and Behaviour of a Deer being so well counterfeited by 'em,
that several Times it hath been known for two Hunters to come up
with a stalking Head together, and unknown to each other,
so that they have kill'd an Indian instead of a Deer,
which hath happen'd sometimes to be a Brother, or some dear Friend;
for which Reason they allow not of that Sort of Practice,
where the Nation is populous.
Within half a Mile of the House, we pass'd over a prodigious
wide and deep Swamp, being forc'd to strip stark-naked,
and much a-do to save our selves from drowning in this Fatiegue.
We, with much a-do, got thro', going that Day about five Miles farther,
and came to three more Indian Cabins, call'd in the Indian Tongue,
Hickerau, by the English Traders, the black House, being pleasantly
seated on a high Bank, by a Branch of Santee-River. One of our Company,
that had traded amongst these Indians, told us, That one of the Cabins
was his Father's-in-Law; he call'd him so, by Reason the old Man had given him
a young Indian Girl, that was his Daughter, to lie with him, make Bread,
and to be necessary in what she was capable to assist him in,
during his Abode amongst them.
When we came thither first, there was no Body at Home, so the Son made bold
to search his Father's Granary for Corn, and other Provisions.
He brought us some Indian Maiz and Peas, which are of a reddish Colour,
and eat well, yet colour the Liquor they are boil'd in,
as if it were a Lixivium of red Tartar. After we had been
about an Hour in the House, where was Millions of Fleas,
the Indian Cabins being often fuller of such Vermin, than any Dog-Kennel,
the old Man came in to us, and seem'd very glad to see his Son-in-Law.
This Indian is a great Conjurer, as appears by the Sequel.
The Seretee or Santee Indians were gone to War against
the Hooks and Backhooks Nations, living near the Mouth of Winyan-River.
Those that were left at Home, (which are commonly old People and Children)
had heard no News a long Time of their Men at Arms. This Man,
at the Entreaty of these People, (being held to be a great Sorcerer
amongst 'em) went to know what Posture their fighting Men were in.
His Exorcism was carry'd on thus: He dress'd himself in a clean white
dress'd Deer-Skin; a great Fire being made in the Middle of the Plantation,
the Indians sitting all round it, the Conjurer was blind-folded,
then he surrounded the Fire several Times, I think thrice;
leaving the Company, he went into the Woods, where he stay'd
about half an Hour, returning to them, surrounded the Fire as before;
leaving them, went the second Time into the Woods; at which Time there came
a huge Swarm of Flies, very large, they flying about the Fire several Times,
at last fell all into it, and were visibly consum'd. Immediately after
the Indian-Conjurer made a huge Lilleloo, and howling very frightfully,
presently an Indian went and caught hold of him, leading him to the Fire.
The old Wizard was so feeble and weak, being not able to stand alone,
and all over in a Sweat, and as wet as if he had fallen into the River.
After some Time he recover'd his Strength, assuring them, that their Men
were near a River, and could not pass over it 'till so many Days,
but would, in such a Time, return all in Safety, to their Nation.
All which prov'd true at the Indians Return, which was not long after.
This Story the English-man, his Son-in-Law, affirm'd to me.
The old Man stay'd with us about two Hours, and told us we were welcome
to stay there all Night, and take what his Cabin afforded; then leaving us,
went into the Woods, to some Hunting-Quarter not far off.
{Friday.}
The next Morning early we pursu'd our Voyage, finding the Land
to improve it self in Pleasantness and Richness of Soil.
When we had gone about ten Miles, one of our Company tir'd,
being not able to travel any farther; so we went forward,
leaving the poor dejected Traveller with Tears in his Eyes,
to return to Charles-Town, and travel back again over so much bad Way,
we having pass'd thro' the worst of our Journey, the Land here
being high and dry, very few Swamps, and those dry, and a little Way through.
We travell'd about twenty Miles, lying near a Savanna
that was over-flown with Water; where we were very short of Victuals,
but finding the Woods newly burnt, and on fire in many Places,
which gave us great Hopes that Indians were not far of.
{Saturday 20 Miles.}
Next Morning very early, we waded thro' the Savanna, the Path lying there;
and about ten a Clock came to a hunting Quarter, of a great many Santees;
they made us all welcome; shewing a great deal of Joy at our coming,
giving us barbacu'd Turkeys, Bear's Oil, and Venison.
Here we hir'd Santee Jack (a good Hunter, and a well-humour'd Fellow)
to be our Pilot to the Congeree Indians; we gave him a Stroud-water-Blew,
to make his Wife an Indian Petticoat, who went with her Husband.
After two Hours Refreshment, we went on, and got that Day about twenty Miles;
we lay by a small swift Run of Water, which was pav'd at the Bottom
with a Sort of Stone much like to Tripoli, and so light,
that I fancy'd it would precipitate in no Stream, but where it naturally grew.
The Weather was very cold, the Winds holding Northerly.
We made our selves as merry as we could, having a good Supper
with the Scraps of the Venison we had given us by the Indians,
having kill'd 3 Teal and a Possum; which Medly all together
made a curious Ragoo.
{Sunday 15 Miles.}
This Day all of us had a Mind to have rested, but the Indian
was much against it, alledging, That the Place we lay at,
was not good to hunt in; telling us, if we would go on, by Noon,
he would bring us to a more convenient Place; so we mov'd forwards,
and about twelve a Clock came to the most amazing Prospect I had seen
since I had been in Carolina; we travell'd by a Swamp-side,
which Swamp I believe to be no less than twenty Miles over,
the other Side being as far as I could well discern, there appearing
great Ridges of Mountains, bearing from us W.N.W. One Alp with a Top
like a Sugar-loaf, advanc'd its Head above all the rest very considerably;
the Day was very serene, which gave us the Advantage of seeing a long Way;
these Mountains were cloth'd all over with Trees, which seem'd to us
to be very large Timbers.
At the Sight of this fair Prospect, we stay'd all Night; our Indian
going about half an Hour before us, had provided three fat Turkeys
e'er we got up to him.
The Swamp I now spoke of, is not a miry Bog, as others generally are,
but you go down to it thro' a steep Bank, at the Foot of which,
begins this Valley, where you may go dry for perhaps 200 Yards,
then you meet with a small Brook or Run of Water, about 2 or 3 Foot deep,
then dry Land for such another Space, so another Brook, thus continuing.
The Land in this Percoarson, or Valley, being extraordinary rich,
and the Runs of Water well stor'd with Fowl. It is the Head
of one of the Branches of Santee-River; but a farther Discovery
Time would not permit; only one Thing is very remarkable,
there growing all over this Swamp, a tall, lofty Bay-tree,
but is not the same as in England, these being in their Verdure
all the Winter long; which appears here, when you stand on the Ridge,
(where our Path lay) as if it were one pleasant, green Field,
and as even as a Bowling-green to the Eye of the Beholder;
being hemm'd in on one Side with these Ledges of vast high Mountains.
Viewing the Land here, we found an extraordinary rich, black Mould,
and some of a Copper-colour, both Sorts very good; the Land in some Places
is much burthen'd with Iron, Stone, here being great Store of it,
seemingly very good: The eviling Springs, which are many in these Parts,
issuing out of the Rocks, which Water we drank of, it colouring
the Excrements of Travellers (by its chalybid Quality) as black as a Coal.
When we were all asleep, in the Beginning of the Night,
we were awaken'd with the dismall'st and most hideous Noise
that ever pierc'd my Ears: This sudden Surprizal incapacitated us of guessing
what this threatning Noise might proceed from; but our Indian Pilot
(who knew these Parts very well) acquainted us, that it was customary
to hear such Musick along that Swamp-side, there being
endless Numbers of Panthers, Tygers, Wolves, and other Beasts of Prey,
which take this Swamp for their Abode in the Day, coming in whole Droves
to hunt the Deer in the Night, making this frightful Ditty 'till Day appears,
then all is still as in other Places.
{Monday.}
The next Day it prov'd a small drisly Rain, which is rare,
there happening not the tenth Part of Foggy-falling Weather
towards these Mountains, as visits those Parts. Near the Sea-board,
the Indian kill'd 15 Turkeys this Day; there coming out of the Swamp,
(about Sun-rising) Flocks of these Fowl, containing several hundreds
in a Gang, who feed upon the Acrons, it being most Oak that grow
in these Woods. There are but very few Pines in those Quarters.
Early the next Morning, we set forward for the Congeree-Indians,
parting with that delicious Prospect. By the Way, our Guide kill'd
more Turkeys, and two Polcats, which he eat, esteeming them before
fat Turkeys. Some of the Turkeys which we eat, whilst we stay'd there,
I believe, weigh'd no less than 40 Pounds.
The Land we pass'd over this Day, was most of it good, and the worst passable.
At Night we kill'd a Possum, being cloy'd with Turkeys, made a Dish of that,
which tasted much between young Pork and Veal; their Fat being as white
as any I ever saw.
Our Indian having this Day kill'd good Store of Provision with his Gun,
he always shot with a single Ball, missing but two Shoots in above forty;
they being curious Artists in managing a Gun, to make it carry either Ball,
or Shot, true. When they have bought a Piece, and find it to shoot
any Ways crooked, they take the Barrel out of the Stock, cutting a Notch
in a Tree, wherein they set it streight, sometimes shooting away
above 100 Loads of Ammunition, before they bring the Gun to shoot
according to their Mind. We took up our Quarters by a Fish-pond-side;
the Pits in the Woods that stand full of Water, naturally breed Fish in them,
in great Quantities. We cook'd our Supper, but having neither Bread, or Salt,
our fat Turkeys began to be loathsome to us, altho' we were never wanting
of a good Appetite, yet a Continuance of one Diet, made us weary.
{Wednesday.}
The next Morning, Santee Jack told us, we should reach
the Indian Settlement betimes that Day; about Noon, we pass'd by
several fair Savanna's, very rich and dry; seeing great Copses of many Acres
that bore nothing but Bushes, about the Bigness of Box-trees;
which (in the Season) afford great Quantities of small Black-berries,
very pleasant Fruit, and much like to our Blues, or Huckle-berries,
that grow on Heaths in England. Hard by the Savanna's we found the Town,
where we halted; there was not above one Man left with the Women,
the rest being gone a Hunting for a Feast. The Women were very busily
engag'd in Gaming: The Name or Grounds of it, I could not learn,
tho' I look'd on above two Hours. Their Arithmetick was kept
with a Heap of Indian Grain. When their Play was ended,
the King, or Cassetta's Wife, invited us into her Cabin. The Indian Kings
always entertaining Travellers, either English, or Indian;
taking it as a great Affront, if they pass by their Cabins,
and take up their Quarters at any other Indian's House.
The Queen set Victuals before us, which good Compliment they use generally
as soon as you come under their Roof.
The Town consists not of above a dozen Houses, they having
other stragling Plantations up and down the Country, and are seated upon
a small Branch of Santee-River. Their Place hath curious dry Marshes,
and Savanna's adjoining to it, and would prove an exceeding thriving Range
for Cattle, and Hogs, provided the English were seated thereon.
Besides, the Land is good for Plantations.
These Indians are a small People, having lost much of their former Numbers,
by intestine Broils; but most by the Small-pox, which hath often visited them,
sweeping away whole Towns; occasion'd by the immoderate
Government of themselves in their Sickness; as I have mention'd before,
treating of the Sewees. Neither do I know any Savages that have traded
with the English, but what have been great Losers by this Distemper.
We found here good Store of Chinkapin-Nuts, which they gather in Winter
great Quantities of, drying them; so keep these Nuts in great Baskets
for their Use; likewise Hickerie-Nuts, which they beat betwixt
two great Stones, then sift them, so thicken their Venison-Broath therewith;
the small Shells precipitating to the Bottom of the Pot,
whilst the Kernel in Form of Flower, mixes it with the Liquor.
Both these Nuts made into Meal, makes a curious Soop, either with clear Water,
or in any Meat-Broth.
From the Nation of Indians, until such Time as you come to the Turkeiruros
in North Carolina, you will see no long Moss upon the Trees;
which Space of Ground contains above five hundred Miles.
This seeming Miracle in Nature, is occasion'd by the Highness of the Land,
it being dry and healthful; for tho' this Moss bears a Seed
in a Sort of a small Cod, yet it is generated in or near low swampy Grounds.
The Congerees are kind and affable to the English, the Queen being
very kind, giving us what Rarities her Cabin afforded, as Loblolly made
with Indian Corn, and dry'd Peaches. These Congerees have
abundance of Storks and Cranes in their Savannas. They take them
before they can fly, and breed 'em as tame and familiar
as a Dung-hill Fowl. They had a tame Crane at one of these Cabins,
that was scarce less than six Foot in Height, his Head being round,
with a shining natural Crimson Hue, which they all have.
These are a very comely Sort of Indians, there being
a strange Difference in the Proportion and Beauty of these Heathens.
Altho' their Tribes or Nations border one upon another, yet you may discern
as great an Alteration in their Features and Dispositions,
as you can in their Speech, which generally proves quite different
from each other, though their Nations be not above 10 or 20 Miles in Distance.
The Women here being as handsome as most I have met withal,
being several fine-finger'd Brounetto's amongst them. These Lasses
stick not upon Hand long, for they marry when very young,
as at 12 or 14 Years of Age. The English Traders are seldom without
an Indian Female for his Bed-fellow, alledging these Reasons
as sufficient to allow of such a Familiarity. First, They being remote
from any white People, that it preserves their Friendship with the Heathens,
they esteeming a white Man's Child much above one of their getting,
the Indian Mistress ever securing her white Friend Provisions whilst
he stays amongst them. And lastly, This Correspondence makes them learn
the Indian Tongue much the sooner, they being of the French-man's Opinion,
how that an English Wife teaches her Husband more English in one Night,
than a School-master can in a Week.
We saw at the Cassetta's Cabin the strangest Spectacle of Antiquity
I ever knew, it being an old Indian Squah, that, had I been to have guess'd
at her Age by her Aspect, old Parr's Head (the Welch Methusalem)
was a Face in Swadling-Clouts to hers. Her Skin hung in Reaves
like a Bag of Tripe. By a fair Computation, one might have justly thought
it would have contain'd three such Carcasses as hers then was.
She had one of her Hands contracted by some Accident in the Fire,
they sleeping always by it, and often fall into sad Disasters,
especially in their drunken Moods. I made the strictest Enquiry
that was possible, and by what I could gather, she was considerably above
100 Years old, notwithstanding she smoak'd Tobacco, and eat her Victuals,
to all Appearance, as heartily as one of 18. One of our Company
spoke some of their Language, and having not quite forgotten
his former Intrigues with the Indian Lasses, would fain have been dealing
with some of the young Female Fry; but they refus'd him,
he having nothing that these Girls esteem'd. At Night we were laid
in the King's Cabin, where the Queen and the old Squah pig'd in with us:
The former was very much disfigur'd with Tettars, and very reserv'd,
which disappointed our fellow Traveller in his Intrigues.
The Women smoak much Tobacco, (as most Indians do.) They have Pipes,
whose Heads are cut out of Stone, and will hold an Ounce of Tobacco,
and some much less. They have large wooden Spoons, as big as small Ladles,
which they make little Use of, lading the Meat out of the Bowls
with their Fingers.
{Thursday.}
In the Morning we rose before Day, having hir'd a Guide over Night
to conduct us on our Way; but it was too soon for him to stir out,
the Indians never setting forward 'till the Sun is an Hour or two high,
and hath exhall'd the Dew from the Earth. The Queen got us a good Breakfast
before we left her; she had a young Child, which was much afflicted
with the Cholick; for which Distemper she infus'd a Root in Water,
which was held in a Goard; this she took into her Mouth,
and spurted it into the Infant's, which gave it ease. After we had eaten,
we set out (with our new Guide) for the Wateree Indians.
We went over a great deal of indifferent Land this Day. Here begins to appear
very good Marble, which continues more and less for the Space of 500 Miles.
We lay all Night by a Run of Water, as we always do, (if possible)
for the Convenience of it. The Weather was very cold. We went this Day
about 30 Miles from the Congerees.
{Friday.}
In the Morning we made no Stay to get our Breakfast, but hasted on our Voyage,
the Land increasing in Marble and Richness of Soil. At Noon we halted,
getting our Dinner upon a Marble-Stone, that rose it self
half a Foot above the Surface of the Earth, and might contain
the Compass of a Quarter of an Acre of Land, being very even,
there growing upon it in some Places a small red Berry, like a Salmon-Spawn,
there boiling out of the main Rock curious Springs of as delicious Water,
as ever I drank in any Parts I ever travell'd in.
These Parts likewise affords good free Stone, fit for Building,
and of several Sorts. The Land here is pleasantly seated,
with pretty little Hills and Valleys, the rising Sun at once shewing
his glorious reflecting Rays on a great many of these little Mountains.
We went this Day about 20 Miles, our Guide walking like a Horse, 'till we had
sadl'd him with a good heavy Pack of some Part of our Cloaths and Bedding,
by which Means we kept Pace with him.
This Night we lay by a Run-side, where I found a fine yellow Earth,
the same with Bruxels-Sand, which Goldsmiths use to cast withal,
giving a good Price in England, and other Parts. Here is likewise
the true Blood-Stone, and considerable Quantities of Fullers-Earth,
which I took a Proof of, by scouring great Spots out of Woollen,
and it prov'd very good.
{Saturday.}
As we were on our Road this Morning, our Indian shot at a Tyger,
that cross'd the Way, he being a great Distance from us.
I believe he did him no Harm, because he sat on his Breech afterwards,
and look'd upon us. I suppose he expected to have had a Spaniel Bitch,
that I had with me, for his Breakfast, who run towards him,
but in the Midway stopt her Career, and came sneaking back to us
with her Tail betwixt her Legs.
We saw in the Path a great many Trees blown up by the Roots,
at the Bottom whereof stuck great Quantities of fine red Bole;
I believe nothing inferior to that of Venice or Lemma.
We found some Holes in the Earth, which were full of a Water as black as Ink.
I thought that Tincture might proceed from some Mineral,
but had not Time to make a farther Discovery. About Noon we pass'd over
a pleasant stony Brook, whose Water was of a bluish Cast,
as it is for several hundreds of Miles towards the Heads of the Rivers,
I suppose occasion'd by the vast Quantities of Marble
lying in the Bowels of the Earth. The Springs that feed
these Rivulets, lick up some Potions of the Stones in the Brooks;
which Dissolution gives this Tincture, as appears in all,
or most of the Rivers and Brooks of this Country, whose rapid Streams
are like those in Yorkshire, and other Northern Counties of England.
The Indians talk of many Sorts of Fish which they afford,
but we had not Time to discover their Species.
I saw here had been some Indian Plantations formerly,
there being several pleasant Fields of clear'd Ground, and excellent Soil,
now well spread with fine bladed Grass, and Strawberry-Vines.
The Mould here is excessive rich, and a Country very pleasing to the Eye,
had it the Convenience of a navigable River, as all new Colonies
(of Necessity) require. It would make a delightful Settlement.
We went eight Miles farther, and came to the Wateree Chickanee Indians.
The Land holds good, there being not a Spot of bad Land to be seen
in several Days going.
The People of this Nation are likely tall Persons, and great Pilferers,
stealing from us any Thing they could lay their Hands on,
though very respectful in giving us what Victuals we wanted.
We lay in their Cabins all Night, being dark smoaky Holes,
as ever I saw any Indians dwell in. This Nation is much more populous
than the Congerees, and their Neighbours, yet understand not
one anothers Speech. They are very poor in English Effects,
several of them having no Guns, making Use of Bows and Arrows,
being a lazy idle People, a Quality incident to most Indians,
but none to that Degree as these, as I ever met withal.
Their Country is wholly free from Swamps and Quagmires, being high dry Land,
and consequently healthful, producing large Corn-Stalks, and fair Grain.
{Sunday.}
Next Morning, we took off our Beards with a Razor, the Indians looking on
with a great deal of Admiration. They told us, they had never seen
the like before, and that our Knives cut far better than those
that came amongst the Indians. They would fain have borrow'd our Razors,
as they had our Knives, Scissors, and Tobacco-Tongs, the day before,
being as ingenious at picking of Pockets, as any, I believe,
the World affords; for they will steal with their Feet.
Yesterday, one of our Company, not walking so fast as the rest,
was left behind. He being out of Sight before we miss'd him,
and not coming up to us, tho' we staid a considerable time on the Road
for him, we stuck up Sticks in the Ground, and left other Tokens
to direct him which way we were gone: But he came not to us that Night,
which gave us Occasion to fear some of the Heathens had kill'd him,
for his Cloaths, or the savage Beasts had devour'd him in the Wilderness,
he having nothing about him to strike Fire withal. As we were debating
which way we should send to know what was become of him, he overtook us,
having a Waxsaw Indian for his Guide. He told us, he had miss'd the Path,
and got to another Nation of Indians, but 3 Miles off, who at that time
held great Feasting. They had entertain'd him very respectfully,
and sent that Indian to invite us amongst them, wondring that
we would not take up our Quarters with them, but make our Abode
with such a poor Sort of Indians, that were not capable of entertaining us
according to our Deserts: We receiv'd the Messenger with
a great many Ceremonies, acceptable to those sort of Creatures.
Bidding our Waterree King adieu, we set forth towards the Waxsaws,
going along clear'd Ground all the Way. Upon our Arrival, we were led into
a very large and lightsome Cabin, the like I have not met withal.
They laid Furs and Deer-Skins upon Cane Benches for us to sit or lie upon,
bringing (immediately) stewed Peaches and green Corn, that is preserv'd
in their Cabins before it is ripe, and sodden and boil'd when they use it,
which is a pretty sort of Food, and a great Increaser of the Blood.
These Indians are of an extraordinary Stature, and call'd
by their Neighbours flat Heads, which seems a very suitable Name for them.
In their Infancy, their Nurses lay the Back-part of their Children's Heads
on a Bag of Sand, (such as Engravers use to rest their Plates upon.)
They use a Roll, which is placed upon the Babe's Forehead,
it being laid with its Back on a flat Board, and swaddled hard down thereon,
from one End of this Engine, to the other. This Method makes
the Child's Body and Limbs as straight as an Arrow. There being
some young Indians that are perhaps crookedly inclin'd,
at their first coming into the World, who are made perfectly straight
by this Method. I never saw an Indian of a mature Age,
that was any ways crooked, except by Accident, and that way seldom,
for they cure and prevent Deformities of the Limbs, and Body, very exactly.
The Instrument I spoke of before, being a sort of a Press, that is
let out and in, more or less, according to the Discretion of the Nurse,
in which they make the Child's Head flat, it makes the Eyes stand
a prodigious Way asunder, and the Hair hang over the Forehead
like the Eves of a House, which seems very frightful: They being ask'd
the Reason why they practis'd this Method, reply'd, the Indian's Sight
was much strengthened and quicker, thereby, to discern the Game in hunting
at larger Distance, and so never miss'd of becoming expert Hunters,
the Perfection of which they all aim at, as we do to become
experienced Soldiers, learned School-Men, or Artists in Mechanicks:
He that is a good Hunter never misses of being a Favourite amongst the Women;
the prettiest Girls being always bestow'd upon the chiefest Sports-Men,
and those of a grosser Mould, upon the useless Lubbers.
Thus they have a Graduation amongst them, as well as other Nations.
As for the Solemnity of Marriages amongst them, kept with so much Ceremony
as divers Authors affirm, it never appear'd amongst those many Nations
I have been withal, any otherwise than in the Manner I have
mention'd hereafter.
The Girls at 12 or 13 Years of Age, as soon as Nature prompts them,
freely bestow their Maidenheads on some Youth about the same Age,
continuing her Favours on whom she most affects, changing her Mate very often,
few or none of them being constant to one, till a greater Number of Years
has made her capable of managing domestick Affairs, and she hath try'd
the Vigour of most of the Nation she belongs to; Multiplicity of Gallants
never being a Stain to a Female's Reputation, or the least Hindrance
of her Advancement, but the more Whorish, the more Honourable,
and they of all most coveted, by those of the first Rank, to make a Wife of.
The `Flos Virginis', so much coveted by the Europeans, is never valued
by these Savages. When a Man and Woman have gone through their Degrees,
(there being a certain Graduation amongst them) and are allow'd
to be House-Keepers, which is not till they arrive at such an Age,
and have past the Ceremonies practis'd by their Nation, almost all Kingdoms
differing in the Progress thereof, then it is that the Man makes his Addresses
to some one of these thorough-paced Girls, or other, whom he likes best.
When she is won, the Parents of both Parties, (with Advice of the King)
agree about the Matter, making a Promise of their Daughter, to the Man,
that requires her, it often happening that they converse and travel together,
for several Moons before the Marriage is publish'd openly; After this,
at the least Dislike the Man may turn her away, and take another;
or if she disapproves of his Company, a Price is set upon her,
and if the Man that seeks to get her, will pay the Fine to her Husband,
she becomes free from Him: Likewise some of their War Captains,
and great Men, very often will retain 3 or 4 Girls at a time
for their own Use, when at the same time, he is so impotent and old,
as to be incapable of making Use of one of them; so that
he seldom misses of wearing greater Horns than the Game he kills.
The Husband is never so enrag'd as to put his Adulteress to Death; if she
is caught in the Fact, the Rival becomes Debtor to the cornuted Husband,
in a certain Quantity of Trifles valuable amongst them, which he pays
as soon as discharg'd, and then all Animosity is laid aside betwixt
the Husband, and his Wife's Gallant. The Man proves often so good humour'd
as to please his Neighbour and gratify his Wife's Inclinations,
by letting her out for a Night or two, to the Embraces of some other,
which perhaps she has a greater Liking to, tho' this is
not commonly practis'd.
They set apart the youngest and prettiest Faces for trading Girls;
these are remarkable by their Hair, having a particular Tonsure
by which they are known, and distinguish'd from those engag'd to Husbands.
They are mercenary, and whoever makes Use of them, first hires them,
the greatest Share of the Gain going to the King's Purse,
who is the chief Bawd, exercising his Perogative over all
the Stews of his Nation, and his own Cabin (very often)
being the chiefest Brothel-House. As they grow in Years,
the hot Assaults of Love grow cooler; and then they commonly are so staid,
as to engage themselves with more Constancy to each other.
I have seen several Couples amongst them, that have been so reserv'd,
as to live together for many Years, faithful to each other,
admitting none to their Beds but such as they own'd for their Wife or Husband:
So continuing to their Life's end.
At our Waxsaw Landlord's Cabin, was a Woman employ'd in no other Business
than Cookery; it being a House of great Resort. The Fire was surrounded
with Roast-meat, or Barbakues, and the Pots continually boiling
full of Meat, from Morning till Night. This She-Cook was the cleanliest
I ever saw amongst the Heathens of America, washing her Hands
before she undertook to do any Cookery; and repeated this unusual Decency
very often in a day. She made us as White-Bread as any English
could have done, and was full as neat, and expeditious, in her Affairs.
It happen'd to be one of their great Feasts, when we were there:
The first day that we came amongst them, arriv'd an Ambassador
from the King of Sapona, to treat with these Indians about
some important Affairs. He was painted with Vermillion all over his Face,
having a very large Cutlass stuck in his Girdle, and a Fusee in his Hand.
At Night, the Revels began where this Foreign Indian was admitted;
the King, and War Captain, inviting us to see their Masquerade:
This Feast was held in Commemoration of the plentiful Harvest of Corn
they had reap'd the Summer before, with an united Supplication
for the like plentiful Produce the Year ensuing. These Revels
are carried on in a House made for that purpose, it being done round
with white Benches of fine Canes, joining along the Wall;
and a place for the Door being left, which is so low, that a Man
must stoop very much to enter therein. This Edifice resembles
a large Hay-Rick; its Top being Pyramidal, and much bigger
than their other Dwellings, and at the Building whereof, every one assists
till it is finish'd. All their Dwelling-Houses are cover'd with Bark,
but this differs very much; for, it is very artificially
thatch'd with Sedge and Rushes: As soon as finish'd, they place
some one of their chiefest Men to dwell therein, charging him
with the diligent Preservation thereof, as a Prince commits
the Charge and Government of a Fort or Castle, to some Subject
he thinks worthy of that Trust. In these State-Houses is transacted
all Publick and Private Business, relating to the Affairs of the Government,
as the Audience of Foreign Ambassadors from other Indian Rulers,
Consultation of waging and making War, Proposals of their Trade
with neighbouring Indians, or the English, who happen to come
amongst them. In this Theater, the most Aged and Wisest meet,
determining what to Act, and what may be most convenient to Omit,
Old Age being held in as great Veneration amongst these Heathens,
as amongst any People you shall meet withal in any Part of the World.
Whensoever an Aged Man is speaking, none ever interrupts him,
(the contrary Practice the English, and other Europeans, too much use)
the Company yielding a great deal of Attention to his Tale,
with a continued Silence, and an exact Demeanour, during the Oration.
Indeed, the Indians are a People that never interrupt one another
in their Discourse; no Man so much as offering to open his Mouth,
till the Speaker has utter'd his Intent: When an English-Man
comes amongst them, perhaps every one is acquainted with him,
yet, first, the King bids him Welcome, after him the War-Captain,
so on gradually from High to Low; not one of all these speaking
to the White Guest, till his Superiour has ended his Salutation.
Amongst Women, it seems impossible to find a Scold; if they are provok'd,
or affronted, by their Husbands, or some other, they resent
the Indignity offer'd them in silent Tears, or by refusing their Meat.
Would some of our European Daughters of Thunder set these Indians
for a Pattern, there might be more quiet Families found amongst them,
occasion'd by that unruly Member, the Tongue.
Festination proceeds from the Devil, (says a Learned Doctor)
a Passion the Indians seem wholly free from; they determining
no Business of Moment, without a great deal of Deliberation and Wariness.
None of their Affairs appear to be attended with Impetuosity, or Haste,
being more content with the common Accidents incident to humane Nature,
(as Losses, contrary Winds, bad Weather, and Poverty)
than those of more civilized Countries.
Now, to return to our State-House, whither we were invited by the Grandees:
As soon as we came into it, they plac'd our Englishmen near the King;
it being my Fortune to sit next him, having his great General,
or War-Captain, on my other Hand. The House is as dark as a Dungeon,
and as hot as one of the Dutch-Stoves in Holland. They had made
a circular Fire of split Canes in the middle of the House.
It was one Man's Employment to add more split Reeds to the one end
as it consum'd at the other, there being a small Vacancy left
to supply it with Fewel. They brought in great store of Loblolly,
and other Medleys, made of Indian Grain, stewed Peaches,
Bear-Venison, &c. every one bringing some Offering to enlarge the Banquet,
according to his Degree and Quality. When all the Viands were brought in,
the first Figure began with kicking out the Dogs, which are seemingly Wolves,
made tame with starving and beating; they being the worst Dog-Masters
in the World; so that it is an infallible Cure for Sore-Eyes,
ever to see an Indian's Dog fat. They are of a quite contrary Disposition
to Horses; some of their Kings having gotten, by great chance,
a Jade, stolen by some neighbouring Indian, and transported
farther into the Country, and sold; or bought sometimes of a Christian,
that trades amongst them. These Creatures they continually cram,
and feed with Maiz, and what the Horse will eat, till he is as fat as a Hog;
never making any farther use of him than to fetch a Deer home,
that is killed somewhere near the Indian's Plantation.
After the Dogs had fled the Room, the Company was summon'd by Beat of Drum;
the Musick being made of a dress'd Deer's Skin, tied hard upon
an Earthen Porridge-Pot. Presently in came fine Men dress'd up with Feathers,
their Faces being covered with Vizards made of Gourds;
round their Ancles and Knees, were hung Bells of several sorts,
having Wooden Falchions in their Hands, (such as Stage-Fencers commonly use;)
in this Dress they danced about an Hour, shewing many strange Gestures,
and brandishing their Wooden Weapons, as if they were going
to fight each other; oftentimes walking very nimbly round the Room,
without making the least Noise with their Bells, (a thing I much admired at;)
again, turning their Bodies, Arms and Legs, into such frightful Postures,
that you would have guess'd they had been quite raving mad: At last,
they cut two or three high Capers, and left the Room. In their stead,
came in a parcel of Women and Girls, to the Number of Thirty odd;
every one taking place according to her Degree of Stature,
the tallest leading the Dance, and the least of all being plac'd last;
with these they made a circular Dance, like a Ring,
representing the Shape of the Fire they danced about: Many of these
had great Horse-Bells about their Legs, and small Hawk's Bells
about their Necks. They had Musicians, who were two Old Men,
one of whom beat a Drum, while the other rattled with a Gourd,
that had Corn in it, to make a Noise withal: To these Instruments,
they both sung a mournful Ditty; the Burthen of their Song was,
in Remembrance of their former Greatness, and Numbers of their Nation,
the famous Exploits of their Renowned Ancestors, and all Actions of Moment
that had (in former Days) been perform'd by their Forefathers.
At these Festivals it is, that they give a Traditional Relation of what
hath pass'd amongst them, to the younger Fry. These verbal Deliveries
being always publish'd in their most Publick Assemblies,
serve instead of our Traditional Notes, by the use of Letters.
Some Indians, that I have met withal, have given me
a very curious Description of the great Deluge, the Immortality of the Soul,
with a pithy Account of the Reward of good and wicked Deeds in the Life
to come; having found, amongst some of them, great Observers of Moral Rules,
and the Law of Nature; indeed, a worthy Foundation to build Christianity upon,
were a true Method found out, and practis'd, for the Performance thereof.
Their way of Dancing, is nothing but a sort of stamping Motion,
much like the treading upon Founders Bellows. This Female-Gang
held their Dance for above six Hours, being all of them of a white Lather,
like a Running Horse that has just come in from his Race.
My Landlady was the Ring-leader of the Amazons, who, when in her own House,
behav'd herself very discreetly, and warily, in her Domestick Affairs;
yet, Custom had so infatuated her, as to almost break her Heart
with Dancing amongst such a confused Rabble. During this Dancing,
the Spectators do not neglect their Business, in working the Loblolly-Pots,
and the other Meat that was brought thither; more or less of them
being continually Eating, whilst the others were Dancing.
When the Dancing was ended, every Youth that was so disposed,
catch'd hold of the Girl he liked best, and took her that Night
for his Bed-Fellow, making as short Courtship and expeditious Weddings,
as the Foot-Guards us'd to do with the Trulls in Salisbury-Court.
Next we shall treat of the Land hereabouts, which is a Marl as red as Blood,
and will lather like Soap. The Town stands on this Land,
which holds considerably farther in the Country, and is in my Opinion,
so durable that no Labour of Man, in one or two Ages, could make it poor.
I have formerly seen the like in Leicestershire, bordering upon Rutland.
Here were Corn-Stalks in their Fields as thick as the Small of a Man's Leg,
and they are ordinarily to be seen.
We lay with these Indians one Night, there being by my Bed-side
one of the largest Iron Pots I had ever seen in America,
which I much wondred at, because I thought there might be no navigable Stream
near that Place. I ask'd them, where they got that Pot?
They laugh'd at my Demand, and would give me no Answer, which makes me guess
it came from some Wreck, and that we were nearer the Ocean,
or some great River, than I thought.
{Monday.}
The next day about Noon, we accidentally met with a Southward Indian,
amongst those that us'd to trade backwards and forwards,
and spoke a little English, whom we hir'd to go with us
to the Esaw Indians, a very large Nation containing many thousand People.
In the Afternoon we set forward, taking our Leaves of the Wisack Indians,
and leaving them some Trifles. On our Way, we met with
several Towns of Indians, each Town having its Theater or State House,
such Houses being found all along the Road, till you come to Sapona,
and then no more of those Buildings, it being about 170 Miles.
We reach'd 10 Miles this day, lying at another Town of the Wisacks.
The Man of the House offer'd us Skins to sell, but they were too heavy Burdens
for our long Voyage.
{Tuesday.}
Next Morning we set out early, breaking the Ice we met withal,
in the stony Runs, which were many. We pass'd by several Cottages,
and about 8 of the Clock came to a pretty big Town,
where we took up our Quarters, in one of their State Houses,
the Men being all out, hunting in the Woods, and none but Women at home.
Our Fellow Traveller of whom I spoke before at the Congerees,
having a great Mind for an Indian Lass, for his Bed-Fellow that Night,
spoke to our Guide, who soon got a Couple, reserving one for himself.
That which fell to our Companion's Share, was a pretty young Girl.
Tho' they could not understand one Word of what each other spoke,
yet the Female Indian, being no Novice at her Game, but understanding
what she came thither for, acted her Part dexterously enough with her Cully,
to make him sensible of what she wanted; which was to pay the Hire,
before he rode the Hackney. He shew'd her all the Treasure
he was possess'd of, as Beads, Red Cadis, &c. which she lik'd very well,
and permitted him to put them into his Pocket again, endearing him
with all the Charms, which one of a better Education than Dame Nature
had bestow'd upon her, could have made use of, to render her Consort
a surer Captive. After they had us'd this Sort of Courtship a small time,
the Match was confirm'd by both Parties, with the Approbation
of as many Indian Women, as came to the House, to celebrate
our Winchester-Wedding. Every one of the Bride-Maids were as great Whores,
as Mrs. Bride, tho' not quite so handsome. Our happy Couple
went to Bed together before us all, and with as little Blushing,
as if they had been Man and Wife for 7 Years. The rest of the Company
being weary with travelling, had more Mind to take their Rest,
than add more Weddings to that hopeful one already consummated;
so that tho' the other Virgins offer'd their Service to us,
we gave them their Answer, and went to sleep. About an Hour before day,
I awak'd, and saw somebody walking up and down the Room
in a seemingly deep Melancholy. I call'd out to know who it was,
and it prov'd to be Mr. Bridegroom, who in less than 12 Hours, was Batchelor,
Husband, and Widdower, his dear Spouse having pick'd his Pocket of the Beads,
Cadis, and what else should have gratified the Indians
for the Victuals we receiv'd of them. However that did not serve her turn,
but she had also got his Shooes away, which he had made the Night before,
of a drest Buck-Skin. Thus dearly did our Spark already repent
his new Bargain, walking bare-foot, in his Penitentials,
like some poor Pilgrim to Loretto.
After the Indians had laugh'd their Sides sore at the Figure
Mr. Bridegroom made, with much ado, we muster'd up another Pair of Shooes,
or Moggisons, and set forward on our intended Voyage,
the Company (all the way) lifting up their Prayers for the new married Couple,
whose Wedding had made away with that, which should have purchas'd our Food.
{Wednesday.}
Relying wholly on Providence, we march'd on, now and then paying our Respects
to the new-married Man. The Land held rich and good;
in many Places there were great Quantities of Marble.
The Water was still of a wheyish Colour. About 10 of the Clock,
we waded thro' a River, (about the Bigness of Derwent, in Yorkshire)
which I take to be one of the Branches of Winjaw River.
We saw several Flocks of Pigeons, Field-Fares, and Thrushes,
much like those of Europe. The Indians of these Parts
use Sweating very much. If any Pain seize their Limbs, or Body,
immediately they take Reeds, or small Wands, and bend them Umbrella-Fashion,
covering them with Skins and Matchcoats: They have a large Fire not far off,
wherein they heat Stones, or (where they are wanting) Bark,
putting it into this Stove, which casts an extraordinary Heat:
There is a Pot of Water in the Bagnio, in which is put a Bunch of an Herb,
bearing a Silver Tassel, not much unlike the Aurea Virga.
With this Vegetable they rub the Head, Temples, and other Parts,
which is reckon'd a Preserver of the Sight and Strengthener of the Brain.
We went, this day, about 12 Miles, one of our Company being
lame of his Knee. We pass'd over an exceeding rich Tract of Land,
affording Plenty of great free Stones, and marble Rocks,
and abounding in many pleasant and delightsome Rivulets.
At Noon, we stay'd and refresh'd ourselves at a Cabin,
where we met with one of their War-Captains, a Man of great Esteem among them.
At his Departure from the Cabin, the Man of the House
scratch'd this War-Captain on the Shoulder, which is look'd upon
as a very great Compliment among them. The Captain went two or three Miles
on our way, with us, to direct us in our Path. One of our Company
gave him a Belt, which he took very kindly, bidding us call at his House,
(which was in our Road) and stay till the lame Traveller was well,
and speaking to the Indian, to order his Servant to make us welcome.
Thus we parted, he being on his Journey to the Congerees,
and Savannas, a famous, warlike, friendly Nation of Indians,
living to the South-End of Ashly River. He had a Man-Slave with him,
who was loaded with European Goods, his Wife and Daughter being in Company.
He told us, at his Departure, that James had sent Knots
to all the Indians thereabouts, for every Town to send in 10 Skins,
meaning Captain Moor, then Governour of South-Carolina.
The Towns being very thick hereabouts, at Night we took up our Quarters
at one of the chief Mens Houses, which was one of the Theaters
I spoke of before. There ran, hard-by this Town, a pleasant River,
not very large, but, as the Indians told us, well stor'd with Fish.
We being now among the powerful Nation of Esaws, our Landlord entertain'd us
very courteously, shewing us, that Night, a pair of Leather-Gloves,
which he had made; and comparing them with ours, they prov'd to be
very ingeniously done, considering it was the first Tryal.
{Thursday.}
In the Morning, he desired to see the lame Man's affected Part,
to the end he might do something, which (he believ'd) would give him Ease.
After he had viewed it accordingly, he pull'd out an Instrument,
somewhat like a Comb, which was made of a split Reed,
with 15 Teeth of Rattle-Snakes set at much the same distance,
as in a large Horn-Comb: With these he scratch'd the place
where the Lameness chiefly lay, till the Blood came, bathing it,
both before and after Incision, with warm Water, spurted out of his Mouth.
This done, he ran into his Plantation, and got some Sassafras Root,
(which grows here in great plenty) dry'd it in the Embers,
scrap'd off the outward Rind, and having beat it betwixt two Stones,
apply'd it to the Part afflicted, binding it up well. Thus, in a day or two,
the Patient became sound. This day, we pass'd through a great many Towns,
and Settlements, that belong to the Sugeree-Indians, no barren Land
being found amongst them, but great plenty of Free-Stone, and good Timber.
About three in the Afternoon, we reach'd the Kadapau King's House,
where we met with one John Stewart, a Scot, then an Inhabitant
of James-River in Virginia, who had traded there for many Years.
Being alone, and hearing that the Sinnagers (Indians from Canada)
were abroad in that Country, he durst not venture homewards,
till he saw us, having heard that we were coming, above 20 days before.
It is very odd, that News should fly so swiftly among these People.
Mr. Stewart had left Virginia ever since the October before,
and had lost a day of the Week, of which we inform'd him. He had brought
seven Horses along with him, loaded with English Goods for the Indians;
and having sold most of his Cargo, told us, if we would stay two Nights,
he would go along with us. Company being very acceptable,
we accepted the Proposal.
{Friday.}
The next day, we were preparing for our Voyage, and baked some Bread
to take along with us. Our Landlord was King of the Kadapau Indians,
and always kept two or three trading Girls in his Cabin.
Offering one of these to some of our Company, who refus'd his Kindness,
his Majesty flew into a violent Passion, to be thus slighted,
telling the Englishmen, they were good for nothing. Our old Gamester,
particularly, hung his Ears at the Proposal, having too lately been a Loser
by that sort of Merchandize. It was observable, that we did not see
one Partridge from the Waterrees to this place, tho' my Spaniel-Bitch,
which I had with me in this Voyage, had put up a great many before.
{Saturday.}
On Saturday Morning, we all set out for Sapona, killing, in these Creeks,
several Ducks of a strange Kind, having a red Circle about their Eyes,
like some Pigeons that I have seen, a Top-knot reaching
from the Crown of their Heads, almost to the middle of their Backs,
and abundance of Feathers of pretty Shades and Colours.
They prov'd excellent Meat. Likewise, here is good store of Woodcocks,
not so big as those in England, the Feathers of the Breast
being of a Carnation-Colour, exceeding ours for Delicacy of Food.
The Marble here is of different Colours, some or other of the Rocks
representing most Mixtures, but chiefly the white having black and blue Veins
in it, and some that are red. This day, we met with seven heaps of Stones,
being the Monuments of seven Indians, that were slain in that place
by the Sinnagers, or Iroquois. Our Indian Guide added a Stone
to each heap. We took up our Lodgings near a Brook-side,
where the Virginia Man's Horses got away; and went back to the Kadapau's.
{Sunday.}
This day, one of our Company, with a Sapona Indian, who attended Stewart,
went back for the Horses. In the mean time, we went to shoot Pigeons,
which were so numerous in these Parts, that you might see many Millions
in a Flock; they sometimes split off the Limbs of stout Oaks, and other Trees,
upon which they roost o' Nights. You may find several Indian Towns,
of not above 17 Houses, that have more than 100 Gallons of Pigeons Oil,
or Fat; they using it with Pulse, or Bread, as we do Butter,
and making the Ground as white as a Sheet with their Dung.
The Indians take a Light, and go among them in the Night,
and bring away some thousands, killing them with long Poles,
as they roost in the Trees. At this time of the Year, the Flocks,
as they pass by, in great measure, obstruct the Light of the day.
{Monday.}
On Monday, we went about 25 Miles, travelling through a pleasant,
dry Country, and took up our Lodgings by a Hillside, that was one entire Rock,
out of which gush'd out pleasant Fountains of well-tasted Water.
{Tuesday.}
The next day, still passing along such Land as we had done
for many days before, which was, Hills and Vallies, about 10 a Clock
we reach'd the Top of one of these Mountains, which yielded us
a fine Prospect of a very level Country, holding so, on all sides,
farther than we could discern. When we came to travel through it,
we found it very stiff and rich, being a sort of Marl.
This Valley afforded as large Timber as any I ever met withal,
especially of Chesnut-Oaks, which render it an excellent Country
for raising great Herds of Swine. Indeed, were it cultivated,
we might have good hopes of as pleasant and fertile a Valley,
as any our English in America can afford. At Night, we lay by
a swift Current, where we saw plenty of Turkies, but pearch'd upon
such lofty Oaks, that our Guns would not kill them, tho' we shot very often,
and our Guns were very good. Some of our Company shot several times,
at one Turkey, before he would fly away, the Pieces being loaded
with large Goose-shot.
{Wednesday.}
Next Morning, we got our Breakfasts; roasted Acorns being one of the Dishes.
The Indians beat them into Meal, and thicken their Venison-Broth with them;
and oftentimes make a palatable Soop. They are used instead of Bread,
boiling them till the Oil swims on the top of the Water,
which they preserve for use, eating the Acorns with Flesh-meat.
We travell'd, this day, about 25 Miles, over pleasant Savanna Ground,
high, and dry, having very few Trees upon it, and those standing
at a great distance. The Land was very good, and free from
Grubs or Underwood. A Man near Sapona may more easily clear
10 Acres of Ground, than in some places he can one; there being
much loose Stone upon the Land, lying very convenient for making of dry Walls,
or any other sort of durable Fence. This Country abounds likewise
with curious bold Creeks, (navigable for small Craft) disgorging themselves
into the main Rivers, that vent themselves into the Ocean.
These Creeks are well stor'd with sundry sorts of Fish, and Fowl,
and are very convenient for the Transportation of what Commodities
this Place may produce. This Night, we had a great deal of Rain,
with Thunder and Lightning.
{Thursday.}
Next Morning, it proving delicate Weather, three of us separated ourselves
from the Horses, and the rest of the Company, and went directly
for Sapona Town. That day, we pass'd through a delicious Country,
(none that I ever saw exceeds it.) We saw fine bladed Grass, six Foot high,
along the Banks of these pleasant Rivulets: We pass'd by
the Sepulchres of several slain Indians. Coming, that day, about 30 Miles,
we reach'd the fertile and pleasant Banks of Sapona River,
whereon stands the Indian Town and Fort. Nor could all Europe
afford a pleasanter Stream, were it inhabited by Christians,
and cultivated by ingenious Hands. These Indians live
in a clear Field, about a Mile square, which they would have sold me,
because I talked sometimes of coming into those Parts to live.
This most pleasant River may be something broader than the Thames
at Kingston, keeping a continual pleasant warbling Noise,
with its reverberating on the bright Marble Rocks. It is beautified
with a numerous Train of Swans, and other sorts of Water-Fowl,
not common, though extraordinary pleasing to the Eye. The forward Spring
welcom'd us with her innumerable Train of small Choristers,
which inhabit those fair Banks; the Hills redoubling, and adding Sweetness
to their melodious Tunes by their shrill Echoes. One side of the River
is hemm'd in with mountainy Ground, the other side proving as rich a Soil
to the Eye of a knowing Person with us, as any this Western World can afford.
We took up our Quarters at the King's Cabin, who was a good Friend
to the English, and had lost one of his Eyes in their Vindication.
Being upon his march towards the Appallatche Mountains,
amongst a Nation of Indians in their Way, there happen'd a Difference,
while they were measuring of Gunpowder; and the Powder, by accident,
taking fire, blew out one of this King's Eyes, and did a great deal
more mischief, upon the spot: Yet this Sapona King stood firmly
to the English Man's Interest, with whom he was in Company,
still siding with him against the Indians. They were intended for
the South Sea, but were too much fatigued by the vast Ridge of Mountains,
tho' they hit the right Passage; it being no less than five days Journey
through a Ledge of Rocky Hills, and sandy Desarts. And which is yet worse,
there is no Water, nor scarce a Bird to be seen, during your Passage
over these barren Crags and Valleys. The Sapona River proves to be
the West Branch of Cape-Fair, or Clarendon River, whose Inlet,
with other Advantages, makes it appear as noble a River to plant a Colony in,
as any I have met withal.
The Saponas had (about 10 days before we came thither) taken
Five Prisoners of the Sinnagers or Jennitos, a Sort of People that range
several thousands of Miles, making all Prey they lay their Hands on.
These are fear'd by all the savage Nations I ever was among,
the Westward Indians dreading their Approach. They are all forted in,
and keep continual Spies and Out-Guards for their better Security.
Those Captives they did intend to burn, few Prisoners of War
escaping that Punishment. The Fire of Pitch-Pine being got ready,
and a Feast appointed, which is solemnly kept at the time of their acting
this Tragedy, the Sufferer has his Body stuck thick with Light-Wood-Splinters,
which are lighted like so many Candles, the tortur'd Person dancing round
a great Fire, till his Strength fails, and disables him from making them
any farther Pastime. Most commonly, these Wretches behave themselves
(in the Midst of their Tortures) with a great deal of Bravery and Resolution,
esteeming it Satisfaction enough, to be assur'd, that the same Fate will befal
some of their Tormentors, whensoever they fall into the Hands of their Nation.
More of this you will have in the other Sheets.
The Toteros, a neighbouring Nation, came down from the Westward Mountains,
to the Saponas, desiring them to give them those Prisoners into their Hands,
to the Intent they might send them back into their own Nation,
being bound in Gratitude to be serviceable to the Sinnagers,
since not long ago, those Northern-Indians had taken
some of the Toteros Prisoners, and done them no Harm,
but treated them civilly whilst among them, sending them,
with Safety, back to their own People, and affirming,
that it would be the best Method to preserve Peace on all Sides.
At that time these Toteros, Saponas, and the Keyauwees,
3 small Nations, were going to live together, by which they thought
they should strengthen themselves, and become formidable to their Enemies.
The Reasons offer'd by the Toteros being heard, the Sapona King,
with the Consent of his Counsellors, deliver'd the Sinnagers up
to the Toteros, to conduct them home.
{Friday.}
Friday Morning, the old King having shew'd us 2 of his Horses,
that were as fat, as if they had belong'd to the Dutch Troopers,
left us, and went to look after his Bever-Traps, there being
abundance of those amphibious Animals in this River, and the Creeks adjoining.
Taken with the Pleasantness of the Place, we walk'd along the River-side,
where we found a very delightful Island, made by the River, and a Branch;
there being several such Plots of Ground environ'd with this Silver Stream,
which are fit Pastures for Sheep, and free from any offensive Vermin.
Nor can any thing be desired by a contented Mind, as to a pleasant Situation,
but what may here be found; Every Step presenting some new Object,
which still adds Invitation to the Traveller in these Parts.
Our Indian King and his Wife entertain'd us very respectfully.
{Saturday. Jan. 31.}
On Saturday, the Indians brought in some Swans, and Geese,
which we had our Share of. One of their Doctors took me to his Cabin,
and shew'd me a great Quantity of medicinal Drugs, the Produce of those Parts;
Relating their Qualities as to the Emunctories they work'd by,
and what great Maladies he had heal'd by them. This Evening,
came to us the Horses, with the Remainder of our Company, their Indian Guide
(who was a Youth of this Nation) having kill'd, in their Way, a very fat Doe,
Part of which they brought to us.
{Sunday.}
This day, the King sent out all his able Hunters, to kill Game
for a great Feast, that was to be kept at their Departure, from the Town,
which they offer'd to sell me for a small matter. That Piece of Ground,
with a little Trouble, would make an Englishman a most curious Settlement,
containing above a Mile square of rich Land. This Evening,
came down some Toteros, tall, likely Men, having great Plenty of Buffelos,
Elks, and Bears, with other sort of Deer amongst them,
which strong Food makes large, robust Bodies. Enquiring of them,
if they never got any of the Bezoar Stone, and giving them a Description
how it was found, the Indians told me, they had great plenty of it;
and ask'd me, What use I could make of it? I answer'd them,
That the white Men us'd it in Physick, and that I would buy some of them,
if they would get it against I came that way again. Thereupon, one of them
pull'd out a Leather-Pouch, wherein was some of it in Powder;
he was a notable Hunter, and affirm'd to me, That that Powder,
blown into the Eyes, strengthen'd the Sight and Brain exceedingly,
that being the most common Use they made of it. I bought, for 2 or 3 Flints,
a large Peach-Loaf, made up with a pleasant sort of Seed;
and this did us a singular Kindness, in our Journey. Near the Town,
within their clear'd Land, are several Bagnios, or Sweating-Houses,
made of Stone, in Shape like a large Oven. These they make much Use of;
especially, for any Pains in the Joints, got by Cold, or Travelling.
At Night, as we lay in our Beds, there arose the most violent N.W. Wind
I ever knew. The first Puff blew down all the Palisadoes that fortify'd
the Town; and I thought it would have blown us all into the River,
together with the Houses. Our one-ey'd King, who pretends much
to the Art of Conjuration, ran out in the most violent Hurry,
and in the Middle of the Town, fell to his Necromantick Practice;
tho' I thought he would have been blown away or kill'd,
before the Devil and he could have exchang'd half a dozen Words;
but in two Minutes, the Wind was ceas'd, and it became as great a Calm,
as ever I knew in my Life. As I much admir'd at that sudden Alteration,
the old Man told me, the Devil was very angry, and had done thus,
because they had not put the Sinnagers to Death.
{Monday.}
On Monday Morning, our whole Company, with the Horses,
set out from the Sapona-Indian Town, after having seen some of the Locust,
which is gotten thereabouts,e,
without meeting with one of these small swift Currents,
here being no Swamps to be found, but pleasant, dry Roads
all over the Country. The Way that we went this day, was as full of Stones,
as any which Craven, in the West of Yorkshire, could afford,
and having nothing but Moggisons on my Feet, I was so lam'd
by this stony Way, that I thought I must have taken up some Stay
in those Parts. We went, this day, not above 15 or 20 Miles.
After we had supp'd, and all lay down to sleep, there came a Wolf
close to the Fire-side, where we lay. My Spaniel soon discover'd him,
at which, one of our Company fir'd a Gun at the Beast; but, I believe,
there was a Mistake in the loading of it, for it did him no Harm.
The Wolf stay'd till he had almost loaded again, but the Bitch making
a great Noise, at last left us and went aside. We had no sooner laid down,
but he approach'd us again, yet was more shy, so that we could not get
a Shot at him.
{Tuesday.}
Next day, we had 15 Miles farther to the Keyauwees. The Land
is more mountainous, but extremely pleasant, and an excellent Place
for the breeding Sheep, Goats, and Horses; or Mules, if the English
were once brought to the Experience of the Usefulness of those Creatures.
The Valleys are here very rich. At Noon, we pass'd over
such another stony River, as that eight Miles from Sapona.
This is call'd Heighwaree, and affords as good blue Stone for Mill-Stones,
as that from Cologn, good Rags, some Hones, and large Pebbles,
in great abundance, besides Free-Stone of several Sorts, all very useful.
I knew one of these Hones made use of by an Acquaintance of mine,
and it prov'd rather better than any from Old Spain, or elsewhere.
The Veins of Marble are very large and curious on this River,
and the Banks thereof.
Five Miles from this River, to the N.W. stands the Keyauwees Town.
They are fortify'd in, with wooden Puncheons, like Sapona,
being a People much of the same Number. Nature hath so fortify'd this Town,
with Mountains, that were it a Seat of War, it might easily
be made impregnable; having large Corn-Fields joining to their Cabins,
and a Savanna near the Town, at the Foot of these Mountains,
that is capable of keeping some hundred Heads of Cattle. And all this
environ'd round with very high Mountains, so that no hard Wind ever troubles
these Inhabitants. Those high Clifts have no Grass growing on them,
and very few Trees, which are very short, and stand at a great Distance
one from another. The Earth is of a red Colour, and seems to me
to be wholly design'd by Nature for the Production of Minerals,
being of too hot a Quality, to suffer any Verdure upon its Surface.
These Indians make use of Lead-Ore, to paint their Faces withal,
which they get in the neighbouring Mountains. As for the refining of Metals,
the Indians are wholly ignorant of it, being content with the Realgar.
But if it be my Chance, once more to visit these Hilly Parts,
I shall make a longer Stay amongst them: For were a good Vein of Lead
found out, and work'd by an ingenious Hand, it might be of no small Advantage
to the Undertaker, there being great Convenience for smelting,
either by Bellows or Reverberation; and the Working of these Mines
might discover some that are much richer.
At the Top of one of these Mountains, is a Cave that 100 Men
may fit very conveniently to dine in; whether natural, or artificial,
I could not learn. There is a fine Bole between this Place, and the Saps.
These Valleys thus hemm'd in with Mountains, would (doubtless) prove
a good place for propagating some sort of Fruits, that our Easterly Winds
commonly blast. The Vine could not miss of thriving well here;
but we of the Northern Climate are neither Artists, nor curious,
in propagating that pleasant and profitable Vegetable. Near the Town,
is such another Current, as Heighwaree. We being six in Company,
divided ourselves into Two Parties; and it was my Lot to be
at the House of Keyauwees Jack, who is King of that People.
He is a Congeree-Indian, and ran away when he was a Boy.
He got this Government by Marriage with the Queen; the Female Issue
carrying the Heritage, for fear of Impostors; the Savages
well knowing, how much Frailty possesses the Indian Women,
betwixt the Garters and the Girdle.
{Wednesday.}
The next day, having some occasion to write, the Indian King, who saw me,
believ'd that he could write as well as I. Whereupon, I wrote a Word,
and gave it him to copy, which he did with more Exactness,
than any European could have done, that was illiterate. It was so well,
that he who could read mine, might have done the same by his.
Afterwards, he took great Delight in making Fish-hooks of his own Invention,
which would have been a good Piece for an Antiquary to have puzzled
his Brains withal, in tracing out the Characters of all the Oriental Tongues.
He sent for several Indians to his Cabin, to look at his Handy-work,
and both he and they thought, I could read his Writing
as well as I could my own. I had a Manual in my Pocket,
that had King David's Picture in it, in one of his private Retirements.
The Indian ask'd me, Who that Figure represented? I told him,
It was the Picture of a good King, that liv'd according to
the Rules of Morality, doing to all as he would be done by,
ordering all his Life to the Service of the Creator of all things;
and being now above us all, in Heaven, with God Almighty,
who had rewarded him with all the delightful Pleasures imaginable
in the other World, for his Obedience to him in this; I concluded,
with telling them, that we received nothing here below,
as Food, Raiment, &c. but what came from that Omnipotent Being.
They listened to my Discourse with a profound Silence, assuring me,
that they believ'd what I said to be true. No Man living will ever be able
to make these Heathens sensible of the Happiness of a future State,
except he now and then mentions some lively carnal Representation,
which may quicken their Apprehensions, and make them thirst
after such a gainful Exchange; for, were the best Lecture
that ever was preach'd by Man, given to an ignorant sort of People,
in a more learned Style, than their mean Capacities are able to understand,
the Intent would prove ineffectual, and the Hearers would be left
in a greater Labyrinth than their Teacher found them in.
But dispense the Precepts of our Faith according to the Pupil's Capacity,
and there is nothing in our Religion, but what an indifferent Reason is,
in some measure, able to comprehend; tho' a New-England Minister
blames the French Jesuits for this way of Proceeding, as being
quite contrary to a true Christian Practice, and affirms it to be no ready,
or true Method, to establish a lively Representation of our Christian Belief
amongst these Infidels.
All the Indians hereabouts carefully preserve the Bones of the Flesh
they eat, and burn them, as being of Opinion, that if they omitted
that Custom, the Game would leave their Country, and they should not be able
to maintain themselves by their Hunting. Most of these Indians
wear Mustachoes, or Whiskers, which is rare; by reason the Indians
are a People that commonly pull the Hair of their Faces, and other Parts,
up by the Roots, and suffer none to grow. Here is plenty of Chesnuts,
which are rarely found in Carolina, and never near the Sea, or Salt-Water;
tho' they are frequently in such Places in Virginia.
At the other House, where our Fellow-Travellers lay, they had provided a Dish,
in great Fashion amongst the Indians, which was Two young Fawns,
taken out of the Doe's Bellies, and boil'd in the same slimy Bags
Nature had plac'd them in, and one of the Country-Hares,
stew'd with the Guts in her Belly, and her Skin with the Hair on.
This new-fashion'd Cookery wrought Abstinence in our Fellow-Travellers,
which I somewhat wonder'd at, because one of them made nothing
of eating Allegators, as heartily as if it had been Pork and Turneps.
The Indians dress most things after the Wood-cock Fashion,
never taking the Guts out. At the House we lay at, there was
very good Entertainment of Venison, Turkies, and Bears; and which is customary
amongst the Indians, the Queen had a Daughter by a former Husband,
who was the beautifullest Indian I ever saw, and had an Air of Majesty
with her, quite contrary to the general Carriage of the Indians.
She was very kind to the English, during our Abode, as well as
her Father and Mother.
{Thursday.}
This Morning, most of our Company having some Inclination
to go straight away for Virginia, when they left this Place;
I and one more took our leaves of them, resolving (with God's Leave)
to see North-Carolina, one of the Indians setting us in our way.
The rest being indifferent which way they went, desired us, by all means,
to leave a Letter for them, at the Achonechy-Town. The Indian
that put us in our Path, had been a Prisoner amongst the Sinnagers;
but had out-run them, although they had cut his Toes, and half his Feet away,
which is a Practice common amongst them. They first raise the Skin,
then cut away half the Feet, and so wrap the Skin over the Stumps,
and make a present Cure of the Wounds. This commonly disables them
from making their Escape, they being not so good Travellers as before,
and the Impression of their Half-Feet making it easy to trace them.
However, this Fellow was got clear of them, but had little Heart
to go far from home, and carry'd always a Case of Pistols in his Girdle,
besides a Cutlass, and a Fuzee. Leaving the rest of our Company
at the Indian-Town, we travell'd, that day, about 20 Miles,
in very cold, frosty Weather; and pass'd over two pretty Rivers,
something bigger than Heighwaree, but not quite so stony. We took
these two Rivers to make one of the Northward Branches of Cape-Fair River,
but afterwards found our Mistake.
{Friday.}
The next day, we travell'd over very good Land, but full of Free-Stone,
and Marble, which pinch'd our Feet severely. We took up our Quarters
in a sort of Savanna-Ground, that had very few Trees in it.
The Land was good, and had several Quarries of Stone, but not loose,
as the others us'd to be.
{Saturday.}
Next Morning, we got our Breakfasts of Parch'd Corn, having nothing but that
to subsist on for above 100 Miles. All the Pine-Trees were vanish'd,
for we had seen none for two days. We pass'd through a delicate rich Soil
this day; no great Hills, but pretty Risings, and Levels, which made
a beautiful Country. We likewise pass'd over three Rivers this day;
the first about the bigness of Rocky River, the other not much differing
in Size. Then we made not the least Question, but we had pass'd over
the North-West Branch of Cape-Fair, travelling that day above 30 Miles.
We were much taken with the Fertility and Pleasantness of the Neck of Land
between these two Branches, and no less pleas'd, that we had pass'd the River,
which us'd to frighten Passengers from fording it. At last,
determining to rest on the other side of a Hill, which we saw before us;
when we were on the Top thereof, there appear'd to us such another delicious,
rapid Stream, as that of Sapona, having large Stones,
about the bigness of an ordinary House, lying up and down the River.
As the Wind blew very cold at N.W. and we were very weary, and hungry,
the Swiftness of the Current gave us some cause to fear; but, at last,
we concluded to venture over that Night. Accordingly, we stripp'd,
and with great Difficulty, (by God's Assistance) got safe
to the North-side of the famous Hau-River, by some called Reatkin;
the Indians differing in the Names of Places, according to their
several Nations. It is call'd Hau-River, from the Sissipahau Indians,
who dwell upon this Stream, which is one of the main Branches of Cape-Fair,
there being rich Land enough to contain some Thousands of Families;
for which Reason, I hope, in a short time, it will be planted.
This River is much such another as Sapona; both seeming to run a vast way
up the Country. Here is plenty of good Timber, and especially,
of a Scaly-bark'd Oak; And as there is Stone enough in both Rivers,
and the Land is extraordinary Rich, no Man that will be content
within the Bounds of Reason, can have any grounds to dislike it.
And they that are otherwise, are the best Neighbours, when farthest of.
{Sunday.}
As soon as it was day, we set out for the Achonechy-Town,
it being, by Estimation, 20 Miles off, which, I believe, is pretty exact.
We were got about half way, (meeting great Gangs of Turkies) when we saw,
at a Distance, 30 loaded Horses, coming on the Road, with four or five Men,
on other Jades, driving them. We charg'd our Piece, and went up to them:
Enquiring, whence they came from? They told us, from Virginia.
The leading Man's Name was Massey, who was born about Leeds
in Yorkshire. He ask'd, from whence we came? We told him.
Then he ask'd again, Whether we wanted any thing that he had? telling us,
we should be welcome to it. We accepted of Two Wheaten Biskets,
and a little Ammunition. He advised us, by all means,
to strike down the Country for Ronoack, and not think of Virginia,
because of the Sinnagers, of whom they were afraid, tho' so well arm'd,
and numerous. They persuaded us also, to call upon one Enoe Will,
as we went to Adshusheer, for that he would conduct us safe
among the English, giving him the Character of a very faithful Indian,
which we afterwards found true by Experience. The Virginia-Men
asking our Opinion of the Country we were then in? we told them,
it was a very pleasant one. They were all of the same Opinion, and affirm'd,
That they had never seen 20 Miles of such extraordinary rich Land,
lying all together, like that betwixt Hau-River and the Achonechy Town.
Having taken our Leaves of each other, we set forward; and the Country,
thro' which we pass'd, was so delightful, that it gave us
a great deal of Satisfaction. About Three a Clock, we reach'd the Town,
and the Indians presently brought us good fat Bear, and Venison,
which was very acceptable at that time. Their Cabins were hung
with a good sort of Tapestry, as fat Bear, and barbakued or dried Venison;
no Indians having greater Plenty of Provisions than these.
The Savages do, indeed, still possess the Flower of Carolina,
the English enjoying only the Fag-end of that fine Country.
We had not been in the Town 2 Hours, when Enoe-Will came into
the King's Cabin; which was our Quarters. We ask'd him,
if he would conduct us to the English, and what he would have for his Pains;
he answer'd, he would go along with us, and for what he was to have,
he left that to our Discretion.
{Monday.}
The next Morning, we set out, with Enoe-Will, towards Adshusheer,
leaving the Virginia Path, and striking more to the Eastward,
for Ronoack. Several Indians were in our Company belonging
to Will's Nation, who are the Shoccories, mixt with the Enoe-Indians,
and those of the Nation of Adshusheer. Enoe-Will is their chief Man,
and rules as far as the Banks of Reatkin. It was a sad stony Way
to Adshusheer. We went over a small River by Achonechy,
and in this 14 Miles, through several other Streams, which empty themselves
into the Branches of Cape-Fair. The stony Way made me quite lame;
so that I was an Hour or two behind the rest; but honest Will
would not leave me, but bid me welcome when we came to his House,
feasting us with hot Bread, and Bears-Oil; which is wholsome Food
for Travellers. There runs a pretty Rivulet by this Town.
Near the Plantation, I saw a prodigious overgrown Pine-Tree,
having not seen any of that Sort of Timber for above 125 Miles:
They brought us 2 Cocks, and pull'd their larger Feathers off,
never plucking the lesser, but singeing them off. I took one of these Fowls
in my Hand, to make it cleaner than the Indian had, pulling out
his Guts and Liver, which I laid in a Bason; notwithstanding which,
he kept such a Struggling for a considerable time, that I had much ado
to hold him in my Hands. The Indians laugh'd at me, and told me,
that Enoe-Will had taken a Cock of an Indian that was not at home,
and the Fowl was design'd for another Use. I conjectur'd,
that he was design'd for an Offering to their God, who, they say,
hurts them, (which is the Devil.) In this Struggling, he bled afresh,
and there issued out of his Body more Blood than commonly
such Creatures afford. Notwithstanding all this, we cook'd him, and eat him;
and if he was design'd for him, cheated the Devil. The Indians keep
many Cocks, but seldom above one Hen, using very often such wicked Sacrifices,
as I mistrusted this Fowl was design'd for.
Our Guide and Landlord Enoe-Will was of the best and most agreeable Temper
that ever I met with in an Indian, being always ready
to serve the English, not out of Gain, but real Affection;
which makes him apprehensive of being poison'd by some wicked Indians,
and was therefore very earnest with me, to promise him to revenge his Death,
if it should so happen. He brought some of his chief Men into his Cabin,
and 2 of them having a Drum, and a Rattle, sung by us, as we lay in Bed,
and struck up their Musick to serenade and welcome us to their Town.
And tho' at last, we fell asleep, yet they continu'd their Consort
till Morning. These Indians are fortify'd in, as the former,
and are much addicted to a Sport they call Chenco, which is carry'd on
with a Staff and a Bowl made of Stone, which they trundle upon a smooth Place,
like a Bowling-Green, made for that Purpose, as I have mention'd before.
{Tuesday.}
Next Morning, we set out, with our Guide, and several other Indians,
who intended to go to the English, and buy Rum. We design'd for a Nation
about 40 Miles from Adshusheer, call'd the Lower Quarter:
The first Night, we lay in a rich Perkoson, or low Ground,
that was hard-by a Creek, and good dry Land.
{Wednesday.}
The next day, we went over several Tracts of rich Land,
but mix'd with Pines and other indifferent Soil. In our way,
there stood a great Stone about the Size of a large Oven, and hollow;
this the Indians took great Notice of, putting some Tobacco
into the Concavity, and spitting after it. I ask'd them
the Reason of their so doing, but they made me no Answer. In the Evening,
we pass'd over a pleasant Rivulet, with a fine gravelly Bottom,
having come over such another that Morning. On the other side of this River,
we found the Indian Town, which was a Parcel of nasty smoaky Holes,
much like the Waterrees; their Town having a great Swamp
running directly through the Middle thereof. The Land here
begins to abate of its Height, and has some few Swamps.
Most of these Indians have but one Eye; but what Mischance or Quarrel
has bereav'd them of the other I could not learn. They were not
so free to us, as most of the other Indians had been; Victuals being
somewhat scarce among them. However, we got enough to satisfy our Appetites.
I saw, among these Men, very long Arrows, headed with Pieces of Glass,
which they had broken from Bottles. They had shap'd them neatly,
like the Head of a Dart; but which way they did it, I can't tell.
We had not been at this Town above an Hour, when two of our Company,
that had bought a Mare of John Stewart, came up to us,
having receiv'd a Letter by one of Will's Indians, who was very cautious,
and asked a great many Questions, to certifie him of the Person,
e'er he would deliver the Letter. They had left the Trader,
and one that came from South-Carolina with us, to go to Virginia;
these Two being resolved to go to Carolina with us.
{Thursday.}
This Day fell much Rain, so we staid at the Indian Town.
{Friday.}
This Morning, we set out early, being four English-Men,
besides several Indians. We went 10 Miles, and were then stopp'd
by the Freshes of Enoe-River, which had rais'd it so high,
that we could not pass over, till it was fallen. I enquir'd of my Guide,
Where this River disgorg'd it self? He said, It was Enoe-River,
and run into a Place call'd Enoe-Bay, near his Country, which he left
when he was a Boy; by which I perceiv'd, he was one of the Cores by Birth:
This being a Branch of Neus-River.
{Saturday.}
This Day, our Fellow-Traveller's Mare ran away from him;
wherefore, Will went back as far as the lower Quarter, and brought her back.
{Sunday.}
The next Day, early, came two Tuskeruro Indians to the other side
of the River, but could not get over. They talk'd much to us,
but we understood them not. In the Afternoon, Will came
with the Mare, and had some Discourse with them; they told him,
The English, to whom he was going, were very wicked People;
and, That they threatned the Indians for Hunting near their Plantations.
These Two Fellows were going among the Schoccores and Achonechy Indians,
to sell their Wooden Bowls and Ladles for Raw-Skins, which they make
great Advantage of, hating that any of these Westward Indians
should have any Commerce with the English, which would prove a Hinderance
to their Gains. Their Stories deterr'd an Old Indian and his Son,
from going any farther; but Will told us, Nothing they had said
should frighten him, he believing them to be a couple of Hog-stealers;
and that the English only sought Restitution of their Losses, by them;
and that this was the only ground for their Report. Will had a Slave,
a Sissipahau-Indian by Nation, who killed us several Turkies,
and other Game, on which we feasted.
{Monday.}
This River is near as large as Reatkin; the South-side having
curious Tracts of good Land, the Banks high, and Stone-Quarries.
The Tuskeruros being come to us, we ventur'd over the River,
which we found to be a strong Current, and the Water about Breast-high.
However, we all got safe to the North-Shore, which is but poor,
white, sandy Land, and bears no Timber, but small shrubby Oaks.
We went about 10 Miles, and sat down at the Falls of a large Creek,
where lay mighty Rocks, the Water making a strange Noise,
as if a great many Water-Mills were going at once. I take this to be
the Falls of Neus-Creek, called by the Indians, `Wee quo Whom'.
We lay here all Night. My Guide Will desiring to see the Book
that I had about me, I lent it him; and as he soon found
the Picture of King David, he asked me several Questions
concerning the Book, and Picture, which I resolv'd him, and invited him
to become a Christian. He made me a very sharp Reply, assuring me,
That he lov'd the English extraordinary well, and did believe their Ways
to be very good for those that had already practis'd them,
and had been brought up therein; But as for himself, he was too much in Years
to think of a Change, esteeming it not proper for Old People
to admit of such an Alteration. However, he told me,
If I would take his Son Jack, who was then about 14 Years of Age,
and teach him to talk in that Book, and make Paper speak,
which they call our Way of Writing, he would wholly resign him to my Tuition;
telling me, he was of Opinion, I was very well affected to the Indians.
{Tuesday.}
The next Morning, we set out early, and I perceiv'd that these Indians
were in some fear of Enemies; for they had an Old Man with them,
who was very cunning and circumspect, wheresoever he saw any Marks of Footing,
or of any Fire that had been made; going out of his Way, very often,
to look for these Marks. We went, this day, above 30 Miles,
over a very level Country, and most Pine Land, yet intermix'd
with some Quantities of Marble; a good Range for Cattel,
though very indifferent for Swine. We had now lost our rapid Streams,
and were come to slow, dead Waters, of a brown Colour,
proceeding from the Swamps, much like the Sluices in Holland,
where the Track-Scoots go along. In the Afternoon, we met two Tuskeruros,
who told us, That there was a Company of Hunters not far of,
and if we walk'd stoutly, we might reach them that Night.
But Will and He that own'd the Mare, being gone before,
and the Old Indian tired, we rested, that Night, in the Woods,
making a good light Fire, Wood being very plentiful in these Parts.
{Wednesday.}
Next Day, about 10 a Clock, we struck out of the Way,
by the Advice of our Old Indian. We had not gone past two Miles,
e'er we met with about 500 Tuskeruros in one Hunting-Quarter.
They had made themselves Streets of Houses, built with Pine-Bark,
not with round Tops, as they commonly use, but Ridge-Fashion, after the manner
of most other Indians. We got nothing amongst them but Corn,
Flesh being not plentiful, by reason of the great Number of their People.
For tho' they are expert Hunters, yet they are too populous for one Range;
which makes Venison very scarce to what it is amongst other Indians,
that are fewer; no Savages living so well for Plenty, as those near the Sea.
I saw, amongst these, a Hump-back'd Indian, which was the only crooked one
I ever met withal. About two a Clock, we reach'd one of their Towns,
in which there was no body left, but an Old Woman or two; the rest being gone
to their Hunting-Quarters. We could find no Provision at that Place.
We had a Tuskeruro that came in company with us, from the lower Quarter,
who took us to his Cabin, and gave us what it afforded, which was Corn-meat.
{Thursday.}
This Day, we pass'd through several Swamps, and going not above a dozen Miles,
came to a Cabin, the Master whereof us'd to trade amongst the English.
He told us, If we would stay Two Nights, he would conduct us safe to them,
himself designing, at that time, to go and fetch some Rum;
so we resolved to tarry for his Company. During our Stay,
there happen'd to be a Young Woman troubled with Fits.
The Doctor who was sent for to assist her, laid her on her Belly,
and made a small Incision with Rattle-Snake-Teeth; then laying his Mouth
to the Place, he suck'd out near a Quart of black conglutinated Blood,
and Serum. Our Landlord gave us the Tail of a Bever,
which was a choice Food. {Friday.} There happen'd also to be
a Burial of one of their Dead, which Ceremony is much the same with
that of the Santees, who make a great Feast at the Interment of their Corps.
The small Runs of Water hereabout, afford great Plenty of Craw-Fish,
full as large as those in England, and nothing inferior in Goodness.
{Saturday.}
Saturday Morning, our Patron, with Enoe Will, and his Servant,
set out with us, for the English. In the Afternoon, we ferried
over a River, (in a Canoe) called by the Indians, Chattookau,
which is the N.W. Branch of Neus-River. We lay in the Swamp,
where some Indians invited us to go to their Quarters,
which some of our Company accepted, but got nothing extraordinary,
except a dozen Miles March out of their Way: The Country here
is very thick of Indian Towns and Plantations.
{Sunday.}
We were forced to march, this day, for Want of Provisions. About 10 a Clock,
we met an Indian that had got a parcel of Shad-Fish ready barbaku'd.
We bought 24 of them, for a dress'd Doe-Skin, and so went on,
through many Swamps, finding, this day, the long ragged Moss on the Trees,
which we had not seen for above 600 Miles. In the Afternoon,
we came upon the Banks of Pampticough, about 20 Miles above
the English Plantations by Water, though not so far by Land.
The Indian found a Canoe, which he had hidden, in which
we all got over, and went about six Miles farther. We lay, that Night,
under two or three Pieces of Bark, at the Foot of a large Oak.
There fell abundance of Snow and Rain in the Night, with much
Thunder and Lightning.
{Monday.}
Next Day, it clear'd up, and it being about 12 Miles to the English,
about half-way we passed over a deep Creek, and came safe
to Mr. Richard Smith's, of Pampticough-River, in North-Carolina;
where being well receiv'd by the Inhabitants, and pleas'd with
the Goodness of the Country, we all resolv'd to continue.
FINIS.
Project Gutenberg Etext Part 1 of 5
continued ...