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.
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