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.
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