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.
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