202 Ai JOURNEY’ TO THE | 
177. only confifted of about eighteen miles, we came 
eer to a few {mall ferubby woods, which were the | 
~ firft that we had feen from the twenty-fifth of } 
May, except thofe we had perceived at the Cop- ] 
per-mine River. | 
One of the Indian’s wives, who for fome time } 
had been in a contumption, had for a few days — 
paft become fo weak as to be incapable of travel | 
ling, which, among thofe people, is the moft de- 
plorable ftate to which a human being can pofli- — 
bly be brought. Whether fhe had been given — 
over by the dodtors, or that it was for want of — 
friends among them, I cannot tell, but certain it 
is, that no expedients were taken for her recove- 
ry; fo that, without .much ceremony, fhe was 
left unaflifted, to perifh above-ground. 
Yhough this was the firft inftance of the kind | 
1 had feen, it is the common, and indeed the con- 
{tant practice of thofe Indians; for when a grown 
perfon is fo ill, efpecially in the Summer, as not 
to be able to walk, and too heavy to be carried, 
they fay it is better to leave one who is paft reco- 
very, than for the whole family to fit down by — 
them and ilarve to death; well knowing that they 
cannot be of any fervice to the afflicted. On thofe 
occafions, therefore, the friends or relations of the 
fick generally leave them fome victuals and wa- — 
ter; and, if the fituation of the place will afford 
it, a little firing. When thofe articles are | 
provided, the. perfon to be left is acquainted | 
with the road which the others intend to go; 
and © 
