Virginia 



which the black-snake was watching to prey upon. 

 I took and laid it, half stupefied, in the sun to revive. 

 After I proceeded about a quarter of a mile, it oc- 

 curred to me that it would be a great curiosity if I 

 could carry it to England; I therefore sent my ser- 

 vant back with orders to fetch it: but, at his return, 

 he acquainted me that it was not to be found, and 

 that the black-snake was in the same position where- 

 in I had first discovered it. I mention this as an 

 instance of the intrepid nature of the black-snake, 

 which, though not venomous, will attack and devour 

 the rattlesnake; and, in some cases, it is asserted, 

 even dare to assault a man. 



May 30. I left Fredericksburg, and having ferried 

 over the Rappahannock at the falls, travelled that 

 night to Neville's ordinary, about thirty-four miles. 



May 31. I passed over the Pignut and Blue 

 Ridges; and, crossing the Shenandoah, arrived, after 

 a long day's journey of above fifty miles, at 

 Winchester.* 



The Pignut ridge is a continuation of the south- 

 west mountains. It is no where very high; and at 

 the gap where I passed, the ascent is so extremely 

 easy, owing to the winding of the road between the 

 mountains, that I was scarcely sensible of it. 



* Greenway Court, the seat of the venerable Lord Fairfax, is 

 situated a few miles on the left of the road, about halfway between 

 the Appalachian mountains and Winchester. His Lordship being 

 absent, I was prevented from paying my respects to him. See 

 Appendix, No. 4. 



[71] 



