392 The Natural History 



us ; and that we liad not as yet sufficiently refreshed ourselves 

 after our late Fatigue. But we assured him that our Gov- 

 ernor had given us strict Orders at our Departure, to be as 

 expeditious as possibly we could in our return home. These 

 Considerations at length moved him to a compliance sooner 

 than he intended. But the chief Reason of our departing so 

 soon was, that if we had remained there much longer, we 

 should be deprived of all our Rum, which was a great sup- 

 2)ort to us in this long and tedious Journey. The King then 

 offered us a Party of his Men to guard us in the Mountains, 

 least we should be molested by any Indians that might be 

 Hunting in them, during our stay there. We most gTatefully 

 returned him our due Acknowledgments for his kind offer, 

 and the many Favours he had already conferred upon us, 

 and most humbly beg'd to be excused, which he readily 

 granted us. 



Having thus obtained our License of Departure, we made 

 him a Present of a Bottle of Rum, in lieu whereof he gave 

 us Indian Corn, Venison, and some dried Fruits, for our 

 support in the Mountains, where Provisions are scarce. All 

 things being prepared as usual, we set out the next Morning 

 about six o' Clock, continuing our Journey still Westicard: 

 The King and his Guards conducted us about half a Mile, 

 wishing us Health, and intreating us at the same time, to 

 make him a Visit at our Return, which we did not, taking a 

 Tour another way. 



About the Evening we approached to the top of one of 

 these Mountains, where we refreshed, being all in perfect 

 Health. Here we had the greatest difficulty to be supplied 

 with Moss for Provision for our Horses, but after some time 

 searching, we found what was sufficient for them ; then mak- 

 ing a great Fire, and our Beds for that Night of \hv AvithcTcd 



Leaves 



